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Economy of Barbados vs Saint Lucia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Barbados has a GDP of $7.5B compared to $2.55B for Saint Lucia, ranking 157/197 and 173/197 by economy size, respectively.

Barbados has $7.97B in government debt (106.3% of GDP), compared to $1.97B (77.2% of GDP) in Saint Lucia.

Barbados vs Saint Lucia GDP by year

Barbados
Saint Lucia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Barbados Saint Lucia
2024 $7,498,050,000 $2,549,062,963
2023 $7,223,250,000 $2,430,166,667
2022 $6,884,900,000 $2,342,714,815
2021 $5,947,550,000 $1,867,185,185
2020 $5,407,050,000 $1,499,274,074
2019 $6,161,850,000 $2,095,344,444
2018 $6,001,950,000 $2,060,955,556
2017 $5,683,150,000 $1,998,503,704
2016 $5,674,600,000 $1,868,544,444
2015 $5,698,150,000 $1,807,640,741
2014 $5,620,600,000 $1,749,185,185
2013 $5,667,200,000 $1,660,392,593
2012 $5,761,450,000 $1,598,207,407
2011 $5,663,100,000 $1,568,370,370
2010 $5,672,900,000 $1,482,385,185
2009 $4,466,809,600 $1,401,507,889
2008 $4,790,410,400 $1,437,731,111
2007 $4,675,767,950 $1,336,088,815
2006 $4,217,323,400 $1,268,319,185
2005 $3,819,500,000 $1,135,555,556
2004 $3,444,500,000 $1,066,666,667
2003 $3,209,500,000 $987,407,407
2002 $3,106,500,000 $900,000,000
2001 $3,054,500,000 $892,592,593
2000 $3,059,500,000 $932,592,593
1999 $2,951,822,205 $921,851,852
1998 $2,817,083,478 $877,407,407
1997 $2,498,384,130 $805,925,926
1996 $2,363,645,403 $788,888,889
1995 $2,216,974,096 $762,962,963
1994 $2,151,344,901 $713,703,704
1993 $2,063,342,117 $684,814,815
1992 $1,957,000,000 $674,074,074
1991 $2,020,583,702 $613,703,704
1990 $2,012,131,457 $579,629,630
1989 $2,006,165,167 $486,666,667
1988 $1,812,757,918 $429,629,630
1987 $1,704,370,308 $375,555,556
1986 $1,547,755,183 $340,000,000
1985 $1,409,536,121 $284,444,444
1984 $1,346,890,071 $251,481,481
1983 $1,236,016,507 $197,037,037
1982 $1,163,923,830 $183,333,333
1981 $1,114,204,743 $194,444,444
1980 $1,012,280,615 $170,370,370
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/saint-lucia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Barbados vs Saint Lucia by year

Barbados
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Saint Lucia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Barbados Saint Lucia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $26,545 $24,823 $14,182 $27,567
2023 $25,584 $23,660 $13,555 $25,975
2022 $24,387 $22,193 $13,104 $24,599
2021 $21,080 $17,683 $10,459 $19,101
2020 $19,194 $16,555 $8,411 $14,912
2019 $21,912 $19,971 $11,794 $18,710
2018 $21,381 $19,777 $11,643 $17,433
2017 $20,285 $18,437 $11,333 $16,131
2016 $20,296 $19,176 $10,638 $15,307
2015 $20,424 $19,186 $10,335 $14,353
2014 $20,193 $18,595 $10,045 $14,403
2013 $20,410 $19,032 $9,577 $14,010
2012 $20,804 $19,605 $9,260 $13,443
2011 $20,508 $20,316 $9,129 $13,471
2010 $20,611 $20,033 $8,674 $12,718
2009 $16,295 $20,324 $8,251 $12,600
2008 $17,566 $21,376 $8,517 $12,969
2007 $17,235 $20,949 $7,964 $12,199
2006 $15,620 $20,076 $7,611 $11,758
2005 $14,214 $18,450 $6,863 $10,818
2004 $12,886 $17,299 $6,495 $10,610
2003 $12,076 $16,707 $6,059 $9,707
2002 $11,760 $16,133 $5,568 $9,205
2001 $11,640 $15,866 $5,570 $9,106
2000 $11,675 $15,914 $5,880 $9,314
1999 $11,244 $14,873 $5,883 $9,214
1998 $10,734 $14,621 $5,673 $8,965
1997 $9,522 $13,941 $5,282 $8,456
1996 $9,012 $13,090 $5,244 $8,490
1995 $8,460 $12,375 $5,148 $8,222
1994 $8,223 $11,900 $4,892 $8,041
1993 $7,905 $11,448 $4,765 $7,865
1992 $7,519 $11,127 $4,760 $7,753
1991 $7,790 $11,576 $4,399 $7,127
1990 $7,781 $11,687 $4,205 $6,951
1989 $7,773 - $3,565 -
1988 $7,033 - $3,182 -
1987 $6,625 - $2,819 -
1986 $6,031 - $2,591 -
1985 $5,510 - $2,202 -
1984 $5,284 - $1,979 -
1983 $4,866 - $1,576 -
1982 $4,599 - $1,489 -
1981 $4,417 - $1,605 -
1980 $4,025 - $1,428 -
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/saint-lucia | CC BY

Barbados' GDP per capita is $26,545, ranking 46/197, compared to $14,182 in Saint Lucia, ranking 70/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Barbados ranks 84th at $24,823, while Saint Lucia ranks 75th at $27,567.

