Barbados - BB - BRB - BAR - Central America and the Caribbean

Last updated: April 12, 2024
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Barbados Images

  • At sunset, the west coast of Barbados offers beautiful sunsets and calm waters. A cruise ship may be seen departing Barbados as a swimmer watches the sun drop over the horizon.

    At sunset, the west coast of Barbados offers beautiful sunsets and calm waters. A cruise ship may be seen departing Barbados as a swimmer watches the sun drop over the horizon.

  • Bridgetown is the capital city of the island nation of Barbados, located to the east of the Lesser Antilles Island chain. While Barbados is considered part of the Lesser Antilles, it is located within the western Atlantic Ocean rather than the Caribbean Sea. Besides being the seat of government, Bridgetown is the largest city in Barbados. It and the surrounding towns that make up the Greater Bridgetown area are located along the southwestern coastline of the island. The metropolitan area is readily recognizable in this astronaut photograph due to the gray and white rooftops and street grids (image center) that contrast with green vegetated fields and riverside areas of the island's interior to the northeast (image top center). Bridgetown is a major port destination for both commercial and cruise ships serving the eastern Caribbean - several ships are visible within Carlisle Bay. Water color in the image changes from light blue along the coastline - indicating shallow water - to the dark blue of deeper water away from the island. Photo courtesy of NASA.

    Bridgetown is the capital city of the island nation of Barbados, located to the east of the Lesser Antilles Island chain. While Barbados is considered part of the Lesser Antilles, it is located within the western Atlantic Ocean rather than the Caribbean Sea. Besides being the seat of government, Bridgetown is the largest city in Barbados. It and the surrounding towns that make up the Greater Bridgetown area are located along the southwestern coastline of the island. The metropolitan area is readily recognizable in this astronaut photograph due to the gray and white rooftops and street grids (image center) that contrast with green vegetated fields and riverside areas of the island's interior to the northeast (image top center). Bridgetown is a major port destination for both commercial and cruise ships serving the eastern Caribbean - several ships are visible within Carlisle Bay. Water color in the image changes from light blue along the coastline - indicating shallow water - to the dark blue of deeper water away from the island. Photo courtesy of NASA.

  • Bathsheba Beach is a popular surfing spot along the rugged east coast. Limestone formations dot the coastline providing a stark contrast to the clear waters.

    Bathsheba Beach is a popular surfing spot along the rugged east coast. Limestone formations dot the coastline providing a stark contrast to the clear waters.

  • Bathsheba Beach is a popular surfing spot along the rugged east coast. Limestone formations dot the coastline providing a stark contrast to the clear waters.

    Bathsheba Beach is a popular surfing spot along the rugged east coast. Limestone formations dot the coastline providing a stark contrast to the clear waters.

  • Bathsheba Beach is a popular surfing spot along the rugged east coast. Limestone formations dot the coastline providing a stark contrast to the clear waters.

    Bathsheba Beach is a popular surfing spot along the rugged east coast. Limestone formations dot the coastline providing a stark contrast to the clear waters.

  • An old tree near Flower Cave along the Barbados North Coast is home to a directional signpost.

    An old tree near Flower Cave along the Barbados North Coast is home to a directional signpost.

  • Flower Cave on the Barbados north coast is a hollowed-out limestone cave that gets partially submerged during high tide. Tourists can come visit during low tide and peer out to the ocean.

    Flower Cave on the Barbados north coast is a hollowed-out limestone cave that gets partially submerged during high tide. Tourists can come visit during low tide and peer out to the ocean.

  • Barbados geology is founded upon coral deposits and uplifts. Along the north shore, coral cliffs rise 15 m (50 ft) above the water below. Waves crashing into the cliffs spray high into the air as they push ashore.

    Barbados geology is founded upon coral deposits and uplifts. Along the north shore, coral cliffs rise 15 m (50 ft) above the water below. Waves crashing into the cliffs spray high into the air as they push ashore.

  • The fort at Needham’s Point protects the southwest corner of Barbados. At sunset, the sky lights up with deep red and orange hues.

    The fort at Needham’s Point protects the southwest corner of Barbados. At sunset, the sky lights up with deep red and orange hues.

  • The eastern coast of Barbados faces the open ocean. The mostly rural region takes advantage of the environment to grow many of the Bajan crops.

