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Economy of Barbados vs Dominican Republic compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Barbados has a GDP of $7.5B compared to $124B for the Dominican Republic, ranking 157/197 and 63/197 by economy size, respectively.

Barbados has $7.97B in government debt (106.3% of GDP), compared to $73.1B (58.8% of GDP) in the Dominican Republic.

Barbados vs Dominican Republic GDP by year

Barbados
Dominican Republic
1x
Year GDP, current $
Barbados Dominican Republic
2024 $7,498,050,000 $124,282,245,639
2023 $7,223,250,000 $120,456,239,154
2022 $6,884,900,000 $113,478,087,135
2021 $5,947,550,000 $94,850,719,517
2020 $5,407,050,000 $78,546,672,407
2019 $6,161,850,000 $89,146,130,745
2018 $6,001,950,000 $84,994,732,049
2017 $5,683,150,000 $79,070,274,743
2016 $5,674,600,000 $75,552,902,636
2015 $5,698,150,000 $70,966,782,572
2014 $5,620,600,000 $67,014,329,100
2013 $5,667,200,000 $62,555,417,415
2012 $5,761,450,000 $60,561,635,556
2011 $5,663,100,000 $57,948,261,616
2010 $5,672,900,000 $53,801,053,353
2009 $4,466,809,600 $48,223,781,477
2008 $4,790,410,400 $48,091,433,554
2007 $4,675,767,950 $43,965,458,509
2006 $4,217,323,400 $37,879,830,084
2005 $3,819,500,000 $35,777,560,684
2004 $3,444,500,000 $22,322,387,382
2003 $3,209,500,000 $21,403,167,848
2002 $3,106,500,000 $27,137,440,786
2001 $3,054,500,000 $25,601,823,688
2000 $3,059,500,000 $24,305,780,629
1999 $2,951,822,205 $22,136,579,397
1998 $2,817,083,478 $21,672,215,547
1997 $2,498,384,130 $20,017,450,041
1996 $2,363,645,403 $18,241,622,548
1995 $2,216,974,096 $16,637,370,839
1994 $2,151,344,901 $14,644,734,599
1993 $2,063,342,117 $13,081,042,400
1992 $1,957,000,000 $11,605,382,504
1991 $2,020,583,702 $9,824,483,340
1990 $2,012,131,457 $7,073,675,545
1989 $2,006,165,167 $6,686,593,060
1988 $1,812,757,918 $5,374,299,981
1987 $1,704,370,308 $5,827,050,753
1986 $1,547,755,183 $6,122,128,558
1985 $1,409,536,121 $5,044,579,979
1984 $1,346,890,071 $11,594,000,000
1983 $1,236,016,507 $9,220,600,000
1982 $1,163,923,830 $8,267,400,000
1981 $1,114,204,743 $7,561,300,000
1980 $1,012,280,615 $6,761,300,000
1979 $670,362,452 $5,498,800,000
1978 $552,883,707 $4,734,400,000
1977 $495,097,668 $4,587,100,000
1976 $435,911,269 $3,951,500,000
1975 $402,178,605 $3,599,200,000
1974 $311,804,630 $2,925,700,000
1973 $260,767,828 $2,344,800,000
1972 $213,725,217 $1,987,400,000
1971 $186,826,503 $1,666,500,000
1970 $166,210,203 $1,485,500,000
1969 $141,393,142 $1,230,500,000
1968 $125,733,669 $1,079,100,000
1967 $125,554,009 $1,034,800,000
1966 $113,195,123 $983,900,000
1965 $105,021,997 $888,100,000
1964 $99,252,731 $1,025,599,900
1963 $99,893,761 $940,799,900
1962 $88,782,583 $824,100,000
1961 $85,363,759 $654,100,200
1960 $80,021,847 $672,399,700

