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Photo: Berit Watkin , derivative work (crop) by Globe-trotter · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Barbados places highest on Youth Literacy Rate (top 1% worldwide) and lowest on Exclusive Breastfeeding Under Six Months (bottom 10%).
Barbados in the Nations Inquiry Country Index
At a glance
Population
282,336
people
since 1950
Land area
431
km²
since 1961
GDP per person
22,127
international $, PPP
since 1990
Life expectancy
76.18
years at birth
since 1950
Human development
0.811
HDI, 0–1
since 1990
Unemployment
6.524
% of the labour force
since 1991
The newest published figure for each, the year it describes and who published it, with a line showing how it has moved.
01The country
About Barbados
Key facts about Barbados
- Capital
- Bridgetown
- Official languages
- Bajan Creole, English
- Currency
- Barbadian dollar (BBD)
- ISO code
- BRB · BB
- Domain · dialling
- .bb · +1246
As Wikidata records them. Official languages are the least consistent — some countries list only a national language, others every regional one. Sources and licences.
02Country Index 2026
Where it stands, topic by topic
Strongest first. Each position is Barbados’s place among the countries with a standing on that topic, built from a few key statistics chosen to measure different things.
4thof 177
From 2 of 3 key statistics
31stof 198
From 3 of 3 key statistics
joint54thof 182
From 4 of 4 key statistics
77thof 201
From 3 of 4 key statistics
84thof 194
From 3 of 3 key statistics
85thof 193
From 4 of 5 key statistics
87thof 191
From 3 of 3 key statistics
83rdof 182
From 4 of 4 key statistics
90thof 178
From 2 of 3 key statistics
104thof 147
From 2 of 3 key statistics
150thof 161
From 2 of 3 key statistics
No standing — Barbados holds too few of this subject’s key statistics to be placed on it.
Each standing is built from a few key statistics chosen to measure different things. Select a subject for Barbados’s readings on it, or see every statistic held for Barbados in the table further down this page.
03Highs and lows
Where Barbados stands out
The two ends of its own record: every statistic on which Barbados sits within ten places of the best or worst in the world, plus its strongest and weakest readings overall. Each is turned into a percentile — its place among every country measured — which is what lets a hunger score and a press-freedom rank be compared at all.
Where Barbados does best6
In the top third of all countries measured. 4 are within ten places of the best in the world, in a field of at least 50 countries — marked with that place.
- 1stDeaths in Organized Violencetop 35%
Position · derived 59th of 59 · 1 = worst · 0 · 2025
world median 0
- 4th
Position · derived 4th of 86 · 50.37 · 2024
world median 35.86 (better) · ▼ 4 pts since 2016
- 7th
Position · derived 7th of 164 · 95.71 · 2025
world median 64.87 (better)
- 8th
Position · derived 13th of 211 · 1.272 · 2024
world median 0.04 (better)
Where Barbados struggles most5
In the bottom third of all countries measured.
- Exclusive Breastfeeding Under Six Monthsbottom 10%
Position · derived 122nd of 136 · 19.7 · 2024
world median 40.74 (worse)
Position · derived 162nd of 181 · 283.37 · 2022
world median 2,528 (worse)
- Water Stressbottom 11%
Position · derived 20th of 177 · 1 = worst · 87.5 · 2023
world median 10 (worse)
- Out-of-School Rate, Primarybottom 14%
Position · derived 18th of 121 · 1 = worst · 17.6 · 2024
world median 3.691 (worse) · ▼ 28 pts since 2014
- Ecological Footprintbottom 18%
Position · derived 23rd of 126 · 1 = worst · 4.487 · 2025
world median 2.296 (worse) · ▼ 9 pts since 2015
A band is a place among the countries each publisher scores, so Barbados can move because other countries moved. See the Country Index for the full method.
04Over time
Which way it is moving
The published rank in widely quoted reports, edition by edition — each end with the size of that year’s field — and the statistics, not already named above, on which it has gained or lost the most ground.
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report Office
41st
of 141 · 1990
69th
of 193 · 2023
Ranked in 34 of 34 editions
Corruption Perceptions Index
Transparency International
15th
of 173 · 2012
24th
of 181 · 2025
Ranked in 13 of 14 editions
Gender Inequality Index
UNDP Human Development Report Office
37th
of 79 · 1990
76th
of 172 · 2023
Ranked in 34 of 34 editions
Government AI Readiness Index
Oxford Insights
82nd
of 172 · 2020
155th
of 195 · 2025
Ranked in 6 of 6 editions
Gaining ground
Where Barbados has climbed against the rest of the world, in percentile points.