    The eastern coast of Barbados faces the open ocean. The mostly rural region takes advantage of the environment to grow many of the Bajan crops.

  • The Morgan Lewis Windmill, located in St. Andrew, Barbados, is the largest and only fully functioning sugar windmill in the Caribbean. Windmills harnessed the energy of prevailing trade winds to mill grains and other agricultural products. This mill’s wind-driven machinery that ground sugarcane in the 18th and 19th centuries was still intact even at cessation of operations in 1947. In 1962, the Barbados National Trust acquired the mill for preservation as a museum and it was dismantled and restored to full functionality and able to grind cane again.

    The Morgan Lewis Windmill, located in St. Andrew, Barbados, is the largest and only fully functioning sugar windmill in the Caribbean. Windmills harnessed the energy of prevailing trade winds to mill grains and other agricultural products. This mill’s wind-driven machinery that ground sugarcane in the 18th and 19th centuries was still intact even at cessation of operations in 1947. In 1962, the Barbados National Trust acquired the mill for preservation as a museum and it was dismantled and restored to full functionality and able to grind cane again.

  • One of the early crops grown in Barbados was sugar cane. To help with crop management and transportation, a train system was constructed along the eastern coast. This train still transports tourists to a scenic overlook providing insights into Bajan history.

    One of the early crops grown in Barbados was sugar cane. To help with crop management and transportation, a train system was constructed along the eastern coast. This train still transports tourists to a scenic overlook providing insights into Bajan history.

  • Barbados is home to a large population of sea turtles. Clear waters and calm seas combine to create incredible viewing opportunities during snorkeling and scuba expeditions.

    Barbados is home to a large population of sea turtles. Clear waters and calm seas combine to create incredible viewing opportunities during snorkeling and scuba expeditions.

  • There are numerous shipwrecks around the island of Barbados that are easily accessible to snorkelers and divers. These nautical remnants are home to coral formations and numerous fish.

    There are numerous shipwrecks around the island of Barbados that are easily accessible to snorkelers and divers. These nautical remnants are home to coral formations and numerous fish.

  • Harrison’s Cave in central Barbados provides tourists with a visual lesson of the purification process for island rainfall. Water seeping through the earthen roof forms an underground stream, which fills aquifers before draining into the ocean.

    Harrison’s Cave in central Barbados provides tourists with a visual lesson of the purification process for island rainfall. Water seeping through the earthen roof forms an underground stream, which fills aquifers before draining into the ocean.

  • The calm south coast of Barbados hosts a string of sandy beaches and rocky shorelines.

    The calm south coast of Barbados hosts a string of sandy beaches and rocky shorelines.

  • “Miami Beach” on the Barbados south coast is shorter than its Florida cousin but has the same clear waters perfect for swimming and snorkeling.

    “Miami Beach” on the Barbados south coast is shorter than its Florida cousin but has the same clear waters perfect for swimming and snorkeling.

  • In the 1960s, engineers hypothesized that it would be possible to use ballistic launchers to shoot satellites into orbit. A test launcher was set up on Barbados south coast.

    In the 1960s, engineers hypothesized that it would be possible to use ballistic launchers to shoot satellites into orbit. A test launcher was set up on Barbados south coast.

  • In the 1960s, engineers hypothesized that it would be possible to use ballistic launchers to shoot satellites into orbit. A test launcher was set up on Barbados south coast, created by welding two battleship 16-inch gun barrels together. It would elevate to a nearly vertical position before firing an extra-large charge. At its peak, the gun was firing twice a week.

    In the 1960s, engineers hypothesized that it would be possible to use ballistic launchers to shoot satellites into orbit. A test launcher was set up on Barbados south coast, created by welding two battleship 16-inch gun barrels together. It would elevate to a nearly vertical position before firing an extra-large charge. At its peak, the gun was firing twice a week.

  • In the 1960s, engineers hypothesized that it would be possible to use ballistic launchers to shoot satellites into orbit. A test launcher was set up on Barbados south coast, created by welding two battleship 16-inch gun barrels together. It would elevate to a nearly vertical position before firing an extra-large charge. The gun was successful in launching an 84-kg payload to over 160 km (100 mi) in altitude.