Economic indicators

Barbados Saint Lucia
Gross domestic product
$7.5B
2024
$2.55B
2024
GDP rank
157/197
2024
173/197
2024
GDP growth
2.48%
2023-2024
3.89%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$26,545
2024
$14,182
2024
GDP per capita rank
46/197
2024
70/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$24,823
2024
$27,567
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
84/197
2024
75/197
2024
Government debt
$7.97B
2024
$1.97B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
106.3%
2024
77.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$28,218
2024
$10,952
2024
Government debt per person rank
26/185
2024
52/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$18,869
2026
$10,412
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
34.1%
2015
Income share by poorest 10%
2.5%
2016
2.1%
2015
Government expenditure, % of GDP
30.2%
2024
24.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.44%
2023-2024
-0.11%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2%
2020
n/a
Unemployment rate
6.54%
2023
10.1%
2024
Population
282798
180638

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Barbados
Spending

Debt
Saint Lucia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Barbados Saint Lucia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 30.2% 106.3% 24.5% 77.2%
2023 28.8% 113.4% 25.6% 76.6%
2022 30.3% 116.9% 23% 74.4%
2021 32.5% 130.2% 27.4% 87%
2020 30.3% 128.4% 34.9% 100%
2019 23.9% 109.5% 25.1% 62.1%
2018 26.9% 115% 23.2% 60.5%
2017 29.8% 143.6% 23.3% 60.4%
2016 30.7% 136.5% 23% 61.3%
2015 31.4% 131.9% 23.7% 61.1%
2014 29% 122% 23.6% 62.4%
2013 30.8% 118.6% 25.4% 62.1%
2012 30.6% 109.4% 28% 60.8%
2011 27.7% 98.7% 27% 55.2%
2010 29.7% 96% 26% 53%
2009 29.5% 88.5% 24.5% 51%
2008 28.1% 72.6% 22.2% 46.7%
2007 27.8% 69% 22.6% 49.1%
2006 27.2% 69.8% 24.7% 48.6%
2005 28.7% 68.2% 26% 51.9%
2004 28.5% 66.5% 22.9% 49.6%
2003 29.8% 66.6% 22.9% 45.6%
2002 31% 66.1% 23.6% 48.8%
2001 22% 62.6% 22.1% 38.1%
2000 20.8% 56.6% 20.7% 32.5%
1999 19.7% 50.1% 20.9% 28.9%
1998 19% 50.5% 18.8% 29.4%
1997 21.5% 56.9% 19.5% 27.2%
1996 20.5% 56.1% 18.9% 24.1%
1995 18.6% 55.9% 19.2% 22.9%
1994 17% 55% 19.1% 23.8%
1993 - - 21.8% 22.9%
1992 - - 18.4% 22.2%
1991 - - 18.4% 19.8%
1990 - - 16.7% 17%
1989 - - 19% 18.1%
1988 - - 18.2% 18.6%
1987 - - 19.9% 19.6%
1986 - - 21.1% 17.2%
1985 - - 20.4% 17.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/saint-lucia | CC BY

In 2024, Barbados' government spending was $2.26B, accounting for 30.2% of its GDP, while Saint Lucia spent $625M, or 24.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 106.3% in Barbados and 77.2% in Saint Lucia, ranking 18/185 and 46/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Barbados

Saint Lucia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Barbados Saint Lucia
2024 -0.89% -2.13%
2023 -1.71% -3.09%
2022 -1.96% -1.67%
2021 -4.65% -5.1%
2020 -4.16% -12%
2019 3.08% -3.51%
2018 -0.34% -1.03%
2017 -3.89% -1.14%
2016 -4.88% -0.79%
2015 -8.16% -2.35%
2014 -6.57% -3.08%
2013 -8.98% -4.84%
2012 -7.07% -7.62%
2011 -3.63% -5.38%
2010 -7.55% -4.17%
2009 -6.56% -2.67%
2008 -4.1% -0.72%
2007 -4.34% -1.62%
2006 -3.41% -5.07%
2005 -3.03% -6.18%
2004 -2.97% -2.63%
2003 -3.08% -3.23%
2002 -5.28% -3.1%
2001 4.07% -3.08%
2000 4.94% -1.16%
1999 5.39% 1.62%
1998 6.03% 2.25%
1997 5.64% -1.13%
1996 3.76% -0.58%
1995 6.22% -0.13%
1994 6.72% -0.02%
1993 - -0.26%
1992 - -0.66%
1991 - -0.43%
1990 - 0.29%
1989 - 0.89%
1988 - 2.02%
1987 - 0.56%
1986 - -1.61%
1985 - -1.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/saint-lucia | 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 Saint Lucia's deficit of $54.2M, or 2.13% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Barbados recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Saint Lucia ran a deficit in 29 years. On average, Barbados posted an annual deficit equal to 1.66% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.75% of GDP for Saint Lucia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Barbados

