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Economy of Barbados vs Kiribati compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Barbados has a GDP of $7.5B compared to $308M for Kiribati, ranking 157/197 and 192/197 by economy size, respectively.

Barbados has $7.97B in government debt (106.3% of GDP), compared to $30.5M (9.92% of GDP) in Kiribati.

Barbados vs Kiribati GDP by year

Barbados
Kiribati
1x
Year GDP, current $
Barbados Kiribati
2024 $7,498,050,000 $307,862,564
2023 $7,223,250,000 $288,610,748
2022 $6,884,900,000 $270,040,453
2021 $5,947,550,000 $285,259,881
2020 $5,407,050,000 $220,898,020
2019 $6,161,850,000 $216,985,388
2018 $6,001,950,000 $233,514,717
2017 $5,683,150,000 $222,875,736
2016 $5,674,600,000 $206,467,819
2015 $5,698,150,000 $191,559,399
2014 $5,620,600,000 $200,287,282
2013 $5,667,200,000 $201,730,861
2012 $5,761,450,000 $207,001,546
2011 $5,663,100,000 $195,970,140
2010 $5,672,900,000 $165,458,433
2009 $4,466,809,600 $140,177,384
2008 $4,790,410,400 $147,017,895
2007 $4,675,767,950 $138,054,946
2006 $4,217,323,400 $112,338,353
2005 $3,819,500,000 $113,895,437
2004 $3,444,500,000 $104,085,892
2003 $3,209,500,000 $96,105,619
2002 $3,106,500,000 $74,743,869
2001 $3,054,500,000 $64,935,850
2000 $3,059,500,000 $74,910,527
1999 $2,951,822,205 $77,323,978
1998 $2,817,083,478 $74,905,706
1997 $2,498,384,130 $80,205,807
1996 $2,363,645,403 $81,456,854
1995 $2,216,974,096 $68,596,395
1994 $2,151,344,901 $67,055,334
1993 $2,063,342,117 $58,953,596
1992 $1,957,000,000 $61,491,369
1991 $2,020,583,702 $41,247,792
1990 $2,012,131,457 $36,534,295
1989 $2,006,165,167 $37,645,319
1988 $1,812,757,918 $38,278,810
1987 $1,704,370,308 $29,554,413
1986 $1,547,755,183 $25,993,009
1985 $1,409,536,121 $26,126,615
1984 $1,346,890,071 $34,394,167
1983 $1,236,016,507 $31,000,546
1982 $1,163,923,830 $32,742,713
1981 $1,114,204,743 $35,267,489
1980 $1,012,280,615 $33,157,723
1979 $670,362,452 $34,466,197
1978 $552,883,707 $36,563,965
1977 $495,097,668 $31,335,459
1976 $435,911,269 $33,246,817
1975 $402,178,605 $44,547,454
1974 $311,804,630 $69,256,489
1973 $260,767,828 $25,645,040
1972 $213,725,217 $15,314,346
1971 $186,826,503 $12,356,134
1970 $166,210,203 $11,560,877
1969 $141,393,142 -
1968 $125,733,669 -
1967 $125,554,009 -
1966 $113,195,123 -
1965 $105,021,997 -
1964 $99,252,731 -
1963 $99,893,761 -
1962 $88,782,583 -
1961 $85,363,759 -
1960 $80,021,847 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Barbados vs Kiribati by year

