Introduction
Background
The island was uninhabited when first settled by the British in 1627. By 1720, Barbados was no longer a dominant force within the sugar industry, having been surpassed by the Leeward Islands and Jamaica. Social and political reforms in the 1940s and 1950s led to complete independence from the UK in 1966. On 30 November 2021, Barbados became a republic.
Geography
Area
total: 430 sq km
land: 430 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Climate
tropical; rainy season (June to October)
Natural resources
petroleum, fish, natural gas
People and Society
Population
303,431 (2023 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.)
Languages
English (official), Bajan (English-based creole language, widely spoken in informal settings)
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.)
Population growth rate
0.24% (2023 est.)
Government
Government type
parliamentary republic; a Commonwealth realm
Capital
name: Bridgetown
Executive branch
chief of state: President Sandra MASON (since 30 November 2021)
head of government: Prime Minister Mia MOTTLEY (since 25 May 2018)
Legislative branch
description: bicameral Parliament consists of:
Senate (21 seats statutory - 19 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)
Economy
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
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$3.868 billion (2021 est.)
$3.875 billion (2020 est.)
$4.47 billion (2019 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$13,800 (2021 est.)
$13,800 (2020 est.)
$16,000 (2019 est.)
Agricultural products
sugar cane, poultry, vegetables, milk, eggs, pork, coconuts, pulses, sweet potatoes, tropical fruit
Industries
tourism, sugar, light manufacturing, component assembly for export
Remittances
2.32% of GDP (2020 est.)
2.03% of GDP (2019 est.)
2.12% of GDP (2018 est.)
Exports
$357 million (2021 est.)
$550 million (2017 est.)
$516.9 million (2016 est.)
Exports - partners
United States 20%, Jamaica 12%, Guyana 8%, Trinidad and Tobago 7%, Italy 6% (2021)
Exports - commodities
rums and liquors, ships, packaged medicines, cement, paper labels (2021)
Imports
$2.12 billion (2021 est.)
$2.213 billion (2017 est.)
$1.541 billion (2016 est.)
Imports - partners
United States 33%, Guyana 13%, China 11%, Trinidad and Tobago 6%, United Kingdom 4% (2021)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, crude petroleum, shipping containers, cars, ships, packaged medicines (2021)
Exchange rates
Barbadian dollars (BBD) per US dollar -
Exchange rates:
2 (2021 est.)
2 (2020 est.)
2 (2019 est.)
2 (2018 est.)
2 (2017 est.)
Page last updated: Wednesday, December 06, 2023
