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Economy of Barbados vs Iceland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Barbados has a GDP of $7.5B compared to $33.3B for Iceland, ranking 157/197 and 108/197 by economy size, respectively.

Barbados has $7.97B in government debt (106.3% of GDP), compared to $19.8B (59.4% of GDP) in Iceland.

Barbados vs Iceland GDP by year

Barbados
Iceland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Barbados Iceland
2024 $7,498,050,000 $33,255,181,469
2023 $7,223,250,000 $31,677,891,897
2022 $6,884,900,000 $29,166,102,877
2021 $5,947,550,000 $26,234,872,402
2020 $5,407,050,000 $22,034,665,041
2019 $6,161,850,000 $24,985,687,022
2018 $6,001,950,000 $26,677,652,544
2017 $5,683,150,000 $25,060,086,488
2016 $5,674,600,000 $21,083,713,310
2015 $5,698,150,000 $17,700,486,957
2014 $5,620,600,000 $18,052,183,515
2013 $5,667,200,000 $16,244,319,959
2012 $5,761,450,000 $14,943,757,823
2011 $5,663,100,000 $15,394,005,872
2010 $5,672,900,000 $13,922,711,577
2009 $4,466,809,600 $13,212,543,838
2008 $4,790,410,400 $18,247,921,360
2007 $4,675,767,950 $21,960,110,030
2006 $4,217,323,400 $17,671,649,843
2005 $3,819,500,000 $17,146,410,561
2004 $3,444,500,000 $13,963,943,244
2003 $3,209,500,000 $11,564,687,742
2002 $3,106,500,000 $9,416,199,700
2001 $3,054,500,000 $8,323,401,820
2000 $3,059,500,000 $9,140,168,922
1999 $2,951,822,205 $9,107,644,691
1998 $2,817,083,478 $8,637,732,542
1997 $2,498,384,130 $7,716,781,803
1996 $2,363,645,403 $7,686,566,105
1995 $2,216,974,096 $7,372,640,169
1994 $2,151,344,901 $6,612,804,056
1993 $2,063,342,117 $6,435,952,174
1992 $1,957,000,000 $7,328,497,599
1991 $2,020,583,702 $7,151,260,062
1990 $2,012,131,457 $6,694,851,159
1989 $2,006,165,167 $5,870,854,233
1988 $1,812,757,918 $6,320,093,411
1987 $1,704,370,308 $5,713,281,235
1986 $1,547,755,183 $4,129,080,094
1985 $1,409,536,121 $3,088,359,967
1984 $1,346,890,071 $2,964,568,006
1983 $1,236,016,507 $2,862,634,164
1982 $1,163,923,830 $3,318,714,326
1981 $1,114,204,743 $3,615,094,820
1980 $1,012,280,615 $3,499,616,683
1979 $670,362,452 $2,953,176,971
1978 $552,883,707 $2,599,627,089
1977 $495,097,668 $2,285,707,749
1976 $435,911,269 $1,727,845,419
1975 $402,178,605 $1,456,052,700
1974 $311,804,630 $1,568,154,077
1973 $260,767,828 $1,194,794,186
1972 $213,725,217 $869,002,946
1971 $186,826,503 $693,679,545
1970 $166,210,203 $545,115,909
1969 $141,393,142 $435,659,610
1968 $125,733,669 $498,365,200
1967 $125,554,009 $652,609,076
1966 $113,195,123 $660,663,763
1965 $105,021,997 $550,150,988
1964 $99,252,731 $456,206,299
1963 $99,893,761 $357,240,896
1962 $88,782,583 $299,309,938
1961 $85,363,759 $266,711,460
1960 $80,021,847 $260,984,499