    In the 1960s, engineers hypothesized that it would be possible to use ballistic launchers to shoot satellites into orbit. A test launcher was set up on Barbados south coast, created by welding two battleship 16-inch gun barrels together. It would elevate to a nearly vertical position before firing an extra-large charge. The gun was successful in launching an 84-kg payload to over 160 km (100 mi) in altitude.

  • Saint James Church in Holetown is the oldest in Barbados. The first (wooden) building was established in 1628, but coral and limestone upgrades were added over the next three centuries. The church today is largely unchanged from how it appeared in the early 1900s.

    Saint James Church in Holetown is the oldest in Barbados. The first (wooden) building was established in 1628, but coral and limestone upgrades were added over the next three centuries. The church today is largely unchanged from how it appeared in the early 1900s.

  • At sunset, the west coast of Barbados offers beautiful sunsets and calm waters. A cruise ship may be seen departing Barbados as a swimmer watches the sun drop over the horizon.

    At sunset, the west coast of Barbados offers beautiful sunsets and calm waters. A cruise ship may be seen departing Barbados as a swimmer watches the sun drop over the horizon.

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  • Barbados as seen from space. Fringing reefs around the island have declined over many decades although there are still submerged reefs off the west and southern coasts. Image courtesy of NASA.
  • Bridgetown is the capital city of the island nation of Barbados, located to the east of the Lesser Antilles Island chain. While Barbados is considered part of the Lesser Antilles, it is located within the western Atlantic Ocean rather than the Caribbean Sea. Besides being the seat of government, Bridgetown is the largest city in Barbados. It and the surrounding towns that make up the Greater Bridgetown area are located along the southwestern coastline of the island. The metropolitan area is readily recognizable in this astronaut photograph due to the gray and white rooftops and street grids (image center) that contrast with green vegetated fields and riverside areas of the island's interior to the northeast (image top center). Bridgetown is a major port destination for both commercial and cruise ships serving the eastern Caribbean - several ships are visible within Carlisle Bay. Water color in the image changes from light blue along the coastline - indicating shallow water - to the dark blue of deeper water away from the island. Photo courtesy of NASA.
  • Bathsheba Beach is a popular surfing spot along the rugged east coast. Limestone formations dot the coastline providing a stark contrast to the clear waters.
  • Bathsheba Beach is a popular surfing spot along the rugged east coast. Limestone formations dot the coastline providing a stark contrast to the clear waters.
  • Bathsheba Beach is a popular surfing spot along the rugged east coast. Limestone formations dot the coastline providing a stark contrast to the clear waters.
  • An old tree near Flower Cave along the Barbados North Coast is home to a directional signpost.
  • Flower Cave on the Barbados north coast is a hollowed-out limestone cave that gets partially submerged during high tide. Tourists can come visit during low tide and peer out to the ocean.
  • Barbados geology is founded upon coral deposits and uplifts. Along the north shore, coral cliffs rise 15 m (50 ft) above the water below. Waves crashing into the cliffs spray high into the air as they push ashore.
  • The fort at Needham’s Point protects the southwest corner of Barbados. At sunset, the sky lights up with deep red and orange hues.
  • The eastern coast of Barbados faces the open ocean. The mostly rural region takes advantage of the environment to grow many of the Bajan crops.
  • The Morgan Lewis Windmill, located in St. Andrew, Barbados, is the largest and only fully functioning sugar windmill in the Caribbean. Windmills harnessed the energy of prevailing trade winds to mill grains and other agricultural products. This mill’s wind-driven machinery that ground sugarcane in the 18th and 19th centuries was still intact even at cessation of operations in 1947. In 1962, the Barbados National Trust acquired the mill for preservation as a museum and it was dismantled and restored to full functionality and able to grind cane again.
  • One of the early crops grown in Barbados was sugar cane. To help with crop management and transportation, a train system was constructed along the eastern coast. This train still transports tourists to a scenic overlook providing insights into Bajan history.
  • Barbados is home to a large population of sea turtles. Clear waters and calm seas combine to create incredible viewing opportunities during snorkeling and scuba expeditions.
  • There are numerous shipwrecks around the island of Barbados that are easily accessible to snorkelers and divers. These nautical remnants are home to coral formations and numerous fish.
  • Harrison’s Cave in central Barbados provides tourists with a visual lesson of the purification process for island rainfall. Water seeping through the earthen roof forms an underground stream, which fills aquifers before draining into the ocean.
  • The calm south coast of Barbados hosts a string of sandy beaches and rocky shorelines.
  • “Miami Beach” on the Barbados south coast is shorter than its Florida cousin but has the same clear waters perfect for swimming and snorkeling.
  • In the 1960s, engineers hypothesized that it would be possible to use ballistic launchers to shoot satellites into orbit. A test launcher was set up on Barbados south coast.
  • In the 1960s, engineers hypothesized that it would be possible to use ballistic launchers to shoot satellites into orbit. A test launcher was set up on Barbados south coast, created by welding two battleship 16-inch gun barrels together. It would elevate to a nearly vertical position before firing an extra-large charge. At its peak, the gun was firing twice a week.
  • In the 1960s, engineers hypothesized that it would be possible to use ballistic launchers to shoot satellites into orbit. A test launcher was set up on Barbados south coast, created by welding two battleship 16-inch gun barrels together. It would elevate to a nearly vertical position before firing an extra-large charge. The gun was successful in launching an 84-kg payload to over 160 km (100 mi) in altitude.
  • Saint James Church in Holetown is the oldest in Barbados. The first (wooden) building was established in 1628, but coral and limestone upgrades were added over the next three centuries. The church today is largely unchanged from how it appeared in the early 1900s.
  • At sunset, the west coast of Barbados offers beautiful sunsets and calm waters. A cruise ship may be seen departing Barbados as a swimmer watches the sun drop over the horizon.

