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Economy of Barbados vs Nicaragua compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Barbados has a GDP of $7.5B compared to $19.7B for Nicaragua, ranking 157/197 and 131/197 by economy size, respectively.

Barbados has $7.97B in government debt (106.3% of GDP), compared to $7.71B (39.1% of GDP) in Nicaragua.

Barbados vs Nicaragua GDP by year

Barbados
Nicaragua
1x
Year GDP, current $
Barbados Nicaragua
2024 $7,498,050,000 $19,693,982,968
2023 $7,223,250,000 $17,805,842,284
2022 $6,884,900,000 $15,634,572,502
2021 $5,947,550,000 $14,209,020,362
2020 $5,407,050,000 $12,726,422,432
2019 $6,161,850,000 $12,699,023,614
2018 $6,001,950,000 $13,025,221,974
2017 $5,683,150,000 $13,785,893,007
2016 $5,674,600,000 $13,286,093,388
2015 $5,698,150,000 $12,756,696,261
2014 $5,620,600,000 $11,880,438,824
2013 $5,667,200,000 $10,982,988,249
2012 $5,761,450,000 $10,532,017,232
2011 $5,663,100,000 $9,774,329,333
2010 $5,672,900,000 $8,758,602,233
2009 $4,466,809,600 $8,298,702,489
2008 $4,790,410,400 $8,496,967,597
2007 $4,675,767,950 $7,423,375,015
2006 $4,217,323,400 $6,763,672,381
2005 $3,819,500,000 $6,321,324,279
2004 $3,444,500,000 $5,792,932,838
2003 $3,209,500,000 $5,322,228,351
2002 $3,106,500,000 $5,223,727,303
2001 $3,054,500,000 $5,351,752,034
2000 $3,059,500,000 $5,109,587,050
1999 $2,951,822,205 $4,856,026,259
1998 $2,817,083,478 $4,635,347,386
1997 $2,498,384,130 $4,389,973,490
1996 $2,363,645,403 $4,308,351,903
1995 $2,216,974,096 $4,140,470,000
1994 $2,151,344,901 $3,863,185,119
1993 $2,063,342,117 $1,756,454,248
1992 $1,957,000,000 $1,792,800,000
1991 $2,020,583,702 $1,488,804,124
1990 $2,012,131,457 $1,009,455,484
1989 $2,006,165,167 $1,013,184,756
1988 $1,812,757,918 $2,630,900,096
1987 $1,704,370,308 $3,851,200,118
1986 $1,547,755,183 $2,885,799,994
1985 $1,409,536,121 $2,683,699,935
1984 $1,346,890,071 $3,117,599,872
1983 $1,236,016,507 $2,753,100,058
1982 $1,163,923,830 $2,454,499,872
1981 $1,114,204,743 $2,474,700,227
1980 $1,012,280,615 $2,144,300,006
1979 $670,362,452 $1,567,599,982
1978 $552,883,707 $2,127,699,979
1977 $495,097,668 $2,226,999,874
1976 $435,911,269 $1,836,899,999
1975 $402,178,605 $1,581,599,959
1974 $311,804,630 $1,521,400,012
1973 $260,767,828 $1,092,900,015
1972 $213,725,217 $878,570,045
1971 $186,826,503 $828,569,953
1970 $166,210,203 $778,569,939
1969 $141,393,142 $750,000,003
1968 $125,733,669 $692,859,985
1967 $125,554,009 $657,140,011
1966 $113,195,123 $607,140,010
1965 $105,021,997 $564,290,020
1964 $99,252,731 $347,119,918
1963 $99,893,761 $297,324,163
1962 $88,782,583 $269,283,804
1961 $85,363,759 $244,144,237
1960 $80,021,847 $227,223,322

