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Economy of Barbados vs Switzerland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Barbados has a GDP of $8.02B compared to $1.04T for Switzerland, ranking 157/197 and 20/197 by economy size, respectively.

Barbados has $7.55B in government debt (94.2% of GDP), compared to $411B (39.4% of GDP) in Switzerland.

Barbados vs Switzerland GDP by year

Barbados
Switzerland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Barbados Switzerland
2025 $8,016,550,000 $1,043,529,899,251
2024 $7,597,571,450 $969,919,786,395
2023 $7,223,248,150 $928,435,275,852
2022 $6,886,644,900 $858,479,038,994
2021 $5,948,900,600 $840,710,023,481
2020 $5,403,246,950 $756,096,180,222
2019 $6,166,710,800 $736,384,764,157
2018 $6,001,101,550 $740,766,531,454
2017 $5,847,381,600 $706,660,443,624
2016 $5,679,029,450 $698,607,778,795
2015 $5,699,619,150 $706,199,008,879
2014 $5,684,901,000 $741,168,119,617
2013 $5,660,059,700 $718,748,402,260
2012 $5,486,500,500 $697,882,536,677
2011 $5,563,162,050 $727,231,637,102
2010 $5,428,683,250 $609,999,593,542
2009 $4,466,809,600 $563,659,557,945
2008 $4,790,410,400 $574,703,945,157
2007 $4,675,767,950 $498,993,845,385
2006 $4,217,323,400 $448,364,681,767
2005 $3,819,500,000 $424,511,048,024
2004 $3,444,500,000 $409,012,909,530
2003 $3,209,500,000 $366,563,952,625
2002 $3,106,500,000 $313,930,961,761
2001 $3,054,500,000 $290,160,142,214
2000 $3,059,500,000 $282,327,351,966
1999 $2,951,822,205 $301,911,268,140
1998 $2,817,083,478 $306,907,741,068
1997 $2,498,384,130 $298,868,250,534
1996 $2,363,645,403 $345,373,647,249
1995 $2,216,974,096 $358,152,520,085
1994 $2,151,344,901 $305,916,331,798
1993 $2,063,342,117 $276,339,744,180
1992 $1,957,000,000 $284,139,428,246
1991 $2,020,583,702 $272,953,645,746
1990 $2,012,131,457 $269,768,238,555
1989 $2,006,165,167 $211,241,694,480
1988 $1,812,757,918 $218,788,504,066
1987 $1,704,370,308 $202,238,567,597
1986 $1,547,755,183 $161,487,171,049
1985 $1,409,536,121 $112,652,623,418
1984 $1,346,890,071 $111,104,641,869
1983 $1,236,016,507 $116,361,728,836
1982 $1,163,923,830 $116,776,899,473
1981 $1,114,204,743 $113,936,168,924
1980 $1,012,280,615 $124,404,609,417
1979 $670,362,452 $116,702,524,208
1978 $552,883,707 $103,821,687,919
1977 $495,097,668 $74,237,819,014
1976 $435,911,269 $69,508,364,538
1975 $402,178,605 $66,452,559,176
1974 $311,804,630 $57,963,469,607
1973 $260,767,828 $50,296,651,921
1972 $213,725,217 $37,399,508,287
1971 $186,826,503 $30,492,832,676
1970 $166,210,203 $25,374,750,743
1969 $141,393,142 $22,780,211,812
1968 $125,733,669 $21,024,203,656
1967 $125,554,009 $19,689,329,510
1966 $113,195,123 $18,290,928,227
1965 $105,021,997 $17,033,079,428
1964 $99,252,731 $16,071,715,835
1963 $99,893,761 $14,499,109,270
1962 $88,782,583 $13,185,384,691
1961 $85,363,759 $11,889,851,950
1960 $80,021,847 $10,569,129,806

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Barbados vs Switzerland by year