- GDP Growth+29 pts since 2015
- Government Funding per Primary Student+13 pts since 2016
- Youth Unemployment Rate+12 pts since 2015
Losing ground
Where Barbados has slipped against the rest of the world, in percentile points.
- School Life Expectancy-63 pts since 1971
- Births Attended by Skilled Health Staff-58 pts since 2009
- Food Production Index-49 pts since 2012
05In context
Barbados and its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place in the world ranking of 174, not within the region.
Shares a land border with
Barbados has no land border with another country.
Placed either side in the Country Index 2026
Across Caribbean
Every country in the sub-region, by its position in the world (of 174 placed).
- 55
Barbados - 65
Saint Lucia - 69
Dominican Republic - 72
Grenada - 76
Trinidad and Tobago - 79
Jamaica - 86
Bahamas - =110
Cuba - 168
Haiti - —
Anguillanot placed - —
Antigua and Barbudanot placed - —
Arubanot placed - —
British Virgin Islandsnot placed - —
Cayman Islandsnot placed - —
Curaçaonot placed - —
Dominicanot placed - —
Montserratnot placed - —
Puerto Riconot placed - —
Saint Kitts and Nevisnot placed - —
Saint Martinnot placed - —
Saint Vincent and the Grenadinesnot placed - —
Sint Maartennot placed - —
Turks and Caicos Islandsnot placed - —
United States Virgin Islandsnot placed
06The evidence
Every statistic we hold for Barbados
Grouped by topic. Each row gives the newest edition’s rank or position, the published value and the year the numbers describe — select a row for the world median, the best in the world and the trend.
Governance & Institutions19
Agriculture Orientation Index11th of 132position · derived1.31Agriculture orientation index (1.0 = spending matches sector size)2024
top 8% of 132 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Agriculture orientation index (1.0 = spending matches sector size)
Barbados 1.31 · world median 0.305 (better)
Best in the world 5.38 (Singapore)
▼ -3 percentile points since 2014
Business Ready: Operational Efficiency22nd of 50position · derived66.55Operational efficiency score (0–100)2024
top 43% of 50 countries measured
World Bank Group · Operational efficiency score (0–100)
Barbados 66.55 · world median 65.82 (better)
Best in the world 87.33 (Singapore)
No earlier reading to compare
Business Ready: Public Services31st of 50position · derived46.4Public services score (0–100)2024
bottom 39% of 50 countries measured
World Bank Group · Public services score (0–100)
Barbados 46.4 · world median 50.13 (worse)
Best in the world 73.31 (Estonia)
No earlier reading to compare
Business Ready: Regulatory Framework40th of 50position · derived58.77Regulatory framework score (0–100)2024
bottom 20% of 50 countries measured
World Bank Group · Regulatory framework score (0–100)
Barbados 58.77 · world median 66.8 (worse)
Best in the world 78.34 (Hungary)
No earlier reading to compare
Civic Space Ratings8th of 198position · derived89.85Civic space score (0–100)2025
top 4% of 198 countries measured
CIVICUS · Civic space score (0–100)
Barbados 89.85 · world median 50.46 (better)
Best in the world 100 (Kiribati)
No earlier reading to compare
Completeness of Birth Registrationtop 48%98.7Children under 5 whose birth is registered (%)2025
top 48% of 185 countries measured
UNICEF · Children under 5 whose birth is registered (%)
Barbados 98.7 · world median 98.4 (better)
Best in the world 100 (53 countries tied)
No earlier reading to compare
Corruption Perceptions Index24th of 181rank68CPI score (0–100, where 100 is very clean)2025
top 13% of 182 countries measured · 182 share 181 positions
Transparency International · CPI score (0–100, where 100 is very clean)
Barbados 68 · world median 39 (better)
Best in the world 89 (Denmark)
▲ +5 percentile points since 2016
Government AI Readiness Index155th of 195rank23.33AI readiness score (0–100)2025
bottom 21% of 195 countries measured
Oxford Insights · AI readiness score (0–100)
Barbados 23.33 · world median 40.19 (worse)
Best in the world 88.36 (United States)
▼ -32 percentile points since 2020
Government Effectiveness63rd of 209position · derived0.605Governance estimate (−2.5 weak to 2.5 strong)2024
top 30% of 209 countries measured
World Bank Group · Governance estimate (−2.5 weak to 2.5 strong)
Barbados 0.605 · world median 0.01 (better)
Best in the world 2.28 (Singapore)
▼ -15 percentile points since 2014
Government Funding per Primary Student13th of 68position · derived22.54Government funding per primary student (% of GDP per capita)2022
top 18% of 68 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · Government funding per primary student (% of GDP per capita)
Barbados 22.54 · world median 17.81 (better)
Best in the world 34.57 (South Korea)
▲ +13 percentile points since 2016
Government Spending on Education60th of 123position · derived3.775Government expenditure on education (% of GDP)2023
top 48% of 123 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · Government expenditure on education (% of GDP)
Barbados 3.775 · world median 3.709 (better)
Best in the world 16.39 (Kiribati)