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

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/dominican-republic | CC BY

GDP per capita in Barbados vs Dominican Republic by year

Barbados
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Dominican Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Barbados Dominican Republic
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $26,545 $24,823 $10,876 $27,542
2023 $25,584 $23,660 $10,630 $25,840
2022 $24,387 $22,193 $10,104 $24,626
2021 $21,080 $17,683 $8,527 $22,053
2020 $19,194 $16,555 $7,135 $18,998
2019 $21,912 $19,971 $8,183 $19,767
2018 $21,381 $19,777 $7,883 $17,995
2017 $20,285 $18,437 $7,413 $16,846
2016 $20,296 $19,176 $7,160 $16,282
2015 $20,424 $19,186 $6,801 $14,804
2014 $20,193 $18,595 $6,496 $13,465
2013 $20,410 $19,032 $6,137 $12,414
2012 $20,804 $19,605 $6,014 $11,777
2011 $20,508 $20,316 $5,827 $11,695
2010 $20,611 $20,033 $5,479 $11,246
2009 $16,295 $20,324 $4,974 $10,382
2008 $17,566 $21,376 $5,024 $10,346
2007 $17,235 $20,949 $4,650 $9,951
2006 $15,620 $20,076 $4,055 $9,130
2005 $14,214 $18,450 $3,878 $8,215
2004 $12,886 $17,299 $2,452 $7,375
2003 $12,076 $16,707 $2,383 $7,098
2002 $11,760 $16,133 $3,066 $7,158
2001 $11,640 $15,866 $2,936 $6,848
2000 $11,675 $15,914 $2,831 $6,639
1999 $11,244 $14,873 $2,621 $6,305
1998 $10,734 $14,621 $2,608 $5,963
1997 $9,522 $13,941 $2,449 $5,618
1996 $9,012 $13,090 $2,271 $5,161
1995 $8,460 $12,375 $2,109 $4,871
1994 $8,223 $11,900 $1,892 $4,599
1993 $7,905 $11,448 $1,722 $4,474
1992 $7,519 $11,127 $1,558 $4,151
1991 $7,790 $11,576 $1,346 $3,722
1990 $7,781 $11,687 $989 $3,641
1989 $7,773 - $955 -
1988 $7,033 - $784 -
1987 $6,625 - $868 -
1986 $6,031 - $932 -
1985 $5,510 - $784 -
1984 $5,284 - $1,844 -
1983 $4,866 - $1,500 -
1982 $4,599 - $1,376 -
1981 $4,417 - $1,288 -
1980 $4,025 - $1,180 -
1979 $2,668 - $984 -
1978 $2,198 - $868 -
1977 $1,968 - $863 -
1976 $1,734 - $763 -
1975 $1,601 - $713 -
1974 $1,243 - $595 -
1973 $1,042 - $490 -
1972 $856 - $427 -
1971 $750 - $368 -
1970 $666 - $338 -
1969 $567 - $287.7 -
1968 $506 - $259.6 -
1967 $508 - $256.2 -
1966 $462 - $250.9 -
1965 $433 - $233.2 -
1964 $414 - $277.3 -
1963 $421 - $262.2 -
1962 $377 - $236.8 -
1961 $366 - $193.9 -
1960 $347 - $205.7 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/dominican-republic | CC BY

Barbados' GDP per capita is $26,545, ranking 46/197, compared to $10,876 in the Dominican Republic, ranking 83/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Barbados ranks 84th at $24,823, while the Dominican Republic ranks 76th at $27,542.

Economic indicators

Barbados Dominican Republic
Gross domestic product
$7.5B
2024
$124B
2024
GDP rank
157/197
2024
63/197
2024
GDP growth
2.48%
2023-2024
4.95%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$26,545
2024
$10,876
2024
GDP per capita rank
46/197
2024
83/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$24,823
2024
$27,542
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
84/197
2024
76/197
2024
Government debt
$7.97B
2024
$73.1B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
106.3%
2024
58.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$28,218
2024
$6,394
2024
Government debt per person rank
26/185
2024
71/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$18,869
2026
$6,547
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
29.5%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
2.5%
2016
2.3%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
30.2%
2024
19.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.44%
2023-2024
3.3%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2%
2020
5.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.54%
2023
5.31%
2024
Population
282798
11637906