Barbados
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Switzerland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Barbados Switzerland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $28,365 - $114,769 -
2024 $26,897 $24,823 $107,702 $96,498
2023 $25,584 $23,660 $104,450 $95,142
2022 $24,393 $22,193 $97,809 $94,421
2021 $21,084 $17,683 $96,583 $81,001
2020 $19,181 $16,555 $87,530 $72,998
2019 $21,929 $19,971 $85,873 $73,732
2018 $21,378 $19,777 $87,002 $70,689
2017 $20,871 $18,437 $83,610 $68,194
2016 $20,311 $19,176 $83,432 $67,351
2015 $20,429 $19,186 $85,265 $65,265
2014 $20,424 $18,595 $90,512 $63,417
2013 $20,384 $19,032 $88,851 $61,656
2012 $19,811 $19,605 $87,270 $59,441
2011 $20,146 $20,316 $91,910 $57,494
2010 $19,723 $20,033 $77,956 $54,426
2009 $16,295 $20,324 $72,788 $52,999
2008 $17,566 $21,376 $75,148 $53,809
2007 $17,235 $20,949 $66,082 $50,928
2006 $15,620 $20,076 $59,910 $46,266
2005 $14,214 $18,450 $57,080 $41,525
2004 $12,886 $17,299 $55,350 $40,171
2003 $12,076 $16,707 $49,947 $38,732
2002 $11,760 $16,133 $43,094 $38,705
2001 $11,640 $15,866 $40,134 $37,819
2000 $11,675 $15,914 $39,298 $36,703
1999 $11,244 $14,873 $42,261 $34,743
1998 $10,734 $14,621 $43,166 $33,860
1997 $9,522 $13,941 $42,160 $32,736
1996 $9,012 $13,090 $48,838 $31,509
1995 $8,460 $12,375 $50,869 $30,842
1994 $8,223 $11,900 $43,741 $30,265
1993 $7,905 $11,448 $39,828 $29,495
1992 $7,519 $11,127 $41,327 $29,113
1991 $7,790 $11,576 $40,140 $28,792
1990 $7,781 $11,687 $40,171 $28,461
1989 $7,773 - $31,780 -
1988 $7,033 - $33,183 -
1987 $6,625 - $30,899 -
1986 $6,031 - $24,828 -
1985 $5,510 - $17,411 -
1984 $5,284 - $17,247 -
1983 $4,866 - $18,128 -
1982 $4,599 - $18,271 -
1981 $4,417 - $17,931 -
1980 $4,025 - $19,686 -
1979 $2,668 - $18,541 -
1978 $2,198 - $16,528 -
1977 $1,968 - $11,819 -
1976 $1,734 - $11,029 -
1975 $1,601 - $10,484 -
1974 $1,243 - $9,140 -
1973 $1,042 - $7,974 -
1972 $856 - $5,973 -
1971 $750 - $4,908 -
1970 $666 - $4,105 -
1969 $567 - $3,712 -
1968 $506 - $3,465 -
1967 $508 - $3,286 -
1966 $462 - $3,091 -
1965 $433 - $2,908 -
1964 $414 - $2,776 -
1963 $421 - $2,546 -
1962 $377 - $2,366 -
1961 $366 - $2,188 -
1960 $347 - $1,984 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Barbados' GDP per capita is $28,365, ranking 48/197, compared to $114,769 in Switzerland, ranking 5/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Barbados ranks 84th at $24,823, while Switzerland ranks 8th at $96,498.

Economic indicators

Barbados Switzerland
Gross domestic product
$8.02B
2025
$1.04T
2025
GDP rank
157/197
2025
20/197
2025
GDP growth
2.7%
2024-2025
1.3%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$28,365
2025
$114,769
2025
GDP per capita rank
48/197
2025
5/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$24,823
2024
$96,498
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
84/197
2024
8/197
2024
Government debt
$7.55B
2025
$411B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
94.2%
2025
39.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$26,731
2025
$45,239
2025
Government debt per person rank
28/185
2025
12/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$19,127
2026
$89,347
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.78B
2020
$2.51T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
944,000
2026
Number of billionaires
1
2026
45
2026
Income share by richest 10%
25.8%
2016
26.6%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.5%
2016
2.9%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27%
2025
31.2%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
0.85%
2024-2025
0.15%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
2%
2020
0%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.03%
2024
4.84%
2025
Population
282789
9155878