▼ -3 percentile points since 2013
Public Sector Wage Bill79th of 168position · derived8.2Public sector wage bill (% of GDP)2022
top 47% of 168 countries measured
World Bank Group · Public sector wage bill (% of GDP)
Barbados 8.2 · world median 7.975
Highest 42.65 (Nauru)
▼ -9 percentile points since 2012
Regulatory Quality64th of 209position · derived0.441Regulatory Quality (−2.5 to 2.5)2024
top 30% of 209 countries measured
World Bank Group · Regulatory Quality (−2.5 to 2.5)
Barbados 0.441 · world median -0.09 (better)
Best in the world 2.132 (Singapore)
▲ +2 percentile points since 2014
Rule of Law54th of 211position · derived0.728Rule of Law estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)2024
top 25% of 211 countries measured
World Bank Group · Rule of Law estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)
Barbados 0.728 · world median -0.1 (better)
Best in the world 2.021 (Finland)
▼ -10 percentile points since 2014
Statistical Performance Indicators127th of 188position · derived61.74SPI overall score (0–100)2024
bottom 33% of 188 countries measured
World Bank Group · SPI overall score (0–100)
Barbados 61.74 · world median 69.3 (worse)
Best in the world 94.14 (Norway)
No real change since 2022
V-Dem Electoral Democracy Index29th of 176position · derived0.797Electoral democracy index (0–1)2025
top 16% of 176 countries measured
V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · Electoral democracy index (0–1)
Barbados 0.797 · world median 0.497 (better)
Best in the world 0.913 (Denmark)
▲ +8 percentile points since 2015
Voice and Accountability38th of 208position · derived0.994Voice and Accountability estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)2024
top 18% of 208 countries measured
World Bank Group · Voice and Accountability estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)
Barbados 0.994 · world median -0.02 (better)
Best in the world 1.929 (Norway)
▼ -3 percentile points since 2014
Women, Business and the Law101st of 190position · derived80WBL Index (0–100, where 100 is full legal parity)2024
bottom 46% of 190 countries measured
World Bank Group · WBL Index (0–100, where 100 is full legal parity)
Barbados 80 · world median 81.25 (worse)
Best in the world 100 (14 countries tied)
▲ +8 percentile points since 2014
Economy & Innovation14
Agricultural Land139th of 209position · derived23.26Agricultural land (% of land area)2023
bottom 34% of 209 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Agricultural land (% of land area)
Barbados 23.26 · world median 37.96
Highest 86.48 (Côte d’Ivoire)
▼ -5 percentile points since 2013
Cereal Yield92nd of 179position · derived2,797Cereal yield (kg per hectare)2023
bottom 49% of 179 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Cereal yield (kg per hectare)
Barbados 2,797 · world median 3,072 (worse)
Best in the world 29,147 (Oman)
No real change since 2013
Crop Production Index79th of 195position · derived108.33Crop production index (2014–2016 = 100)2022
top 40% of 195 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Crop production index (2014–2016 = 100)
Barbados 108.33 · world median 106.23 (better)
Best in the world 189.93 (Senegal)
▼ -40 percentile points since 2012
Fertilizer Consumption per Hectare133rd of 188position · derived32.43Fertilizer consumption (kg per hectare of arable land)2023
bottom 31% of 191 countries measured · 191 share 188 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Fertilizer consumption (kg per hectare of arable land)
Barbados 32.43 · world median 87.36
Highest 2,926 (Malaysia)
▼ -34 percentile points since 2013
Food Production Index118th of 195position · derived102.71Food production index (2014–2016 = 100)2022
bottom 40% of 195 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Food production index (2014–2016 = 100)
Barbados 102.71 · world median 106.08 (worse)
Best in the world 177.49 (Senegal)
▼ -49 percentile points since 2012
GDP Growth116th of 186position · derived2.7GDP growth (annual %)2025
bottom 38% of 186 countries measured
World Bank Group · GDP growth (annual %)
Barbados 2.7 · world median 3.396 (worse)
Best in the world 19.34 (Guyana)
▲ +29 percentile points since 2015
GDP per Capita (PPP)78th of 185position · derived22,127GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)2025
top 42% of 185 countries measured
World Bank Group · GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)
Barbados 22,127 · world median 17,265 (better)
Best in the world 139,593 (Singapore)
No real change since 2015
Global Innovation Index84th of 139rank25.13GII score (0–100)2025
bottom 40% of 139 countries measured
World Intellectual Property Organization · GII score (0–100)
Barbados 25.13 · world median 28.52 (worse)
Best in the world 65.96 (Switzerland)
▼ -3 percentile points since 2024
ICT Goods Exports74th of 119position · derived0.57ICT goods exports (% of total goods exports)2024
bottom 39% of 120 countries measured · 120 share 119 positions
UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) · ICT goods exports (% of total goods exports)
Barbados 0.57 · world median 0.975 (worse)
