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Economy of Barbados vs Central African Republic compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Barbados has a GDP of $7.5B compared to $2.75B for the Central African Republic, ranking 157/197 and 171/197 by economy size, respectively.

Barbados has $7.97B in government debt (106.3% of GDP), compared to $1.67B (60.7% of GDP) in the Central African Republic.

Barbados vs Central African Republic GDP by year

Barbados
Central African Republic
1x
Year GDP, current $
Barbados CAR
2024 $7,498,050,000 $2,751,494,281
2023 $7,223,250,000 $2,555,492,086
2022 $6,884,900,000 $2,382,618,615
2021 $5,947,550,000 $2,516,498,412
2020 $5,407,050,000 $2,326,720,900
2019 $6,161,850,000 $2,221,301,351
2018 $6,001,950,000 $2,220,979,146
2017 $5,683,150,000 $2,072,349,973
2016 $5,674,600,000 $1,825,018,145
2015 $5,698,150,000 $1,695,825,714
2014 $5,620,600,000 $1,894,813,389
2013 $5,667,200,000 $1,691,544,110
2012 $5,761,450,000 $2,510,126,512
2011 $5,663,100,000 $2,437,982,705
2010 $5,672,900,000 $2,142,591,540
2009 $4,466,809,600 $2,067,381,665
2008 $4,790,410,400 $1,993,407,888
2007 $4,675,767,950 $1,699,811,295
2006 $4,217,323,400 $1,461,859,762
2005 $3,819,500,000 $1,337,894,379
2004 $3,444,500,000 $1,272,360,517
2003 $3,209,500,000 $1,142,315,523
2002 $3,106,500,000 $996,068,145
2001 $3,054,500,000 $932,648,605
2000 $3,059,500,000 $916,777,283
1999 $2,951,822,205 $999,477,511
1998 $2,817,083,478 $967,338,390
1997 $2,498,384,130 $937,741,513
1996 $2,363,645,403 $1,007,791,127
1995 $2,216,974,096 $1,115,389,674
1994 $2,151,344,901 $851,174,357
1993 $2,063,342,117 $1,278,781,262
1992 $1,957,000,000 $1,411,917,553
1991 $2,020,583,702 $1,377,374,987
1990 $2,012,131,457 $1,440,711,459
1989 $2,006,165,167 $1,233,930,281
1988 $1,812,757,918 $1,264,899,288
1987 $1,704,370,308 $1,200,991,978
1986 $1,547,755,183 $1,122,265,013
1985 $1,409,536,121 $864,849,836
1984 $1,346,890,071 $637,820,670
1983 $1,236,016,507 $658,679,333
1982 $1,163,923,830 $748,312,391
1981 $1,114,204,743 $694,803,623
1980 $1,012,280,615 $797,048,199
1979 $670,362,452 $700,764,748
1978 $552,883,707 $610,578,632
1977 $495,097,668 $507,298,148
1976 $435,911,269 $451,152,461
1975 $402,178,605 $378,660,016
1974 $311,804,630 $281,398,706
1973 $260,767,828 $271,183,082
1972 $213,725,217 $230,317,883
1971 $186,826,503 $201,450,800
1970 $166,210,203 $189,106,529
1969 $141,393,142 $188,039,210
1968 $125,733,669 $191,767,442
1967 $125,554,009 $163,820,514
1966 $113,195,123 $157,930,018
1965 $105,021,997 $150,574,795
1964 $99,252,731 $142,025,079
1963 $99,893,761 $129,379,124
1962 $88,782,583 $124,482,774
1961 $85,363,759 $123,134,583
1960 $80,021,847 $112,155,598

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

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/central-african-republic | CC BY

