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Economy of Barbados vs Namibia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Barbados has a GDP of $7.5B compared to $13.4B for Namibia, ranking 157/197 and 147/197 by economy size, respectively.

Barbados has $7.97B in government debt (106.3% of GDP), compared to $9.05B (67.7% of GDP) in Namibia.

Barbados vs Namibia GDP by year

Barbados
Namibia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Barbados Namibia
2024 $7,498,050,000 $13,372,354,512
2023 $7,223,250,000 $12,408,271,449
2022 $6,884,900,000 $12,569,449,123
2021 $5,947,550,000 $12,402,486,184
2020 $5,407,050,000 $10,583,748,542
2019 $6,161,850,000 $12,541,928,303
2018 $6,001,950,000 $13,682,019,076
2017 $5,683,150,000 $12,895,153,371
2016 $5,674,600,000 $10,722,018,732
2015 $5,698,150,000 $11,335,161,084
2014 $5,620,600,000 $12,435,430,970
2013 $5,667,200,000 $12,043,307,277
2012 $5,761,450,000 $13,042,053,592
2011 $5,663,100,000 $12,523,359,441
2010 $5,672,900,000 $11,431,412,421
2009 $4,466,809,600 $8,938,847,189
2008 $4,790,410,400 $8,607,431,497
2007 $4,675,767,950 $8,839,536,476
2006 $4,217,323,400 $8,001,779,551
2005 $3,819,500,000 $7,248,374,838
2004 $3,444,500,000 $6,609,205,995
2003 $3,209,500,000 $4,926,439,384
2002 $3,106,500,000 $3,349,169,826
2001 $3,054,500,000 $3,557,341,215
2000 $3,059,500,000 $3,922,232,165
1999 $2,951,822,205 $3,868,551,730
1998 $2,817,083,478 $3,873,109,866
1997 $2,498,384,130 $4,154,989,950
1996 $2,363,645,403 $3,989,163,197
1995 $2,216,974,096 $3,978,514,206
1994 $2,151,344,901 $3,666,503,530
1993 $2,063,342,117 $3,251,188,833
1992 $1,957,000,000 $3,429,521,699
1991 $2,020,583,702 $2,996,869,281
1990 $2,012,131,457 $2,789,921,854
1989 $2,006,165,167 $2,535,135,798
1988 $1,812,757,918 $2,495,094,746
1987 $1,704,370,308 $2,300,068,217
1986 $1,547,755,183 $1,809,048,527
1985 $1,409,536,121 $1,608,237,350
1984 $1,346,890,071 $1,951,260,038
1983 $1,236,016,507 $2,297,400,688
1982 $1,163,923,830 $2,118,710,248
1981 $1,114,204,743 $2,249,908,578
1980 $1,012,280,615 $2,421,990,338
1979 $670,362,452 -
1978 $552,883,707 -
1977 $495,097,668 -
1976 $435,911,269 -
1975 $402,178,605 -
1974 $311,804,630 -
1973 $260,767,828 -
1972 $213,725,217 -
1971 $186,826,503 -
1970 $166,210,203 -
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/namibia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Barbados vs Namibia by year

Barbados
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Namibia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Barbados Namibia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $26,545 $24,823 $4,413 $11,687
2023 $25,584 $23,660 $4,188 $11,251
2022 $24,387 $22,193 $4,350 $10,663
2021 $21,080 $17,683 $4,413 $9,709
2020 $19,194 $16,555 $3,879 $9,354
2019 $21,912 $19,971 $4,732 $9,609
2018 $21,381 $19,777 $5,309 $9,854
2017 $20,285 $18,437 $5,144 $9,888
2016 $20,296 $19,176 $4,396 $10,200
2015 $20,424 $19,186 $4,774 $10,466
2014 $20,193 $18,595 $5,378 $10,365
2013 $20,410 $19,032 $5,347 $9,699
2012 $20,804 $19,605 $5,943 $9,364
2011 $20,508 $20,316 $5,835 $9,002
2010 $20,611 $20,033 $5,418 $8,538
2009 $16,295 $20,324 $4,303 $8,079
2008 $17,566 $21,376 $4,205 $8,125
2007 $17,235 $20,949 $4,379 $7,875
2006 $15,620 $20,076 $4,017 $7,374
2005 $14,214 $18,450 $3,686 $6,767
2004 $12,886 $17,299 $3,403 $6,480
2003 $12,076 $16,707 $2,569 $5,693
2002 $11,760 $16,133 $1,772 $5,433
2001 $11,640 $15,866 $1,916 $5,196
2000 $11,675 $15,914 $2,157 $5,129
1999 $11,244 $14,873 $2,178 $4,961
1998 $10,734 $14,621 $2,235 $4,852
1997 $9,522 $13,941 $2,460 $4,764
1996 $9,012 $13,090 $2,423 $4,612
1995 $8,460 $12,375 $2,483 $4,509
1994 $8,223 $11,900 $2,356 $4,376
1993 $7,905 $11,448 $2,155 $4,345
1992 $7,519 $11,127 $2,347 $4,452
1991 $7,790 $11,576 $2,117 $4,192
1990 $7,781 $11,687 $2,037 $3,875
1989 $7,773 - $1,967 -
1988 $7,033 - $2,063 -
1987 $6,625 - $1,969 -
1986 $6,031 - $1,599 -
1985 $5,510 - $1,466 -
1984 $5,284 - $1,830 -
1983 $4,866 - $2,214 -
1982 $4,599 - $2,097 -
1981 $4,417 - $2,267 -
1980 $4,025 - $2,468 -
1979 $2,668 - - -
1978 $2,198 - - -
1977 $1,968 - - -
1976 $1,734 - - -
1975 $1,601 - - -
1974 $1,243 - - -
1973 $1,042 - - -
1972 $856 - - -
1971 $750 - - -
1970 $666 - - -
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/namibia | CC BY

