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Economy of Barbados vs North Macedonia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Barbados has a GDP of $8.02B compared to $19.1B for North Macedonia, ranking 157/197 and 137/197 by economy size, respectively.

Barbados has $7.55B in government debt (94.2% of GDP), compared to $10B (52.5% of GDP) in North Macedonia.

Barbados vs North Macedonia GDP by year

Barbados
North Macedonia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Barbados North Macedonia
2025 $8,016,550,000 $19,101,199,817
2024 $7,597,571,450 $16,951,682,221
2023 $7,223,248,150 $15,855,131,189
2022 $6,886,644,900 $13,932,436,550
2021 $5,948,900,600 $14,000,283,827
2020 $5,403,246,950 $12,361,036,914
2019 $6,166,710,800 $12,606,338,449
2018 $6,001,101,550 $12,683,068,114
2017 $5,847,381,600 $11,307,067,070
2016 $5,679,029,450 $10,672,467,073
2015 $5,699,619,150 $10,064,519,963
2014 $5,684,901,000 $11,362,265,253
2013 $5,660,059,700 $10,817,702,346
2012 $5,486,500,500 $9,745,261,301
2011 $5,563,162,050 $10,494,626,768
2010 $5,428,683,250 $9,407,170,321
2009 $4,466,809,600 $9,401,736,825
2008 $4,790,410,400 $9,909,552,435
2007 $4,675,767,950 $8,336,474,974
2006 $4,217,323,400 $6,861,226,972
2005 $3,819,500,000 $6,258,602,873
2004 $3,444,500,000 $5,682,784,472
2003 $3,209,500,000 $4,946,296,599
2002 $3,106,500,000 $4,018,365,747
2001 $3,054,500,000 $3,709,636,031
2000 $3,059,500,000 $3,772,859,034
1999 $2,951,822,205 $3,863,619,285
1998 $2,817,083,478 $3,765,745,023
1997 $2,498,384,130 $3,912,986,091
1996 $2,363,645,403 $4,642,021,256
1995 $2,216,974,096 $4,707,041,315
1994 $2,151,344,901 $3,559,608,640
1993 $2,063,342,117 $2,682,456,897
1992 $1,957,000,000 $2,436,849,342
1991 $2,020,583,702 $4,938,775,510
1990 $2,012,131,457 $4,699,646,643
1989 $2,006,165,167 -
1988 $1,812,757,918 -
1987 $1,704,370,308 -
1986 $1,547,755,183 -
1985 $1,409,536,121 -
1984 $1,346,890,071 -
1983 $1,236,016,507 -
1982 $1,163,923,830 -
1981 $1,114,204,743 -
1980 $1,012,280,615 -
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/north-macedonia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Barbados vs North Macedonia by year

Barbados
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
North Macedonia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Barbados North Macedonia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $28,365 - $10,490 -
2024 $26,897 $24,823 $9,292 $26,995
2023 $25,584 $23,660 $8,674 $25,354
2022 $24,393 $22,193 $7,606 $24,212
2021 $21,084 $17,683 $7,621 $22,144
2020 $19,181 $16,555 $6,660 $19,962
2019 $21,929 $19,971 $6,719 $20,223
2018 $21,378 $19,777 $6,714 $18,460
2017 $20,871 $18,437 $5,955 $17,161
2016 $20,311 $19,176 $5,598 $16,458
2015 $20,429 $19,186 $5,263 $15,034
2014 $20,424 $18,595 $5,925 $14,485
2013 $20,384 $19,032 $5,626 $13,663
2012 $19,811 $19,605 $5,050 $12,726
2011 $20,146 $20,316 $5,417 $12,421
2010 $19,723 $20,033 $4,833 $11,992
2009 $16,295 $20,324 $4,800 $11,532
2008 $17,566 $21,376 $5,026 $10,924
2007 $17,235 $20,949 $4,204 $9,639
2006 $15,620 $20,076 $3,440 $8,888
2005 $14,214 $18,450 $3,121 $7,972
2004 $12,886 $17,299 $2,819 $7,229
2003 $12,076 $16,707 $2,445 $6,608
2002 $11,760 $16,133 $1,989 $6,395
2001 $11,640 $15,866 $1,823 $6,051
2000 $11,675 $15,914 $1,862 $6,154
1999 $11,244 $14,873 $1,915 $5,724
1998 $10,734 $14,621 $1,876 $5,448
1997 $9,522 $13,941 $1,960 $5,227
1996 $9,012 $13,090 $2,307 $5,026
1995 $8,460 $12,375 $2,355 $4,912
1994 $8,223 $11,900 $1,786 $4,880
1993 $7,905 $11,448 $1,337 $4,829
1992 $7,519 $11,127 $1,199 $5,033
1991 $7,790 $11,576 $2,402 $5,207
1990 $7,781 $11,687 $2,277 $5,348
1989 $7,773 - - -
1988 $7,033 - - -
1987 $6,625 - - -
1986 $6,031 - - -
1985 $5,510 - - -
1984 $5,284 - - -
1983 $4,866 - - -
1982 $4,599 - - -
1981 $4,417 - - -
1980 $4,025 - - -
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/north-macedonia | CC BY

