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Economy of Barbados vs Romania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Barbados has a GDP of $7.5B compared to $383B for Romania, ranking 157/197 and 42/197 by economy size, respectively.

Barbados has $7.97B in government debt (106.3% of GDP), compared to $220B (57.4% of GDP) in Romania.

Barbados vs Romania GDP by year

Barbados
Romania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Barbados Romania
2024 $7,498,050,000 $382,564,217,989
2023 $7,223,250,000 $347,757,995,759
2022 $6,884,900,000 $295,319,437,557
2021 $5,947,550,000 $285,071,280,114
2020 $5,407,050,000 $250,625,048,304
2019 $6,161,850,000 $250,080,428,512
2018 $6,001,950,000 $241,791,427,224
2017 $5,683,150,000 $210,147,385,855
2016 $5,674,600,000 $185,290,759,249
2015 $5,698,150,000 $177,885,131,240
2014 $5,620,600,000 $199,722,319,676
2013 $5,667,200,000 $189,798,603,751
2012 $5,761,450,000 $179,117,323,107
2011 $5,663,100,000 $192,623,977,894
2010 $5,672,900,000 $170,064,350,672
2009 $4,466,809,600 $174,110,532,659
2008 $4,790,410,400 $214,315,932,061
2007 $4,675,767,950 $174,588,782,939
2006 $4,217,323,400 $122,023,735,993
2005 $3,819,500,000 $98,454,380,120
2004 $3,444,500,000 $74,973,656,852
2003 $3,209,500,000 $57,806,384,143
2002 $3,106,500,000 $46,065,502,703
2001 $3,054,500,000 $40,395,116,581
2000 $3,059,500,000 $37,253,739,511
1999 $2,951,822,205 $35,953,156,754
1998 $2,817,083,478 $41,696,091,974
1997 $2,498,384,130 $35,575,214,078
1996 $2,363,645,403 $36,937,074,278
1995 $2,216,974,096 $37,430,162,103
1994 $2,151,344,901 $30,072,805,104
1993 $2,063,342,117 $26,361,160,450
1992 $1,957,000,000 $25,121,666,667
1991 $2,020,583,702 $28,850,634,900
1990 $2,012,131,457 $38,247,882,300
1989 $2,006,165,167 $41,450,777,202
1988 $1,812,757,918 $40,424,528,302
1987 $1,704,370,308 $38,067,567,568
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Barbados vs Romania by year

Barbados
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Romania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Barbados Romania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $26,545 $24,823 $20,080 $49,077
2023 $25,584 $23,660 $18,244 $45,982
2022 $24,387 $22,193 $15,504 $41,979
2021 $21,080 $17,683 $14,908 $37,534
2020 $19,194 $16,555 $13,009 $34,194
2019 $21,912 $19,971 $12,910 $33,425
2018 $21,381 $19,777 $12,416 $29,383
2017 $20,285 $18,437 $10,728 $26,943
2016 $20,296 $19,176 $9,405 $23,905
2015 $20,424 $19,186 $8,977 $21,625
2014 $20,193 $18,595 $10,032 $20,633
2013 $20,410 $19,032 $9,498 $19,678
2012 $20,804 $19,605 $8,930 $19,808
2011 $20,508 $20,316 $9,561 $18,804
2010 $20,611 $20,033 $8,400 $17,355
2009 $16,295 $20,324 $8,548 $16,641
2008 $17,566 $21,376 $10,435 $16,782
2007 $17,235 $20,949 $8,360 $13,703
2006 $15,620 $20,076 $5,758 $11,554
2005 $14,214 $18,450 $4,618 $9,602
2004 $12,886 $17,299 $3,495 $8,989
2003 $12,076 $16,707 $2,679 $7,559
2002 $11,760 $16,133 $2,120 $7,162
2001 $11,640 $15,866 $1,825 $6,520
2000 $11,675 $15,914 $1,660 $5,850
1999 $11,244 $14,873 $1,600 $5,596
1998 $10,734 $14,621 $1,853 $5,545
1997 $9,522 $13,941 $1,577 $5,564
1996 $9,012 $13,090 $1,633 $5,746
1995 $8,460 $12,375 $1,650 $5,429
1994 $8,223 $11,900 $1,323 $4,995
1993 $7,905 $11,448 $1,158 $4,699
1992 $7,519 $11,127 $1,102 $4,515
1991 $7,790 $11,576 $1,254 $4,795
1990 $7,781 $11,687 $1,648 $5,280
1989 $7,773 - $1,790 -
1988 $7,033 - $1,753 -
1987 $6,625 - $1,659 -
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Barbados' GDP per capita is $26,545, ranking 46/197, compared to $20,080 in Romania, ranking 58/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Barbados ranks 84th at $24,823, while Romania ranks 47th at $49,077.