Barbados Factbook Data

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Roger F. NYHUS (since 19 January 2024) note - also accredited to Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

embassy: Wildey Business Park, St. Michael BB 14006, Barbados, W.I.

mailing address: 3120 Bridgetown Place, Washington DC  20521-3120

telephone: (246) 227-4000

FAX: (246) 431-0179

email address and website:
BridgetownACS@state.gov

https://bb.usembassy.gov/

Age structure

0-14 years: 16.78% (male 25,456/female 25,465)

15-64 years: 67.56% (male 100,884/female 104,114)

65 years and over: 15.66% (2023 est.) (male 19,967/female 27,545)
2023 population pyramid
This is the population pyramid for Barbados. A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends.

For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page.

Geographic coordinates

13 10 N, 59 32 W

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.01 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female

total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2023 est.)

Natural hazards

infrequent hurricanes; periodic landslides

Area - comparative

2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Military service age and obligation

voluntary service only (men and women); 17 years, 9 months to 17 years, 11 months with letter of consent from a parent or guardian, or be in the age range of 18-25 years (18-30 for the Reserves) at the start of recruit training; citizens of Barbados by descent or naturalization (2024)

Background

Barbados was uninhabited when first settled by the British in 1627. Enslaved Africans worked the sugar plantations established on the island, which initially dominated the Caribbean sugar industry. By 1720, Barbados was no longer a dominant force within the sugar industry, having been surpassed by the Leeward Islands and Jamaica. Slavery was abolished in 1834. The Barbadian economy remained heavily dependent on sugar, rum, and molasses production through most of the 20th century. The gradual introduction of social and political reforms in the 1940s and 1950s led to independence from the UK in 1966. In the 1990s, tourism and manufacturing surpassed the sugar industry in economic importance. Barbados became a republic in 2021, with the former Governor-General Sandra MASON elected as the first president.

Environment - current issues

pollution of coastal waters from waste disposal by ships; soil erosion; illegal solid waste disposal threatens contamination of aquifers

Environment - international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Population below poverty line

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Exports - commodities

rums and liquors, ships, packaged medicines, cement, paper labels (2021)

Exports - partners

United States 20%, Jamaica 12%, Guyana 8%, Trinidad and Tobago 7%, Italy 6% (2021)

Administrative divisions

11 parishes and 1 city*; Bridgetown*, Christ Church, Saint Andrew, Saint George, Saint James, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint Lucy, Saint Michael, Saint Peter, Saint Philip, Saint Thomas

Agricultural products

sugar cane, poultry, vegetables, milk, eggs, pork, coconuts, pulses, sweet potatoes, tropical fruit

Military and security forces

Barbados Defense Force (BDF): The Barbados Regiment, The Barbados Coast Guard (2024)

note 1: the BDF also has a Youth Development Wing, which is comprised of the Barbados Cadet Corps and the Barbados Defense Force Sports Program

note 2: authority over the BDF is shared between the president and prime minister, with the president overseeing strategic direction and the prime minister responsible for operational leadership

note 3: the Barbados Police Service (TBPS) is the national police force; it is modeled after London's Metropolitan Police Service and divided into three territorial divisions

Budget

revenues: $1.271 billion (2020 est.)

expenditures: $1.483 billion (2020 est.)