Barbados' GDP per capita is $26,545, ranking 46/197, compared to $4,413 in Namibia, ranking 126/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Barbados ranks 84th at $24,823, while Namibia ranks 128th at $11,687.

Economic indicators

Barbados Namibia
Gross domestic product
$7.5B
2024
$13.4B
2024
GDP rank
157/197
2024
147/197
2024
GDP growth
2.48%
2023-2024
3.71%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$26,545
2024
$4,413
2024
GDP per capita rank
46/197
2024
126/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$24,823
2024
$11,687
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
84/197
2024
128/197
2024
Government debt
$7.97B
2024
$9.05B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
106.3%
2024
67.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$28,218
2024
$2,988
2024
Government debt per person rank
26/185
2024
100/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$18,869
2026
$6,197
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.78B
2020
$2.48B
2024
Number of billionaires
1
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25.8%
2016
47.2%
2015
Income share by poorest 10%
2.5%
2016
1%
2015
Government expenditure, % of GDP
30.2%
2024
39.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.44%
2023-2024
4.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2%
2020
6.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.54%
2023
19.9%
2018
Population
282798
3173089

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Barbados
Spending

Debt
Namibia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Barbados Namibia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 30.2% 106.3% 39.9% 67.7%
2023 28.8% 113.4% 37% 67.2%
2022 30.3% 116.9% 36.6% 69.4%
2021 32.5% 130.2% 39.3% 69.6%
2020 30.3% 128.4% 41.5% 64.3%
2019 23.9% 109.5% 37.4% 57.6%
2018 26.9% 115% 36.3% 48.7%
2017 29.8% 143.6% 38.1% 43.8%
2016 30.7% 136.5% 41.8% 45.8%
2015 31.4% 131.9% 43.7% 42.1%
2014 29% 122% 41.8% 27.6%
2013 30.8% 118.6% 38.3% 26.1%
2012 30.6% 109.4% 35% 24.6%
2011 27.7% 98.7% 38.5% 27.4%
2010 29.7% 96% 33.5% 16.3%
2009 29.5% 88.5% 32% 15.9%
2008 28.1% 72.6% 28.4% 19.1%
2007 27.8% 69% 26.1% 19.4%
2006 27.2% 69.8% 27.4% 26.1%
2005 28.7% 68.2% 27.7% 26.9%
2004 28.5% 66.5% 28.4% 29.2%
2003 29.8% 66.6% 31.1% 27.1%
2002 31% 66.1% 29.8% 22.2%
2001 22% 62.6% 30.7% 24.4%
2000 20.8% 56.6% 30.1% 20.9%
1999 19.7% 50.1% 31.8% 21.8%
1998 19% 50.5% 31.3% 19.6%
1997 21.5% 56.9% 30.9% 17.7%
1996 20.5% 56.1% 30.4% 18.7%
1995 18.6% 55.9% 29.6% 18%
1994 17% 55% 28.7% 16.4%
1993 - - 32.4% 17.2%
1992 - - 32.8% 14.1%
1991 - - 33% 11.8%
1990 - - 30.2% 12.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Barbados' government spending was $2.26B, accounting for 30.2% of its GDP, while Namibia spent $5.34B, or 39.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 106.3% in Barbados and 67.7% in Namibia, ranking 18/185 and 61/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Barbados