Best in the world 61.45 (Hong Kong)
▼ -11 percentile points since 2014
Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index83rd of 169position · derived0.62IHDI (0–1)2023
top 49% of 169 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · IHDI (0–1)
Barbados 0.62 · world median 0.609 (better)
Best in the world 0.923 (Iceland)
▼ -3 percentile points since 2013
Liner Shipping Connectivity Index108th of 175rank32.87LSCI (index, average Q1 2023 = 100)2026
bottom 37% of 167 countries measured · 167 share 175 positions
UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) · LSCI (index, average Q1 2023 = 100)
Barbados 32.87 · world median 56.21 (worse)
Best in the world 1,319 (China)
▼ -6 percentile points since 2016
Livestock Density6th of 188position · derived6.63Livestock units per hectare of agricultural land2023
top 3% of 188 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Livestock units per hectare of agricultural land
Barbados 6.63 · world median 0.535
Highest 43.97 (Singapore)
No real change since 2013
Livestock Production Index134th of 194position · derived100.84Livestock production index (2014–2016 = 100)2022
bottom 31% of 194 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Livestock production index (2014–2016 = 100)
Barbados 100.84 · world median 107.06 (worse)
Best in the world 190.08 (Malawi)
▼ -13 percentile points since 2012
Total Natural Resources Rents (% of GDP)137th of 180position · derived0.328Natural resources rents (% of GDP)2021
bottom 31% of 197 countries measured · 197 share 180 positions
World Bank Group · Natural resources rents (% of GDP)
Barbados 0.328 · world median 1.708
Highest 61.03 (Libya)
No real change since 2011
Work & Labour18
Average Weekly Hours Worked141st of 182position · derived34.47Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person2025
bottom 23% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person
Barbados 34.47 · world median 38.89
Highest 54.7 (Bhutan)
▼ -14 percentile points since 2015
Employment in Agriculture167th of 182position · derived1.245Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)2025
bottom 8% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)
Barbados 1.245 · world median 14.38
Highest 85.34 (Burundi)
▼ -8 percentile points since 2015
Employment in Industry129th of 182position · derived16.17Employment in industry (% of total employment)2025
bottom 29% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Employment in industry (% of total employment)
Barbados 16.17 · world median 18.88
Highest 39.44 (Oman)
▼ -20 percentile points since 2015
Employment in Services13th of 182position · derived82.58Employment in services (% of total employment)2025
top 7% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Employment in services (% of total employment)
Barbados 82.58 · world median 59.51
Highest 92.17 (Djibouti)
▲ +5 percentile points since 2015
Employment-to-Population Ratio69th of 182position · derived60.47Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)2025
top 38% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)
Barbados 60.47 · world median 57.72 (better)
Best in the world 86.9 (Qatar)
▲ +2 percentile points since 2015
Female Labour Force Participation Rate44th of 182position · derived61.03Women aged 15+ in the labour force (%)2025
top 24% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Women aged 15+ in the labour force (%)
Barbados 61.03 · world median 53.36 (better)
Best in the world 82.91 (Madagascar)
▼ -5 percentile points since 2015
Female Share of Senior and Middle Management4th of 86position · derived50.37Women in senior and middle management (% of managers)2024
top 4% of 86 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Women in senior and middle management (% of managers)
Barbados 50.37 · world median 35.86 (better)
Best in the world 56.69 (Nauru)
▼ -4 percentile points since 2016
Firms with a Female Top Manager108th of 179position · derived16.87Firms with a female top manager (%)2025
bottom 40% of 179 countries measured
World Bank Group · Firms with a female top manager (%)
Barbados 16.87 · world median 19.16 (worse)
Best in the world 62.9 (Kiribati)
No earlier reading to compare
GDP per Person Employed90th of 168position · derived44,125GDP per person employed (constant 2021 international $)2025
bottom 47% of 168 countries measured
World Bank Group · GDP per person employed (constant 2021 international $)
Barbados 44,125 · world median 47,384 (worse)
Best in the world 262,554 (Luxembourg)
▼ -4 percentile points since 2015
Informal Employment Rate34th of 97position · derived · 1 = worst61.77Informal employment (% of total employment)2025
bottom 34% of 97 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Informal employment (% of total employment)
Barbados 61.77 · world median 36.83 (worse)
Best in the world 0.857 (Hungary)
No earlier reading to compare
Labour Force Participation Rate65th of 182position · derived64.69Population aged 15+ in the labour force (%)2025
top 35% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Population aged 15+ in the labour force (%)
