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Economy of Barbados vs Ethiopia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Barbados has a GDP of $7.5B compared to $150B for Ethiopia, ranking 157/197 and 60/197 by economy size, respectively.

Barbados has $7.97B in government debt (106.3% of GDP), compared to $48.9B (32.7% of GDP) in Ethiopia.

Barbados vs Ethiopia GDP by year

Barbados
Ethiopia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Barbados Ethiopia
2024 $7,498,050,000 $149,740,297,953
2023 $7,223,250,000 $135,874,093,202
2022 $6,884,900,000 $123,140,304,666
2021 $5,947,550,000 $109,070,960,372
2020 $5,407,050,000 $98,676,811,061
2019 $6,161,850,000 $91,834,517,113
2018 $6,001,950,000 $83,337,901,072
2017 $5,683,150,000 $76,366,081,767
2016 $5,674,600,000 $68,475,871,210
2015 $5,698,150,000 $62,103,418,182
2014 $5,620,600,000 $55,612,228,234
2013 $5,667,200,000 $47,648,276,605
2012 $5,761,450,000 $43,310,721,414
2011 $5,663,100,000 $31,952,763,089
2010 $5,672,900,000 $29,933,790,334
2009 $4,466,809,600 $32,437,389,116
2008 $4,790,410,400 $27,066,912,635
2007 $4,675,767,950 $19,707,616,773
2006 $4,217,323,400 $15,280,861,835
2005 $3,819,500,000 $12,401,139,454
2004 $3,444,500,000 $10,131,187,261
2003 $3,209,500,000 $8,623,691,300
2002 $3,106,500,000 $7,850,809,498
2001 $3,054,500,000 $8,231,326,016
2000 $3,059,500,000 $8,242,349,618
1999 $2,951,822,205 $7,892,973,532
1998 $2,817,083,478 $8,013,274,132
1997 $2,498,384,130 $8,803,539,988
1996 $2,363,645,403 $8,761,215,548
1995 $2,216,974,096 $7,855,205,207
1994 $2,151,344,901 $7,100,806,754
1993 $2,063,342,117 $9,051,043,870
1992 $1,957,000,000 $10,754,799,037
1991 $2,020,583,702 $13,799,799,324
1990 $2,012,131,457 $12,478,943,895
1989 $2,006,165,167 $11,762,932,007
1988 $1,812,757,918 $11,181,119,718
1987 $1,704,370,308 $10,790,001,558
1986 $1,547,755,183 $10,094,328,898
1985 $1,409,536,121 $9,717,392,687
1984 $1,346,890,071 $8,298,309,581
1983 $1,236,016,507 $8,781,664,427
1982 $1,163,923,830 $7,899,988,841
1981 $1,114,204,743 $7,507,663,567
1980 $1,012,280,615 $7,012,585,454
1979 $670,362,452 $6,586,048,398
1978 $552,883,707 $6,014,961,435
1977 $495,097,668 $5,651,840,585
1976 $435,911,269 $4,943,806,093
1975 $402,178,605 $4,577,047,854
1974 $311,804,630 $4,577,209,966
1973 $260,767,828 $4,070,570,550
1972 $213,725,217 $3,520,252,938
1971 $186,826,503 $3,224,280,835
1970 $166,210,203 $3,045,354,455
1969 $141,393,142 $2,768,987,372
1968 $125,733,669 $2,619,948,865
1967 $125,554,009 $2,461,762,003
1966 $113,195,123 $2,324,466,416
1965 $105,021,997 $2,159,998,591
1964 $99,252,731 $1,984,129,186
1963 $99,893,761 $1,825,058,828
1962 $88,782,583 $1,747,566,307
1961 $85,363,759 $1,680,859,514
1960 $80,021,847 $1,610,511,694