Barbados
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Kiribati
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Barbados Kiribati
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $26,545 $24,823 $2,289 $3,702
2023 $25,584 $23,660 $2,178 $3,486
2022 $24,387 $22,193 $2,070 $3,329
2021 $21,080 $17,683 $2,222 $3,020
2020 $19,194 $16,555 $1,752 $2,711
2019 $21,912 $19,971 $1,751 $2,763
2018 $21,381 $19,777 $1,913 $2,672
2017 $20,285 $18,437 $1,853 $2,562
2016 $20,296 $19,176 $1,743 $2,463
2015 $20,424 $19,186 $1,640 $2,311
2014 $20,193 $18,595 $1,737 $2,084
2013 $20,410 $19,032 $1,772 $2,049
2012 $20,804 $19,605 $1,844 $1,896
2011 $20,508 $20,316 $1,771 $1,786
2010 $20,611 $20,033 $1,522 $1,724
2009 $16,295 $20,324 $1,317 $1,718
2008 $17,566 $21,376 $1,411 $1,735
2007 $17,235 $20,949 $1,353 $1,792
2006 $15,620 $20,076 $1,123 $1,728
2005 $14,214 $18,450 $1,162 $1,617
2004 $12,886 $17,299 $1,083 $1,579
2003 $12,076 $16,707 $1,021 $1,578
2002 $11,760 $16,133 $810 $1,605
2001 $11,640 $15,866 $719 $1,591
2000 $11,675 $15,914 $845 $1,638
1999 $11,244 $14,873 $887 $1,526
1998 $10,734 $14,621 $874 $1,593
1997 $9,522 $13,941 $953 $1,535
1996 $9,012 $13,090 $986 $1,519
1995 $8,460 $12,375 $844 $1,518
1994 $8,223 $11,900 $838 $1,469
1993 $7,905 $11,448 $748 $1,431
1992 $7,519 $11,127 $792 $1,421
1991 $7,790 $11,576 $540 $1,139
1990 $7,781 $11,687 $488 $1,192
1989 $7,773 - $515 -
1988 $7,033 - $536 -
1987 $6,625 - $424 -
1986 $6,031 - $382 -
1985 $5,510 - $393 -
1984 $5,284 - $527 -
1983 $4,866 - $483 -
1982 $4,599 - $519 -
1981 $4,417 - $568 -
1980 $4,025 - $542 -
1979 $2,668 - $573 -
1978 $2,198 - $611 -
1977 $1,968 - $520 -
1976 $1,734 - $548 -
1975 $1,601 - $730 -
1974 $1,243 - $1,131 -
1973 $1,042 - $422 -
1972 $856 - $256.2 -
1971 $750 - $210.7 -
1970 $666 - $201 -
1969 $567 - - -
1968 $506 - - -
1967 $508 - - -
1966 $462 - - -
1965 $433 - - -
1964 $414 - - -
1963 $421 - - -
1962 $377 - - -
1961 $366 - - -
1960 $347 - - -

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

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

Barbados' GDP per capita is $26,545, ranking 46/197, compared to $2,289 in Kiribati, ranking 152/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Barbados ranks 84th at $24,823, while Kiribati ranks 169th at $3,702.

Economic indicators

Barbados Kiribati
Gross domestic product
$7.5B
2024
$308M
2024
GDP rank
157/197
2024
192/197
2024
GDP growth
2.48%
2023-2024
5.27%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$26,545
2024
$2,289
2024
GDP per capita rank
46/197
2024
152/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$24,823
2024
$3,702
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
84/197
2024
169/197
2024
Government debt
$7.97B
2024
$30.5M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
106.3%
2024
9.92%
2024
Government debt per person
$28,218
2024
$226.9
2024
Government debt per person rank
26/185
2024
181/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$18,869
2026
$1,967
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
22.8%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.5%
2016
4%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
30.2%
2024
98.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.44%
2023-2024
2.5%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2%
2020
n/a
Unemployment rate
6.54%
2023
2.79%
2023
Population
282798
139020

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Barbados
Spending

Debt
Kiribati
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Barbados Kiribati
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 30.2% 106.3% 98.1% 9.92%
2023 28.8% 113.4% 95.3% 11.4%
2022 30.3% 116.9% 87.5% 16.3%
2021 32.5% 130.2% 84% 17.3%
2020 30.3% 128.4% 102.2% 21%
2019 23.9% 109.5% 108.3% 19%
2018 26.9% 115% 108.8% 19%
2017 29.8% 143.6% 92.1% 20.2%
2016 30.7% 136.5% 99% 21.2%
2015 31.4% 131.9% 90.9% 18.8%
2014 29% 122% 101.2% 8.97%
2013 30.8% 118.6% 78% 8.86%
2012 30.6% 109.4% 83.9% 8.13%
2011 27.7% 98.7% 80.9% 8.8%
2010 29.7% 96% 75.7% 9.43%
2009 29.5% 88.5% 74.7% 10.3%
2008 28.1% 72.6% 79.4% 13.9%
2007 27.8% 69% 77.3% 11.1%
2006 27.2% 69.8% 82.1% 12.9%
2005 28.7% 68.2% 95.6% 12.1%
2004 28.5% 66.5% 103.8% 13.6%
2003 29.8% 66.6% 84.4% 12.3%
2002 31% 66.1% 96.9% 13.3%
2001 22% 62.6% 101.3% 17%
2000 20.8% 56.6% 66% 12.7%
1999 19.7% 50.1% 77.6% 11.8%
1998 19% 50.5% 74.7% 9.81%
1997 21.5% 56.9% 70.9% 10.7%
1996 20.5% 56.1% 68.4% 11%
1995 18.6% 55.9% 69.6% 12.3%
1994 17% 55% 54.6% 12.3%
1993 - - 55.3% 10.9%
1992 - - 65.9% 7.31%
1991 - - 82.1% 8.43%
1990 - - 105.5% 7.72%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Barbados' government spending was $2.26B, accounting for 30.2% of its GDP, while Kiribati spent $302M, or 98.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 106.3% in Barbados and 9.92% in Kiribati, ranking 18/185 and 180/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Barbados

