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Economy of Barbados vs Mauritania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Barbados has a GDP of $7.5B compared to $10.9B for Mauritania, ranking 157/197 and 153/197 by economy size, respectively.

Barbados has $7.97B in government debt (106.3% of GDP), compared to $4.67B (42.8% of GDP) in Mauritania.

Barbados vs Mauritania GDP by year

Barbados
Mauritania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Barbados Mauritania
2024 $7,498,050,000 $10,908,045,687
2023 $7,223,250,000 $10,726,838,461
2022 $6,884,900,000 $9,557,966,698
2021 $5,947,550,000 $9,222,536,364
2020 $5,407,050,000 $8,260,752,385
2019 $6,161,850,000 $7,894,764,886
2018 $6,001,950,000 $7,473,550,557
2017 $5,683,150,000 $6,800,135,898
2016 $5,674,600,000 $6,398,747,592
2015 $5,698,150,000 $6,166,863,897
2014 $5,620,600,000 $6,592,537,782
2013 $5,667,200,000 $7,223,071,097
2012 $5,761,450,000 $6,728,208,836
2011 $5,663,100,000 $6,764,627,746
2010 $5,672,900,000 $5,628,878,798
2009 $4,466,809,600 $4,714,595,548
2008 $4,790,410,400 $5,206,437,194
2007 $4,675,767,950 $4,346,212,355
2006 $4,217,323,400 $3,919,577,286
2005 $3,819,500,000 $2,936,019,526
2004 $3,444,500,000 $2,362,501,023
2003 $3,209,500,000 $2,051,147,607
2002 $3,106,500,000 $1,777,057,481
2001 $3,054,500,000 $1,746,063,558
2000 $3,059,500,000 $1,779,520,886
1999 $2,951,822,205 $1,985,922,776
1998 $2,817,083,478 $2,032,347,665
1997 $2,498,384,130 $2,071,996,564
1996 $2,363,645,403 $2,132,087,009
1995 $2,216,974,096 $2,091,726,101
1994 $2,151,344,901 $1,944,876,755
1993 $2,063,342,117 $1,847,353,211
1992 $1,957,000,000 $2,164,298,425
1991 $2,020,583,702 $2,133,692,697
1990 $2,012,131,457 $1,506,914,408
1989 $2,006,165,167 $1,450,647,019
1988 $1,812,757,918 $1,414,951,290
1987 $1,704,370,308 $1,344,664,725
1986 $1,547,755,183 $1,186,628,778
1985 $1,409,536,121 $1,009,723,326
1984 $1,346,890,071 $1,074,373,230
1983 $1,236,016,507 $1,165,171,263
1982 $1,163,923,830 $1,108,776,653
1981 $1,114,204,743 $1,105,494,682
1980 $1,012,280,615 $1,047,925,106
1979 $670,362,452 $951,900,945
1978 $552,883,707 $804,629,877
1977 $495,097,668 $799,030,017
1976 $435,911,269 $775,045,517
1975 $402,178,605 $703,377,837
1974 $311,804,630 $613,010,553
1973 $260,767,828 $493,237,876
1972 $213,725,217 $391,669,449
1971 $186,826,503 $335,568,907
1970 $166,210,203 $309,405,316
1969 $141,393,142 $295,062,308
1968 $125,733,669 $311,395,937
1967 $125,554,009 $282,615,310
1966 $113,195,123 $266,533,605
1965 $105,021,997 $255,340,475
1964 $99,252,731 $224,495,744
1963 $99,893,761 $168,186,297
1962 $88,782,583 $164,271,558
1961 $85,363,759 $159,213,430
1960 $80,021,847 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Barbados vs Mauritania by year