Capital

name: Bridgetown

geographic coordinates: 13 06 N, 59 37 W

time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: named after a bridge constructed over the swampy area (known as the Careenage) around the Constitution River that flows through the center of Bridgetown

Imports - commodities

refined petroleum, crude petroleum, shipping containers, cars, ships, packaged medicines (2021)

Climate

tropical; rainy season (June to October)

Coastline

97 km

Constitution

history: adopted 22 November 1966, effective 30 November 1966; Constitution (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2021 establishes Barbados as a republic and revokes the earlier Order in Council

amendments: proposed by Parliament; passage of amendments to constitutional sections such as citizenship, fundamental rights and freedoms, and the organization and authorities of the branches of government requires two-thirds majority vote by the membership of both houses of Parliament; passage of other amendments only requires a majority vote of both houses; amended several times, last in 2021

note: following the transition to a republic in November 2021, the Government of Barbados in February 2022 began the process of establishing a constitution commission to review a new draft constitution

Exchange rates

Barbadian dollars (BBD) per US dollar -

Exchange rates:
2 (2022 est.)
2 (2021 est.)
2 (2020 est.)
2 (2019 est.)
2 (2018 est.)

note: the Barbadian dollar is pegged to the US dollar

Executive branch

chief of state: President Sandra MASON (since 30 November 2021)

head of government: Prime Minister Mia MOTTLEY (since 25 May 2018)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister

elections/appointments: president elected by an electoral college of both Houses of Parliament for a 4-year renewable term; election last held on 20 October 2021 (next to be held in); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of the majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the president; the prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister

election results: Sandra MASON elected as first president on 20 October 2021

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

Flag description

three equal vertical bands of ultramarine blue (hoist side), gold, and ultramarine blue with the head of a black trident centered on the gold band; the band colors represent the blue of the sea and sky and the gold of the beaches; the trident head represents independence and a break with the past (the colonial coat of arms contained a complete trident)

Illicit drugs

a transit point for cocaine and marijuana destined for North America, Europe, and elsewhere in the Caribbean; some local demand for cocaine and some use of synthetic drugs

Independence

30 November 1966 (from the UK)

Industries

tourism, sugar, light manufacturing, component assembly for export

Judicial branch

highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the High Court with 8 justices) and the Court of Appeal (consists of the High Court chief justice and president of the court and 4 justices; note - in 2005, Barbados acceded to the Caribbean Court of Justice as the final court of appeal, replacing that of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London)

judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister and opposition leader of Parliament; other justices appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission, a 5-member independent body consisting of the Supreme Court chief justice, the commission head, and presidential appointees recommended by the prime minister; justices serve until mandatory retirement at age 65

subordinate courts: Magistrates' Courts

Land boundaries

total: 0 km

Land use

agricultural land: 32.6% (2018 est.)

arable land: 25.6% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 2.3% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 4.7% (2018 est.)

forest: 19.4% (2018 est.)

other: 48% (2018 est.)

Legal system

English common law; no judicial review of legislative acts

Legislative branch

description: bicameral Parliament consists of:
Senate (21 seats statutory - 21 current; members appointed by the president - 12 on the advice of the prime minister, 2 on the advice of the opposition leader, and 7 at the discretion of the president; members serve 5-year terms)
House of Assembly (30 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms)

elections:
Senate - last appointments on 4 February 2022 (next appointments in February 2027)
House of Assembly - last held on 19 January 2022 (next to be held in January 2027)

election results:
Senate - appointed - BLP 12, independent 9; composition as of February 2024 - men 13, women 8, percentage women 38.1%