Barbados 64.69 · world median 61.66 (better)
Best in the world 87.01 (Qatar)
▼ -3 percentile points since 2015
Labour Productivity per Hour Worked88th of 182position · derived22.82Output per hour worked (constant 2021 international $ at PPP)2025
top 48% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Output per hour worked (constant 2021 international $ at PPP)
Barbados 22.82 · world median 22.16 (better)
Best in the world 164.65 (Ireland)
No real change since 2015
Self-Employment Rate123rd of 182position · derived19.55Self-employed (% of total employment)2025
bottom 33% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Self-employed (% of total employment)
Barbados 19.55 · world median 31.84
Highest 91.56 (Chad)
▲ +7 percentile points since 2015
Unemployment Rate64th of 182position · derived · 1 = worst6.524Unemployment (% of labour force)2025
bottom 35% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Unemployment (% of labour force)
Barbados 6.524 · world median 5.084 (worse)
Best in the world 0.13 (Qatar)
▲ +6 percentile points since 2015
Vulnerable Employment117th of 182position · derived · 1 = worst18.8Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)2025
top 36% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)
Barbados 18.8 · world median 28.67 (better)
Best in the world 0.456 (Qatar)
▼ -7 percentile points since 2015
Working Poverty Ratetop 26%0.301Employed people living in extreme poverty (%)2025
top 26% of 113 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Employed people living in extreme poverty (%)
Barbados 0.301 · world median 4.885 (better)
Best in the world 0.007 (Bhutan)
▼ -5 percentile points since 2015
Youth Unemployment Rate56th of 182position · derived · 1 = worst18.48Unemployment, ages 15-24 (% of youth labour force)2025
bottom 30% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Unemployment, ages 15-24 (% of youth labour force)
Barbados 18.48 · world median 12.83 (worse)
Best in the world 0.457 (Niger)
▲ +12 percentile points since 2015
Education & Knowledge11
Adult Literacy Rate26th of 172position · derived99.27Adults 15+ who can read and write (%)2024
top 15% of 172 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · Adults 15+ who can read and write (%)
Barbados 99.27 · world median 93.99 (better)
Best in the world 100 (3 countries tied)
No earlier reading to compare
Expected Years of Schooling33rd of 195position · derived16.63Expected years of schooling2023
top 16% of 195 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · Expected years of schooling
Barbados 16.63 · world median 13.34 (better)
Best in the world 21.69 (Monaco)
No real change since 2013
Mean Years of Schooling98th of 193position · derived9.928Mean years of schooling (adults 25+)2023
bottom 49% of 193 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · Mean years of schooling (adults 25+)
Barbados 9.928 · world median 9.933 (worse)
Best in the world 14.3 (Germany)
▼ -8 percentile points since 2013
Out-of-School Rate, Primary18th of 121position · derived · 1 = worst17.6Out-of-school rate, primary age (%)2024
bottom 14% of 121 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · Out-of-school rate, primary age (%)
Barbados 17.6 · world median 3.691 (worse)
Best in the world 0.004 (United Arab Emirates)
▼ -28 percentile points since 2014
Pre-Primary Net Enrolment Rate62nd of 120position · derived65.6Net enrolment rate, pre-primary (%)2024
bottom 49% of 120 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · Net enrolment rate, pre-primary (%)
Barbados 65.6 · world median 65.93 (worse)
Best in the world 99.85 (Moldova)
▼ -19 percentile points since 2014
Primary Completion Rate47th of 165position · derived99.45Primary completion rate (%)2025
top 28% of 165 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · Primary completion rate (%)
Barbados 99.45 · world median 97.43 (better)
Best in the world 100 (5 countries tied)
▼ -6 percentile points since 2015
School Life Expectancy51st of 77position · derived13.57School life expectancy, primary to tertiary (years)2024
bottom 34% of 77 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · School life expectancy, primary to tertiary (years)
Barbados 13.57 · world median 14.59 (worse)
Best in the world 21.01 (Monaco)
▼ -63 percentile points since 1971
Secondary School Enrolment26th of 109position · derived104.37Gross secondary enrolment ratio (%)2024
top 23% of 109 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · Gross secondary enrolment ratio (%)
Barbados 104.37 · world median 93.19 (better)
Best in the world 158.55 (Monaco)
▼ -8 percentile points since 2014
Tertiary Enrolment Ratio45th of 95position · derived53.58Gross enrolment ratio, tertiary (%)2024
top 47% of 95 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · Gross enrolment ratio, tertiary (%)
Barbados 53.58 · world median 52.77 (better)
Best in the world 141.86 (Macau)
▼ -29 percentile points since 2014
Upper Secondary Completion Rate7th of 164position · derived95.71Upper secondary completion rate (%)2025