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Barbados
Spending

Debt
Dominican Republic
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Barbados Dominican Republic
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 30.2% 106.3% 19.5% 58.8%
2023 28.8% 113.4% 19.1% 60.5%
2022 30.3% 116.9% 18.5% 59.6%
2021 32.5% 130.2% 18.4% 62.8%
2020 30.3% 128.4% 22.2% 71.8%
2019 23.9% 109.5% 17.8% 53.5%
2018 26.9% 115% 16.5% 50.8%
2017 29.8% 143.6% 17.3% 49.5%
2016 30.7% 136.5% 17% 46.7%
2015 31.4% 131.9% 16.7% 44.8%
2014 29% 122% 17% 45%
2013 30.8% 118.6% 18.5% 46.8%
2012 30.6% 109.4% 19.8% 42.4%
2011 27.7% 98.7% 16% 39.1%
2010 29.7% 96% 16.1% 37.4%
2009 29.5% 88.5% 16.2% 36.8%
2008 28.1% 72.6% 18.5% 33.6%
2007 27.8% 69% 16.3% 32.9%
2006 27.2% 69.8% 17% 36%
2005 28.7% 68.2% 15.5% 38.3%
2004 28.5% 66.5% 17.3% 34.3%
2003 29.8% 66.6% 17.2% 48.2%
2002 31% 66.1% 16.5% 21.5%
2001 22% 62.6% 14.9% 20.4%
2000 20.8% 56.6% 14.1% 16.7%
1999 19.7% 50.1% 13.4% 16%
1998 19% 50.5% 12.6% 13.2%
1997 21.5% 56.9% 13.2% 13.8%
1996 20.5% 56.1% 11.4% 23%
1995 18.6% 55.9% 11% 25.7%
1994 17% 55% 12.1% 28.5%
1993 - - 13% 36.1%
1992 - - 10.4% 38.5%
1991 - - 8.65% 47.3%
1990 - - 9.1% 84.7%
1989 - - 11.3% 62.5%
1988 - - 12.8% 77%
1987 - - 11.2% 86.9%
1986 - - 10.4% 63.8%
1985 - - 9.8% 66.3%
1984 - - 9.32% 28.9%
1983 - - 10.2% 32.9%
1982 - - 10.2% 33.1%
1981 - - 12.1% 29.8%
1980 - - 12.8% 15.2%
1979 - - 13.8% 24%
1978 - - 12.3% 20.9%
1977 - - 11.4% 16.4%
1976 - - 12.5% 15.6%
1975 - - 13.7% 13.1%
1974 - - 14.6% 14.6%
1973 - - 13.7% 14.6%
1972 - - 14.1% 16.4%
1971 - - 13.8% 17.8%
1970 - - 13.3% 18%
1969 - - 15.5% 17.4%
1968 - - 15.5% 18.1%
1967 - - 15% 16.2%
1966 - - 15.2% 14.5%
1965 - - 12.8% -
1964 - - 16.7% -
1963 - - 15.1% -
1962 - - 15.7% -
1961 - - 20% -
1960 - - 20.1% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/dominican-republic | CC BY

In 2024, Barbados' government spending was $2.26B, accounting for 30.2% of its GDP, while the Dominican Republic spent $24.2B, or 19.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 106.3% in Barbados and 58.8% in the Dominican Republic, ranking 18/185 and 83/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Barbados

Dominican Republic
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Barbados Dominican Republic
2024 -0.89% -3.09%
2023 -1.71% -3.28%
2022 -1.96% -3.25%
2021 -4.65% -2.92%
2020 -4.16% -7.94%
2019 3.08% -3.46%
2018 -0.34% -2.17%
2017 -3.89% -3.12%
2016 -4.88% -3.11%
2015 -8.16% -0.03%
2014 -6.57% -2.76%
2013 -8.98% -4.41%
2012 -7.07% -6.26%
2011 -3.63% -3.07%
2010 -7.55% -2.97%
2009 -6.56% -2.9%
2008 -4.1% -3.43%
2007 -4.34% 0.28%
2006 -3.41% -1.69%
2005 -3.03% -0.71%
2004 -2.97% -3.6%
2003 -3.08% -4.24%
2002 -5.28% -2.28%
2001 4.07% -0.73%
2000 4.94% -0.86%
1999 5.39% -0.79%
1998 6.03% -0.29%
1997 5.64% -0.64%
1996 3.76% 0.14%
1995 6.22% 0.82%
1994 6.72% -0.39%
1993 - -0.16%
1992 - 2.35%
1991 - 0.11%
1990 - 0.39%
1989 - -0.09%
1988 - -1.68%
1987 - -0.75%
1986 - -0.57%
1985 - -1.27%
1984 - -0.95%
1983 - -1.74%
1982 - -2.4%
1981 - -1.92%
1980 - -1.82%
1979 - -3.26%
1978 - -0.82%
1977 - 0.15%
1976 - -0.22%
1975 - 1.37%
1974 - -0.93%
1973 - -0.53%
1972 - -1.73%
1971 - -0.85%
1970 - -0.68%
1969 - -0.99%
1968 - -0.99%
1967 - -1.68%
1966 - -2.14%
1965 - -1.84%
1964 - -1.36%
1963 - -0.39%
1962 - -1.17%
1961 - -3%
1960 - -0.61%
1959 - -0.29%
1958 - -1.29%
1957 - 0.21%
1956 - -0.05%
1955 - 1.47%
1954 - 1.43%
1953 - 2.79%
1952 - 0%
1951 - -2.58%
1950 - -3.66%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/dominican-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 Dominican Republic's deficit of $3.84B, or 3.09% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Barbados recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while the Dominican Republic ran a deficit in 28 years. On average, Barbados posted an annual deficit equal to 1.66% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.36% of GDP for the Dominican Republic.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Barbados