Namibia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Barbados Namibia
2024 -0.89% -3.59%
2023 -1.71% -3.14%
2022 -1.96% -6.33%
2021 -4.65% -8.68%
2020 -4.16% -8.07%
2019 3.08% -5.49%
2018 -0.34% -5.09%
2017 -3.89% -4.99%
2016 -4.88% -9.3%
2015 -8.16% -8.3%
2014 -6.57% -6.44%
2013 -8.98% -4.69%
2012 -7.07% -3.1%
2011 -3.63% -7.09%
2010 -7.55% -4.98%
2009 -6.56% -0.4%
2008 -4.1% 3.48%
2007 -4.34% 6.01%
2006 -3.41% 3.41%
2005 -3.03% -0.31%
2004 -2.97% -2.67%
2003 -3.08% -4.47%
2002 -5.28% -1.38%
2001 4.07% -2.01%
2000 4.94% -0.79%
1999 5.39% -1.88%
1998 6.03% -2.76%
1997 5.64% -2.38%
1996 3.76% -3.7%
1995 6.22% -1.74%
1994 6.72% -0.57%
1993 - -2.73%
1992 - -2.55%
1991 - -1.59%
1990 - 1.08%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/namibia | 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 Namibia's deficit of $480M, or 3.59% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Barbados recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Namibia ran a deficit in 28 years. On average, Barbados posted an annual deficit equal to 1.66% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.27% of GDP for Namibia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Barbados

Namibia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Barbados Namibia
2024 -0.44% 4.2%
2023 9.79% 5.9%
2022 - 6.1%
2021 - 3.6%
2020 - 2.2%
2019 4.1% 3.7%
2018 3.67% 4.3%
2017 4.66% 6.1%
2016 1.28% 6.7%
2015 -1.11% 3.4%
2014 1.77% 5.3%
2013 1.81% 5.6%
2012 4.53% 6.7%
2011 9.43% 5%
2010 5.82% 4.9%
2009 3.64% 9.5%
2008 8.11% 9.1%
2007 4.03% 6.5%
2006 7.31% 5%
2005 6.08% 2.3%
2004 1.39% 4.1%
2003 1.62% 7.2%
2002 0.13% 12.7%
2001 2.58% 10.2%
2000 2.44% 10.2%
1999 1.56% 9.4%
1998 -1.27% 6.6%
1997 7.71% 9.7%

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/namibia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Barbados has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.63%, compared with 6.29% in Namibia. In 2024, inflation was -0.44% in Barbados and 4.2% in Namibia.

Top exports between countries

Barbados
Export category Export value
Namibia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $116K
Miscellaneous $33K
Chemicals & pharma $3K

Balance of trade

Barbados Namibia
Current account balance
-$296M
2017
-$1.89M
2024
Current account balance ranking
100/190
2017
78/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.22%
2017
-0.01%
2024
Goods imports
$1.53B
2017
$6.77B
2024
Goods exports
$705M
2017
$4.67B
2024
Service imports
$687M
2017
$2.47B
2024
Service exports
$1.52B
2017
$1.29B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
68%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
14.5%
2025
41.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Barbados Namibia
Economic freedom 70.4 60.2
Economic freedom ranking 34/197 95/197
Property rights 76.4 63.1
Government integrity 71.3 51.5
Judicial effectiveness 87.3 67.2
Tax burden 83.2 66.4
Government spending 74.5 57.1
Fiscal health 76.5 60.5
Business freedom 72.3 58
Labor freedom 54.3 62.7
Monetary freedom 80.8 76.1
Trade freedom 48.2 69.8
Investment freedom 60 50
Financial freedom 60 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Barbados
Namibia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Barbados Namibia
2026 70.4 60.2
2025 68.9 58.7
2024 66.8 57.5
2023 69.8 57.7
2022 71.3 59.2
2021 65 62.6
2020 61.4 60.9
2019 64.7 58.7
2018 57 58.5
2017 54.5 62.5
2016 68.3 61.9
2015 67.9 59.6
2014 68.3 59.4
2013 69.3 60.3
2012 69 61.9
2011 68.5 62.7
2010 68.3 62.2
2009 71.5 62.4
2008 71.3 61.4
2007 70 63.5
2006 71.9 60.7
2005 70.1 61.4
2004 69.4 62.4
2003 71.3 67.3
2002 73.6 65.1
2001 71.5 64.8
2000 69.5 66.7
1999 66.7 66.1
1998 67.9 66.1
1997 64.5 61.6
1996 62.3 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Barbados is 70.4, ranking 34/197, compared to 60.2 for Namibia, ranking 95/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Barbados Namibia
Services, % of GDP
75.5%
2024
54.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
12.4%
2024
28.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.58%
2024
7.29%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$7.1B
2024
$12.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$23,850
2024
$11,300
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.65B
2024
$3.36B
2024
Total reserves ranking
131/177
2024
115/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$208M
2017
-$1.93M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$303M
2024
$1.97B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6M
2024
$44.5M
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
25.7%
2016
17.4%
2015
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
25.6%
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/namibia | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (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.