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Barbados
Spending

Debt
Switzerland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Barbados Switzerland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 27% 94.2% 31.2% 39.4%
2024 28.1% 98.9% 31.3% 40.5%
2023 26.5% 104.1% 30.9% 37.3%
2022 26.9% 104% 30.5% 35.9%
2021 27.1% 108.6% 33.4% 39.7%
2020 30.6% 129.6% 36.3% 42.4%
2019 22.2% 101.6% 31.3% 38.8%
2018 25% 107.2% 31.1% 39%
2017 28% 134.6% 31.9% 41.1%
2016 28.6% 127.1% 31.9% 40.3%
2015 29.2% 122.5% 31.9% 41.4%
2014 27.4% 115.1% 31.5% 41.2%
2013 29.1% 111.7% 32% 41.2%
2012 28.9% 103.5% 31.1% 41.9%
2011 26.5% 94.4% 31% 41.2%
2010 28% 90.3% 30.9% 40.7%
2009 27.8% 83.5% 31.2% 42.4%
2008 27.1% 69.8% 29.6% 44.2%
2007 26.1% 64.9% 29% 44%
2006 25% 64.1% 30.1% 47.7%
2005 26.4% 62.7% 31.9% 54.1%
2004 26.2% 61% 32.6% 57.1%
2003 27.7% 61.8% 32.8% 56.2%
2002 29.1% 62% 33.6% 56.9%
2001 20.7% 59% 31.2% 50.5%
2000 19.7% 53.6% 31.9% 51.7%
1999 18.5% 47% 32.8% 52%
1998 17.8% 47.2% 32.3% 55.3%
1997 19.6% 52% 32.5% 52.9%
1996 19.1% 52.3% 32.5% 50.6%
1995 17.3% 52% 32% 49.3%
1994 15.9% 51.4% 32% 46.4%
1993 - - 31.9% 43.7%
1992 - - 30.8% 38.9%
1991 - - 29% 34.6%
1990 - - 27.2% 32.8%
1989 - - 30% 32.5%
1988 - - 30.3% 35%
1987 - - 29.8% 36.5%
1986 - - 29.8% 37.6%
1985 - - 30.1% 39.1%
1984 - - 30.4% 39.8%
1983 - - 31.2% 40.2%
1982 - - 30.5% 40%
1981 - - 29.4% 40.8%
1980 - - 29.9% 43.9%
1979 - - 30.5% 44.6%
1978 - - 30.4% 46.6%
1977 - - 31% 46.9%
1976 - - 31.6% 46.7%
1975 - - 29.3% 42.3%
1974 - - 27.5% 38.4%
1973 - - 26.5% 37%
1972 - - 25.7% 38%
1971 - - 25.4% 38.7%
1970 - - 25.8% 38.9%
1969 - - 9.45% 7.08%
1968 - - 8.87% 6.99%
1967 - - 8.68% 7.26%
1966 - - 8.95% 7.62%
1965 - - 8.33% 8.28%
1964 - - 8.85% 9.43%
1963 - - 8.2% 10.8%
1962 - - 8.1% 12%
1961 - - 7.97% 14%
1960 - - 7.11% 16.2%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Barbados' government spending was $2.16B, accounting for 27% of its GDP, while Switzerland spent $326B, or 31.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 94.2% in Barbados and 39.4% in Switzerland, ranking 28/185 and 136/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Barbados

Switzerland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Barbados Switzerland
2025 -0.31% 0.45%
2024 -0.84% 0.53%
2023 -1.57% 0.12%
2022 -1.74% 1.15%
2021 -3.88% -0.28%
2020 -4.19% -2.96%
2019 2.86% 1.31%
2018 -0.32% 1.26%
2017 -3.64% 1.11%
2016 -4.55% 0.23%
2015 -7.58% 0.54%
2014 -6.2% -0.24%
2013 -8.46% -0.42%
2012 -6.69% 0.23%
2011 -3.47% 0.67%
2010 -7.1% 0.35%
2009 -6.19% 0.49%
2008 -3.94% 1.91%
2007 -4.08% 1.55%
2006 -3.13% 0.83%
2005 -2.78% -0.64%
2004 -2.73% -1.37%
2003 -2.86% -1.34%
2002 -4.96% -1.72%
2001 3.83% 0.2%
2000 4.68% 0.28%
1999 5.06% -1.55%
1998 5.63% -1.29%
1997 5.15% -2.3%
1996 3.5% -1.98%
1995 5.79% -1.83%
1994 6.28% -2.55%
1993 - -3.1%
1992 - -2.92%
1991 - -1.82%
1990 - -0.05%
1989 - 0.2%
1988 - 0.42%
1987 - 0.78%
1986 - 0.93%
1985 - -0.25%
1984 - -0.52%
1983 - -1.23%
1982 - -1.21%
1981 - -0.54%
1980 - -1.34%
1979 - -1.79%
1978 - -1.12%
1977 - -1.64%
1976 - -1.89%
1975 - -0.93%
1974 - -1.01%
1973 - -0.93%
1972 - -1.39%
1971 - -1.41%
1970 - -1.44%
1969 - -0.98%
1968 - -0.73%
1967 - -1.07%
1966 - -0.87%
1965 - 0.05%
1964 - 0.77%
1963 - 0.25%
1962 - 0.95%
1961 - 0.34%
1960 - 1.95%
1959 - 0.72%
1958 - 0.59%
1957 - 0.66%
1956 - 2.24%
1955 - 1.1%
1954 - 1.44%
1953 - 0.38%
1952 - -1.17%
1951 - -0.36%
1950 - 1.49%
1949 - 0.04%
1948 - 1.37%
1947 - 1.27%
1946 - 0.52%
1945 - -7.57%
1944 - -9.37%
1943 - -8.55%
1942 - -7.28%
1941 - -8.78%
1940 - -10%
1939 - -5.05%
1938 - -1.53%
1937 - -0.17%
1936 - -0.33%
1935 - -0.23%
1934 - -0.33%
1933 - -0.88%
1932 - -0.3%
1931 - 0.03%
1930 - 0.07%
1929 - 0.22%
1928 - -
1927 - -
1926 - -
1925 - -
1924 - -
1923 - -
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - -0.12%
1912 - 0.03%
1911 - -0.006%
1910 - -0.14%
1909 - -0.78%
1908 - -0.1%
1907 - -0.02%
1906 - 0.15%
1905 - 0.41%
1904 - 0.002%
1903 - 0.09%
1902 - 0.02%
1901 - -0.14%
1900 - -0.07%
1899 - 0.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1899–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/switzerland | 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 Switzerland's surplus of $4.71B, or 0.45% of GDP.