Dominican Republic
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Barbados Dominican Republic
2024 -0.44% 3.3%
2023 9.79% 4.79%
2022 - 8.81%
2021 - 8.24%
2020 - 3.78%
2019 4.1% 1.81%
2018 3.67% 3.56%
2017 4.66% 3.28%
2016 1.28% 1.61%
2015 -1.11% 0.84%
2014 1.77% 3%
2013 1.81% 4.83%
2012 4.53% 3.69%
2011 9.43% 5.8%
2010 5.82% 6.33%
2009 3.64% 1.44%
2008 8.11% 10.6%
2007 4.03% 6.14%
2006 7.31% 7.57%
2005 6.08% 4.19%
2004 1.39% 51.5%
2003 1.62% 27.4%
2002 0.13% 5.22%
2001 2.58% 8.88%
2000 2.44% 7.72%
1999 1.56% 6.47%
1998 -1.27% 4.83%
1997 7.71% 8.3%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/dominican-republic | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Barbados has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.63%, compared with 7.64% in the Dominican Republic. In 2024, inflation was -0.44% in Barbados and 3.3% in the Dominican Republic.

Top exports between countries

Barbados
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $1.62M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $370K
Chemicals & pharma $352K
Machinery & equipment $94K
Metals $49K
Raw materials & minerals $27K
Textiles & consumer goods $17K
Precious metals & jewellery $13K
Miscellaneous $1K
Dominican Republic
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $10.5M
Chemicals & pharma $3.71M
Textiles & consumer goods $3.17M
Raw materials & minerals $964K
Wood & paper products $780K
Raw agricultural goods $769K
Machinery & equipment $467K
Metals $427K
Miscellaneous $65K
Animal & marine products $1K

Balance of trade

Barbados Dominican Republic
Current account balance
-$296M
2017
-$4.17B
2024
Current account balance ranking
100/190
2017
163/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.22%
2017
-3.35%
2024
Goods imports
$1.53B
2017
$29.8B
2024
Goods exports
$705M
2017
$13.9B
2024
Service imports
$687M
2017
$6.34B
2024
Service exports
$1.52B
2017
$14.7B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
29%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
14.5%
2025
22.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Barbados Dominican Republic
Economic freedom 70.4 63.8
Economic freedom ranking 34/197 77/197
Property rights 76.4 53.9
Government integrity 71.3 39.8
Judicial effectiveness 87.3 58
Tax burden 83.2 84.4
Government spending 74.5 89.1
Fiscal health 76.5 76.6
Business freedom 72.3 71.4
Labor freedom 54.3 53.2
Monetary freedom 80.8 72.1
Trade freedom 48.2 67.4
Investment freedom 60 60
Financial freedom 60 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Barbados
Dominican Republic
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Barbados Dominican Republic
2026 70.4 63.8
2025 68.9 64.3
2024 66.8 62.9
2023 69.8 62.6
2022 71.3 63
2021 65 62.1
2020 61.4 60.9
2019 64.7 61
2018 57 61.6
2017 54.5 62.9
2016 68.3 61
2015 67.9 61
2014 68.3 61.3
2013 69.3 59.7
2012 69 60.2
2011 68.5 60
2010 68.3 60.3
2009 71.5 59.2
2008 71.3 57.7
2007 70 56.8
2006 71.9 56.3
2005 70.1 55.1
2004 69.4 54.6
2003 71.3 57.8
2002 73.6 58.6
2001 71.5 59.1
2000 69.5 59
1999 66.7 58.1
1998 67.9 58.1
1997 64.5 53.5
1996 62.3 58.1
1995 - 55.8

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

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/dominican-republic | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Barbados is 70.4, ranking 34/197, compared to 63.8 for the Dominican Republic, ranking 77/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Barbados Dominican Republic
Services, % of GDP
75.5%
2024
59.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
12.4%
2024
28.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.58%
2024
4.45%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$7.1B
2024
$117B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$23,850
2024
$26,050
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.65B
2024
$13.5B
2024
Total reserves ranking
131/177
2024
71/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$208M
2017
-$4.52B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$303M
2024
$4.48B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6M
2024
-$47.3M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
5.62%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
25.7%
2016
19%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
27%
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/dominican-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 (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. 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.