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Economy of Barbados vs Cape Verde compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Barbados has a GDP of $7.5B compared to $2.73B for Cape Verde, ranking 157/197 and 172/197 by economy size, respectively.

Barbados has $7.97B in government debt (106.3% of GDP), compared to $3.03B (111.2% of GDP) in Cape Verde.

Barbados vs Cape Verde GDP by year

Barbados
Cape Verde
1x
Year GDP, current $
Barbados Cape Verde
2024 $7,498,050,000 $2,725,414,151
2023 $7,223,250,000 $2,504,525,549
2022 $6,884,900,000 $2,247,003,344
2021 $5,947,550,000 $2,051,842,619
2020 $5,407,050,000 $1,821,565,614
2019 $6,161,850,000 $2,252,177,124
2018 $6,001,950,000 $2,205,099,507
2017 $5,683,150,000 $1,996,741,540
2016 $5,674,600,000 $1,849,789,986
2015 $5,698,150,000 $1,749,857,620
2014 $5,620,600,000 $2,041,930,125
2013 $5,667,200,000 $2,028,910,915
2012 $5,761,450,000 $1,913,081,210
2011 $5,663,100,000 $2,046,817,987
2010 $5,672,900,000 $1,824,751,468
2009 $4,466,809,600 $1,852,334,575
2008 $4,790,410,400 $1,959,620,648
2007 $4,675,767,950 $1,649,621,739
2006 $4,217,323,400 $1,107,571,458
2005 $3,819,500,000 $972,241,677
2004 $3,444,500,000 $924,940,012
2003 $3,209,500,000 $813,260,469
2002 $3,106,500,000 $620,507,387
2001 $3,054,500,000 $563,090,490
2000 $3,059,500,000 $539,227,278
1999 $2,951,822,205 $592,416,703
1998 $2,817,083,478 $521,910,561
1997 $2,498,384,130 $490,608,658
1996 $2,363,645,403 $501,979,270
1995 $2,216,974,096 $487,148,994
1994 $2,151,344,901 $406,580,652
1993 $2,063,342,117 $490,417,390
1992 $1,957,000,000 $357,160,985
1991 $2,020,583,702 $319,827,059
1990 $2,012,131,457 $306,890,963
1989 $2,006,165,167 $267,448,571
1988 $1,812,757,918 $264,308,140
1987 $1,704,370,308 $235,253,065
1986 $1,547,755,183 $190,651,168
1985 $1,409,536,121 $137,728,205
1984 $1,346,890,071 $132,019,039
1983 $1,236,016,507 $138,476,176
1982 $1,163,923,830 $140,630,679
1981 $1,114,204,743 $139,468,209
1980 $1,012,280,615 $142,246,815
1979 $670,362,452 -
1978 $552,883,707 -
1977 $495,097,668 -
1976 $435,911,269 -
1975 $402,178,605 -
1974 $311,804,630 -
1973 $260,767,828 -
1972 $213,725,217 -
1971 $186,826,503 -
1970 $166,210,203 -
1969 $141,393,142 -
1968 $125,733,669 -
1967 $125,554,009 -
1966 $113,195,123 -
1965 $105,021,997 -
1964 $99,252,731 -
1963 $99,893,761 -
1962 $88,782,583 -
1961 $85,363,759 -
1960 $80,021,847 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/cape-verde | CC BY