Over the past 32 years, Barbados recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Switzerland ran a deficit in 14 years. On average, Barbados posted an annual deficit equal to 1.51% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.23% of GDP for Switzerland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Barbados

Switzerland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Barbados Switzerland
2025 0.85% 0.15%
2024 1.45% 1.06%
2023 3.19% 2.14%
2022 - 2.84%
2021 - 0.58%
2020 - -0.73%
2019 1.68% 0.36%
2018 3.11% 0.94%
2017 4.66% 0.53%
2016 1.28% -0.43%
2015 -1.11% -1.14%
2014 1.77% -0.01%
2013 1.81% -0.22%
2012 4.53% -0.69%
2011 9.43% 0.23%
2010 5.82% 0.69%
2009 3.64% -0.48%
2008 8.11% 2.43%
2007 4.03% 0.73%
2006 7.31% 1.06%
2005 6.08% 1.17%
2004 1.39% 0.8%
2003 1.62% 0.64%
2002 0.13% 0.64%
2001 2.58% 0.99%
2000 2.44% 1.56%
1999 1.56% 0.81%
1998 -1.27% 0.02%
1997 7.71% 0.52%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Barbados has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.22%, compared with 0.59% in Switzerland. In 2025, inflation was 0.85% in Barbados and 0.15% in Switzerland.

Top exports between countries

Barbados
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $53K
Miscellaneous $21K
Machinery & equipment $9K
Precious metals & jewellery $2K
Switzerland
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $14M
Precious metals & jewellery $7.44M
Chemicals & pharma $590K
Textiles & consumer goods $269K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $150K
Raw materials & minerals $25K
Metals $20K
Weapons & explosives $14K
Miscellaneous $8K
Wood & paper products $3K

Balance of trade

Barbados Switzerland
Current account balance
-$296M
2017
$72.9B
2025
Current account balance ranking
96/190
2017
11/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.07%
2017
+6.98%
2025
Goods imports
$1.53B
2017
$508B
2025
Goods exports
$705M
2017
$617B
2025
Service imports
$687M
2017
$214B
2025
Service exports
$1.52B
2017
$195B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
69.1%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
14.5%
2026
78.1%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Barbados Switzerland
Economic freedom 70.4 83.7
Economic freedom ranking 34/197 2/197
Property rights 76.4 94.4
Government integrity 71.3 93.3
Judicial effectiveness 87.3 98.3
Tax burden 83.2 70.9
Government spending 74.5 69.5
Fiscal health 76.5 97.2
Business freedom 72.3 86.3
Labor freedom 54.3 60
Monetary freedom 80.8 82.3
Trade freedom 48.2 87
Investment freedom 60 85
Financial freedom 60 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Barbados
Switzerland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Barbados Switzerland
2026 70.4 83.7
2025 68.9 83.7
2024 66.8 83
2023 69.8 83.8
2022 71.3 84.2
2021 65 81.9
2020 61.4 82
2019 64.7 81.9
2018 57 81.7
2017 54.5 81.5
2016 68.3 81
2015 67.9 80.5
2014 68.3 81.6
2013 69.3 81
2012 69 81.1
2011 68.5 81.9
2010 68.3 81.1
2009 71.5 79.4
2008 71.3 79.5
2007 70 78
2006 71.9 78.9
2005 70.1 79.3
2004 69.4 79.5
2003 71.3 79
2002 73.6 79.3
2001 71.5 76
2000 69.5 76.8
1999 66.7 79.1
1998 67.9 79
1997 64.5 78.6
1996 62.3 76.8

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Barbados is 70.4, ranking 34/197, compared to 83.7 for Switzerland, ranking 2/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Barbados Switzerland
Services, % of GDP
75.8%
2024
71.7%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
12.2%
2024
25%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.55%
2024
0.64%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$7.65B
2025
$1T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$24,840
2025
$101,690
2025
Total reserves including gold
$1.65B
2024
$1.08T
2025
Total reserves ranking
131/177
2024
4/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$208M
2017
$37.6B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$303M
2024
-$108B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6M
2024
-$27.9B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
25.7%
2016
15.8%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
29.5%
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/switzerland | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1899–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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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.