Country Profile: Barbados

Barbados, an easternmost Caribbean island in the North Atlantic Ocean, is known for its rich history and vibrant culture. Settled by the British in 1627 and gaining independence in 1966, it transitioned to a republic in 2021. With a population of approximately 304,139, the country has a high standard of living driven by key sectors such as tourism, construction, and financial services. The government operates as a parliamentary republic, maintaining ties to the Commonwealth.

Geography

Barbados is a tropical island characterized by flat terrain that rises gently to a central highland region, with a total area of 430 square kilometers. It has a coastline of 97 kilometers and is surrounded by a territorial sea of 12 nautical miles. The island primarily relies on its agricultural land, which accounts for 23.3% of its area, while natural resources include petroleum, fish, and natural gas.

430 sq km area
97 km coastline
336 m highest point (Mount Hillaby)
12 nautical miles territorial sea
200 nautical miles exclusive economic zone

People and Society

The population of Barbados is approximately 304,139, predominantly of African descent (92.4%). The official language is English, while the colloquial language is Bajan. The society is largely Protestant (66.4%), and the capital city, Bridgetown, is home to about 89,000 residents. With a median age of 42.2 years, the country is experiencing slight population decline.

304,139 estimated population (2024)
66.4% identify as Protestant
31.4% urban population
8.02 births per 1,000 population (2025)
79 years life expectancy at birth (2024)

Economy

Barbados has a high-income economy with a GDP based on a mix of tourism, construction, and financial services. Real GDP per capita is estimated at $19,900 for 2024. Despite a robust tourism sector, the country faces challenges such as high public debt and vulnerability to natural disasters. The labor force is around 147,200, with an unemployment rate of 7.6% in 2024.

$5.634 billion GDP (PPP, 2024)
75.4% of GDP from services sector (2023)
7.6% unemployment rate (2024)
3.8% GDP growth rate (2024 est.)
1.9% agriculture's share of GDP (2023)

Government

Barbados functions as a parliamentary republic and a Commonwealth realm, with the President serving as the head of state and the Prime Minister as head of government. The country consists of 11 parishes and 1 city, with Bridgetown as the capital. The legal system is based on English common law, and citizens benefit from universal suffrage at the age of 18.

President: Jeffrey Davidson Bostic (since 2025)
Prime Minister: Mia Mottley (since 2018)
30 members in the House of Assembly
21 senators in the upper chamber
Independence: November 30, 1966

Military and Security

The Barbados Defense Force (BDF) is responsible for national security and assisting in public order. It consists of approximately 600 active personnel. Military expenditures are about 0.7% of GDP, reflecting the country's commitment to maintaining security with minimal military presence. Barbados also participates in regional security arrangements with other Caribbean nations.

600 active military personnel (2025)
0.7% military expenditure of GDP (2024)
18-25 age range for voluntary active service
Barbados Police Service as national police force
Member of the Caribbean Regional Security System

Energy

Barbados boasts 100% electrification, with an installed generating capacity of 320,000 kW. The energy mix is predominantly reliant on fossil fuels, accounting for 91.9% of electricity generation. The country is working towards increasing its renewable energy sources, including solar, which currently makes up 7.9% of the installed capacity.

100% electrification of the population (2022)
1.025 billion kWh electricity consumption (2023)
320,000 kW installed capacity (2023)
91.9% of generation from fossil fuels (2023)
7.9% of generation from solar (2023)

Environment

Barbados faces environmental challenges such as coastal pollution, soil erosion, and illegal waste disposal. The island participates in several international environmental agreements, including the Paris Agreement and the Kyoto Protocol. The climate is tropical, characterized by a rainy season from June to October.

80 million cubic meters total renewable water resources (2022)
1.348 million metric tonnes of CO2 emissions (2023)
174,800 tons of municipal solid waste generated annually (2024)
10.6% of municipal solid waste recycled (2022)
14.7% forest cover (2023)

Transportation

Barbados has a well-established transportation system with one airport and a small number of heliports. The island operates a single key port in Bridgetown and maintains a merchant fleet of 272 vessels, primarily consisting of bulk carriers and general cargo ships.

1 main airport (2025)
1 key port in Bridgetown
272 merchant vessels (2023)
1 heliport (2025)

Communications

The telecommunications infrastructure in Barbados includes a high percentage of mobile subscriptions and internet users, with broadband access available to a significant portion of the population. The country has actively developed its media landscape, including government-owned broadcasting services.

80% of the population are internet users (2023)
323,482 mobile cellular subscriptions (2022)
121,000 fixed-line subscriptions (2022)
106,000 fixed broadband subscriptions (2022)
Government-owned Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation oversees major broadcasting services.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	304,139 (2024 est.)
Area	430 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$5.634 billion (2024 est.)
Energy consumption	1.025 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Birth rate	8.02 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Unemployment rate	7.6% (2024 est.)
Life expectancy at birth	79 years (2024 est.)
Electricity access	100% of population (2022 est.)
Military expenditure	0.7% of GDP (2024 est.)
Urban population	31.4% of total population (2023 est.)