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Economy of Barbados vs Iran compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Barbados has a GDP of $7.5B compared to $475B for Iran, ranking 157/197 and 34/197 by economy size, respectively.

Barbados has $7.97B in government debt (106.3% of GDP), compared to $162B (34% of GDP) in Iran.

Barbados vs Iran GDP by year

Barbados
Iran
1x
Year GDP, current $
Barbados Iran
2024 $7,498,050,000 $475,252,089,215
2023 $7,223,250,000 $457,510,482,317
2022 $6,884,900,000 $422,662,261,526
2021 $5,947,550,000 $407,350,685,583
2020 $5,407,050,000 $280,934,329,280
2019 $6,161,850,000 $347,988,400,958
2018 $6,001,950,000 $411,903,303,606
2017 $5,683,150,000 $510,239,893,418
2016 $5,674,600,000 $478,618,064,871
2015 $5,698,150,000 $409,191,686,497
2014 $5,620,600,000 $462,284,793,281
2013 $5,667,200,000 $500,399,839,840
2012 $5,761,450,000 $644,019,315,004
2011 $5,663,100,000 $629,082,257,472
2010 $5,672,900,000 $487,069,570,464
2009 $4,466,809,600 $414,059,094,949
2008 $4,790,410,400 $406,070,949,554
2007 $4,675,767,950 $349,736,591,832
2006 $4,217,323,400 $265,602,187,404
2005 $3,819,500,000 $224,970,371,325
2004 $3,444,500,000 $187,754,571,248
2003 $3,209,500,000 $151,911,222,119
2002 $3,106,500,000 $128,626,917,504
2001 $3,054,500,000 $126,878,750,296
2000 $3,059,500,000 $109,591,707,802
1999 $2,951,822,205 $113,848,450,088
1998 $2,817,083,478 $110,276,913,363
1997 $2,498,384,130 $113,919,163,421
1996 $2,363,645,403 $120,403,931,885
1995 $2,216,974,096 $96,419,225,744
1994 $2,151,344,901 $71,841,461,173
1993 $2,063,342,117 $63,743,623,232
1992 $1,957,000,000 $119,768,691,217
1991 $2,020,583,702 $131,637,664,958
1990 $2,012,131,457 $124,813,263,926
1989 $2,006,165,167 $120,496,362,916
1988 $1,812,757,918 $123,057,861,334
1987 $1,704,370,308 $134,009,995,923
1986 $1,547,755,183 $209,094,561,833
1985 $1,409,536,121 $180,183,629,600
1984 $1,346,890,071 $162,276,728,620
1983 $1,236,016,507 $156,365,156,618
1982 $1,163,923,830 $125,948,756,439
1981 $1,114,204,743 $100,499,312,750
1980 $1,012,280,615 $94,362,275,580
1979 $670,362,452 $90,391,877,326
1978 $552,883,707 $77,994,316,621
1977 $495,097,668 $80,600,122,702
1976 $435,911,269 $68,055,295,081
1975 $402,178,605 $51,776,222,350
1974 $311,804,630 $46,209,092,072
1973 $260,767,828 $27,081,698,250
1972 $213,725,217 $17,153,463,263
1971 $186,826,503 $13,731,802,833
1970 $166,210,203 $10,976,245,154
1969 $141,393,142 $9,743,089,607
1968 $125,733,669 $8,623,172,960
1967 $125,554,009 $7,555,383,690
1966 $113,195,123 $6,789,938,672
1965 $105,021,997 $6,197,319,929
1964 $99,252,731 $5,379,845,648
1963 $99,893,761 $4,928,628,018
1962 $88,782,583 $4,693,566,416
1961 $85,363,759 $4,426,949,095
1960 $80,021,847 $4,199,134,390