Barbados
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Mauritania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Barbados Mauritania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $26,545 $24,823 $2,110 $7,369
2023 $25,584 $23,660 $2,136 $6,966
2022 $24,387 $22,193 $1,960 $6,485
2021 $21,080 $17,683 $1,948 $5,837
2020 $19,194 $16,555 $1,796 $5,741
2019 $21,912 $19,971 $1,767 $5,610
2018 $21,381 $19,777 $1,723 $5,429
2017 $20,285 $18,437 $1,615 $5,353
2016 $20,296 $19,176 $1,566 $4,683
2015 $20,424 $19,186 $1,555 $3,978
2014 $20,193 $18,595 $1,713 $3,865
2013 $20,410 $19,032 $1,934 $3,831
2012 $20,804 $19,605 $1,859 $3,465
2011 $20,508 $20,316 $1,931 $3,271
2010 $20,611 $20,033 $1,660 $3,178
2009 $16,295 $20,324 $1,435 $3,159
2008 $17,566 $21,376 $1,636 $3,236
2007 $17,235 $20,949 $1,405 $3,278
2006 $15,620 $20,076 $1,301 $3,342
2005 $14,214 $18,450 $999 $2,809
2004 $12,886 $17,299 $824 $2,570
2003 $12,076 $16,707 $732 $2,447
2002 $11,760 $16,133 $649 $2,296
2001 $11,640 $15,866 $652 $2,280
2000 $11,675 $15,914 $681 $2,304
1999 $11,244 $14,873 $781 $2,411
1998 $10,734 $14,621 $821 $2,355
1997 $9,522 $13,941 $859 $2,325
1996 $9,012 $13,090 $904 $2,436
1995 $8,460 $12,375 $905 $2,306
1994 $8,223 $11,900 $865 $2,114
1993 $7,905 $11,448 $850 $2,209
1992 $7,519 $11,127 $1,036 $2,122
1991 $7,790 $11,576 $1,062 $2,116
1990 $7,781 $11,687 $772 $2,070
1989 $7,773 - $762 -
1988 $7,033 - $762 -
1987 $6,625 - $746 -
1986 $6,031 - $677 -
1985 $5,510 - $593 -
1984 $5,284 - $650 -
1983 $4,866 - $725 -
1982 $4,599 - $710 -
1981 $4,417 - $729 -
1980 $4,025 - $711 -
1979 $2,668 - $664 -
1978 $2,198 - $578 -
1977 $1,968 - $590 -
1976 $1,734 - $589 -
1975 $1,601 - $551 -
1974 $1,243 - $494 -
1973 $1,042 - $410 -
1972 $856 - $335 -
1971 $750 - $296 -
1970 $666 - $281.3 -
1969 $567 - $276.6 -
1968 $506 - $301 -
1967 $508 - $281.5 -
1966 $462 - $273.6 -
1965 $433 - $270 -
1964 $414 - $244.3 -
1963 $421 - $188.2 -
1962 $377 - $189 -
1961 $366 - $188.2 -
1960 $347 - - -

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

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

Barbados' GDP per capita is $26,545, ranking 46/197, compared to $2,110 in Mauritania, ranking 156/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Barbados ranks 84th at $24,823, while Mauritania ranks 147th at $7,369.

Economic indicators

Barbados Mauritania
Gross domestic product
$7.5B
2024
$10.9B
2024
GDP rank
157/197
2024
153/197
2024
GDP growth
2.48%
2023-2024
6.31%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$26,545
2024
$2,110
2024
GDP per capita rank
46/197
2024
156/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$24,823
2024
$7,369
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
84/197
2024
147/197
2024
Government debt
$7.97B
2024
$4.67B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
106.3%
2024
42.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$28,218
2024
$904
2024
Government debt per person rank
26/185
2024
145/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$18,869
2026
$2,078
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
24.6%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.5%
2016
3.1%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
30.2%
2024
23.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.44%
2023-2024
2.49%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2%
2020
n/a
Unemployment rate
6.54%
2023
10.4%
2019
Population
282798
5505206

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Barbados
Spending

Debt
Mauritania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Barbados Mauritania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 30.2% 106.3% 23.6% 42.8%
2023 28.8% 113.4% 24.8% 47.1%
2022 30.3% 116.9% 28.7% 50.5%
2021 32.5% 130.2% 20.8% 54.5%
2020 30.3% 128.4% 18.5% 56.5%
2019 23.9% 109.5% 17.8% 57.7%
2018 26.9% 115% 19% 59.2%
2017 29.8% 143.6% 20.3% 55.7%
2016 30.7% 136.5% 20.8% 57.6%
2015 31.4% 131.9% 25.7% 59.9%
2014 29% 122% 23.9% 49.5%
2013 30.8% 118.6% 20.1% 40.7%
2012 30.6% 109.4% 21.5% 39.3%
2011 27.7% 98.7% 17% 38.8%
2010 29.7% 96% 17.3% 43.9%
2009 29.5% 88.5% 19.6% 54.3%
2008 28.1% 72.6% 19.8% 57.2%
2007 27.8% 69% 19.7% 61.5%
2006 27.2% 69.8% 19% 38%
2005 28.7% 68.2% 21.3% 71.1%
2004 28.5% 66.5% 23.9% 22%
2003 29.8% 66.6% - 22.9%
2002 31% 66.1% - 59.5%
2001 22% 62.6% - 63.5%
2000 20.8% 56.6% - 55.5%
1999 19.7% 50.1% - -
1998 19% 50.5% - -
1997 21.5% 56.9% - -
1996 20.5% 56.1% - -
1995 18.6% 55.9% - -
1994 17% 55% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Barbados' government spending was $2.26B, accounting for 30.2% of its GDP, while Mauritania spent $2.57B, or 23.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 106.3% in Barbados and 42.8% in Mauritania, ranking 18/185 and 126/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Barbados