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

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

GDP per capita in Barbados vs Iceland by year

Barbados
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Iceland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Barbados Iceland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $26,545 $24,823 $86,041 $84,257
2023 $25,584 $23,660 $82,139 $81,608
2022 $24,387 $22,193 $76,350 $75,333
2021 $21,080 $17,683 $70,425 $61,610
2020 $19,194 $16,555 $60,128 $55,797
2019 $21,912 $19,971 $69,296 $60,524
2018 $21,381 $19,777 $75,634 $57,198
2017 $20,285 $18,437 $72,976 $55,638
2016 $20,296 $19,176 $62,854 $53,480
2015 $20,424 $19,186 $53,506 $49,201
2014 $20,193 $18,595 $55,140 $45,997
2013 $20,410 $19,032 $50,173 $44,410
2012 $20,804 $19,605 $46,595 $42,004
2011 $20,508 $20,316 $48,255 $40,937
2010 $20,611 $20,033 $43,776 $39,764
2009 $16,295 $20,324 $41,484 $41,885
2008 $17,566 $21,376 $57,489 $43,728
2007 $17,235 $20,949 $70,483 $41,471
2006 $15,620 $20,076 $58,172 $39,692
2005 $14,214 $18,450 $57,784 $37,323
2004 $12,886 $17,299 $47,810 $35,612
2003 $12,076 $16,707 $39,944 $32,697
2002 $11,760 $16,133 $32,749 $32,607
2001 $11,640 $15,866 $29,208 $31,882
2000 $11,675 $15,914 $32,504 $29,789
1999 $11,244 $14,873 $32,834 $29,558
1998 $10,734 $14,621 $31,519 $28,723
1997 $9,522 $13,941 $28,462 $26,874
1996 $9,012 $13,090 $28,584 $24,776
1995 $8,460 $12,375 $27,565 $23,954
1994 $8,223 $11,900 $24,858 $23,562
1993 $7,905 $11,448 $24,404 $22,460
1992 $7,519 $11,127 $28,072 $21,877
1991 $7,790 $11,576 $27,740 $22,416
1990 $7,781 $11,687 $26,272 $21,985
1989 $7,773 - $23,219 -
1988 $7,033 - $25,307 -
1987 $6,625 - $23,238 -
1986 $6,031 - $16,980 -
1985 $5,510 - $12,793 -
1984 $5,284 - $12,378 -
1983 $4,866 - $12,080 -
1982 $4,599 - $14,191 -
1981 $4,417 - $15,666 -
1980 $4,025 - $15,340 -
1979 $2,668 - $13,082 -
1978 $2,198 - $11,630 -
1977 $1,968 - $10,305 -
1976 $1,734 - $7,848 -
1975 $1,601 - $6,680 -
1974 $1,243 - $7,287 -
1973 $1,042 - $5,627 -
1972 $856 - $4,155 -
1971 $750 - $3,366 -
1970 $666 - $2,666 -
1969 $567 - $2,142 -
1968 $506 - $2,473 -
1967 $508 - $3,284 -
1966 $462 - $3,378 -
1965 $433 - $2,861 -
1964 $414 - $2,414 -
1963 $421 - $1,924 -
1962 $377 - $1,641 -
1961 $366 - $1,490 -
1960 $347 - $1,486 -

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

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

Barbados' GDP per capita is $26,545, ranking 46/197, compared to $86,041 in Iceland, ranking 9/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Barbados ranks 84th at $24,823, while Iceland ranks 13th at $84,257.

Economic indicators

Barbados Iceland
Gross domestic product
$7.5B
2024
$33.3B
2024
GDP rank
157/197
2024
108/197
2024
GDP growth
2.48%
2023-2024
-0.97%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$26,545
2024
$86,041
2024
GDP per capita rank
46/197
2024
9/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$24,823
2024
$84,257
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
84/197
2024
13/197
2024
Government debt
$7.97B
2024
$19.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
106.3%
2024
59.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$28,218
2024
$51,148
2024
Government debt per person rank
26/185
2024
9/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$18,869
2026
$55,565
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.78B
2020
n/a
Number of billionaires
1
2025
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
25.8%
2016
22.4%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.5%
2016
3.7%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
30.2%
2024
46.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.44%
2023-2024
5.86%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2%
2020
7.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.54%
2023
3.56%
2024
Population
282798
397129