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

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

GDP per capita in Barbados vs Iran by year

Barbados
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Iran
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Barbados Iran
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $26,545 $24,823 $5,190 $19,874
2023 $25,584 $23,660 $5,049 $18,917
2022 $24,387 $22,193 $4,721 $17,546
2021 $21,080 $17,683 $4,605 $15,884
2020 $19,194 $16,555 $3,203 $15,119
2019 $21,912 $19,971 $3,997 $13,928
2018 $21,381 $19,777 $4,783 $15,324
2017 $20,285 $18,437 $6,001 $15,719
2016 $20,296 $19,176 $5,711 $15,195
2015 $20,424 $19,186 $4,953 $14,274
2014 $20,193 $18,595 $5,672 $16,065
2013 $20,410 $19,032 $6,223 $16,215
2012 $20,804 $19,605 $8,114 $17,021
2011 $20,508 $20,316 $8,026 $19,275
2010 $20,611 $20,033 $6,291 $18,628
2009 $16,295 $20,324 $5,416 $17,615
2008 $17,566 $21,376 $5,377 $17,549
2007 $17,235 $20,949 $4,688 $17,384
2006 $15,620 $20,076 $3,619 $15,907
2005 $14,214 $18,450 $3,132 $15,016
2004 $12,886 $17,299 $2,672 $14,425
2003 $12,076 $16,707 $2,209 $13,755
2002 $11,760 $16,133 $1,891 $12,554
2001 $11,640 $15,866 $1,881 $11,533
2000 $11,675 $15,914 $1,650 $11,187
1999 $11,244 $14,873 $1,740 $10,489
1998 $10,734 $14,621 $1,709 $10,285
1997 $9,522 $13,941 $1,790 $10,101
1996 $9,012 $13,090 $1,915 $9,916
1995 $8,460 $12,375 $1,550 $9,255
1994 $8,223 $11,900 $1,168 $8,951
1993 $7,905 $11,448 $1,038 $8,933
1992 $7,519 $11,127 $1,957 $8,888
1991 $7,790 $11,576 $2,194 $8,580
1990 $7,781 $11,687 $2,138 $7,566
1989 $7,773 - $2,125 -
1988 $7,033 - $2,234 -
1987 $6,625 - $2,513 -
1986 $6,031 - $4,064 -
1985 $5,510 - $3,634 -
1984 $5,284 - $3,395 -
1983 $4,866 - $3,397 -
1982 $4,599 - $2,845 -
1981 $4,417 - $2,393 -
1980 $4,025 - $2,368 -
1979 $2,668 - $2,352 -
1978 $2,198 - $2,101 -
1977 $1,968 - $2,243 -
1976 $1,734 - $1,954 -
1975 $1,601 - $1,532 -
1974 $1,243 - $1,409 -
1973 $1,042 - $851 -
1972 $856 - $555 -
1971 $750 - $457 -
1970 $666 - $377 -
1969 $567 - $345 -
1968 $506 - $314 -
1967 $508 - $283.7 -
1966 $462 - $262.9 -
1965 $433 - $247.5 -
1964 $414 - $221.7 -
1963 $421 - $209.6 -
1962 $377 - $205.8 -
1961 $366 - $200.1 -
1960 $347 - $195.6 -

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

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

Barbados' GDP per capita is $26,545, ranking 46/197, compared to $5,190 in Iran, ranking 119/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Barbados ranks 84th at $24,823, while Iran ranks 97th at $19,874.

Economic indicators

Barbados Iran
Gross domestic product
$7.5B
2024
$475B
2024
GDP rank
157/197
2024
34/197
2024
GDP growth
2.48%
2023-2024
3.66%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$26,545
2024
$5,190
2024
GDP per capita rank
46/197
2024
119/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$24,823
2024
$19,874
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
84/197
2024
97/197
2024
Government debt
$7.97B
2024
$162B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
106.3%
2024
34%
2024
Government debt per person
$28,218
2024
$1,764
2024
Government debt per person rank
26/185
2024
122/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$18,869
2026
$2,964
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.78B
2020
$172B
2024
Number of billionaires
1
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25.8%
2016
28.2%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.5%
2016
2.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
30.2%
2024
14.2%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.44%
2023-2024
32.5%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2%
2020
23%
2023
Unemployment rate
6.54%
2023
7.63%
2024
Population
282798
93468444