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

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

GDP per capita in Barbados vs Nicaragua by year

Barbados
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Nicaragua
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Barbados Nicaragua
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $26,545 $24,823 $2,848 $8,709
2023 $25,584 $23,660 $2,609 $8,320
2022 $24,387 $22,193 $2,323 $7,797
2021 $21,080 $17,683 $2,138 $7,119
2020 $19,194 $16,555 $1,938 $6,274
2019 $21,912 $19,971 $1,959 $5,981
2018 $21,381 $19,777 $2,035 $5,935
2017 $20,285 $18,437 $2,183 $6,225
2016 $20,296 $19,176 $2,132 $5,882
2015 $20,424 $19,186 $2,074 $5,449
2014 $20,193 $18,595 $1,958 $5,068
2013 $20,410 $19,032 $1,835 $4,711
2012 $20,804 $19,605 $1,785 $4,508
2011 $20,508 $20,316 $1,680 $4,325
2010 $20,611 $20,033 $1,527 $4,042
2009 $16,295 $20,324 $1,467 $3,880
2008 $17,566 $21,376 $1,524 $4,044
2007 $17,235 $20,949 $1,350 $3,891
2006 $15,620 $20,076 $1,248 $3,658
2005 $14,214 $18,450 $1,183 $3,456
2004 $12,886 $17,299 $1,099 $3,255
2003 $12,076 $16,707 $1,021 $3,046
2002 $11,760 $16,133 $1,014 $2,948
2001 $11,640 $15,866 $1,052 $2,917
2000 $11,675 $15,914 $1,017 $2,806
1999 $11,244 $14,873 $980 $2,672
1998 $10,734 $14,621 $949 $2,497
1997 $9,522 $13,941 $913 $2,418
1996 $9,012 $13,090 $911 $2,325
1995 $8,460 $12,375 $892 $2,187
1994 $8,223 $11,900 $849 $2,064
1993 $7,905 $11,448 $394 $1,998
1992 $7,519 $11,127 $411 $2,003
1991 $7,790 $11,576 $350 $1,995
1990 $7,781 $11,687 $242.5 $1,979
1989 $7,773 - $249.2 -
1988 $7,033 - $662 -
1987 $6,625 - $992 -
1986 $6,031 - $761 -
1985 $5,510 - $724 -
1984 $5,284 - $861 -
1983 $4,866 - $780 -
1982 $4,599 - $714 -
1981 $4,417 - $740 -
1980 $4,025 - $659 -
1979 $2,668 - $495 -
1978 $2,198 - $691 -
1977 $1,968 - $744 -
1976 $1,734 - $633 -
1975 $1,601 - $561 -
1974 $1,243 - $557 -
1973 $1,042 - $413 -
1972 $856 - $341 -
1971 $750 - $331 -
1970 $666 - $321 -
1969 $567 - $319 -
1968 $506 - $304 -
1967 $508 - $297.9 -
1966 $462 - $284 -
1965 $433 - $272.3 -
1964 $414 - $172.7 -
1963 $421 - $152.5 -
1962 $377 - $142.3 -
1961 $366 - $132.9 -
1960 $347 - $127.5 -

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

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

Barbados' GDP per capita is $26,545, ranking 46/197, compared to $2,848 in Nicaragua, ranking 141/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Barbados ranks 84th at $24,823, while Nicaragua ranks 138th at $8,709.

Economic indicators

Barbados Nicaragua
Gross domestic product
$7.5B
2024
$19.7B
2024
GDP rank
157/197
2024
131/197
2024
GDP growth
2.48%
2023-2024
3.59%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$26,545
2024
$2,848
2024
GDP per capita rank
46/197
2024
141/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$24,823
2024
$8,709
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
84/197
2024
138/197
2024
Government debt
$7.97B
2024
$7.71B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
106.3%
2024
39.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$28,218
2024
$1,115
2024
Government debt per person rank
26/185
2024
138/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$18,869
2026
$2,318
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
37.2%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
2.5%
2016
2%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
30.2%
2024
27.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.44%
2023-2024
4.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2%
2020
6%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.54%
2023
5.2%
2018
Population
282798
7124343