Economic indicators

Barbados Romania
Gross domestic product
$7.5B
2024
$383B
2024
GDP rank
157/197
2024
42/197
2024
GDP growth
2.48%
2023-2024
0.92%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$26,545
2024
$20,080
2024
GDP per capita rank
46/197
2024
58/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$24,823
2024
$49,077
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
84/197
2024
47/197
2024
Government debt
$7.97B
2024
$220B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
106.3%
2024
57.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$28,218
2024
$11,533
2024
Government debt per person rank
26/185
2024
48/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$18,869
2026
$13,912
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.78B
2020
$47.4B
2024
Number of billionaires
1
2025
6
2025
Income share by richest 10%
25.8%
2016
21.8%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.5%
2016
2.4%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
30.2%
2024
39.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.44%
2023-2024
5.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2%
2020
6.5%
2024
Unemployment rate
6.54%
2023
5.43%
2024
Population
282798
18839108

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Barbados
Spending

Debt
Romania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Barbados Romania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 30.2% 106.3% 39.9% 57.4%
2023 28.8% 113.4% 36.6% 52.1%
2022 30.3% 116.9% 37.4% 51.7%
2021 32.5% 130.2% 37% 51.5%
2020 30.3% 128.4% 38.1% 49.3%
2019 23.9% 109.5% 33.2% 36.5%
2018 26.9% 115% 31.7% 36.2%
2017 29.8% 143.6% 31% 37.1%
2016 30.7% 136.5% 31.8% 39.5%
2015 31.4% 131.9% 34.2% 39.4%
2014 29% 122% 33.8% 40.5%
2013 30.8% 118.6% 34.2% 39.3%
2012 30.6% 109.4% 33.5% 36.2%
2011 27.7% 98.7% 35% 32.6%
2010 29.7% 96% 37.4% 30.2%
2009 29.5% 88.5% 36.3% 22.5%
2008 28.1% 72.6% 35.3% 13%
2007 27.8% 69% 34.6% 12.4%
2006 27.2% 69.8% 33.9% 12.7%
2005 28.7% 68.2% 32.3% 17.8%
2004 28.5% 66.5% 33.7% 21.3%
2003 29.8% 66.6% 31.8% 24.9%
2002 31% 66.1% 32.1% 27.4%
2001 22% 62.6% 33.2% 27.4%
2000 20.8% 56.6% 35% 29.6%
1999 19.7% 50.1% 35.1% 21.7%
1998 19% 50.5% 34.7% 16.5%
1997 21.5% 56.9% 33.5% 15%
1996 20.5% 56.1% 33.5% 11%
1995 18.6% 55.9% 34.4% 6.91%
1994 17% 55% 33.1% -
1993 - - 33.5% -
1992 - - 41.5% -
1991 - - 38.3% -
1990 - - 38.4% -
1989 - - 40.1% -
1988 - - 36.6% -
1987 - - 40.7% -
1986 - - 42.5% -
1985 - - 41.6% -
1984 - - 28.6% -
1983 - - 25.8% -
1982 - - 28.5% -
1981 - - 30.4% -
1980 - - 33.6% -
1979 - - 42% -
1978 - - 42.1% -
1977 - - 39.9% -
1976 - - 37.5% -
1975 - - 40.6% -
1974 - - 37.6% -
1973 - - 32.6% -
1972 - - 29.9% -
1971 - - 27.2% -
1970 - - 28.1% -
1969 - - 32.1% -
1968 - - 31.8% -
1967 - - 30.6% -
1966 - - 27.3% -
1965 - - 25.6% -
1964 - - 25.1% -
1963 - - 23.1% -
1962 - - 43.4% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Barbados' government spending was $2.26B, accounting for 30.2% of its GDP, while Romania spent $153B, or 39.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 106.3% in Barbados and 57.4% in Romania, ranking 18/185 and 87/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Barbados