top 4% of 164 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · Upper secondary completion rate (%)
Barbados 95.71 · world median 64.87 (better)
Best in the world 99.27 (South Korea)
No real change since 2015
Youth Literacy Ratetop 1%10015–24 year-olds who can read and write (%)2024
top 1% of 174 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · 15–24 year-olds who can read and write (%)
Barbados 100 · world median 98.22 (better)
Best in the world 100 (6 countries tied)
No earlier reading to compare
Health & Wellbeing12
Births Attended by Skilled Health Staff54th of 86position · derived98Births attended by skilled health staff (%)2019
bottom 37% of 86 countries measured
UNICEF · Births attended by skilled health staff (%)
Barbados 98 · world median 98.8 (worse)
Best in the world 100 (11 countries tied)
▼ -58 percentile points since 2009
Dietary Energy Supply66th of 155position · derived3,114Dietary energy supply (kcal per person per day)2024
top 42% of 155 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Dietary energy supply (kcal per person per day)
Barbados 3,114 · world median 2,982 (better)
Best in the world 3,962 (United States)
▼ -6 percentile points since 2014
Exclusive Breastfeeding Under Six Months122nd of 136position · derived19.7Infants under 6 months exclusively breastfed (%)2024
bottom 10% of 136 countries measured
UNICEF · Infants under 6 months exclusively breastfed (%)
Barbados 19.7 · world median 40.74 (worse)
Best in the world 83.3 (Burundi)
No earlier reading to compare
Gender Inequality Index76th of 172rank0.297GII (0 = full equality, 1 = maximum inequality)2023
top 44% of 172 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · GII (0 = full equality, 1 = maximum inequality)
Barbados 0.297 · world median 0.351 (better)
Best in the world 0.003 (Denmark)
No real change since 2013
Global Violent Deaths48th of 206position · derived · 1 = worst13.16Violent deaths per 100,000 people2021
bottom 23% of 209 countries measured · 209 share 206 positions
Small Arms Survey · Violent deaths per 100,000 people
Barbados 13.16 · world median 4.02 (worse)
Best in the world 0 (4 countries tied)
▼ -6 percentile points since 2011
Human Development Index69th of 193rank0.811HDI score (0–1)2023
top 36% of 193 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · HDI score (0–1)
Barbados 0.811 · world median 0.762 (better)
Best in the world 0.972 (Iceland)
▼ -3 percentile points since 2013
Life Expectancy at Birth96th of 222position · derived76.18Years a newborn would live at current death rates2023
top 43% of 222 countries measured
UN DESA Population Division · Years a newborn would live at current death rates
Barbados 76.18 · world median 74.63 (better)
Best in the world 86.37 (Monaco)
▼ -6 percentile points since 2013
Maternal Mortality Ratio110th of 195position · derived · 1 = worst34.88Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births2023
top 44% of 195 countries measured
UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG) · Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births
Barbados 34.88 · world median 46.65 (better)
Best in the world 0.11 (Cook Islands)
▼ -2 percentile points since 2013
Pesticide Use per Hectare33rd of 178position · derived8.55Pesticide use (kg per hectare of cropland)2024
top 18% of 181 countries measured · 181 share 178 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Pesticide use (kg per hectare of cropland)
Barbados 8.55 · world median 1.73
Highest 37.72 (Antigua and Barbuda)
▼ -3 percentile points since 2014
Prevalence of Undernourishment90th of 104position · derived · 1 = worst4.4Population undernourished (%)2023
top 46% of 165 countries measured · 165 share 104 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Population undernourished (%)
Barbados 4.4 · world median 5.2 (better)
Best in the world 2.5 (62 countries tied)
▼ -30 percentile points since 2013
Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five115th of 162position · derived · 1 = worst7.708Children under 5 who are stunted (%)2024
top 29% of 162 countries measured
UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · Children under 5 who are stunted (%)
Barbados 7.708 · world median 13.8 (better)
Best in the world 0.518 (Latvia)
No earlier reading to compare
Under-Five Mortality Rate125th of 200position · derived · 1 = worst9.764Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births)2024
top 38% of 200 countries measured
UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME) · Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births)
Barbados 9.764 · world median 14.54 (better)
Best in the world 1.26 (San Marino)
No real change since 2014
Development & Human Capital8
Access to Electricitytop 28%100Population with electricity access (%)2024
top 28% of 215 countries measured
World Bank Group · Population with electricity access (%)
Barbados 100 · world median 100
Best in the world 100 (122 countries tied)
▼ -8 percentile points since 2014
Arable Land per Person167th of 206position · derived0.025Arable land (hectares per person)2023