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Barbados
Spending

Debt
Iceland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Barbados Iceland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 30.2% 106.3% 46.5% 59.4%
2023 28.8% 113.4% 45% 61.5%
2022 30.3% 116.9% 45.9% 66.4%
2021 32.5% 130.2% 48.7% 73.6%
2020 30.3% 128.4% 50.2% 76.1%
2019 23.9% 109.5% 43% 65.7%
2018 26.9% 115% 43.2% 62.3%
2017 29.8% 143.6% 43.8% 70.8%
2016 30.7% 136.5% 45.8% 81.3%
2015 31.4% 131.9% 43% 96.3%
2014 29% 122% 45.4% 114.1%
2013 30.8% 118.6% 45.6% 121.1%
2012 30.6% 109.4% 47.1% 132.2%
2011 27.7% 98.7% 50% 136.6%
2010 29.7% 96% 48.2% 131.5%
2009 29.5% 88.5% 53.3% 128.2%
2008 28.1% 72.6% 62.8% 109.3%
2007 27.8% 69% 44.1% 67.4%
2006 27.2% 69.8% 44.3% 69.8%
2005 28.7% 68.2% 44.2% 67.8%
2004 28.5% 66.5% 46.2% 80.1%
2003 29.8% 66.6% 47.2% 84.1%
2002 31% 66.1% 45% 81.3%
2001 22% 62.6% 46.9% 82.5%
2000 20.8% 56.6% 44.3% 74.8%
1999 19.7% 50.1% 44.8% 75.5%
1998 19% 50.5% 40.2% 43.3%
1997 21.5% 56.9% 41.3% 51.1%
1996 20.5% 56.1% 43.9% 55.6%
1995 18.6% 55.9% 44.4% 58.1%
1994 17% 55% 45% 54.8%
1993 - - 45.1% 52.3%
1992 - - 44.7% 45.4%
1991 - - 42.8% 37.6%
1990 - - 42.6% 35.5%
1989 - - 42.9% 35.3%
1988 - - 41.4% 30.6%
1987 - - 36.5% 27.3%
1986 - - 39.5% 29.9%
1985 - - 37% 32%
1984 - - 34.7% 32.4%
1983 - - 37.8% 30.8%
1982 - - 36% 28.9%
1981 - - 35.3% 22.4%
1980 - - 33.9% 24.8%
1979 - - 32.4% 21.1%
1978 - - 31.9% 19.8%
1977 - - 31.7% 18.4%
1976 - - 32.1% 17.2%
1975 - - 36.9% 16.4%
1974 - - 36.6% 12.5%
1973 - - 33.7% 11.5%
1972 - - 33.3% 14.5%
1971 - - 32.5% 11.7%
1970 - - 29.9% 11.4%
1969 - - 30.3% 14.6%
1968 - - 33.3% 14.2%
1967 - - 31.6% 8.8%
1966 - - 28.3% 5.56%
1965 - - 28.3% 7.78%
1964 - - 28.2% 7.97%
1963 - - 26.2% 7.89%
1962 - - 24.9% 7.47%
1961 - - 25.3% 8.49%
1960 - - 33.2% 13.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Barbados' government spending was $2.26B, accounting for 30.2% of its GDP, while Iceland spent $15.5B, or 46.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 106.3% in Barbados and 59.4% in Iceland, ranking 18/185 and 80/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Barbados

Iceland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Barbados Iceland
2024 -0.89% -3.51%
2023 -1.71% -2.28%
2022 -1.96% -3.93%
2021 -4.65% -8.33%
2020 -4.16% -8.73%
2019 3.08% -1.57%
2018 -0.34% 0.94%
2017 -3.89% 0.97%
2016 -4.88% 12.4%
2015 -8.16% -0.39%
2014 -6.57% 0.29%
2013 -8.98% -1.24%
2012 -7.07% -2.59%
2011 -3.63% -6.46%
2010 -7.55% -6.58%
2009 -6.56% -8.54%
2008 -4.1% -12%
2007 -4.34% 5.52%
2006 -3.41% 6.37%
2005 -3.03% 4.92%
2004 -2.97% 0.28%
2003 -3.08% -2.3%
2002 -5.28% -2.25%
2001 4.07% -0.28%
2000 4.94% 1.43%
1999 5.39% 1.3%
1998 6.03% -0.56%
1997 5.64% 0.04%
1996 3.76% -1.52%
1995 6.22% -2.87%
1994 6.72% -4.59%
1993 - -4.36%
1992 - -1.86%
1991 - -0.66%
1990 - -3.16%
1989 - -4.29%
1988 - -1.93%
1987 - -0.79%
1986 - -3.93%
1985 - -1.56%
1984 - 2.25%
1983 - -1.96%
1982 - 1.72%
1981 - 1.32%
1980 - 1.37%
1979 - -0.07%
1978 - -0.9%
1977 - -1.2%
1976 - 0.02%
1975 - -3.87%
1974 - -3.64%
1973 - -0.74%
1972 - 0.05%
1971 - -0.69%
1970 - 0.27%
1969 - -0.88%
1968 - -0.89%
1967 - 0.78%
1966 - 1.69%
1965 - 0.15%
1964 - -0.41%
1963 - 1.8%
1962 - 2.25%
1961 - 1.64%
1960 - 2.38%
1959 - 2.44%
1958 - 2.16%
1957 - 1.2%
1956 - -0.09%
1955 - 1.57%
1954 - 1.25%
1953 - 0.34%
1952 - 3.33%
1951 - 2.73%
1950 - 1.23%
1949 - -0.3%
1948 - 0.67%
1947 - -1.95%
1946 - -0.37%
1945 - -2.33%
1944 - -3.23%
1943 - -0.89%
1942 - -0.75%
1941 - -1.33%
1940 - -1.35%
1939 - -2.6%
1938 - -2.01%
1937 - -2.6%
1936 - -3.34%
1935 - -3.46%
1934 - -4.79%
1933 - -3.42%
1932 - -4.65%
1931 - -4.27%
1930 - -4.94%
1929 - -1.94%
1928 - -1.94%
1927 - -3.45%
1926 - -2.43%
1925 - 0.43%
1924 - -1.78%
1923 - -4.99%
1922 - -4.67%
1921 - -6.12%
1920 - -7.45%
1919 - -2.5%
1918 - -7.43%
1917 - -11.3%
1916 - -2.53%
1915 - -2.06%
1914 - -3.21%
1913 - -2.3%
1912 - -2.93%
1911 - -3.06%
1910 - -1.27%
1909 - -2.15%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1909–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/iceland | 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 Iceland's deficit of $1.17B, or 3.51% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Barbados recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Iceland ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Barbados posted an annual deficit equal to 1.66% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.49% of GDP for Iceland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Barbados

