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Economy of Barbados vs Cameroon compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Barbados has a GDP of $7.5B compared to $53.3B for Cameroon, ranking 157/197 and 91/197 by economy size, respectively.

Barbados has $7.97B in government debt (106.3% of GDP), compared to $22.8B (42.8% of GDP) in Cameroon.

Barbados vs Cameroon GDP by year

Barbados
Cameroon
1x
Year GDP, current $
Barbados Cameroon
2024 $7,498,050,000 $53,296,694,320
2023 $7,223,250,000 $48,814,501,547
2022 $6,884,900,000 $44,347,206,073
2021 $5,947,550,000 $45,011,937,347
2020 $5,407,050,000 $40,773,241,177
2019 $6,161,850,000 $39,667,757,528
2018 $6,001,950,000 $39,955,552,190
2017 $5,683,150,000 $36,098,547,033
2016 $5,674,600,000 $33,814,337,044
2015 $5,698,150,000 $32,210,233,020
2014 $5,620,600,000 $36,386,544,706
2013 $5,667,200,000 $33,728,621,180
2012 $5,761,450,000 $30,155,062,329
2011 $5,663,100,000 $30,630,910,495
2010 $5,672,900,000 $27,507,501,821
2009 $4,466,809,600 $27,932,970,317
2008 $4,790,410,400 $27,715,142,033
2007 $4,675,767,950 $23,928,250,433
2006 $4,217,323,400 $20,910,512,975
2005 $3,819,500,000 $19,509,852,207
2004 $3,444,500,000 $18,826,214,136
2003 $3,209,500,000 $15,970,315,035
2002 $3,106,500,000 $12,417,251,350
2001 $3,054,500,000 $10,953,485,349
2000 $3,059,500,000 $10,566,579,295
1999 $2,951,822,205 $11,565,826,465
1998 $2,817,083,478 $11,298,144,990
1997 $2,498,384,130 $10,789,458,433
1996 $2,363,645,403 $11,093,538,846
1995 $2,216,974,096 $10,864,772,471
1994 $2,151,344,901 $8,902,446,252
1993 $2,063,342,117 $16,181,814,713
1992 $1,957,000,000 $12,071,775,335
1991 $2,020,583,702 $11,840,192,296
1990 $2,012,131,457 $12,314,482,628
1989 $2,006,165,167 $11,012,566,195
1988 $1,812,757,918 $12,236,057,362
1987 $1,704,370,308 $13,049,659,981
1986 $1,547,755,183 $11,857,056,199
1985 $1,409,536,121 $8,544,810,498
1984 $1,346,890,071 $7,311,938,026
1983 $1,236,016,507 $6,870,200,010
1982 $1,163,923,830 $6,611,255,964
1981 $1,114,204,743 $6,610,938,617
1980 $1,012,280,615 $6,674,569,047
1979 $670,362,452 $5,919,002,983
1978 $552,883,707 $4,662,852,583
1977 $495,097,668 $3,394,664,024
1976 $435,911,269 $2,898,090,002
1975 $402,178,605 $2,857,037,371
1974 $311,804,630 $2,157,415,533
1973 $260,767,828 $1,901,393,361
1972 $213,725,217 $1,498,251,890
1971 $186,826,503 $1,236,941,394
1970 $166,210,203 $1,151,216,993
1969 $141,393,142 $1,100,551,489
1968 $125,733,669 $1,046,191,218
1967 $125,554,009 $936,175,260
1966 $113,195,123 $851,112,535
1965 $105,021,997 $814,083,266
1964 $99,252,731 $776,650,177
1963 $99,893,761 $718,320,845
1962 $88,782,583 $694,247,864
1961 $85,363,759 $652,777,608
1960 $80,021,847 $614,206,068

