Barbados GDP Growth Rate (2026)
Barbados has a service-driven Caribbean economy supported by tourism, international business, construction, and household consumption. This page explores its GDP growth trend, historical performance, regional position, and outlook.
GDP Growth Rate 2026
+2.5%
Annual real GDP growth
World Rank
#118
Out of 195 countries
Change vs 2025
-0.2 pp
2025: +2.7%
North America Rank
#12
Out of 23 countries
1. Barbados GDP Growth Rate in 2026
Barbadian economic growth is influenced by tourism, visitor spending, investment, construction, and financial services. Global travel demand remains especially important.
2. Barbados GDP Growth Rate Trends (1980–2026)
Barbados’s growth history has been shaped by tourism cycles, fiscal adjustment, international business, and external shocks. Services remain the dominant economic sector.
3. Barbados GDP Growth Rate (Historical Data)
| Year | GDP Growth Rate | Change (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | +2.5% | -0.2 pp |
| 2025 | +2.7% | -0.7 pp |
| 2024 | +3.4% | +1.6 pp |
| 2023 | +1.8% | -14.1 pp |
| 2022 | +15.9% | +7.9 pp |
| 2021 | +8.0% | +25.4 pp |
| 2020 | -17.4% | -17.6 pp |
| 2019 | +0.2% | +0.5 pp |
| 2018 | -0.3% | -1.0 pp |
| 2017 | +0.7% | -0.7 pp |
| 2016 | +1.4% | +2.2 pp |
| 2015 | -0.8% | -1.6 pp |
| 2014 | +0.8% | +0.6 pp |
| 2013 | +0.2% | +3.1 pp |
| 2012 | -2.9% | -2.8 pp |
| 2011 | -0.1% | +2.1 pp |
| 2010 | -2.2% | +2.6 pp |
| 2009 | -4.8% | -5.5 pp |
| 2008 | +0.7% | -1.6 pp |
| 2007 | +2.3% | -3.4 pp |
| 2006 | +5.7% | +1.7 pp |
| 2005 | +4.0% | +2.6 pp |
| 2004 | +1.4% | -0.8 pp |
| 2003 | +2.2% | +1.4 pp |
| 2002 | +0.8% | +3.2 pp |
| 2001 | -2.4% | -6.9 pp |
| 2000 | +4.5% | +4.2 pp |
| 1999 | +0.3% | -3.4 pp |
| 1998 | +3.7% | -1.0 pp |
| 1997 | +4.7% | +0.7 pp |
| 1996 | +4.0% | +2.0 pp |
| 1995 | +2.0% | 0.0 pp |
| 1994 | +2.0% | +1.2 pp |
| 1993 | +0.8% | +6.5 pp |
| 1992 | -5.7% | -1.8 pp |
| 1991 | -3.9% | -0.6 pp |
| 1990 | -3.3% | -6.9 pp |
| 1989 | +3.6% | +0.1 pp |
| 1988 | +3.5% | +0.9 pp |
| 1987 | +2.6% | -2.5 pp |
| 1986 | +5.1% | +4.0 pp |
| 1985 | +1.1% | -2.5 pp |
| 1984 | +3.6% | +3.1 pp |
| 1983 | +0.5% | +5.4 pp |
| 1982 | -4.9% | -3.0 pp |
| 1981 | -1.9% | -6.3 pp |
| 1980 | +4.4% | — |
4. Barbados GDP Growth Performance
Current Growth Rate
+2.5%
(2026 to 2026)
5-Year Average
+5.3%
(2022 to 2026)
10-Year Average
+1.7%
(2017 to 2026)
20-Year Average
+0.6%
(2007 to 2026)
The economy benefits from strong tourism and improved macroeconomic management, though high debt and climate exposure continue to create constraints.
5. Barbados GDP Growth Rate vs North America and World
Barbados
+2.5%
North America Average
+2.2%
World Average
+2.8%
0.0%
1.4%
2.8%
Annual real GDP growth (%)
Barbados’s GDP growth rate is approximately
0.3 pp
above the
North America average
and
0.4 pp
below the world average.
6. Barbados GDP Growth Rate Ranking in North America
| Rank | Country | GDP Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|
| #8 | Dominica | +3.1% |
| #9 | Grenada | +3.1% |
| #10 | St. Vincent & Grenadines | +3.0% |
| #11 | Antigua and Barbuda | +2.6% |
| #12 | Barbados | +2.5% |
| #13 | United States | +2.3% |
| #14 | Belize | +2.2% |
| #15 | Bahamas | +2.1% |
| #16 | Saint Kitts & Nevis | +2.0% |
7. Top 10 Fastest-Growing Countries in the World (2026)
8. GDP Growth Rate and Economy Size in Barbados
Barbados GDP (Nominal)
$8.5 Billion
(2026)
Barbados GDP Growth Rate
+2.5%
(2026)
Barbados generally grows in line with other tourism-dependent Caribbean economies and remains highly sensitive to external travel conditions.
Explore more:
Barbados GDP
9. Barbados GDP Growth Rate Forecast
The outlook depends on tourism, investment, fiscal stability, and construction. Climate risks and weaker global travel demand remain important challenges.
| Year | GDP Growth Rate | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | +2.2% | -0.3 pp |
| 2028 | +2.0% | -0.2 pp |
| 2029 | +2.0% | 0.0 pp |
| 2030 | +2.0% | 0.0 pp |
10. Barbados GDP Growth Rate: Key Findings
Barbados GDP growth rate is estimated at +2.5% in 2026.
It ranks #118 globally and #12 in North America by annual GDP growth rate.
The growth rate slowed by 0.2 percentage points compared with 2025.
The 5-year average GDP growth rate is +5.3%.
The 10-year average GDP growth rate is +1.7%.
The current rate is 0.3 percentage points above the North America average.
The current rate is 0.4 percentage points below the world average.
The forecast GDP growth rate is +2.0% in 2030, 0.5 percentage points below the 2026 rate.
11. What Is GDP Growth Rate?
GDP growth rate measures the percentage change in a country’s real gross domestic product from one period to the next, usually year over year.
GDP Growth Rate
=
(Real GDPₜ − Real GDPₜ₋₁)
÷
Real GDPₜ₋₁ × 100
A positive rate indicates economic expansion, while a negative rate indicates contraction. Real GDP growth is preferred for growth comparisons because it adjusts for price changes.
12. Methodology and Data Sources
Primary Source:
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Additional Source:
World Bank
Measure:
Annual percentage change in real GDP
Unit:
Percent (%)
Comparisons:
Year-to-year rate differences are shown in percentage points (pp)
Update Frequency:
Annually and when new forecasts are released
Last Updated:
November 2026
13. Barbados GDP Growth Rate FAQs
Barbados GDP growth rate is estimated at +2.5% in 2026.
Barbados ranks #118 globally and #12 in North America by annual GDP growth rate.
The economy is expanding, with real GDP growth of approximately +2.5% in 2026.
Barbados GDP growth rate was -0.8% in 2015.
Barbados GDP growth rate is 0.3 percentage points above the North America average.
15. Explore GDP Growth Rate
Disclaimer:
All data are estimates based on IMF, World Bank,
United Nations and related economic datasets.
Figures may differ from official national statistics.