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

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

GDP per capita in Barbados vs Ethiopia by year

Barbados
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Ethiopia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Barbados Ethiopia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $26,545 $24,823 $1,134 $3,288
2023 $25,584 $23,660 $1,056 $3,061
2022 $24,387 $22,193 $982 $2,845
2021 $21,080 $17,683 $893 $2,588
2020 $19,194 $16,555 $830 $2,407
2019 $21,912 $19,971 $793 $2,242
2018 $21,381 $19,777 $740 $2,095
2017 $20,285 $18,437 $696 $2,005
2016 $20,296 $19,176 $642 $1,858
2015 $20,424 $19,186 $598 $1,633
2014 $20,193 $18,595 $550 $1,485
2013 $20,410 $19,032 $484 $1,253
2012 $20,804 $19,605 $452 $1,179
2011 $20,508 $20,316 $343 $1,098
2010 $20,611 $20,033 $331 $996
2009 $16,295 $20,324 $369 $899
2008 $17,566 $21,376 $316 $845
2007 $17,235 $20,949 $237.1 $770
2006 $15,620 $20,076 $189.3 $693
2005 $14,214 $18,450 $158.2 $625
2004 $12,886 $17,299 $133.2 $558
2003 $12,076 $16,707 $116.8 $493
2002 $11,760 $16,133 $109.6 $509
2001 $11,640 $15,866 $118.5 $509
2000 $11,675 $15,914 $122.3 $474
1999 $11,244 $14,873 $120.7 $450
1998 $10,734 $14,621 $126.5 $436
1997 $9,522 $13,941 $143.4 $461
1996 $9,012 $13,090 $147.3 $453
1995 $8,460 $12,375 $136.5 $409
1994 $8,223 $11,900 $127.7 $391
1993 $7,905 $11,448 $168.5 $384
1992 $7,519 $11,127 $207.4 $343
1991 $7,790 $11,576 $277.6 $383
1990 $7,781 $11,687 $262.1 $417
1989 $7,773 - $256.4 -
1988 $7,033 - $253.2 -
1987 $6,625 - $254.1 -
1986 $6,031 - $246 -
1985 $5,510 - $243.9 -
1984 $5,284 - $214.2 -
1983 $4,866 - $232.7 -
1982 $4,599 - $215.3 -
1981 $4,417 - $212.7 -
1980 $4,025 - $203.7 -
1979 $2,668 - $192.4 -
1978 $2,198 - $178.3 -
1977 $1,968 - $170.4 -
1976 $1,734 - $152 -
1975 $1,601 - $144.3 -
1974 $1,243 - $147.9 -
1973 $1,042 - $134.9 -
1972 $856 - $119.8 -
1971 $750 - $112.7 -
1970 $666 - $109.4 -
1969 $567 - $102.3 -
1968 $506 - $99.5 -
1967 $508 - $96.1 -
1966 $462 - $93.2 -
1965 $433 - $88.9 -
1964 $414 - $83.8 -
1963 $421 - $79.2 -
1962 $377 - $77.8 -
1961 $366 - $76.7 -
1960 $347 - $75.3 -

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

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

Barbados' GDP per capita is $26,545, ranking 46/197, compared to $1,134 in Ethiopia, ranking 171/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Barbados ranks 84th at $24,823, while Ethiopia ranks 175th at $3,288.

Economic indicators

Barbados Ethiopia
Gross domestic product
$7.5B
2024
$150B
2024
GDP rank
157/197
2024
60/197
2024
GDP growth
2.48%
2023-2024
7.61%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$26,545
2024
$1,134
2024
GDP per capita rank
46/197
2024
171/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$24,823
2024
$3,288
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
84/197
2024
175/197
2024
Government debt
$7.97B
2024
$48.9B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
106.3%
2024
32.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$28,218
2024
$370
2024
Government debt per person rank
26/185
2024
172/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$18,869
2026
$1,946
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
24.8%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.5%
2016
3.5%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
30.2%
2024
9.54%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.44%
2023-2024
21%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2%
2020
n/a
Unemployment rate
6.54%
2023
3.94%
2021
Population
282798
139917664