bottom 19% of 206 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Arable land (hectares per person)
Barbados 0.025 · world median 0.109
Highest 1.459 (Kazakhstan)
▼ -3 percentile points since 2013
Cereal Import Dependency Ratiotop 5%100Share of the cereal supply that is imported (%)2022
top 5% of 161 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Share of the cereal supply that is imported (%)
Barbados 100 · world median 42.8
Highest 100 (16 countries tied)
▲ +3 percentile points since 2012
Child Marriage36th of 143position · derived · 1 = worst29.2Women 20–24 married before 18 (%)2025
bottom 24% of 145 countries measured · 145 share 143 positions
UNICEF · Women 20–24 married before 18 (%)
Barbados 29.2 · world median 17.1 (worse)
Best in the world 0 (3 countries tied)
No earlier reading to compare
Coefficient of Human Inequality70th of 169position · derived · 1 = worst20.59Coefficient of Human Inequality (%)2023
bottom 41% of 169 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · Coefficient of Human Inequality (%)
Barbados 20.59 · world median 17.05 (worse)
Best in the world 4.865 (Slovenia)
▼ -6 percentile points since 2013
Gender Development Index95th of 184position · derived1.035Gender Development Index (1.000 = parity)2023
bottom 49% of 184 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · Gender Development Index (1.000 = parity)
Barbados 1.035 · world median 0.971 (better)
Best in the world 1 (2 countries tied)
▼ -25 percentile points since 2013
Land Under Cereal Production177th of 179position · derived15Land under cereal production (hectares)2023
bottom 2% of 180 countries measured · 180 share 179 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Land under cereal production (hectares)
Barbados 15 · world median 689,278
Highest 103,715,108 (India)
▼ -3 percentile points since 2013
Water Withdrawal by Sector77th of 171position · derived67.65Freshwater withdrawn for agriculture (% of total)2022
top 44% of 173 countries measured · 173 share 171 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Freshwater withdrawn for agriculture (% of total)
Barbados 67.65 · world median 62.14
Highest 99.48 (Somalia)
No real change since 2012
Environment & Sustainability8
Agricultural Emissions173rd of 193position · derived60.64Farm-gate emissions (kt CO₂eq)2023
bottom 13% of 198 countries measured · 198 share 193 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Farm-gate emissions (kt CO₂eq)
Barbados 60.64 · world median 8,635
Highest 1,044,508 (India)
No real change since 2013
Ecological Footprint23rd of 126position · derived · 1 = worst4.487Ecological Footprint (global hectares per person)2025
bottom 18% of 126 countries measured
Global Footprint Network · Ecological Footprint (global hectares per person)
Barbados 4.487 · world median 2.296 (worse)
Best in the world 0.514 (Yemen)
▼ -9 percentile points since 2015
Forest Area143rd of 210position · derived14.65Forest area (% of land area)2023
bottom 33% of 213 countries measured · 213 share 210 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Forest area (% of land area)
Barbados 14.65 · world median 31.08
Highest 94.45 (Suriname)
No real change since 2013
Internal Displacements by Disaster125th of 160position · derived · 1 = worst400New displacements by disaster (people)2024
top 22% of 160 countries measured
Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) · New displacements by disaster (people)
Barbados 400 · world median 4,750 (better)
Best in the world 1 (Serbia)
▼ -15 percentile points since 2016
Renewable Internal Freshwater Resources per Capita162nd of 181position · derived283.37Renewable internal freshwater (cubic metres per person)2022
bottom 11% of 181 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Renewable internal freshwater (cubic metres per person)
Barbados 283.37 · world median 2,528 (worse)
Best in the world 445,023 (Iceland)
No real change since 2012
Renewable Share of Electricity Generation151st of 190position · derived9.009Renewables (% of electricity generated)2024
bottom 22% of 193 countries measured · 193 share 190 positions
Ember · Renewables (% of electricity generated)
Barbados 9.009 · world median 31.14 (worse)
Best in the world 100 (7 countries tied)
No real change since 2014
Water Stress20th of 177position · derived · 1 = worst87.5Freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)2023
bottom 11% of 177 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)
Barbados 87.5 · world median 10 (worse)
Best in the world 0.03 (Republic of the Congo)
No real change since 2013
World Risk Index127th of 193position · derived · 1 = worst2.89WorldRiskIndex score (0–100, where 100 is the most at risk)2025
top 34% of 193 countries measured
Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV), Ruhr University Bochum · WorldRiskIndex score (0–100, where 100 is the most at risk)
Barbados 2.89 · world median 4.17 (better)
Best in the world 0.18 (Monaco)
▼ -13 percentile points since 2015
Peace & Security4
Deaths in Organized Violence59th of 59position · derived · 1 = worst0Deaths in organized violence (people)2025