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Barbados
Spending

Debt
Nicaragua
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Barbados Nicaragua
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 30.2% 106.3% 27.1% 39.1%
2023 28.8% 113.4% 26% 42.3%
2022 30.3% 116.9% 28.6% 45.9%
2021 32.5% 130.2% 30% 48.4%
2020 30.3% 128.4% 28.9% 49.2%
2019 23.9% 109.5% 27.7% 44.2%
2018 26.9% 115% 27.7% 39.1%
2017 29.8% 143.6% 27.3% 34.7%
2016 30.7% 136.5% 26.8% 30.9%
2015 31.4% 131.9% 25.4% 28.9%
2014 29% 122% 24.6% 28.7%
2013 30.8% 118.6% 24.2% 28.8%
2012 30.6% 109.4% 24.1% 27.9%
2011 27.7% 98.7% 23.5% 28.8%
2010 29.7% 96% 22.6% 30.3%
2009 29.5% 88.5% 22.7% 29.3%
2008 28.1% 72.6% 21.9% 26%
2007 27.8% 69% 21.5% 30.9%
2006 27.2% 69.8% 21.4% 51.2%
2005 28.7% 68.2% 21.3% 66.6%
2004 28.5% 66.5% 20.8% 84%
2003 29.8% 66.6% 20.9% 109.5%
2002 31% 66.1% 18.7% 110.4%
2001 22% 62.6% 19.2% 87.5%
2000 20.8% 56.6% 20.6% 95.2%
1999 19.7% 50.1% 22.1% 99.8%
1998 19% 50.5% 18.5% 86.5%
1997 21.5% 56.9% 17.9% 86.4%
1996 20.5% 56.1% 18% -
1995 18.6% 55.9% 17.7% -
1994 17% 55% 18.4% -
1993 - - 18.4% -
1992 - - 18.4% -
1991 - - 16.8% -
1990 - - 28.2% -
1989 - - - -
1988 - - 24.8% -
1987 - - - 266.6%
1986 - - 26.1% 159.2%
1985 - - 29.9% 218%
1984 - - 31.9% 198%
1983 - - 33.8% 211.6%
1982 - - 49.4% 159.1%
1981 - - 39.3% 149.1%
1980 - - 30.4% 152.1%
1979 - - 20.7% 116.3%
1978 - - 17.7% 76.9%
1977 - - 19.9% 62.7%
1976 - - 16.2% 59.5%
1975 - - 17.5% 57.8%
1974 - - 15.3% 40%
1973 - - 12.8% 32.9%
1972 - - 15.1% 30.2%
1971 - - 15.1% 31.6%
1970 - - 13.2% 35.4%
1969 - - 11.1% -
1968 - - 10.9% -
1967 - - 12.7% -
1966 - - 12.2% -
1965 - - 10.9% -
1964 - - 10.2% -
1963 - - 10.5% -
1962 - - 10.6% -
1961 - - 9.93% -
1960 - - 11.2% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Barbados' government spending was $2.26B, accounting for 30.2% of its GDP, while Nicaragua spent $5.34B, or 27.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 106.3% in Barbados and 39.1% in Nicaragua, ranking 18/185 and 136/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Barbados

Nicaragua
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Barbados Nicaragua
2024 -0.89% 2.48%
2023 -1.71% 2.31%
2022 -1.96% 0.65%
2021 -4.65% -1.26%
2020 -4.16% -2.57%
2019 3.08% -1.12%
2018 -0.34% -4.35%
2017 -3.89% -1.75%
2016 -4.88% -1.92%
2015 -8.16% -1.64%
2014 -6.57% -0.89%
2013 -8.98% -0.3%
2012 -7.07% 0.22%
2011 -3.63% 0.59%
2010 -7.55% 0.69%
2009 -6.56% -0.9%
2008 -4.1% 0.27%
2007 -4.34% 1.88%
2006 -3.41% 1.36%
2005 -3.03% 1.72%
2004 -2.97% 1.69%
2003 -3.08% 1.3%
2002 -5.28% 2.07%
2001 4.07% 0.34%
2000 4.94% 2.15%
1999 5.39% -6.86%
1998 6.03% -2.88%
1997 5.64% -3.31%
1996 3.76% -5%
1995 6.22% -4.62%
1994 6.72% -5.79%
1993 - -4.66%
1992 - -3.8%
1991 - -3.45%
1990 - -15.2%
1989 - -
1988 - -22.4%
1987 - -
1986 - -7.33%
1985 - -11.3%
1984 - -11.8%
1983 - -15.6%
1982 - -20.2%
1981 - -10.6%
1980 - -6.53%
1979 - -5.89%
1978 - -4.44%
1977 - -5.91%
1976 - -2.2%
1975 - -3.53%
1974 - -1.41%
1973 - 1.21%
1972 - -2.61%
1971 - -2.33%
1970 - -2.69%
1969 - -1.57%
1968 - -1.21%
1967 - -2.11%
1966 - -1.04%
1965 - 0.3%
1964 - 0.2%
1963 - 0.75%
1962 - -0.29%
1961 - 0.04%
1960 - -1.28%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/nicaragua | 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 Nicaragua's surplus of $489M, or 2.48% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Barbados recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Nicaragua ran a deficit in 16 years. On average, Barbados posted an annual deficit equal to 1.66% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.82% of GDP for Nicaragua.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Barbados