Romania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Barbados Romania
2024 -0.89% -8.68%
2023 -1.71% -5.61%
2022 -1.96% -5.83%
2021 -4.65% -6.7%
2020 -4.16% -9.54%
2019 3.08% -4.55%
2018 -0.34% -2.74%
2017 -3.89% -2.86%
2016 -4.88% -2.5%
2015 -8.16% -1.35%
2014 -6.57% -1.76%
2013 -8.98% -2.44%
2012 -7.07% -2.39%
2011 -3.63% -4.14%
2010 -7.55% -6.22%
2009 -6.56% -6.86%
2008 -4.1% -4.6%
2007 -4.34% -3.05%
2006 -3.41% -1.36%
2005 -3.03% -0.69%
2004 -2.97% -3.39%
2003 -3.08% -2.29%
2002 -5.28% -2.59%
2001 4.07% -3.2%
2000 4.94% -3.99%
1999 5.39% -3.58%
1998 6.03% -5.33%
1997 5.64% -5.19%
1996 3.76% -4.74%
1995 6.22% -3.32%
1994 6.72% -2.2%
1993 - -0.35%
1992 - -4.55%
1991 - 3.23%
1990 - 1.03%
1989 - -2.87%
1988 - 8.4%
1987 - 2.37%
1986 - 5.72%
1985 - 6.36%
1984 - 15.2%
1983 - 9.35%
1982 - 0.36%
1981 - 0.61%
1980 - -1.95%
1979 - 0%
1978 - 0%
1977 - 0.23%
1976 - 0.66%
1975 - 0.41%
1974 - 0.51%
1973 - 1.53%
1972 - 1.21%
1971 - 0.89%
1970 - 0.52%
1969 - 0.93%
1968 - 1.65%
1967 - 1.23%
1966 - 0.91%
1965 - -1.29%
1964 - -3.11%
1963 - -1.61%
1962 - -4.86%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/romania | 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 Romania's deficit of $33.2B, or 8.68% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Barbados recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Romania ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Barbados posted an annual deficit equal to 1.66% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.99% of GDP for Romania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Barbados

Romania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Barbados Romania
2024 -0.44% 5.6%
2023 9.79% 10.4%
2022 - 13.8%
2021 - 5%
2020 - 2.6%
2019 4.1% 3.8%
2018 3.67% 4.6%
2017 4.66% 1.3%
2016 1.28% -1.6%
2015 -1.11% -0.6%
2014 1.77% 1.1%
2013 1.81% 4%
2012 4.53% 3.3%
2011 9.43% 5.8%
2010 5.82% 6.1%
2009 3.64% 5.6%
2008 8.11% 7.8%
2007 4.03% 4.8%
2006 7.31% 6.6%
2005 6.08% 9%
2004 1.39% 11.9%
2003 1.62% 15.4%
2002 0.13% 22.5%
2001 2.58% 34.5%
2000 2.44% 45.7%
1999 1.56% 45.8%
1998 -1.27% 59.1%
1997 7.71% 154.8%

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/romania | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Barbados has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.63%, compared with 17.5% in Romania. In 2024, inflation was -0.44% in Barbados and 5.6% in Romania.

Top exports between countries

Barbados
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $12K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $5K
Miscellaneous $4K
Animal & marine products $1K
Romania
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $201K
Textiles & consumer goods $6K
Miscellaneous $4K
Chemicals & pharma $2K
Raw materials & minerals $1K

Balance of trade

Barbados Romania
Current account balance
-$296M
2017
-$31.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
100/190
2017
185/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.22%
2017
-8.16%
2024
Goods imports
$1.53B
2017
$129B
2024
Goods exports
$705M
2017
$93.3B
2024
Service imports
$687M
2017
$30.2B
2024
Service exports
$1.52B
2017
$42.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
41.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
14.5%
2025
35.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Barbados Romania
Economic freedom 70.4 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 34/197 64/197
Property rights 76.4 81
Government integrity 71.3 50
Judicial effectiveness 87.3 67
Tax burden 83.2 89.1
Government spending 74.5 56.7
Fiscal health 76.5 21.4
Business freedom 72.3 74.4
Labor freedom 54.3 63.6
Monetary freedom 80.8 72.7
Trade freedom 48.2 79.4
Investment freedom 60 70
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Barbados
Romania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Barbados Romania
2026 70.4 65.4
2025 68.9 66.5
2024 66.8 64.4
2023 69.8 64.5
2022 71.3 67.1
2021 65 69.5
2020 61.4 69.7
2019 64.7 68.6
2018 57 69.4
2017 54.5 69.7
2016 68.3 65.6
2015 67.9 66.6
2014 68.3 65.5
2013 69.3 65.1
2012 69 64.4
2011 68.5 64.7
2010 68.3 64.2
2009 71.5 63.2
2008 71.3 61.7
2007 70 61.2
2006 71.9 58.2
2005 70.1 52.1
2004 69.4 50
2003 71.3 50.6
2002 73.6 48.7
2001 71.5 50
2000 69.5 52.1
1999 66.7 50.1
1998 67.9 54.4
1997 64.5 50.8
1996 62.3 46.2
1995 - 42.9

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Barbados is 70.4, ranking 34/197, compared to 65.4 for Romania, ranking 64/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Barbados Romania
Services, % of GDP
75.5%
2024
62.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
12.4%
2024
25.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.58%
2024
2.81%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$7.1B
2024
$335B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$23,850
2024
$47,920
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.65B
2024
$73.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
131/177
2024
35/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$208M
2017
-$5.17B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$303M
2024
$7.16B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6M
2024
$1.99B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
25.7%
2016
19%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
25%
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/romania | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1999, 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 (2020–2024, 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.