top 35% of 196 countries measured · 196 share 59 positions
Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP) · Deaths in organized violence (people)
Barbados 0 · world median 0
Best in the world 0 (138 countries tied)
No real change since 2015
INFORM Risk Index164th of 191position · derived · 1 = worst2.2INFORM Risk score (0–10, where 10 is the highest risk)2025
top 14% of 191 countries measured
European Commission Joint Research Centre, with the Inter-Agency Standing Committee · INFORM Risk score (0–10, where 10 is the highest risk)
Barbados 2.2 · world median 3.7 (better)
Best in the world 0.7 (Singapore)
No real change since 2016
Physical Violence Index38th of 176position · derived0.938Freedom from political killings and torture (0–1)2025
top 21% of 176 countries measured
V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · Freedom from political killings and torture (0–1)
Barbados 0.938 · world median 0.79 (better)
Best in the world 0.989 (2 countries tied)
▲ +5 percentile points since 2015
Political Stability and Absence of Violence13th of 211position · derived1.272Political Stability estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)2024
top 6% of 211 countries measured
World Bank Group · Political Stability estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)
Barbados 1.272 · world median 0.04 (better)
Best in the world 1.582 (Liechtenstein)
No real change since 2014
Not currently covered
The newest edition of these reports does not include Barbados. Usually the publisher does not cover it; sometimes it has dropped out of a ranking it used to appear in.
- Account Ownership at a Financial Institution
- Adjusted Net Savings · last seen 2017
- Agricultural Irrigated Land
- Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added (% of GDP) · last seen 2024
- Children with Functional Difficulties
- Container Port Traffic · last seen 2023
- Cost of Sending Remittances
- Country Policy and Institutional Assessment
- Debt Service on External Debt
- Economic Complexity Index
- Exports of Goods and Services (% of GDP)
- External Debt Stocks (% of GNI)
- Fatal Occupational Injuries · last seen 2016
- Female Genital Mutilation Prevalence
- Gender Social Norms Index
- General Government Consumption
- Gini Index · last seen 2016
- Global Militarisation Index
- Global Multidimensional Poverty Index · last seen 2024
- Global Report on Food Crises
- GNI per Capita (PPP) · last seen 2021
- Gross Capital Formation (% of GDP)
- Gross Savings (% of GDP)
- Household Consumption
- Human Capital Index
- Imports of Goods and Services (% of GDP)
- Inbound Mobility Rate, Tertiary · last seen 2011
- Income Share Held by Lowest 20% · last seen 2016
- Industry Value Added including Construction (% of GDP) · last seen 2024
- INFORM Severity Index
- Logistics Performance Index
- Manufacturing Value Added (% of GDP) · last seen 2024
- Net Official Development Assistance Received · last seen 2010
- Open Data Inventory
- Organic Agricultural Area
- PISA Mathematics Performance
- PISA Reading Performance
- PISA Science Performance
- Planetary pressures-adjusted HDI
- Poverty Gap at $3.00 a Day · last seen 2016
- Poverty Headcount Ratio at $3.00 a Day · last seen 2016
- Poverty Headcount Ratio at $8.30 a Day · last seen 2016
- Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity · last seen 2022
- Prosperity Gap · last seen 2016
- Public Sector Employment
- Research and Development Spending
- Social Institutions and Gender Index
- Trade (% of GDP)
- Trade Union Density
- Upper Secondary Attainment · last seen 2000
- Violent Discipline of Children
- World Energy Trilemma Index
- Youth Not in Education, Employment or Training · last seen 2016
07Keep reading
Explore further
08Method
Sources and how to read them
How to read this page
- The scores and ranks belong to their publishers. Nothing is adjusted, rescaled or re-ranked; each is reproduced from the edition named beside it. Where a row says position · derived, the publisher ranks nobody on that measure and the position is ours, made by ordering the published score.
- Each statistic shows its newest edition, which is not always the edition the Country Index uses: the index pins every source to one data year so its average compares like with like.
How a standing is built from percentiles, why Barbados can move because other countries moved, and why publishers measure between 120 and 215 countries each are set out in full in how a standing is made and what a standing cannot tell you.
Sources
- Statistics: 23 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
- Capital, languages, currency, codes: Wikidata, public domain (CC0).
- Map and land borders: Natural Earth, public domain. Borders are de facto — where administration actually changes — not claimed.
Photographs
The photograph of Barbados on this page comes from Wikimedia Commons and is shown in greyscale. The photographer and the licence are named beside each one.
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Barbados: country statistics, rankings and trends. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/barbados