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Barbados
Spending

Debt
Ethiopia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Barbados Ethiopia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 30.2% 106.3% 9.54% 32.7%
2023 28.8% 113.4% 10.8% 38.7%
2022 30.3% 116.9% 12.7% 46.9%
2021 32.5% 130.2% 13.8% 53.8%
2020 30.3% 128.4% 14.5% 53.7%
2019 23.9% 109.5% 15.4% 54.7%
2018 26.9% 115% 16.1% 58.4%
2017 29.8% 143.6% 18% 55.3%
2016 30.7% 136.5% 17.9% 51.8%
2015 31.4% 131.9% 17.3% 50.7%
2014 29% 122% 17.5% 44.2%
2013 30.8% 118.6% 17.8% 44.1%
2012 30.6% 109.4% 16.6% 39.4%
2011 27.7% 98.7% 18.2% 44.6%
2010 29.7% 96% 18.5% 39.4%
2009 29.5% 88.5% 17.1% 30%
2008 28.1% 72.6% 18.8% 56.1%
2007 27.8% 69% 20.5% 55.7%
2006 27.2% 69.8% 22.1% 79.6%
2005 28.7% 68.2% 22.9% 78.2%
2004 28.5% 66.5% 23.1% 103.1%
2003 29.8% 66.6% 27% 103.7%
2002 31% 66.1% 24.9% 107.4%
2001 22% 62.6% 22.4% 97.3%
2000 20.8% 56.6% 25.6% 93.6%
1999 19.7% 50.1% 25.8% 94.3%
1998 19% 50.5% 20.4% 86%
1997 21.5% 56.9% 17.3% 77.4%
1996 20.5% 56.1% 18.2% 129%
1995 18.6% 55.9% 16.9% 142.3%
1994 17% 55% 17.1% 150.7%
1993 - - 13.4% 136.9%
1992 - - 13.8% 85.4%
1991 - - 16.8% 89.3%
1990 - - 20.3% 91.6%
1989 - - 24% 84.7%
1988 - - 21.6% 84.3%
1987 - - 18.4% 82.3%
1986 - - 19.8% 75.7%
1985 - - 19.7% 67.7%
1984 - - 18.8% 65.4%
1983 - - 21.3% 55.2%
1982 - - 16.4% 48.8%
1981 - - 14.2% 30.6%
1980 - - 13.5% 18.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1991, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Barbados' government spending was $2.26B, accounting for 30.2% of its GDP, while Ethiopia spent $14.3B, or 9.54% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 106.3% in Barbados and 32.7% in Ethiopia, ranking 18/185 and 150/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Barbados

Ethiopia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Barbados Ethiopia
2024 -0.89% -1.99%
2023 -1.71% -2.6%
2022 -1.96% -4.16%
2021 -4.65% -2.77%
2020 -4.16% -2.76%
2019 3.08% -2.53%
2018 -0.34% -3.03%
2017 -3.89% -3.24%
2016 -4.88% -2.3%
2015 -8.16% -1.95%
2014 -6.57% -2.58%
2013 -8.98% -1.93%
2012 -7.07% -1.17%
2011 -3.63% -1.61%
2010 -7.55% -1.32%
2009 -6.56% -0.93%
2008 -4.1% -2.88%
2007 -4.34% -3.57%
2006 -3.41% -3.79%
2005 -3.03% -4.12%
2004 -2.97% -2.65%
2003 -3.08% -5.59%
2002 -5.28% -5.76%
2001 4.07% -3.76%
2000 4.94% -8.88%
1999 5.39% -8.23%
1998 6.03% -3.51%
1997 5.64% -1.7%
1996 3.76% -3.81%
1995 6.22% -2.68%
1994 6.72% -5.23%
1993 - -4%
1992 - -4.78%
1991 - -5.83%
1990 - -6.66%
1989 - -4.33%
1988 - -3.48%
1987 - -3.54%
1986 - -3.98%
1985 - -4.71%
1984 - -3.69%
1983 - -7.59%
1982 - -3.6%
1981 - -2.19%
1980 - -2.56%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/ethiopia | 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 Ethiopia's deficit of $2.98B, or 1.99% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Barbados recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Ethiopia ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Barbados posted an annual deficit equal to 1.66% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.32% of GDP for Ethiopia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Barbados