GDP per capita in Barbados vs Cape Verde by year

Barbados
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Cape Verde
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Barbados Cape Verde
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $26,545 $24,823 $5,192 $11,195
2023 $25,584 $23,660 $4,795 $10,242
2022 $24,387 $22,193 $4,323 $9,481
2021 $21,080 $17,683 $3,971 $7,685
2020 $19,194 $16,555 $3,539 $6,853
2019 $21,912 $19,971 $4,381 $8,646
2018 $21,381 $19,777 $4,295 $7,916
2017 $20,285 $18,437 $3,893 $7,936
2016 $20,296 $19,176 $3,609 $7,351
2015 $20,424 $19,186 $3,415 $6,773
2014 $20,193 $18,595 $3,986 $6,417
2013 $20,410 $19,032 $3,961 $6,367
2012 $20,804 $19,605 $3,737 $6,318
2011 $20,508 $20,316 $4,002 $6,384
2010 $20,611 $20,033 $3,579 $6,039
2009 $16,295 $20,324 $3,660 $5,901
2008 $17,566 $21,376 $3,909 $6,011
2007 $17,235 $20,949 $3,325 $5,567
2006 $15,620 $20,076 $2,257 $4,758
2005 $14,214 $18,450 $2,004 $4,324
2004 $12,886 $17,299 $1,929 $3,969
2003 $12,076 $16,707 $1,718 $3,551
2002 $11,760 $16,133 $1,329 $3,388
2001 $11,640 $15,866 $1,223 $3,217
2000 $11,675 $15,914 $1,190 $3,124
1999 $11,244 $14,873 $1,327 $2,714
1998 $10,734 $14,621 $1,187 $2,443
1997 $9,522 $13,941 $1,134 $2,182
1996 $9,012 $13,090 $1,180 $1,963
1995 $8,460 $12,375 $1,165 $1,762
1994 $8,223 $11,900 $991 $1,540
1993 $7,905 $11,448 $1,220 $1,291
1992 $7,519 $11,127 $908 $1,186
1991 $7,790 $11,576 $832 $1,069
1990 $7,781 $11,687 $817 $1,044
1989 $7,773 - $727 -
1988 $7,033 - $729 -
1987 $6,625 - $658 -
1986 $6,031 - $541 -
1985 $5,510 - $396 -
1984 $5,284 - $385 -
1983 $4,866 - $410 -
1982 $4,599 - $423 -
1981 $4,417 - $425 -
1980 $4,025 - $440 -
1979 $2,668 - - -
1978 $2,198 - - -
1977 $1,968 - - -
1976 $1,734 - - -
1975 $1,601 - - -
1974 $1,243 - - -
1973 $1,042 - - -
1972 $856 - - -
1971 $750 - - -
1970 $666 - - -
1969 $567 - - -
1968 $506 - - -
1967 $508 - - -
1966 $462 - - -
1965 $433 - - -
1964 $414 - - -
1963 $421 - - -
1962 $377 - - -
1961 $366 - - -
1960 $347 - - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/cape-verde | CC BY

Barbados' GDP per capita is $26,545, ranking 46/197, compared to $5,192 in Cape Verde, ranking 118/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Barbados ranks 84th at $24,823, while Cape Verde ranks 129th at $11,195.

Economic indicators

Barbados Cape Verde
Gross domestic product
$7.5B
2024
$2.73B
2024
GDP rank
157/197
2024
172/197
2024
GDP growth
2.48%
2023-2024
7.24%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$26,545
2024
$5,192
2024
GDP per capita rank
46/197
2024
118/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$24,823
2024
$11,195
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
84/197
2024
129/197
2024
Government debt
$7.97B
2024
$3.03B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
106.3%
2024
111.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$28,218
2024
$5,776
2024
Government debt per person rank
26/185
2024
76/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$18,869
2026
$2,576
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
32.3%
2015
Income share by poorest 10%
2.5%
2016
2.2%
2015
Government expenditure, % of GDP
30.2%
2024
26.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.44%
2023-2024
1%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2%
2020
1.5%
2024
Unemployment rate
6.54%
2023
11.3%
2019
Population
282798
530391

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Barbados
Spending

Debt
Cape Verde
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Barbados Cape Verde
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 30.2% 106.3% 26.1% 111.2%
2023 28.8% 113.4% 25.7% 117.5%
2022 30.3% 116.9% 26.6% 127.6%
2021 32.5% 130.2% 30.8% 149.5%
2020 30.3% 128.4% 34.5% 144.3%
2019 23.9% 109.5% 27.5% 109.8%
2018 26.9% 115% 27.5% 112.3%
2017 29.8% 143.6% 28% 113%
2016 30.7% 136.5% 26.6% 115.6%
2015 31.4% 131.9% 28.7% 115.7%
2014 29% 122% 27.8% 105.7%
2013 30.8% 118.6% 30.9% 93.5%
2012 30.6% 109.4% 31.6% 82.9%
2011 27.7% 98.7% 30.3% 71.6%
2010 29.7% 96% 35.7% 73.5%
2009 29.5% 88.5% 30.6% 58.8%
2008 28.1% 72.6% 27.6% 57.5%
2007 27.8% 69% 27.1% 59.6%
2006 27.2% 69.8% 28.4% 66.2%
2005 28.7% 68.2% 26.2% 66.7%
2004 28.5% 66.5% 26.3% 67.8%
2003 29.8% 66.6% 23.4% 65.6%
2002 31% 66.1% 28.5% 64.7%
2001 22% 62.6% 24.2% 62.2%
2000 20.8% 56.6% 36.7% 71.9%
1999 19.7% 50.1% 35% 66.4%
1998 19% 50.5% 29.8% 72.9%
1997 21.5% 56.9% 34.8% 79.3%
1996 20.5% 56.1% 38.9% 85.7%
1995 18.6% 55.9% 44.5% 74.3%
1994 17% 55% 48.1% 73.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1994–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/cape-verde | CC BY

In 2024, Barbados' government spending was $2.26B, accounting for 30.2% of its GDP, while Cape Verde spent $711M, or 26.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 106.3% in Barbados and 111.2% in Cape Verde, ranking 18/185 and 16/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Barbados