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Barbados
Spending

Debt
Iran
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Barbados Iran
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 30.2% 106.3% 14.2% 34%
2023 28.8% 113.4% 12.8% 29.6%
2022 30.3% 116.9% 12.8% 34.5%
2021 32.5% 130.2% 13.4% 39.9%
2020 30.3% 128.4% 12.1% 47.1%
2019 23.9% 109.5% 13.6% 44.6%
2018 26.9% 115% 14.8% 41.6%
2017 29.8% 143.6% 16.4% 43.2%
2016 30.7% 136.5% 16.3% 45.9%
2015 31.4% 131.9% 14.1% 32.1%
2014 29% 122% 12.3% 10.9%
2013 30.8% 118.6% 11.5% 10.2%
2012 30.6% 109.4% 11.4% 11.7%
2011 27.7% 98.7% 14.6% 10.6%
2010 29.7% 96% 14.1% 12.8%
2009 29.5% 88.5% 15.7% 11.5%
2008 28.1% 72.6% 16.8% 10.6%
2007 27.8% 69% 14.2% 13.5%
2006 27.2% 69.8% 18.7% 15.2%
2005 28.7% 68.2% 17.9% 18.3%
2004 28.5% 66.5% 15.1% 21.1%
2003 29.8% 66.6% 15.7% 21.9%
2002 31% 66.1% 15.6% 23.4%
2001 22% 62.6% 13.6% 21%
2000 20.8% 56.6% 13.3% 18.2%
1999 19.7% 50.1% 15.7% 22.2%
1998 19% 50.5% 16.9% 29.6%
1997 21.5% 56.9% 17.4% 30.9%
1996 20.5% 56.1% 17.3% 29.3%
1995 18.6% 55.9% 21% 31.2%
1994 17% 55% 23% 41.7%
1993 - - 27.2% 25.6%
1992 - - 14.4% 25.2%
1991 - - 14% 29.3%
1990 - - 16.4% 37%
1989 - - 20% 48.8%
1988 - - 23.6% 53.2%
1987 - - 18.6% 48.6%
1986 - - 19% 47.4%
1985 - - 21.6% 8.73%
1984 - - 23.7% 10%
1983 - - 27.5% 35.7%
1982 - - 29.7% 47.7%
1981 - - 33.7% 47.6%
1980 - - 35.8% 35.5%
1979 - - - -
1978 - - - -
1977 - - - 9.23%
1976 - - - 6.92%
1975 - - - 8.81%
1974 - - - 6.68%
1973 - - - 12.8%
1972 - - - 12.7%
1971 - - - 14.2%
1970 - - - 14.1%
1969 - - - -
1968 - - 23.6% -
1967 - - 22.3% -
1966 - - 20.5% -
1965 - - 16.3% 14.9%
1964 - - 15.4% 15.2%
1963 - - 14.8% 12.4%
1962 - - 15.6% 13.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Barbados' government spending was $2.26B, accounting for 30.2% of its GDP, while Iran spent $67.5B, or 14.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 106.3% in Barbados and 34% in Iran, ranking 18/185 and 147/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Barbados

Iran
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Barbados Iran
2024 -0.89% -3.83%
2023 -1.71% -2.54%
2022 -1.96% -2.64%
2021 -4.65% -3.01%
2020 -4.16% -4.87%
2019 3.08% -4.3%
2018 -0.34% -1.59%
2017 -3.89% -1.55%
2016 -4.88% -1.7%
2015 -8.16% -1.3%
2014 -6.57% -0.91%
2013 -8.98% -0.72%
2012 -7.07% -0.5%
2011 -3.63% -0.66%
2010 -7.55% -0.84%
2009 -6.56% -3.3%
2008 -4.1% -4.39%
2007 -4.34% -2.41%
2006 -3.41% -4.91%
2005 -3.03% -2.44%
2004 -2.97% -2.45%
2003 -3.08% -2.76%
2002 -5.28% -2.88%
2001 4.07% 0.02%
2000 4.94% 5.42%
1999 5.39% -0.51%
1998 6.03% -5.03%
1997 5.64% -1.81%
1996 3.76% -0.75%
1995 6.22% -2.63%
1994 6.72% -3.36%
1993 - -5.15%
1992 - -0.86%
1991 - -1.64%
1990 - -1.73%
1989 - -4.45%
1988 - -10.3%
1987 - -6.84%
1986 - -7.84%
1985 - -3.74%
1984 - -4.02%
1983 - -6.15%
1982 - -5.55%
1981 - -10.7%
1980 - -14.2%
1979 - -
1978 - -
1977 - -
1976 - -
1975 - -
1974 - -
1973 - -
1972 - -
1971 - -
1970 - -
1969 - -
1968 - -4.57%
1967 - -4%
1966 - -2.63%
1965 - -1.23%
1964 - -0.04%
1963 - 0.26%
1962 - -1.39%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/iran | 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 Iran's deficit of $18.2B, or 3.83% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Barbados recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Iran ran a deficit in 29 years. On average, Barbados posted an annual deficit equal to 1.66% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.1% of GDP for Iran.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Barbados

