Barbados
Region
🌍 Americas
Population
👥 261
Currency
💱 Barbadian dollar
Languages
🗣️ English
This mark means a fact is linked to a checked source. Hover or tap it to see the source. 34 of 141 facts on this page are sourced.
Official NameSource: REST Countries
Barbados
Continent
America
DemonymSource: REST Countries
Barbadian
Independence
November 30, 1966 (from the UK)
Top-Level Domain
.bb
Calling CodeSource: REST Countries
+1
Time ZoneSource: REST Countries
UTC-04:00
Capital CitySource: REST Countries
Bridgetown
ISO Alpha-2
BB
ISO Alpha-3
BRB
UN Code
52
Geographic Coordinates
13.16666666,-59.53333333
Area (km²)Source: REST Countries
430#206 of 249
PopulationSource: REST Countries
261,692#184 of 247
Population Density (per km²)
656.60
Highest Point (m)
336 (Mount Hillaby)
Lowest Point (m)
0 (Atlantic Ocean)
Land Use
Agricultural land, residential and commercial
Irrigated Land
Small percentage of agricultural land is irrigated.
Coastline Length
97 km
Climate
Tropical; rainy season (June to November)
Natural Resources
Petroleum, natural gas, fish, limestone
Bordering CountriesSource: REST Countries
No land borders
Major Rivers
This island country has no major rivers.
Major Lakes
This island country has no major lakes.
Government Type
Parliamentary republic
Administrative Divisions
11 parishes
Legal System
Based on English common law
Chief of State
President Dame Sandra Mason
Head of Government
Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley
Cabinet
Appointed by the Prime Minister.
Elections
Elections for the House of Assembly are held every five years.
Judicial Branch
Supreme Court of Judicature (High Court and Court of Appeal)
Legislative Branch
Bicameral Parliament (Senate and House of Assembly)
Major Political Parties
Barbados Labour Party (BLP), Democratic Labour Party (DLP)
CurrencySource: REST Countries
Barbadian dollar
GDP, Nominal (US$ billion)Source: World Bank: GDP (current US$) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
8.02#159 of 211
GDP, PPP (US$ billion)Source: World Bank: GDP, PPP (current international $) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
7.32#167 of 201
GDP per Capita (US$)Source: World Bank: GDP per capita (current US$) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
28,364.82#60 of 211
GDP - Agriculture (%)Source: World Bank: Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (% of GDP) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
1.55
GDP - Industry (%)Source: World Bank: Industry (including construction), value added (% of GDP) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
12.21
GDP - Services (%)Source: World Bank: Services, value added (% of GDP) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
75.84
Inflation Rate (%)Source: World Bank: Inflation, consumer prices (annual %) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
0.85#156 of 191
Labor Force (people)Source: World Bank: Labor force, total (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
151,620
Unemployment Rate (%)Source: World Bank: Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
6.52#68 of 185
Public Debt (% of GDP)Source: World Bank: Central government debt, total (% of GDP) (2016)Checked September 29, 2026
125.03
Budget
The government budget is available from the Barbados government.
Exports (US$ billion)
Approximately $0.2 billion (2022 est.)
Imports (US$ billion)
Approximately $0.8 billion (2022 est.)
Foreign Reserves
Significant foreign reserves are maintained to support the currency.
Currency Exchange
Exchange rates can be found at major financial websites.
GDP by Sector
Primarily services (tourism, finance), with smaller contributions from industry and agriculture.
Major Industries
Tourism, sugar, rum, and financial services.
Major Export Partners
United States, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom.
Major Import Partners
United States, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom.
Society
Literacy Rate (%)Source: World Bank: Literacy rate, adult total (% of people ages 15 and above) (1970)Checked September 29, 2026
99.27#25 of 169
Birth Rate (per 1,000 people)Source: World Bank: Birth rate, crude (per 1,000 people) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
11.1
Death Rate (per 1,000 people)Source: World Bank: Death rate, crude (per 1,000 people) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
10.2
Net Migration Rate
Slightly negative net migration rate.
Median Age
Around 40 years.
Urban Population (%)Source: World Bank: Urban population (% of total population) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
59.7#126 of 214
Urbanization Rate
Stable; minimal urbanization expected.
