Barbados
Country statistics · 1990–present
Barbados at a Glance
Barbados is home to 282,467 people as of 2024, with a population that is growing slowly. At a GDP per capita of $33,309, it is an upper-middle-income economy — reflecting a developed economy with strong living standards. Life expectancy at birth stands at 76.3 years, close to the global average.
Population Trends
The total resident population stood at 282,467 as of 2024. With a birth rate of 11.1 and a death rate of 10.2 per 1,000 people (2024), the natural growth rate stands at 0.9 per 1,000 — equivalent to roughly 251 additional residents each year from natural change alone.
Economy & Development
Barbados is a small economy, with a total GDP that is projected at $10 billion (2029 IMF projection). At $33,309 per person, it is classified as an upper-middle-income economy — reflecting a developed economy with strong living standards. Real GDP growth is projected at 2.0% in 2029, representing modest growth. The unemployment rate is projected at 6.8% (2029 IMF projection), indicating moderate unemployment.
Health & Society
Life expectancy at birth is 76.3 years (2024), close to the global average. Current health expenditure per person is $1,286 (2023), representing limited per-capita healthcare spending. The adult literacy rate stands at 99.3% (1970), reflecting near-universal literacy. 70.4% of the population use the internet (2024), indicating strong digital connectivity.