Ethiopia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Barbados Ethiopia
2024 -0.44% 21%
2023 9.79% 30.2%
2022 - 33.9%
2021 - 26.8%
2020 - 20.4%
2019 4.1% 15.8%
2018 3.67% 13.8%
2017 4.66% 10.7%
2016 1.28% 6.63%
2015 -1.11% 9.57%
2014 1.77% 6.89%
2013 1.81% 7.46%
2012 4.53% 23.6%
2011 9.43% 33.2%
2010 5.82% 8.15%
2009 3.64% 8.48%
2008 8.11% 44.4%
2007 4.03% 17.2%
2006 7.31% 12.3%
2005 6.08% 9.97%
2004 1.39% 3.33%
2003 1.62% 13.7%
2002 0.13% 0.68%
2001 2.58% -8.24%
2000 2.44% 0.66%
1999 1.56% 7.94%
1998 -1.27% 0.89%
1997 7.71% 2.4%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Barbados has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.63%, compared with 13.6% in Ethiopia. In 2024, inflation was -0.44% in Barbados and 21% in Ethiopia.

Top exports between countries

Barbados
Export category Export value
Ethiopia
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $7K

Balance of trade

Barbados Ethiopia
Current account balance
-$296M
2017
-$3.79B
2024
Current account balance ranking
100/190
2017
160/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.22%
2017
-2.53%
2024
Goods imports
$1.53B
2017
$19.6B
2024
Goods exports
$705M
2017
$5.58B
2024
Service imports
$687M
2017
$5.51B
2024
Service exports
$1.52B
2017
$7.61B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
11.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
14.5%
2025
5.54%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Barbados Ethiopia
Economic freedom 70.4 48.1
Economic freedom ranking 34/197 171/197
Property rights 76.4 22.1
Government integrity 71.3 33.2
Judicial effectiveness 87.3 19.1
Tax burden 83.2 78.6
Government spending 74.5 96.4
Fiscal health 76.5 84.3
Business freedom 72.3 44.5
Labor freedom 54.3 37.8
Monetary freedom 80.8 53.7
Trade freedom 48.2 57.4
Investment freedom 60 30
Financial freedom 60 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Barbados
Ethiopia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Barbados Ethiopia
2026 70.4 48.1
2025 68.9 48.1
2024 66.8 47.9
2023 69.8 48.3
2022 71.3 49.6
2021 65 51.7
2020 61.4 53.6
2019 64.7 53.6
2018 57 52.8
2017 54.5 52.7
2016 68.3 51.5
2015 67.9 51.5
2014 68.3 50
2013 69.3 49.4
2012 69 52
2011 68.5 50.5
2010 68.3 51.2
2009 71.5 53
2008 71.3 52.5
2007 70 53.6
2006 71.9 50.9
2005 70.1 51.1
2004 69.4 54.5
2003 71.3 48.8
2002 73.6 49.8
2001 71.5 48.9
2000 69.5 50.2
1999 66.7 46.7
1998 67.9 49.2
1997 64.5 48.1
1996 62.3 45.9
1995 - 42.6

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Barbados is 70.4, ranking 34/197, compared to 48.1 for Ethiopia, ranking 171/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Barbados Ethiopia
Services, % of GDP
75.5%
2024
37.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
12.4%
2024
25.4%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.58%
2024
34.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$7.1B
2024
$146B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$23,850
2024
$3,280
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.65B
2024
$3.78B
2024
Total reserves ranking
131/177
2024
109/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$208M
2017
-$4.02B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$303M
2024
$4.02B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
0.91%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
25.7%
2016
33.1%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
20.6%
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/ethiopia | 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 (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1991, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. TradeMap (2021, 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.