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/cameroon | CC BY

GDP per capita in Barbados vs Cameroon by year

Barbados
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Cameroon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Barbados Cameroon
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $26,545 $24,823 $1,830 $5,589
2023 $25,584 $23,660 $1,720 $5,411
2022 $24,387 $22,193 $1,605 $5,189
2021 $21,080 $17,683 $1,672 $4,794
2020 $19,194 $16,555 $1,556 $4,365
2019 $21,912 $19,971 $1,555 $4,241
2018 $21,381 $19,777 $1,611 $4,011
2017 $20,285 $18,437 $1,496 $3,767
2016 $20,296 $19,176 $1,442 $3,627
2015 $20,424 $19,186 $1,415 $3,498
2014 $20,193 $18,595 $1,649 $3,422
2013 $20,410 $19,032 $1,576 $3,239
2012 $20,804 $19,605 $1,449 $3,060
2011 $20,508 $20,316 $1,514 $2,989
2010 $20,611 $20,033 $1,399 $2,914
2009 $16,295 $20,324 $1,461 $2,879
2008 $17,566 $21,376 $1,492 $2,870
2007 $17,235 $20,949 $1,326 $2,818
2006 $15,620 $20,076 $1,191 $2,704
2005 $14,214 $18,450 $1,143 $2,598
2004 $12,886 $17,299 $1,133 $2,533
2003 $12,076 $16,707 $988 $2,368
2002 $11,760 $16,133 $790 $2,263
2001 $11,640 $15,866 $715 $2,191
2000 $11,675 $15,914 $709 $2,108
1999 $11,244 $14,873 $796 $2,039
1998 $10,734 $14,621 $799 $1,975
1997 $9,522 $13,941 $783 $1,915
1996 $9,012 $13,090 $827 $1,850
1995 $8,460 $12,375 $832 $1,790
1994 $8,223 $11,900 $701 $1,752
1993 $7,905 $11,448 $1,310 $1,731
1992 $7,519 $11,127 $1,005 $1,890
1991 $7,790 $11,576 $1,015 $1,963
1990 $7,781 $11,687 $1,087 $2,032
1989 $7,773 - $1,001 -
1988 $7,033 - $1,145 -
1987 $6,625 - $1,258 -
1986 $6,031 - $1,179 -
1985 $5,510 - $875 -
1984 $5,284 - $772 -
1983 $4,866 - $746 -
1982 $4,599 - $732 -
1981 $4,417 - $750 -
1980 $4,025 - $784 -
1979 $2,668 - $718 -
1978 $2,198 - $582 -
1977 $1,968 - $435 -
1976 $1,734 - $381 -
1975 $1,601 - $386 -
1974 $1,243 - $299.9 -
1973 $1,042 - $271.8 -
1972 $856 - $220.1 -
1971 $750 - $186.7 -
1970 $666 - $178.5 -
1969 $567 - $175.2 -
1968 $506 - $170.8 -
1967 $508 - $156.6 -
1966 $462 - $145.8 -
1965 $433 - $142.7 -
1964 $414 - $139.2 -
1963 $421 - $131.6 -
1962 $377 - $130 -
1961 $366 - $124.6 -
1960 $347 - $119.1 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/cameroon | CC BY

Barbados' GDP per capita is $26,545, ranking 46/197, compared to $1,830 in Cameroon, ranking 158/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Barbados ranks 84th at $24,823, while Cameroon ranks 156th at $5,589.

Economic indicators

Barbados Cameroon
Gross domestic product
$7.5B
2024
$53.3B
2024
GDP rank
157/197
2024
91/197
2024
GDP growth
2.48%
2023-2024
3.52%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$26,545
2024
$1,830
2024
GDP per capita rank
46/197
2024
158/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$24,823
2024
$5,589
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
84/197
2024
156/197
2024
Government debt
$7.97B
2024
$22.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
106.3%
2024
42.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$28,218
2024
$784
2024
Government debt per person rank
26/185
2024
152/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$18,869
2026
$1,578
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.78B
2020
n/a
Number of billionaires
1
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25.8%
2016
31.1%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.5%
2016
2.1%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
30.2%
2024
16.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.44%
2023-2024
4.53%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2%
2020
n/a
Unemployment rate
6.54%
2023
3.28%
2021
Population
282798
30864115

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Barbados
Spending

Debt
Cameroon
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Barbados Cameroon
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 30.2% 106.3% 16.7% 42.8%
2023 28.8% 113.4% 17.1% 43.1%
2022 30.3% 116.9% 17.1% 45.6%
2021 32.5% 130.2% 17.1% 47.2%
2020 30.3% 128.4% 16.6% 44.9%
2019 23.9% 109.5% 18.7% 41.6%
2018 26.9% 115% 18% 38.3%
2017 29.8% 143.6% 19.2% 36.5%
2016 30.7% 136.5% 20.2% 32.1%
2015 31.4% 131.9% 20.1% 31.6%
2014 29% 122% 20.1% 20.7%
2013 30.8% 118.6% 19.2% 17.5%
2012 30.6% 109.4% 17.2% 14.9%
2011 27.7% 98.7% 17.8% 15.9%
2010 29.7% 96% 15.2% 14%
2009 29.5% 88.5% 14.7% 11.3%
2008 28.1% 72.6% 15.9% 11.2%
2007 27.8% 69% 13.5% 13.8%
2006 27.2% 69.8% 12.5% 18.4%
2005 28.7% 68.2% 12.4% 43.8%
2004 28.5% 66.5% 13.4% 51.7%
2003 29.8% 66.6% 13.2% 51.5%
2002 31% 66.1% 13.9% 56.6%
2001 22% 62.6% 14.6% 62.2%
2000 20.8% 56.6% 14.6% 75.9%
1999 19.7% 50.1% - 68.4%
1998 19% 50.5% - 67.8%
1997 21.5% 56.9% - -
1996 20.5% 56.1% - -
1995 18.6% 55.9% - -
1994 17% 55% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/cameroon | CC BY

In 2024, Barbados' government spending was $2.26B, accounting for 30.2% of its GDP, while Cameroon spent $8.91B, or 16.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 106.3% in Barbados and 42.8% in Cameroon, ranking 18/185 and 125/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Barbados