Saint Lucia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Barbados Saint Lucia
2024 -0.44% -0.11%
2023 9.79% 4.07%
2022 - 6.38%
2021 - 2.41%
2020 - -1.76%
2019 4.1% 0.54%
2018 3.67% 1.94%
2017 4.66% 0.1%
2016 1.28% -3.08%
2015 -1.11% -0.98%
2014 1.77% 3.52%
2013 1.81% 1.47%
2012 4.53% 4.18%
2011 9.43% 2.77%
2010 5.82% 3.25%
2009 3.64% -0.16%
2008 8.11% 5.55%
2007 4.03% 2.82%
2006 7.31% 2.4%
2005 6.08% 3.9%
2004 1.39% 1.46%
2003 1.62% 1.03%
2002 0.13% -0.26%
2001 2.58% 5.31%
2000 2.44% 3.71%
1999 1.56% 3.5%
1998 -1.27% 3.2%
1997 7.71% -0.006%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/saint-lucia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Barbados has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.63%, compared with 2.04% in Saint Lucia. In 2024, inflation was -0.44% in Barbados and -0.11% in Saint Lucia.

Top exports between countries

Barbados
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $9.65M
Chemicals & pharma $6.1M
Raw materials & minerals $1.39M
Machinery & equipment $1.3M
Wood & paper products $1.24M
Metals $1.2M
Textiles & consumer goods $368K
Miscellaneous $279K
Animal & marine products $110K
Raw agricultural goods $109K
Saint Lucia
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.82M
Raw agricultural goods $1.08M
Raw materials & minerals $332K
Wood & paper products $314K
Chemicals & pharma $274K
Textiles & consumer goods $266K
Machinery & equipment $232K
Animal & marine products $132K
Metals $62K
Precious metals & jewellery $37K

Balance of trade

Barbados Saint Lucia
Current account balance
-$296M
2017
-$64.1M
2024
Current account balance ranking
100/190
2017
86/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.22%
2017
-2.52%
2024
Goods imports
$1.53B
2017
$848M
2024
Goods exports
$705M
2017
$137M
2024
Service imports
$687M
2017
$598M
2024
Service exports
$1.52B
2017
$1.46B
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
14.5%
2025
19%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Barbados Saint Lucia
Economic freedom 70.4 67.5
Economic freedom ranking 34/197 57/197
Property rights 76.4 64.3
Government integrity 71.3 59.7
Judicial effectiveness 87.3 77.3
Tax burden 83.2 77.7
Government spending 74.5 82.6
Fiscal health 76.5 80
Business freedom 72.3 71.9
Labor freedom 54.3 65.2
Monetary freedom 80.8 81
Trade freedom 48.2 60
Investment freedom 60 50
Financial freedom 60 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Barbados
Saint Lucia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Barbados Saint Lucia
2026 70.4 67.5
2025 68.9 67
2024 66.8 62.2
2023 69.8 60.7
2022 71.3 64.3
2021 65 67.5
2020 61.4 68.2
2019 64.7 68.7
2018 57 67.6
2017 54.5 65
2016 68.3 70
2015 67.9 70.2
2014 68.3 70.7
2013 69.3 70.4
2012 69 71.3
2011 68.5 70.8
2010 68.3 70.5
2009 71.5 68.8
2008 71.3 -
2007 70 -
2006 71.9 -
2005 70.1 -
2004 69.4 -
2003 71.3 -
2002 73.6 -
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 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/saint-lucia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Barbados is 70.4, ranking 34/197, compared to 67.5 for Saint Lucia, ranking 57/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Barbados Saint Lucia
Services, % of GDP
75.5%
2024
75.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
12.4%
2024
9.75%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.58%
2024
1.13%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$7.1B
2024
$2.27B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$23,850
2024
$24,840
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.65B
2024
$406M
2024
Total reserves ranking
131/177
2024
162/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$208M
2017
-$187M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$303M
2024
$187M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6M
2024
-$350K
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
3.42%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
25.7%
2016
25%
2016

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/saint-lucia | 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 (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.