Cape Verde
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Barbados Cape Verde
2024 -0.89% -1.07%
2023 -1.71% -0.28%
2022 -1.96% -4.25%
2021 -4.65% -7.51%
2020 -4.16% -9.29%
2019 3.08% -1.62%
2018 -0.34% -2.36%
2017 -3.89% -2.63%
2016 -4.88% -2.73%
2015 -8.16% -4.16%
2014 -6.57% -6.93%
2013 -8.98% -8.49%
2012 -7.07% -9.36%
2011 -3.63% -6.98%
2010 -7.55% -9.6%
2009 -6.56% -5.32%
2008 -4.1% -1.42%
2007 -4.34% -0.86%
2006 -3.41% -4.32%
2005 -3.03% -4.69%
2004 -2.97% -2.98%
2003 -3.08% -3.63%
2002 -5.28% -6.14%
2001 4.07% -5.03%
2000 4.94% -15.5%
1999 5.39% -10.9%
1998 6.03% -3.16%
1997 5.64% -10.2%
1996 3.76% -11.2%
1995 6.22% -11.1%
1994 6.72% -12.8%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/cape-verde | 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 Cape Verde's deficit of $29.1M, or 1.07% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Barbados recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Cape Verde ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Barbados posted an annual deficit equal to 1.66% of GDP, compared to deficit of 6.02% of GDP for Cape Verde.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Barbados

Cape Verde
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Barbados Cape Verde
2024 -0.44% 1%
2023 9.79% 3.7%
2022 - 7.9%
2021 - 1.9%
2020 - 0.6%
2019 4.1% 1.1%
2018 3.67% 1.3%
2017 4.66% 0.8%
2016 1.28% -1.4%
2015 -1.11% 0.1%
2014 1.77% -0.2%
2013 1.81% 1.5%
2012 4.53% 2.5%
2011 9.43% 4.5%
2010 5.82% 2.1%
2009 3.64% 1%
2008 8.11% 6.8%
2007 4.03% 4.4%
2006 7.31% 4.8%
2005 6.08% 0.4%
2004 1.39% -1.9%
2003 1.62% 1.2%
2002 0.13% 1.9%
2001 2.58% 3.7%
2000 2.44% -2.4%
1999 1.56% 4.3%
1998 -1.27% 4.4%
1997 7.71% 8.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/cape-verde | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Barbados has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.63%, compared with 2.31% in Cape Verde. In 2024, inflation was -0.44% in Barbados and 1% in Cape Verde.

Top exports between countries

Barbados
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $15K
Cape Verde
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Barbados Cape Verde
Current account balance
-$296M
2017
$107M
2024
Current account balance ranking
100/190
2017
67/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.22%
2017
+3.91%
2024
Goods imports
$1.53B
2017
$1.17B
2024
Goods exports
$705M
2017
$328M
2024
Service imports
$687M
2017
$298M
2024
Service exports
$1.52B
2017
$830M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
54%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
14.5%
2025
42.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Barbados Cape Verde
Economic freedom 70.4 71.4
Economic freedom ranking 34/197 32/197
Property rights 76.4 72.7
Government integrity 71.3 63.3
Judicial effectiveness 87.3 77.1
Tax burden 83.2 84.4
Government spending 74.5 79.5
Fiscal health 76.5 74.4
Business freedom 72.3 78.9
Labor freedom 54.3 59.5
Monetary freedom 80.8 80.4
Trade freedom 48.2 66.6
Investment freedom 60 60
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Barbados
Cape Verde
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Barbados Cape Verde
2026 70.4 71.4
2025 68.9 68.7
2024 66.8 62.9
2023 69.8 65.8
2022 71.3 66.7
2021 65 63.8
2020 61.4 63.6
2019 64.7 63.1
2018 57 60
2017 54.5 56.9
2016 68.3 66.5
2015 67.9 66.4
2014 68.3 66.1
2013 69.3 63.7
2012 69 63.5
2011 68.5 64.6
2010 68.3 61.8
2009 71.5 61.3
2008 71.3 57.9
2007 70 56.5
2006 71.9 58.6
2005 70.1 57.8
2004 69.4 58.1
2003 71.3 56.1
2002 73.6 57.6
2001 71.5 56.3
2000 69.5 51.9
1999 66.7 50.7
1998 67.9 48
1997 64.5 47.7
1996 62.3 49.7

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/cape-verde | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Barbados is 70.4, ranking 34/197, compared to 71.4 for Cape Verde, ranking 32/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Barbados Cape Verde
Services, % of GDP
75.5%
2024
68.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
12.4%
2024
10.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.58%
2024
4.92%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$7.1B
2024
$2.6B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$23,850
2024
$11,000
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.65B
2024
$783M
2024
Total reserves ranking
131/177
2024
144/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$208M
2017
-$89.2M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$303M
2024
$110M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6M
2024
$20.8M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
5.69%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
25.7%
2016
24.8%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
16.4%
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/cape-verde | 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 (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1994–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. TradeMap (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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.