GDP per capita in Barbados vs Central African Republic by year

Barbados
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Barbados CAR
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $26,545 $24,823 $516 $1,263
2023 $25,584 $23,660 $496 $1,257
2022 $24,387 $22,193 $467 $1,218
2021 $21,080 $17,683 $492 $1,129
2020 $19,194 $16,555 $463 $1,066
2019 $21,912 $19,971 $449 $985
2018 $21,381 $19,777 $455 $906
2017 $20,285 $18,437 $432 $884
2016 $20,296 $19,176 $387 $826
2015 $20,424 $19,186 $366 $769
2014 $20,193 $18,595 $410 $699
2013 $20,410 $19,032 $364 $710
2012 $20,804 $19,605 $544 $1,062
2011 $20,508 $20,316 $534 $980
2010 $20,611 $20,033 $477 $936
2009 $16,295 $20,324 $456 $877
2008 $17,566 $21,376 $437 $798
2007 $17,235 $20,949 $381 $783
2006 $15,620 $20,076 $334 $743
2005 $14,214 $18,450 $312 $702
2004 $12,886 $17,299 $303 $690
2003 $12,076 $16,707 $278.4 $648
2002 $11,760 $16,133 $248.6 $688
2001 $11,640 $15,866 $238 $668
2000 $11,675 $15,914 $239.2 $640
1999 $11,244 $14,873 $268 $660
1998 $10,734 $14,621 $266.6 $645
1997 $9,522 $13,941 $265.5 $626
1996 $9,012 $13,090 $293.3 $601
1995 $8,460 $12,375 $333 $631
1994 $8,223 $11,900 $261.3 $592
1993 $7,905 $11,448 $405 $570
1992 $7,519 $11,127 $462 $573
1991 $7,790 $11,576 $465 $618
1990 $7,781 $11,687 $502 $620
1989 $7,773 - $443 -
1988 $7,033 - $466 -
1987 $6,625 - $450 -
1986 $6,031 - $426 -
1985 $5,510 - $333 -
1984 $5,284 - $248.3 -
1983 $4,866 - $259.6 -
1982 $4,599 - $298.4 -
1981 $4,417 - $280.3 -
1980 $4,025 - $325 -
1979 $2,668 - $289.1 -
1978 $2,198 - $254.6 -
1977 $1,968 - $213.8 -
1976 $1,734 - $192.1 -
1975 $1,601 - $163.6 -
1974 $1,243 - $124 -
1973 $1,042 - $121.8 -
1972 $856 - $105.5 -
1971 $750 - $94.1 -
1970 $666 - $90.2 -
1969 $567 - $91.7 -
1968 $506 - $95.6 -
1967 $508 - $83.6 -
1966 $462 - $82.3 -
1965 $433 - $80.2 -
1964 $414 - $77.2 -
1963 $421 - $71.8 -
1962 $377 - $70.4 -
1961 $366 - $71 -
1960 $347 - $65.9 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/central-african-republic | CC BY

Barbados' GDP per capita is $26,545, ranking 46/197, compared to $516 in the Central African Republic, ranking 195/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Barbados ranks 84th at $24,823, while the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263.

Economic indicators

Barbados CAR
Gross domestic product
$7.5B
2024
$2.75B
2024
GDP rank
157/197
2024
171/197
2024
GDP growth
2.48%
2023-2024
1.5%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$26,545
2024
$516
2024
GDP per capita rank
46/197
2024
195/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$24,823
2024
$1,263
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
84/197
2024
195/197
2024
Government debt
$7.97B
2024
$1.67B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
106.3%
2024
60.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$28,218
2024
$313
2024
Government debt per person rank
26/185
2024
178/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$18,869
2026
$1,078
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
33.1%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.5%
2016
2.1%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
30.2%
2024
19.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.44%
2023-2024
1.5%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2%
2020
n/a
Unemployment rate
6.54%
2023
6.9%
2017
Population
282798
5753659

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Barbados
Spending

Debt
Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Barbados CAR
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 30.2% 106.3% 19.5% 60.7%
2023 28.8% 113.4% 17.5% 55.6%
2022 30.3% 116.9% 17.4% 49.9%
2021 32.5% 130.2% 19.2% 46.9%
2020 30.3% 128.4% 24.2% 42.8%
2019 23.9% 109.5% 15.8% 44.9%
2018 26.9% 115% 16.8% 47.9%
2017 29.8% 143.6% 13.1% 47.4%
2016 30.7% 136.5% 11.1% 49.3%
2015 31.4% 131.9% 12.7% 54.4%
2014 29% 122% 16.7% 57.5%
2013 30.8% 118.6% 13.4% 51.8%
2012 30.6% 109.4% 14.7% 31.5%
2011 27.7% 98.7% 14.2% 19.7%
2010 29.7% 96% 17.3% 19.9%
2009 29.5% 88.5% 16% 20.3%
2008 28.1% 72.6% 16% 35.8%
2007 27.8% 69% 12.9% 47.9%
2006 27.2% 69.8% 13.4% 46.7%
2005 28.7% 68.2% 16.2% 103%
2004 28.5% 66.5% 13.1% 99.7%
2003 29.8% 66.6% 12.3% 95.9%
2002 31% 66.1% 16.7% 98.5%
2001 22% 62.6% 14.1% 103.1%
2000 20.8% 56.6% 17.2% 94.7%
1999 19.7% 50.1% 18.2% 84.2%
1998 19% 50.5% 18.1% 85.3%
1997 21.5% 56.9% 14.5% 96.1%
1996 20.5% 56.1% 11.7% 93%
1995 18.6% 55.9% 20.6% 83.8%
1994 17% 55% 22.4% 103.4%
1993 - - 20.6% 68.2%
1992 - - 23.1% 57.4%
1991 - - 22.6% 55.8%
1990 - - 22% 44.6%
1989 - - 19.6% 50.9%
1988 - - 21.4% 48.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/central-african-republic | CC BY

In 2024, Barbados' government spending was $2.26B, accounting for 30.2% of its GDP, while the Central African Republic spent $538M, or 19.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 106.3% in Barbados and 60.7% in the Central African Republic, ranking 18/185 and 77/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Barbados