House of Assembly - percent of vote by party - BLP 69%, DLP 26.5%, other 4.5%; seats by party - BLP 30; composition as of February 2024 - men 22, women 8, percentage women 26.7%; note - total Parliament percentage women 32.7%

note: tradition dictates that the next election is held within 5 years of the last election, but constitutionally it is 5 years from the first seating of Parliament plus a 90-day grace period

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

International organization participation

ACP, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

National holiday

Independence Day, 30 November (1966)

Nationality

noun: Barbadian(s) or Bajan (colloquial)

adjective: Barbadian or Bajan (colloquial)

Natural resources

petroleum, fish, natural gas

Geography - note

easternmost Caribbean island

Economic overview

largest Eastern Caribbean economy; dependent on US imports and currency strength; high Human Development Index; key tourism and financial sectors; declining but still very high public debt; cost-of-living and cost competitiveness vulnerabilities

Pipelines

33 km gas, 64 km oil, 6 km refined products (2013)

Political parties and leaders

Alliance Party for Progress or APP [Joseph ATHERLEY]
Barbados Labor Party or BLP [Mia MOTTLEY]
Democratic Labor Party or DLP [Ronnie YEARWOOD]

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s): Bridgetown

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Telecommunication systems

general assessment: the telecom sector has seen a decline in subscriber numbers (particularly for prepaid mobile services the mainstay of short term visitors) and revenue; fixed and mobile broadband services are two areas that have benefited from the crisis as employees and students have resorted to working from home; one area of the telecom market that is not prepared for growth is 5G mobile; governments, regulators, and even the mobile network operators have shown that they have not been investing in 5G opportunities at the present time; network expansion and enhancements remain concentrated around improving LTE coverage (2021)

domestic: fixed-line teledensity of roughly 43 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone density about 113 per 100 persons (2021)

international: country code - 1-246; landing points for the ECFS and Southern Caribbean Fiber submarine cable with links to 15 other islands in the eastern Caribbean extending from the British Virgin Islands to Trinidad and Puerto Ricco; satellite earth stations - 1 (Intelsat - Atlantic Ocean); tropospheric scatter to Trinidad and Saint Lucia (2019)

Terrain

relatively flat; rises gently to central highland region

Government type

parliamentary republic; a Commonwealth realm

Military - note

formed in 1979, the Barbados Defense Force (BDF) is responsible for protecting national security, but it may also be called up to maintain internal public order in times of crisis, emergency, or other specific needs, such as special joint patrols with the police; it also provides humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations both domestically and regionally under the Caribbean Regional Security System (RSS); other duties include assisting with national development, such as through the training of the country's youth with the units of the Barbados Cadet Corps 

Barbados has been a member of the Caribbean RSS since its creation in 1982; RSS signatories (Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) agreed to prepare contingency plans and assist one another, on request, in national emergencies, prevention of smuggling, search and rescue, immigration control, fishery protection, customs and excise control, maritime policing duties, protection of off-shore installations, pollution control, national and other disasters, and threats to national security; the RSS is headquartered in Barbados (2024)

Country name

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Barbados

etymology: the name derives from the Portuguese "as barbadas," which means "the bearded ones" and can refer either to the long, hanging roots of the island's bearded fig trees or to the alleged beards of the indigenous Carib inhabitants

Location

Caribbean, island in the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Irrigated land

50 sq km (2012)

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Noel Anderson LYNCH (since 11 January 2019)

chancery: 2144 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 939-9200

FAX: [1] (202) 332-7467

email address and website:
washington@foreign.gov.bb

https://www.foreign.gov.bb/embassies-high-commissions-and-permanent-missions/

consulate(s) general: Miami, New York

Internet country code

.bb

GDP (official exchange rate)

$5.7 billion (2022 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Credit ratings

Moody's rating: Caa1 (2019)

Standard & Poors rating: B- (2019)

note: The year refers to the year in which the current credit rating was first obtained.

Total renewable water resources

80 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

Urbanization

urban population: 31.4% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 0.46% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
total population growth rate v. urban population growth rate, 2000-2030

Broadcast media

government-owned Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) operates the lone terrestrial TV station; CBC also operates a multi-channel cable TV subscription service; roughly a dozen radio stations, consisting of a CBC-operated network operating alongside privately owned radio stations (2019)

Drinking water source

improved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 98.8% of population

unimproved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 2% of population (2020 est.)