Barbados' GDP per capita is $28,365, ranking 48/197, compared to $10,490 in North Macedonia, ranking 86/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Barbados ranks 84th at $24,823, while North Macedonia ranks 78th at $26,995.

Economic indicators

Barbados North Macedonia
Gross domestic product
$8.02B
2025
$19.1B
2025
GDP rank
157/197
2025
137/197
2025
GDP growth
2.7%
2024-2025
3.49%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$28,365
2025
$10,490
2025
GDP per capita rank
48/197
2025
86/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$24,823
2024
$26,995
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
84/197
2024
78/197
2024
Government debt
$7.55B
2025
$10B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
94.2%
2025
52.5%
2025
Government debt per person
$26,731
2025
$5,510
2025
Government debt per person rank
28/185
2025
78/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$19,127
2026
$9,326
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.78B
2020
n/a
Number of billionaires
1
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25.8%
2016
22.9%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.5%
2016
1.9%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27%
2025
36.2%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
0.85%
2024-2025
4.1%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
2%
2020
5.35%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.03%
2024
11.5%
2025
Population
282789
1811466

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Barbados
Spending

Debt
North Macedonia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Barbados North Macedonia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 27% 94.2% 36.2% 52.5%
2024 28.1% 98.9% 36.1% 52.9%
2023 26.5% 104.1% 35.3% 50.5%
2022 26.9% 104% 35% 50.4%
2021 27.1% 108.6% 35.3% 52.7%
2020 30.6% 129.6% 36.4% 50.8%
2019 22.2% 101.6% 31.4% 40.4%
2018 25% 107.2% 30.3% 40.4%
2017 28% 134.6% 31.8% 39.4%
2016 28.6% 127.1% 31.1% 39.7%
2015 29.2% 122.5% 32.2% 38%
2014 27.4% 115.1% 31.7% 38%
2013 29.1% 111.7% 31.7% 34%
2012 28.9% 103.5% 33.3% 33.7%
2011 26.5% 94.4% 31.9% 27.7%
2010 28% 90.3% 32.5% 24.3%
2009 27.8% 83.5% 33.6% 23.7%
2008 27.1% 69.8% 33.8% 20.6%
2007 26.1% 64.9% 31.4% 23.5%
2006 25% 64.1% 31.5% 30.6%
2005 26.4% 62.7% 32.5% 36.7%
2004 26.2% 61% 34.1% 34.6%
2003 27.7% 61.8% 36% 36.5%
2002 29.1% 62% 38.2% 40.5%
2001 20.7% 59% 37.4% 45.2%
2000 19.7% 53.6% 32% 45.6%
1999 18.5% 47% 32.5% 29.8%
1998 17.8% 47.2% 32.2% 33.1%
1997 19.6% 52% 32.3% 29.3%
1996 19.1% 52.3% - -
1995 17.3% 52% - -
1994 15.9% 51.4% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1994–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1997–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/north-macedonia | CC BY

In 2025, Barbados' government spending was $2.16B, accounting for 27% of its GDP, while North Macedonia spent $6.91B, or 36.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 94.2% in Barbados and 52.5% in North Macedonia, ranking 28/185 and 97/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Barbados

