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Economy of Barbados vs Namibia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Barbados has a GDP of $8.02B compared to $15.1B for Namibia, ranking 157/197 and 146/197 by economy size, respectively.

Barbados has $7.55B in government debt (94.2% of GDP), compared to $10.6B (70.2% of GDP) in Namibia.

Barbados vs Namibia GDP by year

Barbados
Namibia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Barbados Namibia
2025 $8,016,550,000 $15,080,340,654
2024 $7,597,571,450 $13,641,190,683
2023 $7,223,248,150 $12,522,012,874
2022 $6,886,644,900 $12,569,449,123
2021 $5,948,900,600 $12,402,486,184
2020 $5,403,246,950 $10,583,748,542
2019 $6,166,710,800 $12,541,928,303
2018 $6,001,101,550 $13,682,019,076
2017 $5,847,381,600 $12,895,153,371
2016 $5,679,029,450 $10,722,018,732
2015 $5,699,619,150 $11,335,161,084
2014 $5,684,901,000 $12,435,430,970
2013 $5,660,059,700 $12,043,307,277
2012 $5,486,500,500 $13,042,053,592
2011 $5,563,162,050 $12,523,359,441
2010 $5,428,683,250 $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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
2025 $28,365 - $4,876 -
2024 $26,897 $24,823 $4,502 $11,687
2023 $25,584 $23,660 $4,226 $11,251
2022 $24,393 $22,193 $4,350 $10,663
2021 $21,084 $17,683 $4,413 $9,709
2020 $19,181 $16,555 $3,879 $9,354
2019 $21,929 $19,971 $4,732 $9,609
2018 $21,378 $19,777 $5,309 $9,854
2017 $20,871 $18,437 $5,144 $9,888
2016 $20,311 $19,176 $4,396 $10,200
2015 $20,429 $19,186 $4,774 $10,466
2014 $20,424 $18,595 $5,378 $10,365
2013 $20,384 $19,032 $5,347 $9,699
2012 $19,811 $19,605 $5,943 $9,364
2011 $20,146 $20,316 $5,835 $9,002
2010 $19,723 $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Barbados' GDP per capita is $28,365, ranking 48/197, compared to $4,876 in Namibia, ranking 125/197. 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
$8.02B
2025
$15.1B
2025
GDP rank
157/197
2025
146/197
2025
GDP growth
2.7%
2024-2025
1.73%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$28,365
2025
$4,876
2025
GDP per capita rank
48/197
2025
125/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$24,823
2024
$11,687
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
84/197
2024
128/197
2024
Government debt
$7.55B
2025
$10.6B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
94.2%
2025
70.2%
2025
Government debt per person
$26,731
2025
$3,425
2025
Government debt per person rank
28/185
2025
97/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$19,127
2026
$3,433
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.78B
2020
$2.48B
2024
Number of billionaires
1
2026
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
27%
2025
39.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
0.85%
2024-2025
3.5%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
2%
2020
6.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.03%
2024
19.9%
2018
Population
282789
3185686