Mauritania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Barbados Mauritania
2024 -0.89% -1.35%
2023 -1.71% -2.45%
2022 -1.96% -3.09%
2021 -4.65% 2.6%
2020 -4.16% 2.78%
2019 3.08% 2.65%
2018 -0.34% 3.23%
2017 -3.89% 0.53%
2016 -4.88% 0.13%
2015 -8.16% -2.44%
2014 -6.57% -2.64%
2013 -8.98% -0.66%
2012 -7.07% 1.67%
2011 -3.63% 0.07%
2010 -7.55% -0.45%
2009 -6.56% -3.59%
2008 -4.1% -3.32%
2007 -4.34% -1.38%
2006 -3.41% 2.05%
2005 -3.03% -3.16%
2004 -2.97% -3.06%
2003 -3.08% -
2002 -5.28% -
2001 4.07% -
2000 4.94% -
1999 5.39% -
1998 6.03% -
1997 5.64% -
1996 3.76% -
1995 6.22% -
1994 6.72% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/mauritania | 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 Mauritania's deficit of $148M, or 1.35% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Barbados recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Mauritania ran a deficit in 12 years. On average, Barbados posted an annual deficit equal to 4.08% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.57% of GDP for Mauritania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Barbados

Mauritania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Barbados Mauritania
2024 -0.44% 2.49%
2023 9.79% 4.95%
2022 - 9.53%
2021 - 3.57%
2020 - 2.39%
2019 4.1% 2.3%
2018 3.67% 3.07%
2017 4.66% 2.25%
2016 1.28% 1.47%
2015 -1.11% 3.25%
2014 1.77% 3.53%
2013 1.81% 4.13%
2012 4.53% 4.9%
2011 9.43% 5.69%
2010 5.82% 6.28%
2009 3.64% 2.22%
2008 8.11% 7.35%
2007 4.03% 7.25%
2006 7.31% 6.24%
2005 6.08% 12.1%
2004 1.39% 10.4%
2003 1.62% 5.15%
2002 0.13% 3.9%
2001 2.58% 4.71%
2000 2.44% 3.25%
1999 1.56% 4.07%
1998 -1.27% 8.03%
1997 7.71% 4.63%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Barbados has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.63%, compared with 4.97% in Mauritania. In 2024, inflation was -0.44% in Barbados and 2.49% in Mauritania.

Balance of trade

Barbados Mauritania
Current account balance
-$296M
2017
-$1.04B
2024
Current account balance ranking
100/190
2017
124/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.22%
2017
-9.53%
2024
Goods imports
$1.53B
2017
$4.32B
2024
Goods exports
$705M
2017
$3.83B
2024
Service imports
$687M
2017
$1.05B
2024
Service exports
$1.52B
2017
$230M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
52.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
14.5%
2025
41.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Barbados Mauritania
Economic freedom 70.4 53.9
Economic freedom ranking 34/197 136/197
Property rights 76.4 32.6
Government integrity 71.3 24.5
Judicial effectiveness 87.3 26.4
Tax burden 83.2 75.5
Government spending 74.5 80.2
Fiscal health 76.5 87.9
Business freedom 72.3 38.7
Labor freedom 54.3 53.6
Monetary freedom 80.8 77.8
Trade freedom 48.2 59.6
Investment freedom 60 50
Financial freedom 60 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Barbados
Mauritania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Barbados Mauritania
2026 70.4 53.9
2025 68.9 54.9
2024 66.8 55.3
2023 69.8 55.3
2022 71.3 55.3
2021 65 56.1
2020 61.4 55.3
2019 64.7 55.7
2018 57 54
2017 54.5 54.4
2016 68.3 54.8
2015 67.9 53.3
2014 68.3 53.2
2013 69.3 52.3
2012 69 53
2011 68.5 52.1
2010 68.3 52
2009 71.5 53.9
2008 71.3 55.2
2007 70 53.6
2006 71.9 55.7
2005 70.1 59.4
2004 69.4 61.8
2003 71.3 59
2002 73.6 52.5
2001 71.5 48.5
2000 69.5 46
1999 66.7 42.8
1998 67.9 43.7
1997 64.5 47
1996 62.3 45.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Barbados is 70.4, ranking 34/197, compared to 53.9 for Mauritania, ranking 136/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Barbados Mauritania
Services, % of GDP
75.5%
2024
42.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
12.4%
2024
30.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.58%
2024
19.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$7.1B
2024
$11B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$23,850
2024
$7,300
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.65B
2024
$2.04B
2021
Total reserves ranking
131/177
2024
126/177
2021
Net foreign direct investment
-$208M
2017
-$1.44B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$303M
2024
$1.44B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6M
2024
$3.9M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
3.82%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
25.7%
2016
31.8%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
43.1%
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/mauritania | 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. 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.

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.