North Macedonia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Barbados North Macedonia
2025 -0.31% -4.01%
2024 -0.84% -4.38%
2023 -1.57% -4.59%
2022 -1.74% -5.23%
2021 -3.88% -5.32%
2020 -4.19% -8.05%
2019 2.86% -1.97%
2018 -0.32% -1.76%
2017 -3.64% -2.73%
2016 -4.55% -2.7%
2015 -7.58% -3.48%
2014 -6.2% -4.19%
2013 -8.46% -3.84%
2012 -6.69% -3.81%
2011 -3.47% -2.47%
2010 -7.1% -2.41%
2009 -6.19% -2.63%
2008 -3.94% -0.93%
2007 -4.08% 0.58%
2006 -3.13% -0.51%
2005 -2.78% 0.21%
2004 -2.73% 0.37%
2003 -2.86% -0.07%
2002 -4.96% -5.24%
2001 3.83% -5.88%
2000 4.68% 2.37%
1999 5.06% 0.03%
1998 5.63% -1.59%
1997 5.15% -0.35%
1996 3.5% -
1995 5.79% -
1994 6.28% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1994–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/north-macedonia | 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 North Macedonia's deficit of $766M, or 4.01% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, Barbados recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while North Macedonia ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Barbados posted an annual deficit equal to 2.21% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.57% of GDP for North Macedonia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Barbados

North Macedonia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Barbados North Macedonia
2025 0.85% 4.1%
2024 1.45% 3.5%
2023 3.19% 9.4%
2022 - 14.2%
2021 - 3.2%
2020 - 1.2%
2019 1.68% 0.8%
2018 3.11% 1.5%
2017 4.66% 1.4%
2016 1.28% -0.2%
2015 -1.11% -0.2%
2014 1.77% -0.3%
2013 1.81% 2.8%
2012 4.53% 3.3%
2011 9.43% 3.9%
2010 5.82% 1.5%
2009 3.64% -0.8%
2008 8.11% 7.2%
2007 4.03% 2.8%
2006 7.31% 3.3%
2005 6.08% 0%
2004 1.39% -0.4%
2003 1.62% 1.1%
2002 0.13% 1.7%
2001 2.58% 5.1%
2000 2.44% 6.6%
1999 1.56% -1.3%
1998 -1.27% 0.5%
1997 7.71% 1.3%

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/north-macedonia | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Barbados has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.22%, compared with 2.66% in North Macedonia. In 2025, inflation was 0.85% in Barbados and 4.1% in North Macedonia.

Top exports between countries

Barbados
Export category Export value
North Macedonia
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $49K
Miscellaneous $7K

Balance of trade

Barbados North Macedonia
Current account balance
-$296M
2017
-$815M
2025
Current account balance ranking
96/190
2017
112/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.07%
2017
-4.27%
2025
Goods imports
$1.53B
2017
$11.7B
2025
Goods exports
$705M
2017
$7.87B
2025
Service imports
$687M
2017
$2.4B
2025
Service exports
$1.52B
2017
$3.55B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
73.4%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
14.5%
2026
59.6%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Barbados North Macedonia
Economic freedom 70.4 63.3
Economic freedom ranking 34/197 81/197
Property rights 76.4 56.2
Government integrity 71.3 43.2
Judicial effectiveness 87.3 49.5
Tax burden 83.2 94.9
Government spending 74.5 61.7
Fiscal health 76.5 57.7
Business freedom 72.3 72.2
Labor freedom 54.3 51.4
Monetary freedom 80.8 69.6
Trade freedom 48.2 77.8
Investment freedom 60 65
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Barbados
North Macedonia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Barbados North Macedonia
2026 70.4 63.3
2025 68.9 63.2
2024 66.8 61.4
2023 69.8 63.7
2022 71.3 65.7
2021 65 68.6
2020 61.4 69.5
2019 64.7 71.1
2018 57 71.3
2017 54.5 70.7
2016 68.3 67.5
2015 67.9 67.1
2014 68.3 68.6
2013 69.3 68.2
2012 69 68.5
2011 68.5 66
2010 68.3 65.7
2009 71.5 61.2
2008 71.3 61.1
2007 70 60.6
2006 71.9 59.2
2005 70.1 56.1
2004 69.4 56.8
2003 71.3 60.1
2002 73.6 58
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 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/north-macedonia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Barbados is 70.4, ranking 34/197, compared to 63.3 for North Macedonia, ranking 81/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Barbados North Macedonia
Services, % of GDP
75.8%
2024
57%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
12.2%
2024
24.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.55%
2024
5.98%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$7.65B
2025
$17.3B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$24,840
2025
$26,680
2025
Total reserves including gold
$1.65B
2024
$5.8B
2025
Total reserves ranking
131/177
2024
98/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$208M
2017
-$276M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$303M
2024
$1.06B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6M
2024
-$64.9M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
9.59%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
25.7%
2016
21.9%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
31.7%
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/north-macedonia | 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 (1994–2025, 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 (1997–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2024, 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.

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.