Kiribati
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Barbados Kiribati
2024 -0.89% -22%
2023 -1.71% 0.13%
2022 -1.96% -18.3%
2021 -4.65% -10.8%
2020 -4.16% 3.57%
2019 3.08% 10.8%
2018 -0.34% 5.18%
2017 -3.89% 34.1%
2016 -4.88% 20.1%
2015 -8.16% 42.5%
2014 -6.57% 35%
2013 -8.98% 11.8%
2012 -7.07% -5.43%
2011 -3.63% -17.6%
2010 -7.55% -7.8%
2009 -6.56% -8.56%
2008 -4.1% -15.8%
2007 -4.34% -12.5%
2006 -3.41% -12.3%
2005 -3.03% -9.96%
2004 -2.97% -19.2%
2003 -3.08% -8.93%
2002 -5.28% 3.13%
2001 4.07% -10.9%
2000 4.94% -0.03%
1999 5.39% -1.81%
1998 6.03% 14.6%
1997 5.64% 5.92%
1996 3.76% -20.2%
1995 6.22% -5.14%
1994 6.72% 0.74%
1993 - 6.27%
1992 - 0.79%
1991 - 3.87%
1990 - -4.62%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/kiribati | 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 Kiribati's deficit of $67.7M, or 22% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Barbados recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Kiribati ran a deficit in 18 years. On average, Barbados posted an annual deficit equal to 1.66% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.63% of GDP for Kiribati.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Barbados

Kiribati
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Barbados Kiribati
2024 -0.44% 2.5%
2023 9.79% 9.3%
2022 - 5.3%
2021 - 2.1%
2020 - 2.6%
2019 4.1% -1.8%
2018 3.67% 0.6%
2017 4.66% 0.4%
2016 1.28% 1.9%
2015 -1.11% 0.6%
2014 1.77% 2.1%
2013 1.81% -1.5%
2012 4.53% -3%
2011 9.43% 1.5%
2010 5.82% -3.9%
2009 3.64% 9.8%
2008 8.11% 13.7%
2007 4.03% 3.6%
2006 7.31% -1%
2005 6.08% -0.4%
2004 1.39% -0.7%
2003 1.62% 1.6%
2002 0.13% 3.2%
2001 2.58% 6%
2000 2.44% 0.4%
1999 1.56% 1.8%
1998 -1.27% 3.7%
1997 7.71% 2.6%

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/kiribati | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Barbados has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.63%, compared with 2.25% in Kiribati. In 2024, inflation was -0.44% in Barbados and 2.5% in Kiribati.

Balance of trade

Barbados Kiribati
Current account balance
-$296M
2017
-$59.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
100/190
2017
85/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.22%
2017
-19.3%
2024
Goods imports
$1.53B
2017
$227M
2024
Goods exports
$705M
2017
$8.49M
2024
Service imports
$687M
2017
$108M
2024
Service exports
$1.52B
2017
$7M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
94.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
14.5%
2025
6.27%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Barbados Kiribati
Economic freedom 70.4 50.8
Economic freedom ranking 34/197 158/197
Property rights 76.4 69.6
Government integrity 71.3 50.5
Judicial effectiveness 87.3 54.6
Tax burden 83.2 72.6
Government spending 74.5 0
Fiscal health 76.5 19.8
Business freedom 72.3 60.2
Labor freedom 54.3 65.3
Monetary freedom 80.8 76.7
Trade freedom 48.2 80
Investment freedom 60 30
Financial freedom 60 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Barbados
Kiribati
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Barbados Kiribati
2026 70.4 50.8
2025 68.9 50.9
2024 66.8 51.3
2023 69.8 58.8
2022 71.3 59.2
2021 65 44.4
2020 61.4 45.2
2019 64.7 47.3
2018 57 50.8
2017 54.5 50.9
2016 68.3 46.2
2015 67.9 46.4
2014 68.3 46.3
2013 69.3 45.9
2012 69 46.9
2011 68.5 44.8
2010 68.3 43.7
2009 71.5 45.7
2008 71.3 -
2007 70 -
2006 71.9 -
2005 70.1 -
2004 69.4 -
2003 71.3 -
2002 73.6 -
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/kiribati | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Barbados is 70.4, ranking 34/197, compared to 50.8 for Kiribati, ranking 158/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Barbados Kiribati
Services, % of GDP
75.5%
2024
67.1%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
12.4%
2024
11.5%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.58%
2024
27.2%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$7.1B
2024
$493M
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$23,850
2024
$6,060
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.65B
2024
n/a
Total reserves ranking
131/177
2024
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
-$208M
2017
-$8.06M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$303M
2024
$8.07M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6M
2024
$16.4K
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
25.7%
2016
5.5%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
25.8%
2023

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/kiribati | 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  6. 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.