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
2025 27% 94.2% 39.4% 70.2%
2024 28.1% 98.9% 39.6% 69.8%
2023 26.5% 104.1% 37% 67.9%
2022 26.9% 104% 36.6% 70.1%
2021 27.1% 108.6% 39.3% 69.6%
2020 30.6% 129.6% 41.5% 64.3%
2019 22.2% 101.6% 37.4% 57.6%
2018 25% 107.2% 36.3% 48.7%
2017 28% 134.6% 38.1% 43.8%
2016 28.6% 127.1% 41.8% 45.8%
2015 29.2% 122.5% 43.7% 42.1%
2014 27.4% 115.1% 41.8% 27.6%
2013 29.1% 111.7% 38.3% 26.1%
2012 28.9% 103.5% 35% 24.6%
2011 26.5% 94.4% 38.5% 27.4%
2010 28% 90.3% 33.5% 16.3%
2009 27.8% 83.5% 32% 15.9%
2008 27.1% 69.8% 28.4% 19.1%
2007 26.1% 64.9% 26.1% 19.4%
2006 25% 64.1% 27.4% 26.1%
2005 26.4% 62.7% 27.7% 26.9%
2004 26.2% 61% 28.4% 29.2%
2003 27.7% 61.8% 31.1% 27.1%
2002 29.1% 62% 29.8% 22.2%
2001 20.7% 59% 30.7% 24.4%
2000 19.7% 53.6% 30.1% 20.9%
1999 18.5% 47% 31.8% 21.8%
1998 17.8% 47.2% 31.3% 19.6%
1997 19.6% 52% 30.9% 17.7%
1996 19.1% 52.3% 30.4% 18.7%
1995 17.3% 52% 29.6% 18%
1994 15.9% 51.4% 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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1992, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Barbados' government spending was $2.16B, accounting for 27% of its GDP, while Namibia spent $5.94B, or 39.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 94.2% in Barbados and 70.2% in Namibia, ranking 28/185 and 57/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Barbados

Namibia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Barbados Namibia
2025 -0.31% -6.46%
2024 -0.84% -3.84%
2023 -1.57% -3.14%
2022 -1.74% -6.33%
2021 -3.88% -8.68%
2020 -4.19% -8.07%
2019 2.86% -5.49%
2018 -0.32% -5.09%
2017 -3.64% -4.99%
2016 -4.55% -9.3%
2015 -7.58% -8.3%
2014 -6.2% -6.44%
2013 -8.46% -4.69%
2012 -6.69% -3.1%
2011 -3.47% -7.09%
2010 -7.1% -4.98%
2009 -6.19% -0.4%
2008 -3.94% 3.48%
2007 -4.08% 6.01%
2006 -3.13% 3.41%
2005 -2.78% -0.31%
2004 -2.73% -2.67%
2003 -2.86% -4.47%
2002 -4.96% -1.38%
2001 3.83% -2.01%
2000 4.68% -0.79%
1999 5.06% -1.88%
1998 5.63% -2.76%
1997 5.15% -2.38%
1996 3.5% -3.7%
1995 5.79% -1.74%
1994 6.28% -0.57%
1993 - -2.73%
1992 - -2.55%
1991 - -1.59%
1990 - 1.08%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Barbados' government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $24.8M, equivalent to 0.31% of GDP. This compares to Namibia's deficit of $974M, or 6.46% of GDP.

Over the past 32 years, Barbados recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Namibia ran a deficit in 29 years. On average, Barbados posted an annual deficit equal to 1.51% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.38% of GDP for Namibia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Barbados

Namibia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Barbados Namibia
2025 0.85% 3.5%
2024 1.45% 4.2%
2023 3.19% 5.9%
2022 - 6.1%
2021 - 3.6%
2020 - 2.2%
2019 1.68% 3.7%
2018 3.11% 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 (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Barbados has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.22%, compared with 6.2% in Namibia. In 2025, inflation was 0.85% in Barbados and 3.5% in Namibia.

Top exports between countries

Barbados
Export category Export value
Namibia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $116K
Miscellaneous $7K
Chemicals & pharma $3K

Balance of trade

Barbados Namibia
Current account balance
-$296M
2017
-$1.83B
2024
Current account balance ranking
96/190
2017
138/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.07%
2017
-13.4%
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
63.9%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
14.5%
2026
44.7%
2025

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 2026-07-08).

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
75.8%
2024
55%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
12.2%
2024
28.9%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.55%
2024
6.99%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$7.65B
2025
$13.4B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$24,840
2025
$11,260
2025
Total reserves including gold
$1.65B
2024
$3.1B
2025
Total reserves ranking
131/177
2024
119/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$208M
2017
-$1.89B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$303M
2024
$1.93B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6M
2024
$44.4M
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
25.7%
2016
17.4%
2015
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
18.7%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1992, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2024–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.