National anthem

name: "The National Anthem of Barbados"

lyrics/music: Irving BURGIE/C. Van Roland EDWARDS

note: adopted 1966; the anthem is also known as "In Plenty and In Time of Need"
This is an audio of the National Anthem for Barbados. The national anthem is generally a patriotic musical composition - usually in the form of a song or hymn of praise - that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions, or struggles of a nation or its people. National anthems can be officially recognized as a national song by a country's constitution or by an enacted law, or simply by tradition. Although most anthems contain lyrics, some do not.

Major urban areas - population

89,000 BRIDGETOWN (capital) (2018)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Hospital bed density

6 beds/1,000 population (2017)

National symbol(s)

Neptune's trident, pelican, Red Bird of Paradise flower (also known as Pride of Barbados); national colors: blue, yellow, black

Contraceptive prevalence rate

59.2% (2012)

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 84.2% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 13.4% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 17.6% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 0.2% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 31.6% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -47% (2017 est.)

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 49

youth dependency ratio: 25.6

elderly dependency ratio: 23.4

potential support ratio: 4.3 (2021 est.)

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: yes

citizenship by descent only: yes

dual citizenship recognized: yes

residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years

Population distribution

most densely populated country in the eastern Caribbean; approximately one-third live in urban areas

Electricity access

electrification - total population: 100% (2021)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

8P

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 100% of population

unimproved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 0% of population (2020 est.)

Ethnic groups

African descent 92.4%, mixed 3.1%, White 2.7%, East Indian 1.3%, other 0.2%, unspecified 0.3% (2010 est.)

Religions

Protestant 66.4% (includes Anglican 23.9%, other Pentecostal 19.5%, Adventist 5.9%, Methodist 4.2%, Wesleyan 3.4%, Nazarene 3.2%, Church of God 2.4%, Baptist 1.8%, Moravian 1.2%, other Protestant 0.9%), Roman Catholic 3.8%, other Christian 5.4% (includes Jehovah's Witness 2.0%, other 3.4%), Rastafarian 1%, other 1.5%, none 20.6%, unspecified 1.2% (2010 est.)

Languages

English (official), Bajan (English-based creole language, widely spoken in informal settings)

Imports - partners

United States 33%, Guyana 13%, China 11%, Trinidad and Tobago 6%, United Kingdom 4% (2021)

Disputes - international

Barbados-Venezuela (Maritime Boundary): Barbados joins other Caribbean states and the United Kingdom to counter Venezuela's claim that Aves Island, a large sandbar with some vegetation, sustains human habitation or economic life, the criteria under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Article 121, which would permit Venezuela to extend its EEZ/continental shelf over a large portion of the eastern Caribbean Sea; the dispute hampers hydrocarbon prospecting and creation of exploration blocks 

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99.6%

male: 99.6%

female: 99.6% (2014)

Elevation

highest point: Mount Hillaby 336 m

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Physicians density

2.49 physicians/1,000 population (2017)

Current health expenditure

7.2% of GDP (2020)

Military and security service personnel strengths

approximately 600 active personnel (2023)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the Netherlands provide the BDF's major equipment inventory (maritime patrol boats) (2023)

Total water withdrawal

municipal: 20 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

industrial: 10 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

agricultural: 5 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually: 174,815 tons (2011 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 15,733 tons (2015 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 9% (2015 est.)

Air pollutants

particulate matter emissions: 9.79 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 1.28 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 2.35 megatons (2020 est.)

National heritage

total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural)

selected World Heritage Site locales: Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison

Heliports

1 (2024)

Coal

production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

consumption: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

imports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels: 95.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

solar: 4.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

hydroelectricity: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

Natural gas

production: 14.923 million cubic meters (2019 est.)

consumption: 20.954 million cubic meters (2019 est.)

exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

imports: 6.031 million cubic meters (2019 est.)

proven reserves: 113 million cubic meters (2021 est.)

Petroleum

total petroleum production: 1,000 bbl/day (2021 est.)

refined petroleum consumption: 10,800 bbl/day (2019 est.)

crude oil and lease condensate exports: 700 bbl/day (2018 est.)

crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 bbl/day (2018 est.)

crude oil estimated reserves: 2 million barrels (2021 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

0.85 (2023 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

57.1% (2023 est.)