Nicaragua
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Barbados Nicaragua
2024 -0.44% 4.6%
2023 9.79% 8.4%
2022 - 10.5%
2021 - 4.9%
2020 - 3.7%
2019 4.1% 5.4%
2018 3.67% 4.9%
2017 4.66% 3.9%
2016 1.28% 3.5%
2015 -1.11% 4%
2014 1.77% 6%
2013 1.81% 7.1%
2012 4.53% 7.2%
2011 9.43% 8.1%
2010 5.82% 5.5%
2009 3.64% 3.7%
2008 8.11% 19.8%
2007 4.03% 11.1%
2006 7.31% 9.1%
2005 6.08% 9.6%
2004 1.39% 8.5%
2003 1.62% 5.3%
2002 0.13% 3.8%
2001 2.58% 7.4%
2000 2.44% 11.5%
1999 1.56% 11.2%
1998 -1.27% 13%
1997 7.71% 9.2%

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/nicaragua | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Barbados has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.63%, compared with 7.53% in Nicaragua. In 2024, inflation was -0.44% in Barbados and 4.6% in Nicaragua.

Top exports between countries

Barbados
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $599K
Machinery & equipment $46K
Nicaragua
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $30K
Machinery & equipment $1K

Balance of trade

Barbados Nicaragua
Current account balance
-$296M
2017
$818M
2024
Current account balance ranking
100/190
2017
55/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.22%
2017
+4.15%
2024
Goods imports
$1.53B
2017
$10.1B
2024
Goods exports
$705M
2017
$6.84B
2024
Service imports
$687M
2017
$1.31B
2024
Service exports
$1.52B
2017
$1.3B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
58.1%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
14.5%
2025
40.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Barbados Nicaragua
Economic freedom 70.4 53.6
Economic freedom ranking 34/197 139/197
Property rights 76.4 23.8
Government integrity 71.3 13.4
Judicial effectiveness 87.3 8.8
Tax burden 83.2 74.5
Government spending 74.5 77.7
Fiscal health 76.5 96.9
Business freedom 72.3 54.4
Labor freedom 54.3 47.3
Monetary freedom 80.8 69.4
Trade freedom 48.2 67
Investment freedom 60 60
Financial freedom 60 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Barbados
Nicaragua
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Barbados Nicaragua
2026 70.4 53.6
2025 68.9 54
2024 66.8 53.4
2023 69.8 54.9
2022 71.3 54.8
2021 65 56.3
2020 61.4 57.2
2019 64.7 57.7
2018 57 58.9
2017 54.5 59.2
2016 68.3 58.6
2015 67.9 57.6
2014 68.3 58.4
2013 69.3 56.6
2012 69 57.9
2011 68.5 58.8
2010 68.3 58.3
2009 71.5 59.8
2008 71.3 60.8
2007 70 62.7
2006 71.9 63.8
2005 70.1 62.5
2004 69.4 61.4
2003 71.3 62.6
2002 73.6 61.1
2001 71.5 58
2000 69.5 56.9
1999 66.7 54
1998 67.9 53.8
1997 64.5 53.3
1996 62.3 54.1
1995 - 42.5

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Barbados is 70.4, ranking 34/197, compared to 53.6 for Nicaragua, ranking 139/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Barbados Nicaragua
Services, % of GDP
75.5%
2024
46.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
12.4%
2024
27.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.58%
2024
14.4%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$7.1B
2024
$17.4B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$23,850
2024
$8,270
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.65B
2024
$6.1B
2024
Total reserves ranking
131/177
2024
91/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$208M
2017
-$1.28B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$303M
2024
$1.35B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6M
2024
$73.8M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
9.74%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
25.7%
2016
24.9%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
24.7%
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/nicaragua | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2024, 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.

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.