Iran
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Barbados Iran
2024 -0.44% 32.5%
2023 9.79% 44.6%
2022 - 43.5%
2021 - 43.4%
2020 - 30.6%
2019 4.1% 39.9%
2018 3.67% 18%
2017 4.66% 8.04%
2016 1.28% 7.25%
2015 -1.11% 12.5%
2014 1.77% 16.6%
2013 1.81% 36.6%
2012 4.53% 27.3%
2011 9.43% 26.3%
2010 5.82% 10.1%
2009 3.64% 13.6%
2008 8.11% 25.4%
2007 4.03% 17.3%
2006 7.31% 10%
2005 6.08% 13.4%
2004 1.39% 14.8%
2003 1.62% 16.5%
2002 0.13% 14.3%
2001 2.58% 11.3%
2000 2.44% 14.5%
1999 1.56% 20.1%
1998 -1.27% 17.9%
1997 7.71% 17.3%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Barbados has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.63%, compared with 21.6% in Iran. In 2024, inflation was -0.44% in Barbados and 32.5% in Iran.

Balance of trade

Barbados Iran
Current account balance
-$296M
2017
$12.5B
2000
Current account balance ranking
100/190
2017
22/190
2000
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.22%
2017
+11.4%
2000
Goods imports
$1.53B
2017
$15.2B
2000
Goods exports
$705M
2017
$28.3B
2000
Service imports
$687M
2017
$2.3B
2000
Service exports
$1.52B
2017
$1.38B
2000
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
28.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
14.5%
2025
23.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Barbados Iran
Economic freedom 70.4 41.8
Economic freedom ranking 34/197 185/197
Property rights 76.4 20.2
Government integrity 71.3 16.2
Judicial effectiveness 87.3 18.7
Tax burden 83.2 81.3
Government spending 74.5 94.7
Fiscal health 76.5 83.3
Business freedom 72.3 37.4
Labor freedom 54.3 41.8
Monetary freedom 80.8 42.2
Trade freedom 48.2 55.8
Investment freedom 60 5
Financial freedom 60 5

Economic freedom comparison by year

Barbados
Iran
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Barbados Iran
2026 70.4 41.8
2025 68.9 42.5
2024 66.8 41.2
2023 69.8 42.2
2022 71.3 42.4
2021 65 47.2
2020 61.4 49.2
2019 64.7 51.1
2018 57 50.9
2017 54.5 50.5
2016 68.3 43.5
2015 67.9 41.8
2014 68.3 40.3
2013 69.3 43.2
2012 69 42.3
2011 68.5 42.1
2010 68.3 43.4
2009 71.5 44.6
2008 71.3 45
2007 70 45
2006 71.9 45
2005 70.1 50.5
2004 69.4 42.8
2003 71.3 43.2
2002 73.6 36.4
2001 71.5 35.9
2000 69.5 36.1
1999 66.7 36.8
1998 67.9 36
1997 64.5 34.5
1996 62.3 36.1

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Barbados is 70.4, ranking 34/197, compared to 41.8 for Iran, ranking 185/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Barbados Iran
Services, % of GDP
75.5%
2024
49.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
12.4%
2024
36.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.58%
2024
10.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$7.1B
2024
$469B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$23,850
2024
$19,820
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.65B
2024
$7.69B
1982
Total reserves ranking
131/177
2024
85/177
1982
Net foreign direct investment
-$208M
2017
-$39M
2000
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$303M
2024
$1.45B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6M
2024
$89.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
0.08%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
25.7%
2016
18.7%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
44.3%
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/iran | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1995, 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. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, 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.