World Factbook as of November 2014: "Barbados is the wealthiest and most developed country in the Eastern Caribbean and enjoys one of the highest per capita incomes in Latin America. Historically, the Barbadian economy was dependent on sugarcane cultivation and related activities. However, in recent years the economy has diversified into light industry and tourism with about four-fifths of GDP and of exports being attributed to services. Offshore finance and information services are important foreign exchange earners and thrive from having the same time zone as eastern US financial centers and a relatively highly educated workforce. Barbados' tourism, financial services, and construction industries have been hard hit since the onset of the global economic crisis in 2008. Barbados' public debt-to-GDP ratio rose from 56% in 2008 to 90.5% in 2013. Growth prospects are limited because of a weak tourism outlook and planned austerity measures."
Historically, the Barbadian economy was dependent on sugarcane cultivation and related activities. However, in recent years the economy has diversified into light industry and tourism with about three-quarters of GDP and 80% of exports being attributed to services."
Estimated per capita GDP (2009 US dollars)
2009: $18,500 (ranks 64th)
2008: $19,200
2007: $19,100
GDP annual real (not per capita) growth rate estimate
2009: -2.8%
2008: 0.7%
2007: 3.3%
Unemployment rate
2003: 10.7%
People
Living in an urban area:40% (2008)
July 2009: 284,589. Growth rate: 0.383%
July 2008: 281,968,
July 2005: 279,254
Net migration rate
2009: A net loss of 0.31 persons per 1,000 population.
Health
Infant mortality (deaths before the age of one year per 1,000 live births)
2009: 12.29 (ranks 143rd)
2008: 11.05
2005: 12.5
Average life expectancy at birth
2009: 73.94 years (ranks 98th)
Geography
Island northeast of Venezuela, in the Lesser Antilles. Equivalent in size to 20.7 by 20.7 kilometers, or roughly 13 by 13 miles. Capital: Bridgetown.
Government and Recent History
Chief of state: Elizabeth II (queen, House of Windsor) since 6 February 1952. Complete independence from Britain in 1966. A member of the Commonwealth and a parliamentary democracy.
Sources: The World Factbook