
Photo: Berit Watkin , derivative work (crop) by Globe-trotter · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 12 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Barbados: Mobility & Trade
How connected is a country to the rest of the world?
Barbados is placed joint 128th of 177 countries on mobility & trade in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Liner Shipping Connectivity Index 35.43 (2025); Container Import Dwell Time 6.1 (2024).
Share
Mobility & Trade
joint128th
of 177 countries placed
Placed from 3 of 4 key statistics
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Barbados on mobility & trade — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 1 of 4
Liner Shipping Connectivity Index
UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
35.43
LSCI (index, average Q1 2023 = 100)
Higher is better
Ranked 106th of 177 by UNCTAD
Barbados: 35.43. Across the 168 countries in this edition, values run from 4.13 (Turks and Caicos Islands) to 1,313 (China); the world median is 60.84.
- World median
- 60.84
- Best in Caribbean
- 128.69 Dominican Republic
6.1
Median days a full import container waits in port
Lower is better
Barbados: 6.1. Across the 156 countries in this edition, values run from 1 (Gibraltar) to 21.6 (Haiti); the world median is 4.4.
- World median
- 4.4
- Best in Caribbean
- 1.2 Montserrat
No reading
LPI score (1–5)
Higher is better
World Bank Group publishes no 2023 figure for Barbados, so the standing rests on the other keys.
Across the 139 countries in this edition, values run from 1.9 (Afghanistan) to 4.3 (Singapore); the world median is 2.9.
- World median
- 2.9
- Best in Caribbean
- 2.9 Antigua and Barbuda
Key 4 of 4
ICT Goods Exports
UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
0.57
ICT goods exports (% of total goods exports)
Higher is better
Barbados: 0.57. Across the 120 countries in this edition, values run from 0 (Gambia) to 61.45 (Hong Kong); the world median is 0.975.
- World median
- 0.975
- Best in Caribbean
- 21.32 Cayman Islands
02Over time
Which way Barbados is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Liner Shipping Connectivity Index
LSCI (index, average Q1 2023 = 100) · higher is better
BarbadosWorld median
Barbados fell from 37.09 in 2006 to 32.87 in 2026; the world median went from 52.25 to 56.21.
Every year’s figures
Year Barbados World median 2026 32.9 56.21 2025 35.4 60.84 2024 37.7 55.22 2023 37.0 54.78 2022 33.7 51.49 2021 30.1 52.64 2020 35.2 47.86 2019 33.2 51.05 2018 34.4 52.03 2017 36.1 49.87 2016 40.7 48.09 2015 32.7 49.13 2014 34.0 48.08 2013 34.1 51.32 2012 32.5 47.44 2011 32.2 50.26 2010 40.1 50.51 2009 37.2 53.04 2008 34.3 51.68 2007 32.3 55.78 2006 37.1 52.25 ICT Goods Exports
ICT goods exports (% of total goods exports) · higher is better
BarbadosWorld median
Barbados fell from 1.63 in 2000 to 0.57 in 2024; the world median went from 0.43 to 0.975.
Every year’s figures
Year Barbados World median 2024 0.57 0.975000 2023 0.56 0.690000 2022 0.57 0.565000 2021 0.52 0.550000 2020 0.51 0.680000 2019 0.28 0.625000 2018 0.62 0.480000 2017 0.66 0.630000 2016 1.53 0.865000 2015 1.54 0.790000 2014 0.76 0.760000 2013 0.69 0.645000 2012 0.76 0.630000 2011 0.66 0.535000 2010 1.51 0.560000 2009 2.89 0.780000 2008 1.06 0.595000 2007 2.11 0.660000 2006 5.41 0.445000 2005 4.88 0.570000 2004 2.19 0.535000 2003 1.19 0.530000 2002 0.76 0.510000 2001 1.37 0.490000 2000 1.63 0.430000
03In context
Barbados beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 177 countries on mobility & trade, never a place within the region.
Barbados and Caribbean
Barbados has no land border, so the table compares it with its sub-region. Standing among all 177; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Liner Shipping Connectivity IndexLSCI (index, average Q1 2023 = 100) | Container Import Dwell TimeMedian days a full import container waits in port | Logistics Performance IndexLPI score (1–5) | ICT Goods ExportsICT goods exports (% of total goods exports) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 54th | 33.68 | 2.3 | — | — | |
| 58th | 24.47 | 1.5 | — | — | |
| 65th | 26.15 | 3.1 | 2.9 | 5.24 | |
| 72nd | 23.14 | 2 | 2.5 | 5.36 | |
| 82nd | 11.79 | 1.8 | — | — | |
| 87th | 128.69 | 5.3 | 2.6 | 0.87 | |
| 90th | 11.79 | 2.2 | — | — | |
| 95th | 7.329 | 5.1 | — | 21.32 | |
| 97th | 86.44 | 6.1 | 2.7 | — | |
| 103rd | 20.16 | 3.3 | — | — | |
| 106th | 49.61 | 5.3 | — | — | |
| 110th | 117.51 | 6.4 | 2.5 | — | |
| =126th | 27.28 | 4.9 | — | — | |
| =128th | 35.43 | 6.1 | — | 0.57 | |
| 134th | 17.98 | 4.2 | — | — | |
| 141st | 61.46 | 6.3 | 2.5 | 0.08 | |
| 142nd | 21.6 | 5.1 | — | — | |
| 166th | 25.61 | 10.1 | — | — | |
| 171st | 27.84 | 15.2 | 2.2 | — | |
| 175th | 23.67 | 21.6 | 2.1 | — | |
| not placed | — | 1.9 | — | — | |
| not placed | — | 1.2 | — | — | |
| not placed | — | — | — | — | |
| not placed | 4.13 | — | — | — |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Caribbean
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 177.
Sint Maarten54th
Dominica58th
Antigua and Barbuda65th
Grenada72nd
Saint Kitts and Nevis82nd
Dominican Republic87th
British Virgin Islands90th
Cayman Islands95th
Bahamas97th
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines103rd
Puerto Rico106th
Jamaica110th
Saint Lucia=126th
Barbados=128th
Aruba134th
Trinidad and Tobago141st
United States Virgin Islands142nd
Curaçao166th
Cuba171st
Haiti175th
Anguillanot placed
Montserratnot placed
Saint Martinnot placed
Turks and Caicos Islandsnot placed
Placed either side on mobility & trade
The countries immediately above and below Barbados in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Barbados is ahead of the world, and behind
16 more statistics filed under mobility & trade, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median1
Statistics on which Barbados does better than the middle country measured.
Freedom of Foreign MovementV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 1.22.3691.2▲ Improved since 2015
Barbados: 2.369 · world median 1.2 · Original latent estimate (≈ −3.6 to +2.9); higher = freer movement. V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -3.642 to 2.727; higher is better.
Position 8th of 176 · derived.
Level with the median, or no median to compare1
Average Time to Clear Exports Through CustomsWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 4.4564.4564.456No earlier reading
Barbados: 4.456 · world median 4.456 · Average time to clear exports through customs (days). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 27.46; lower is better.
Position 88th of 174 · derived, 1st = worst.
No better end14
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Cereal Import Dependency RatioFAO · 2022 · world median 42.810042.8Moved since 2012
Barbados: 100 · world median 42.8 · Share of the cereal supply that is imported (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from -1,894 to 100.
Tariff Rate, Applied, Weighted Mean, All ProductsWorld Bank Group · 2022 · world median 3.6614.583.66Moved since 2012
Barbados: 14.58 · world median 3.66 · Applied tariff rate, trade-weighted mean (%). World Bank Group, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 29.52.
Creative Goods ExportsUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 1.2353.1371.235Moved since 2014
Barbados: 3.137 · world median 1.235 · Creative goods exports (% of merchandise exports). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 37.23.
Services ExportsUNCTAD · 2025 · world median 9.60220.529.602Moved since 2015
Barbados: 20.52 · world median 9.602 · Services exports (% of GDP). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.085 to 166.21.
International Migrants as a Share of PopulationUN DESA Population Division · 2024 · world median 6.08912.466.089Moved since 2015
Barbados: 12.46 · world median 6.089 · International migrants (% of population). UN DESA Population Division, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.02 to 100.
Net Migration RateUN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median -0.133-0.283-0.133Moved since 2013
Barbados: -0.283 · world median -0.133 · Net migrants per 1,000 population. UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from -61.68 to 39.62.
Commodity Export DependenceUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 67.1751.6667.17No real change since 2014
Barbados: 51.66 · world median 67.17 · Commodity exports (% of merchandise exports, three-year average). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 4.605 to 99.77.
Terms of Trade IndexUNCTAD · 2025 · world median 103.2397.91103.23Moved since 2015
Barbados: 97.91 · world median 103.23 · Terms of trade index (2015 = 100). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 38.2 to 1,448.
Export Concentration IndexUNCTAD · 2025 · world median 0.3060.1940.306Moved since 2015
Barbados: 0.194 · world median 0.306 · Export concentration index (0–1, normalised Herfindahl–Hirschman). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.059 to 0.933.
International MigrantsUN DESA Population Division · 2024 · world median 223,32335,187223,323No real change since 2015
Barbados: 35,187 · world median 223,323 · International migrants living in the country, mid-year (people). UN DESA Population Division, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 246 to 52,375,047.
EmigrantsUN DESA Population Division · 2024 · world median 444,45119,558444,451No real change since 2015
Barbados: 19,558 · world median 444,451 · Migrants from the country living abroad, mid-year (people). UN DESA Population Division, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 313 to 18,533,845.
Merchant Fleet by Country of OwnershipUNCTAD · 2026 · world median 275.739.484275.73No real change since 2016
Barbados: 9.484 · world median 275.73 · Merchant fleet owned (thousand dead-weight tons). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 397,071.
Asylum-Seekers by Country of AsylumUNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency · 2025 · world median 1,83681,836No real change since 2018
Barbados: 8 · world median 1,836 · Asylum-seekers awaiting a decision, end of year (people). UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 3,718,945.
Refugee Population by Country of AsylumUNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency · 2025 · world median 12,269512,269Moved since 2018
Barbados: 5 · world median 12,269 · Refugees under UNHCR's mandate hosted, end of year (people). UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 2,655,191.
No current reading for Barbados
Container Port Traffic (last 2023), Cost of Sending Remittances, Creative Services Exports (last 2015), Digital Services Trade Restrictiveness Index, Digitally-Deliverable Services Exports (last 2020), Exports of Goods and Services (% of GDP), FDI Regulatory Restrictiveness Index, Foreign Value Added Share of Gross Exports, ICT Services Exports (last 2020), Imports of Goods and Services (% of GDP), Inbound Mobility Rate, Tertiary (last 2011), Logistics Performance Index, Outbound Mobility Ratio, Tertiary (last 2011) and Trade (% of GDP). Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Mobility & Trade among Barbados’s 16 topics
Mobility & Trade is Barbados’s 13th best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Peace & Securityjoint 7th of 1772/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience30th of 1933/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Libertiesjoint 38th of 1984/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions45th of 1944/4 keys
- Work & Labourjoint 54th of 1824/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture58th of 1844/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing78th of 2002/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital79th of 1963/3 keys
- Gender & Equality82nd of 1833/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality76th of 1592/3 keys
- Education & Knowledge107th of 1984/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation96th of 1762/4 keys
- Mobility & Tradejoint 128th of 1773/4 keys
- Energy130th of 1652/3 keys
- Digital & Technology157th of 1983/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability174th of 1863/4 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on mobility & trade
The three countries placed highest of 177, and the leaders Barbados can most readily be measured against.
1Singapore
South-eastern Asia
1st of 177 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Khairul Nizam . · CC BY 2.0, greyscale
2Macau
Eastern Asia
2nd of 177 · 2 of 4 keys
Photo: Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3Hong Kong
Eastern Asia
3rd of 177 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Base64 and Derivative work by Globe-trotter · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Americas
United States7th4/4 keys
Highest in Caribbean
Sint Maarten54th2/4 keys
This page
Barbados=128th3/4 keys
Positions out of 177 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about Barbados and mobility & trade

On mobility & trade
China Leads Global High-Technology Exports
The world’s ten largest high-technology exporters as a treemap, with the rest of the world beside them. Each country’s figure is its own most recent year, between 2022 and 2024.

On mobility & trade
The World’s Safest Airlines for 2025
The eleven safest airlines of 2025, each beside the country it is based in, and the nine things the grading looks at. Three airlines share third place, and the publisher gives an order but no score.

On mobility & trade
The world’s most powerful passports for 2025
Sixteen passports, their mobility scores, and the visa-free, visa-on-arrival and visa-required split behind each. Fourteen share third place while differing in how they reach it.
08Questions
Barbados on mobility & trade: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Barbados rank on mobility & trade?
Barbados is placed joint 128th of 177 countries on Mobility & Trade in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 4 key statistics (Liner Shipping Connectivity Index, Container Import Dwell Time and ICT Goods Exports). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Liner Shipping Connectivity Index figure for Barbados?
35.43 in 2025 (lSCI (index, average Q1 2023 = 100)), according to UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The world median in the same edition was 60.84.
What is the latest Container Import Dwell Time figure for Barbados?
6.1 in 2024 (median days a full import container waits in port), according to World Bank Group. The world median in the same edition was 4.4.
How have Barbados’s mobility & trade figures changed?
Liner Shipping Connectivity Index fell from 37.09 in 2006 to 32.87 in 2026; ICT Goods Exports fell from 1.63 in 2000 to 0.57 in 2024.
Which mobility & trade statistics are missing for Barbados?
No current reading is published for Barbados on Container Port Traffic, Cost of Sending Remittances, Creative Services Exports, Digital Services Trade Restrictiveness Index, Digitally-Deliverable Services Exports, Exports of Goods and Services (% of GDP), FDI Regulatory Restrictiveness Index, Foreign Value Added Share of Gross Exports, ICT Services Exports, Imports of Goods and Services (% of GDP), Inbound Mobility Rate, Tertiary, Logistics Performance Index, Outbound Mobility Ratio, Tertiary and Trade (% of GDP). They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Passport strength and freedom of movement for people are not measured with a key, because the data behind passport rankings is not licensed for reuse here. Trade as a share of the economy, remittance costs and student mobility are published here as context.
How the Mobility & Trade standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The mobility & trade method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Liner Shipping Connectivity Index — UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), CC BY 3.0 IGO
- Container Import Dwell Time — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
- Logistics Performance Index — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
- ICT Goods Exports — UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), CC BY 3.0 IGO
The other 16 statistics on this page come from 6 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Barbados’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Barbados (banner) — Berit Watkin , derivative work (crop) by Globe-trotter, CC BY 2.0
- Singapore — Khairul Nizam ., CC BY 2.0
- Macau — Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Hong Kong — Base64 and Derivative work by Globe-trotter, CC BY-SA 3.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Barbados: Mobility & Trade — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/barbados/mobility