Central African Republic
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Barbados CAR
2024 -0.89% -5.08%
2023 -1.71% -3.44%
2022 -1.96% -5.23%
2021 -4.65% -5.8%
2020 -4.16% -3.24%
2019 3.08% 1.33%
2018 -0.34% -0.93%
2017 -3.89% -1%
2016 -4.88% 1.17%
2015 -8.16% -0.53%
2014 -6.57% -3.02%
2013 -8.98% -2.3%
2012 -7.07% -0.78%
2011 -3.63% -2.15%
2010 -7.55% -1.35%
2009 -6.56% -0.54%
2008 -4.1% -1.23%
2007 -4.34% 1.04%
2006 -3.41% 8.58%
2005 -3.03% -4.37%
2004 -2.97% -1.74%
2003 -3.08% -3.06%
2002 -5.28% -1.19%
2001 4.07% -0.88%
2000 4.94% -2.01%
1999 5.39% -0.5%
1998 6.03% 0.001%
1997 5.64% -1.57%
1996 3.76% -1.06%
1995 6.22% -4.84%
1994 6.72% -7.57%
1993 - -5.66%
1992 - -7.33%
1991 - -8%
1990 - -6.6%
1989 - -3.25%
1988 - -3.72%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/central-african-republic | 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 the Central African Republic's deficit of $140M, or 5.08% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Barbados recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while the Central African Republic ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Barbados posted an annual deficit equal to 1.66% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.72% of GDP for the Central African Republic.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Barbados

Central African Republic
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Barbados CAR
2024 -0.44% 1.5%
2023 9.79% 3%
2022 - 5.6%
2021 - 4.3%
2020 - 0.9%
2019 4.1% 2.8%
2018 3.67% 1.6%
2017 4.66% 4.2%
2016 1.28% 4.9%
2015 -1.11% 1.4%
2014 1.77% 17.8%
2013 1.81% 4%
2012 4.53% 5.9%
2011 9.43% 1.2%
2010 5.82% 1.5%
2009 3.64% 3.6%
2008 8.11% 9.2%
2007 4.03% 0.9%
2006 7.31% 6.9%
2005 6.08% 2.9%
2004 1.39% -2.6%
2003 1.62% 4.4%
2002 0.13% 2.3%
2001 2.58% 4.1%
2000 2.44% 3.4%
1999 1.56% -1.6%
1998 -1.27% -2%
1997 7.71% 1.6%

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/central-african-republic | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Barbados has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.63%, compared with 3.35% in the Central African Republic. In 2024, inflation was -0.44% in Barbados and 1.5% in the Central African Republic.

Balance of trade

Barbados CAR
Current account balance
-$296M
2017
-$24.7M
1994
Current account balance ranking
100/190
2017
81/190
1994
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.22%
2017
-2.9%
1994
Goods imports
$1.53B
2017
$131M
1994
Goods exports
$705M
2017
$146M
1994
Service imports
$687M
2017
$114M
1994
Service exports
$1.52B
2017
$33.1M
1994
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
31.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
14.5%
2025
15%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Barbados CAR
Economic freedom 70.4 43.1
Economic freedom ranking 34/197 182/197
Property rights 76.4 5.6
Government integrity 71.3 19.2
Judicial effectiveness 87.3 4
Tax burden 83.2 65.5
Government spending 74.5 90.1
Fiscal health 76.5 59
Business freedom 72.3 26.5
Labor freedom 54.3 48.5
Monetary freedom 80.8 75.6
Trade freedom 48.2 47.6
Investment freedom 60 45
Financial freedom 60 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Barbados
Central African Republic
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Barbados CAR
2026 70.4 43.1
2025 68.9 42.8
2024 66.8 41.3
2023 69.8 43.8
2022 71.3 45.7
2021 65 48.8
2020 61.4 50.7
2019 64.7 49.1
2018 57 49.2
2017 54.5 51.8
2016 68.3 45.2
2015 67.9 45.9
2014 68.3 46.7
2013 69.3 50.4
2012 69 50.3
2011 68.5 49.3
2010 68.3 48.4
2009 71.5 48.3
2008 71.3 48.6
2007 70 50.6
2006 71.9 54.2
2005 70.1 56.5
2004 69.4 57.5
2003 71.3 60
2002 73.6 59.8
2001 71.5 -
2000 69.5 -
1999 66.7 -
1998 67.9 -
1997 64.5 -
1996 62.3 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/central-african-republic | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Barbados is 70.4, ranking 34/197, compared to 43.1 for the Central African Republic, ranking 182/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Barbados CAR
Services, % of GDP
75.5%
2024
42.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
12.4%
2024
20%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.58%
2024
27.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$7.1B
2024
$2.74B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$23,850
2024
$1,340
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.65B
2024
$480M
2023
Total reserves ranking
131/177
2024
158/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$208M
2017
$3.6M
1994
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$303M
2024
$40.4M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
1.94%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
25.7%
2016
68.8%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
23.6%
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/central-african-republic | 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 (1990–2024, 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 (1988–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.