Cameroon
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Barbados Cameroon
2024 -0.89% -1.48%
2023 -1.71% -0.63%
2022 -1.96% -1.11%
2021 -4.65% -3.01%
2020 -4.16% -3.19%
2019 3.08% -3.24%
2018 -0.34% -2.41%
2017 -3.89% -4.72%
2016 -4.88% -5.88%
2015 -8.16% -4.25%
2014 -6.57% -4.09%
2013 -8.98% -3.55%
2012 -7.07% -1.4%
2011 -3.63% -2.26%
2010 -7.55% -0.93%
2009 -6.56% -0.04%
2008 -4.1% 2%
2007 -4.34% 3.87%
2006 -3.41% 28.2%
2005 -3.03% 3.03%
2004 -2.97% -0.46%
2003 -3.08% 0.56%
2002 -5.28% 1.51%
2001 4.07% 0.86%
2000 4.94% 1.54%
1999 5.39% -
1998 6.03% -
1997 5.64% -
1996 3.76% -
1995 6.22% -
1994 6.72% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/cameroon | CC BY

In 2024, Barbados' government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $66.8M, equivalent to 0.89% of GDP. This compares to Cameroon's deficit of $789M, or 1.48% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Barbados recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Cameroon ran a deficit in 17 years. On average, Barbados posted an annual deficit equal to 3.41% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.04% of GDP for Cameroon.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Barbados

Cameroon
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Barbados Cameroon
2024 -0.44% 4.53%
2023 9.79% 7.38%
2022 - 6.25%
2021 - 2.27%
2020 - 2.44%
2019 4.1% 2.45%
2018 3.67% 1.07%
2017 4.66% 0.64%
2016 1.28% 0.87%
2015 -1.11% 2.68%
2014 1.77% 1.85%
2013 1.81% 2.05%
2012 4.53% 2.74%
2011 9.43% 2.94%
2010 5.82% 1.28%
2009 3.64% 3.04%
2008 8.11% 5.34%
2007 4.03% 0.92%
2006 7.31% 5.12%
2005 6.08% 2.01%
2004 1.39% 0.23%
2003 1.62% 0.62%
2002 0.13% 2.83%
2001 2.58% 4.42%
2000 2.44% 1.23%
1999 1.56% 1.87%
1998 -1.27% 3.17%
1997 7.71% 4.79%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/cameroon | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Barbados has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.63%, compared with 2.75% in Cameroon. In 2024, inflation was -0.44% in Barbados and 4.53% in Cameroon.

Balance of trade

Barbados Cameroon
Current account balance
-$296M
2017
-$2.02B
2023
Current account balance ranking
100/190
2017
144/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.22%
2017
-4.14%
2023
Goods imports
$1.53B
2017
$7.74B
2023
Goods exports
$705M
2017
$6.34B
2023
Service imports
$687M
2017
$2.55B
2023
Service exports
$1.52B
2017
$2.01B
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
18.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
14.5%
2025
15.7%
2024

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Barbados Cameroon
Economic freedom 70.4 52
Economic freedom ranking 34/197 151/197
Property rights 76.4 28.1
Government integrity 71.3 21
Judicial effectiveness 87.3 10.1
Tax burden 83.2 72.2
Government spending 74.5 91.4
Fiscal health 76.5 94.5
Business freedom 72.3 48.6
Labor freedom 54.3 45.6
Monetary freedom 80.8 75.3
Trade freedom 48.2 57.2
Investment freedom 60 30
Financial freedom 60 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Barbados
Cameroon
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Barbados Cameroon
2026 70.4 52
2025 68.9 52.1
2024 66.8 53.6
2023 69.8 51.9
2022 71.3 52.9
2021 65 53.4
2020 61.4 53.6
2019 64.7 52.4
2018 57 51.9
2017 54.5 51.8
2016 68.3 54.2
2015 67.9 51.9
2014 68.3 52.6
2013 69.3 52.3
2012 69 51.8
2011 68.5 51.8
2010 68.3 52.3
2009 71.5 53
2008 71.3 54.3
2007 70 55.6
2006 71.9 54.6
2005 70.1 53
2004 69.4 52.3
2003 71.3 52.7
2002 73.6 52.8
2001 71.5 53.3
2000 69.5 49.9
1999 66.7 50.3
1998 67.9 48
1997 64.5 44.6
1996 62.3 45.7
1995 - 51.3

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/cameroon | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Barbados is 70.4, ranking 34/197, compared to 52 for Cameroon, ranking 151/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Barbados Cameroon
Services, % of GDP
75.5%
2024
50.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
12.4%
2024
23.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.58%
2024
18.5%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$7.1B
2024
$49.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$23,850
2024
$5,490
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.65B
2024
$4.88B
2023
Total reserves ranking
131/177
2024
103/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$208M
2017
-$901M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$303M
2024
$888M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6M
2024
$63.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
3.2%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
25.7%
2016
37.7%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
18.9%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/cameroon | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.