Iceland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Barbados Iceland
2024 -0.44% 5.86%
2023 9.79% 8.74%
2022 - 8.31%
2021 - 4.44%
2020 - 2.85%
2019 4.1% 3.01%
2018 3.67% 2.68%
2017 4.66% 1.76%
2016 1.28% 1.7%
2015 -1.11% 1.63%
2014 1.77% 2.04%
2013 1.81% 3.87%
2012 4.53% 5.19%
2011 9.43% 4%
2010 5.82% 5.4%
2009 3.64% 12%
2008 8.11% 12.7%
2007 4.03% 5.05%
2006 7.31% 6.69%
2005 6.08% 3.99%
2004 1.39% 3.16%
2003 1.62% 2.06%
2002 0.13% 5.2%
2001 2.58% 6.41%
2000 2.44% 5.14%
1999 1.56% 3.23%
1998 -1.27% 1.66%
1997 7.71% 1.82%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Barbados has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.63%, compared with 4.66% in Iceland. In 2024, inflation was -0.44% in Barbados and 5.86% in Iceland.

Top exports between countries

Barbados
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $1K
Iceland
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $232K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $26K

Balance of trade

Barbados Iceland
Current account balance
-$296M
2017
-$867M
2024
Current account balance ranking
100/190
2017
121/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.22%
2017
-2.61%
2024
Goods imports
$1.53B
2017
$9.3B
2024
Goods exports
$705M
2017
$6.99B
2024
Service imports
$687M
2017
$5.16B
2024
Service exports
$1.52B
2017
$7.12B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
43.5%
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 Iceland
Economic freedom 70.4 75
Economic freedom ranking 34/197 19/197
Property rights 76.4 94.9
Government integrity 71.3 85
Judicial effectiveness 87.3 95.2
Tax burden 83.2 72.2
Government spending 74.5 37
Fiscal health 76.5 76.2
Business freedom 72.3 86.8
Labor freedom 54.3 59.3
Monetary freedom 80.8 73.5
Trade freedom 48.2 79.8
Investment freedom 60 70
Financial freedom 60 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Barbados
Iceland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Barbados Iceland
2026 70.4 75
2025 68.9 72.8
2024 66.8 70.5
2023 69.8 72.2
2022 71.3 77
2021 65 77.4
2020 61.4 77.1
2019 64.7 77.1
2018 57 77
2017 54.5 74.4
2016 68.3 73.3
2015 67.9 72
2014 68.3 72.4
2013 69.3 72.1
2012 69 70.9
2011 68.5 68.2
2010 68.3 73.7
2009 71.5 75.9
2008 71.3 75.8
2007 70 76
2006 71.9 75.8
2005 70.1 76.6
2004 69.4 72.1
2003 71.3 73.5
2002 73.6 73.1
2001 71.5 73.4
2000 69.5 74
1999 66.7 71.4
1998 67.9 71.2
1997 64.5 70.5
1996 62.3 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Barbados is 70.4, ranking 34/197, compared to 75 for Iceland, ranking 19/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Barbados Iceland
Services, % of GDP
75.5%
2024
64.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
12.4%
2024
20.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.58%
2024
3.98%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$7.1B
2024
$31.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$23,850
2024
$84,060
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.65B
2024
$6.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
131/177
2024
90/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$208M
2017
-$2.24B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$303M
2024
$2.7B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6M
2024
$461M
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
25.7%
2016
8.8%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
26.1%
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/iceland | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1909–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2024, 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.

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.