Remittances

1.49% of GDP (2022 est.)
1.73% of GDP (2021 est.)
1.8% of GDP (2020 est.)

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Labor force

145,000 (2022 est.)

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

total: 30.6% (2021 est.)

male: 34.8%

female: 25.6%

Net migration rate

-0.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2023 est.)

Median age

total: 41 years (2023 est.)

male: 39.9 years

female: 42.1 years

Debt - external

$4.49 billion (2010 est.)
$668 million (2003 est.)

Maternal mortality ratio

39 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$1.52 billion (2022 est.)
$1.673 billion (2021 est.)
$1.358 billion (2020 est.)

note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

Refined petroleum products - imports

10,630 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Public debt

146.61% of GDP (2016 est.)
141.16% of GDP (2015 est.)
129.32% of GDP (2014 est.)

note: central government debt as a % of GDP

Total fertility rate

1.7 children born/woman (2023 est.)

Military expenditures

0.8% of GDP (2022 est.)
0.9% of GDP (2021 est.)
0.9% of GDP (2020 est.)
0.8% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $35 million)
0.8% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $40 million)

Unemployment rate

8.5% (2022 est.)
9.48% (2021 est.)
9.74% (2020 est.)

note: % of labor force seeking employment

Population

303,431 (2023 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-4% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Internet users

total: 240,800 (2021 est.)

percent of population: 86% (2021 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions

1.703 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids: 1.662 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from consumed natural gas: 41,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

Area

total: 430 sq km

land: 430 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Taxes and other revenues

27.42% (of GDP) (2016 est.)

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$4.342 billion (2022 est.)
$3.9 billion (2021 est.)
$3.931 billion (2020 est.)

note: data in 2017 dollars

Roadways

total: 1,700 km

paved: 1,700 km (2015)

Airports

2 (2024)

Infant mortality rate

total: 9.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2023 est.)

male: 11.3 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 8.2 deaths/1,000 live births

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 316,633 (2021 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 113 (2021 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

4.1% (2019 est.)
3.67% (2018 est.)
4.66% (2017 est.)

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Current account balance

-$296.396 million (2017 est.)
-$452.39 million (2016 est.)
-$98.732 million (2015 est.)

note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

Real GDP per capita

$15,400 (2022 est.)
$13,900 (2021 est.)
$14,000 (2020 est.)

note: data in 2017 dollars

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total: 128,000 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 45 (2020 est.)

Tobacco use

total: 8.5% (2020 est.)

male: 15% (2020 est.)

female: 1.9% (2020 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

23.1% (2016)

Energy consumption per capita

83.723 million Btu/person (2019 est.)

Death rate

8 deaths/1,000 population (2023 est.)

Birth rate

10.7 births/1,000 population (2023 est.)

Electricity

installed generating capacity: 311,000 kW (2020 est.)

consumption: 1 billion kWh (2019 est.)

exports: 0 kWh (2019 est.)

imports: 0 kWh (2019 est.)

transmission/distribution losses: 20 million kWh (2019 est.)

Merchant marine

total: 272 (2023)

by type: bulk carrier 90, general cargo 149, oil tanker 5, other 28

Imports

$2.12 billion (2021 est.)
$2.213 billion (2017 est.)
$2.238 billion (2016 est.)

note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

Exports

$2.228 billion (2017 est.)
$2.41 billion (2016 est.)
$2.358 billion (2015 est.)

note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 121,314 (2022 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 43 (2021 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Alcohol consumption per capita

total: 9.94 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

beer: 3.66 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine: 1.36 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits: 4.75 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols: 0.17 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 78.8 years (2023 est.)

male: 76 years

female: 81.6 years

Real GDP growth rate

11.33% (2022 est.)
-0.78% (2021 est.)
-12.74% (2020 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Industrial production growth rate

5.02% (2022 est.)

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 1.5% (2017 est.)

industry: 9.8% (2017 est.)

services: 88.7% (2017 est.)

Revenue from forest resources

0.01% of GDP (2018 est.)

Revenue from coal

0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Education expenditures

6.5% of GDP (2021 est.)

Population growth rate

0.24% (2023 est.)
Sources: