Photo: Berit Watkin , derivative work (crop) by Globe-trotter · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 03 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Barbados: Work & Labour
Can people find work, and on what terms?
Barbados is placed joint 54th of 182 countries on work & labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Employment-to-Population Ratio 60.47 (2025); Labour Income Share 55.58 (2025).
Share
Work & Labour
joint54th
of 182 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Barbados on work & labour — 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
Employment-to-Population Ratio
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
60.47
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)
Higher is better
Barbados: 60.47. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 21.21 (São Tomé and Príncipe) to 86.9 (Qatar); the world median is 57.72.
- World median
- 57.72
- Best in Caribbean
- 67.28 Jamaica
Key 3 of 4
Unemployment Rate
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
6.524
Unemployment (% of labour force)
Lower is better
Barbados: 6.524. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.13 (Qatar) to 34.2 (Eswatini); the world median is 5.084.
- World median
- 5.084
- Best in Caribbean
- 1.746 Cuba
Key 4 of 4
Vulnerable Employment
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
18.8
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)
Lower is better
Barbados: 18.8. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.456 (Qatar) to 90.22 (Chad); the world median is 28.67.
- World median
- 28.67
- Best in Caribbean
- 5.474 United States Virgin 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.
Employment-to-Population Ratio
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%) · higher is better
BarbadosWorld median
Barbados fell from 62.87 in 2000 to 60.47 in 2025; the world median went from 55.86 to 57.72.
Every year’s figures
Year Barbados World median 2025 60.47 57.720 2024 60.79 57.694 2023 60.77 58.158 2022 60.60 57.688 2021 55.52 56.066 2020 56.42 55.691 2019 59.47 57.871 2018 60.25 56.911 2017 60.46 56.738 2016 60.62 56.845 2015 59.02 56.788 2014 58.27 56.774 2013 60.40 56.229 2012 59.74 56.289 2011 60.96 56.297 2010 61.53 56.212 2009 62.23 56.255 2008 63.78 57.308 2007 64.46 56.933 2006 63.70 56.685 2005 63.62 56.129 2004 63.44 55.465 2003 61.89 55.630 2002 62.33 55.843 2001 62.63 56.018 2000 62.87 55.861 Labour Income Share
Labour income share of GDP (%) · higher is better
BarbadosWorld median
Barbados fell from 55.81 in 2004 to 55.58 in 2025; the world median went from 46.01 to 46.23.
Every year’s figures
Year Barbados World median 2025 55.58 46.230 2024 55.43 46.060 2023 55.41 45.900 2022 53.84 45.615 2021 55.56 45.433 2020 58.92 47.267 2019 55.94 46.277 2018 56.12 46.187 2017 55.98 46.467 2016 55.80 46.798 2015 56.04 46.876 2014 55.96 47.281 2013 56.07 46.887 2012 56.01 46.231 2011 56.05 45.679 2010 56.19 46.024 2009 56.46 47.071 2008 55.91 45.312 2007 55.77 45.246 2006 55.37 45.670 2005 55.57 46.265 2004 55.81 46.012 Unemployment Rate
Unemployment (% of labour force) · lower is better
BarbadosWorld median
Barbados fell from 9.35 in 2000 to 6.524 in 2025; the world median went from 6.918 to 5.084.
Every year’s figures
Year Barbados World median 2025 6.52 5.08 2024 6.45 5.15 2023 6.54 5.21 2022 7.26 5.34 2021 11.02 6.04 2020 10.59 6.38 2019 8.41 5.36 2018 8.32 5.35 2017 8.62 5.59 2016 8.25 5.90 2015 9.80 6.41 2014 12.17 6.58 2013 11.55 6.71 2012 11.59 6.79 2011 11.19 6.90 2010 10.69 7.04 2009 10.02 6.67 2008 8.12 5.79 2007 7.41 6.00 2006 8.73 6.50 2005 9.08 7.09 2004 9.57 6.80 2003 11.00 6.95 2002 10.32 6.91 2001 9.85 6.96 2000 9.35 6.92 Vulnerable Employment
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment) · lower is better
BarbadosWorld median
Barbados rose from 12.52 in 2000 to 18.8 in 2025; the world median went from 35.67 to 28.67.
Every year’s figures
Year Barbados World median 2025 18.80 28.67 2024 19.06 29.04 2023 19.25 29.33 2022 19.15 29.67 2021 18.94 30.01 2020 19.71 30.54 2019 20.04 29.98 2018 19.58 30.15 2017 18.82 29.93 2016 17.48 29.91 2015 16.26 30.26 2014 16.36 30.47 2013 16.46 31.14 2012 16.15 31.00 2011 15.80 31.41 2010 15.48 32.37 2009 15.13 32.59 2008 14.82 31.76 2007 14.61 33.47 2006 14.39 34.27 2005 14.26 34.66 2004 14.09 35.51 2003 13.72 35.90 2002 13.75 35.96 2001 13.52 35.27 2000 12.52 35.67
03In context
Barbados beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 182 countries on work & labour, 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 182; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Employment-to-Population RatioEmployed share of the population aged 15+ (%) | Labour Income ShareLabour income share of GDP (%) | Unemployment RateUnemployment (% of labour force) | Vulnerable EmploymentVulnerable employment (% of total employment) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Jamaica | 25th | 67.28 | 53.45 | 3.286 | 31.56 |
| Barbados | =54th | 60.47 | 55.58 | 6.524 | 18.8 |
 Trinidad and Tobago | 68th | 55.83 | 45.2 | 3.329 | 21.25 |
 Puerto Rico | =72nd | 40.22 | 59 | 5.991 | 10.31 |
 Cuba | =78th | 51.34 | 41.31 | 1.746 | 19.32 |
 Dominican Republic | =83rd | 61.54 | 48.4 | 5.092 | 37.99 |
 United States Virgin Islands | 89th | 48.14 | 55.98 | 11.44 | 5.474 |
 Saint Lucia | 91st | 61.81 | 47.41 | 9.452 | 21.99 |
 Bahamas | 108th | 66.98 | 34.41 | 9.207 | 15.94 |
 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 131st | 55.68 | 46.79 | 18 | 21.96 |
 Haiti | 155th | 54.38 | 52.18 | 14.94 | 76.04 |
 Anguilla | not placed | — | — | — | — |
 Antigua and Barbuda | not placed | — | — | — | — |
 Aruba | not placed | — | — | — | — |
 British Virgin Islands | not placed | — | — | — | — |
 Cayman Islands | not placed | — | — | — | — |
 Curaçao | not placed | — | — | — | — |
 Dominica | not placed | — | — | — | — |
 Grenada | not placed | — | — | — | — |
 Montserrat | not placed | — | — | — | — |
 Saint Kitts and Nevis | not placed | — | — | — | — |
 Saint Martin | not placed | — | — | — | — |
 Sint Maarten | not placed | — | — | — | — |
 Turks and Caicos Islands | not placed | — | — | — | — |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Caribbean
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 182.
- Jamaica25th
- Barbados=54th
- Trinidad and Tobago68th
- Puerto Rico=72nd
- Cuba=78th
- Dominican Republic=83rd
- United States Virgin Islands89th
- Saint Lucia91st
- Bahamas108th
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines131st
- Haiti155th
- Anguillanot placed
- Antigua and Barbudanot placed
- Arubanot placed
- British Virgin Islandsnot placed
- Cayman Islandsnot placed
- Curaçaonot placed
- Dominicanot placed
- Grenadanot placed
- Montserratnot placed
- Saint Kitts and Nevisnot placed
- Saint Martinnot placed
- Sint Maartennot placed
- Turks and Caicos Islandsnot placed
Placed either side on work & labour
The countries immediately above and below Barbados in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Barbados is ahead of the world, and behind
24 more statistics filed under work & labour, 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 median9
Statistics on which Barbados does better than the middle country measured.
Female Share of Senior and Middle ManagementILO · 2024 · world median 35.8650.3735.86▼ Worsened since 2016
Barbados: 50.37 · world median 35.86 · Women in senior and middle management (% of managers). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 7.226 to 56.69; higher is better.
Position 4th of 86 · derived.
Unemployment Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 0880No earlier reading
Barbados: 88 · world median 0 · Unemployed people receiving unemployment benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed PersonsILO · 2024 · world median 0.5751.40.575No earlier reading
Barbados: 1.4 · world median 0.575 · Labour inspectors per 10,000 employed persons. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.07 to 3.89; higher is better.
Compliance with Labour RightsILO · 2024 · world median 1.610.541.61No real change since 2015
Barbados: 0.54 · world median 1.61 · Compliance with freedom of association and collective bargaining rights (0 = best, 10 = worst). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 10; lower is better.
Female Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 53.3661.0353.36▼ Worsened since 2015
Barbados: 61.03 · world median 53.36 · Women aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 4.663 to 82.91; higher is better.
Position 44th of 182 · derived.
Working Poverty RateILO · 2025 · world median 4.8850.3014.885▼ Worsened since 2015
Barbados: 0.301 · world median 4.885 · Employed people living in extreme poverty (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.007 to 86.02; lower is better.
Employment Injury Protection CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 45.976.745.9No earlier reading
Barbados: 76.7 · world median 45.9 · Labour force covered in the event of a work injury (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 61.6664.6961.66▼ Worsened since 2015
Barbados: 64.69 · world median 61.66 · Population aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.34 to 87.01; higher is better.
Position 65th of 182 · derived.
Labour Productivity per Hour WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 22.1622.8222.16No real change since 2015
Barbados: 22.82 · world median 22.16 · Output per hour worked (constant 2021 international $ at PPP). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.92 to 164.65; higher is better.
Position 88th of 182 · derived.
Behind the world median9
Statistics on which Barbados does worse than the middle country measured.
Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4)ILO · 2024 · world median 12.5612.5812.56No real change since 2015
Barbados: 12.58 · world median 12.56 · Composite rate of labour underutilisation, LU4 (% of the extended labour force). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.495 to 49.82; lower is better.
Position 38th of 76 · derived, 1st = worst.
GDP per Person EmployedWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 47,38444,12547,384▼ Worsened since 2015
Barbados: 44,125 · world median 47,384 · GDP per person employed (constant 2021 international $). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2,456 to 262,554; higher is better.
Position 90th of 168 · derived.
Firms with a Female Top ManagerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 19.1616.8719.16No earlier reading
Barbados: 16.87 · world median 19.16 · Firms with a female top manager (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.429 to 62.9; higher is better.
Position 108th of 179 · derived.
Firms Competing Against Informal FirmsWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 41.8152.741.81No earlier reading
Barbados: 52.7 · world median 41.81 · Firms competing against unregistered or informal firms (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.926 to 90.5; lower is better.
Position 62nd of 181 · derived, 1st = worst.
Informal Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 36.7661.7736.76No earlier reading
Barbados: 61.77 · world median 36.76 · Informal employment (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.857 to 94.44; lower is better.
Position 33rd of 97 · derived, 1st = worst.
Youth Unemployment RateILO · 2025 · world median 12.8318.4812.83▲ Improved since 2015
Barbados: 18.48 · world median 12.83 · Unemployment, ages 15-24 (% of youth labour force). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.457 to 76.77; lower is better.
Position 56th of 182 · derived, 1st = worst.
Length of Paid Maternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 988498▼ Worsened since 2015
Barbados: 84 · world median 98 · Paid maternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 410; higher is better.
Length of Paid Paternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 303▼ Worsened since 2015
Barbados: 0 · world median 3 · Paid paternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 196; higher is better.
Firms Offering Formal TrainingWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 32.078.95432.07No earlier reading
Barbados: 8.954 · world median 32.07 · Firms offering formal training to permanent full-time workers (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.42 to 79.12; higher is better.
No better end6
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Employment in ServicesILO · 2025 · world median 59.5182.5859.51Moved since 2015
Barbados: 82.58 · world median 59.51 · Employment in services (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.56 to 92.17.
Position 13th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Statutory Minimum WageILO · 2024 · world median 657.95592.45657.95Moved since 2014
Barbados: 592.45 · world median 657.95 · Statutory minimum wage per month (2021 PPP $). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 4.038 to 3,804.
Self-Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 31.8419.5531.84Moved since 2015
Barbados: 19.55 · world median 31.84 · Self-employed (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.832 to 91.56.
Position 123rd of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in IndustryILO · 2025 · world median 18.8816.1718.88Moved since 2015
Barbados: 16.17 · world median 18.88 · Employment in industry (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 3.103 to 39.44.
Position 129th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Average Weekly Hours WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 38.8934.4738.89Moved since 2015
Barbados: 34.47 · world median 38.89 · Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.64 to 54.7.
Position 141st of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in AgricultureILO · 2025 · world median 14.381.24514.38Moved since 2015
Barbados: 1.245 · world median 14.38 · Employment in agriculture (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.095 to 85.34.
Position 167th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for Barbados
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added per Worker (last 2024), Average Monthly Earnings of Employees (last 2016), Fatal Occupational Injuries (last 2016), Gini Index of Monthly Earnings (last 2016), Human Capital Wealth per Capita, Low Pay Rate, Public Sector Employment, Share of Temporary Employees, Trade Union Density and Youth Not in Education, Employment or Training (last 2016). 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
Work & Labour among Barbados’s 16 topics
Work & Labour is Barbados’s 5th 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 work & labour
The three countries placed highest of 182, and the leaders Barbados can most readily be measured against.
1
IcelandNorthern Europe
1st of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Hansueli Krapf · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
JapanEastern Asia
2nd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: JurriaanH · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
South KoreaEastern Asia
3rd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Unknown author · CC BY-SA 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Americas
United States14th4/4 keysHighest in Caribbean
Jamaica25th4/4 keysThis page
Barbados=54th4/4 keys
Positions out of 182 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 work & labour
On work & labour
Countries in Asia with the highest average salaries 2024
Thirteen Asian countries by gross average monthly wage, each carrying its WORLD rank rather than an Asian one — so the numbers skip, from 11th place to 45th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Highest Average Salaries in 2024
The ten highest-paying countries of 2024, their bars coloured by continent, and six more added for comparison — from Australia in 13th place to India in 85th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Lowest Average Salaries in 2024
The bottom ten of 196 countries, and six more added for comparison. Niger, Madagascar and Liberia are all published at US$47 a month and still carry three different ranks.
08Questions
Barbados on work & labour: 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 work & labour?
Barbados is placed joint 54th of 182 countries on Work & Labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Employment-to-Population Ratio, Labour Income Share, Unemployment Rate and Vulnerable Employment). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Employment-to-Population Ratio figure for Barbados?
60.47 in 2025 (employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 57.72.
What is the latest Labour Income Share figure for Barbados?
55.58 in 2025 (labour income share of GDP (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 46.23.
How have Barbados’s work & labour figures changed?
Employment-to-Population Ratio fell from 62.87 in 2000 to 60.47 in 2025; Labour Income Share fell from 55.81 in 2004 to 55.58 in 2025; Unemployment Rate fell from 9.35 in 2000 to 6.524 in 2025; Vulnerable Employment rose from 12.52 in 2000 to 18.8 in 2025.
Which work & labour statistics are missing for Barbados?
No current reading is published for Barbados on Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added per Worker, Average Monthly Earnings of Employees, Fatal Occupational Injuries, Gini Index of Monthly Earnings, Human Capital Wealth per Capita, Low Pay Rate, Public Sector Employment, Share of Temporary Employees, Trade Union Density and Youth Not in Education, Employment or Training. 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
Wages in money terms are not a key here, because pay figures are hard to compare fairly across countries with very different prices. Labour productivity, working hours, youth unemployment and the balance between farming, industry and services are published on this page as context. The size and growth of the wider economy belong to Economy & Innovation.
How the Work & Labour 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 work & labour method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Employment-to-Population Ratio — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Labour Income Share — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Unemployment Rate — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Vulnerable Employment — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
The other 24 statistics on this page come from 2 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
- Iceland — Hansueli Krapf, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Japan — JurriaanH, CC BY-SA 3.0
- South Korea — Unknown author, CC BY-SA 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Barbados: Work & Labour — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/barbados/work