Life Expectancy (years)Source: World Bank: Life expectancy at birth, total (years) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
76.3#94 of 214
HIV/AIDS Prevalence
Prevalence is moderate; information available from health agencies.
Health Expenditures (% of GDP)Source: World Bank: Current health expenditure (% of GDP) (2023)Checked September 29, 2026
5.4
Ethnic Groups
Primarily Black/African descent, with small populations of White, Mixed, and Asian descent.
Religions
Primarily Christian, with smaller groups of other faiths.
LanguagesSource: REST Countries
English
Education
Education System
Education is free and compulsory from ages 5-16. Includes primary, secondary, and tertiary levels.
School Life Expectancy (years)Source: World Bank: School life expectancy, primary to tertiary, both sexes (years) (2011)Checked September 29, 2026
15.3
Government Education Spending
Significant government investment in education, as a percentage of GDP.
Primary Education Access
—
Secondary Education Access
—
Higher Education Access
—
Major Universities
University of the West Indies at Cave Hill Campus.
Culture
Cultural Overview
Blend of African and British influences. Strong emphasis on family and community.
National HolidaysSource: Nager.Date
- New Year's Day (2026-01-01)
- Errol Barrow Day (2026-01-21)
- Good Friday (2026-04-03)
- Easter Monday (2026-04-06)
- National Heroes' Day (2026-04-28)
- Labour Day (2026-05-01)
- Whit Monday (2026-05-25)
- Emancipation Day (2026-08-01)
- Kadooment Day (2026-08-03)
- Independence Day (2026-11-30)
- Christmas Day (2026-12-25)
- Boxing Day (2026-12-26)
Popular Music
Soca, Calypso, Reggae, and local genres.
Traditional Food
Cou-Cou and Flying Fish, Pudding and Souse.
Sports
Cricket, Horse racing, and water sports.
Major Festivals
Crop Over Festival, Holetown Festival.
Famous People
Rihanna, Sir Garfield Sobers, Shontelle.
Cultural Heritage Sites
Bridgetown and its Garrison (UNESCO World Heritage Site).
UNESCO Sites
Bridgetown and its Garrison.
Annual Tourist Visits
—
Tourism Overview
—
Top Tourist Attractions
—
Famous Cities
—
National Parks
—
Protected Areas
—
Best Time to Visit
—
Tourist Visa Info
—
Visa Requirements Overview
—
Travel Advisory
—
Healthcare
Healthcare Quality
Barbados has a moderate to high healthcare quality index.
Medical Cost
Medical costs are relatively high due to the island nation's reliance on imports.
Number of Hospitals
Barbados has several hospitals and clinics.
Universal Healthcare
Universal healthcare available, primarily funded by the government.
Medical Services Overview
Comprehensive medical services are available, including hospitals and clinics.
Emergency Medical Access
Emergency medical services are available, including ambulance services.
Emergency & Safety
Emergency Number (Police)
—
Emergency Number (Ambulance)
—
Emergency Number (Fire)
—
Crime Rate
—
Safety Index
—
Military Expenditure
—
Emergency Services Overview
—
Safety Overview
—
Military Branches
—
Infrastructure
Electricity Access
—
Water Access
—
Sanitation Access
—
Railways
No railways.
Roadways
—
Transportation System
Well-developed road network, buses are a common mode of transport.
AirportsSource: OurAirports
Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI)
Ports
—
Public Transit
—
Technology & Communication
Internet Penetration (%)Source: World Bank: Individuals using the Internet (% of population) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
70.36#131 of 211
Mobile Subscriptions (per 100)
—
Tech Startups
—
Innovation Index
—
ICT Development Index
—
TV Broadcast Stations
—
Radio Broadcast Stations
—
Plug Type & Voltage
—
CO2 Emissions (t per capita)Source: World Bank: Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions excluding LULUCF per capita (t CO2e/capita) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
2.52#104 of 202
Air Quality Index
—
Water Pollution Level
—
Renewable Energy Usage
—
Environmental Issues
—
Natural Hazards
—
Waste Management
—
Environmental Agreements
—
UN MembershipSource: REST Countries
Yes
Diplomatic Missions
—