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Economy of Barbados vs Syria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Barbados has a GDP of $8.02B compared to $20B for Syria, ranking 157/197 and 134/197 by economy size, respectively.

Barbados has $7.55B in government debt (94.2% of GDP), compared to $18.4B (30% of GDP) in Syria.

Barbados vs Syria GDP by year

Barbados
Syria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Barbados Syria
2025 $8,016,550,000 -
2024 $7,597,571,450 -
2023 $7,223,248,150 $19,993,439,950
2022 $6,886,644,900 $23,737,634,644
2021 $5,948,900,600 $14,892,885,528
2020 $5,403,246,950 $12,501,503,673
2019 $6,166,710,800 $22,583,046,645
2018 $6,001,101,550 $21,497,779,248
2017 $5,847,381,600 $16,369,842,725
2016 $5,679,029,450 $12,597,854,088
2015 $5,699,619,150 $16,466,861,435
2014 $5,684,901,000 $21,502,061,466
2013 $5,660,059,700 $21,361,254,635
2012 $5,486,500,500 $43,190,318,033
2011 $5,563,162,050 $67,539,433,544
2010 $5,428,683,250 $61,390,833,273
2009 $4,466,809,600 $54,111,721,044
2008 $4,790,410,400 $52,557,913,397
2007 $4,675,767,950 $40,465,331,020
2006 $4,217,323,400 $33,751,812,959
2005 $3,819,500,000 $28,858,937,499
2004 $3,444,500,000 $25,086,910,448
2003 $3,209,500,000 $21,828,144,686
2002 $3,106,500,000 $20,786,986,580
2001 $3,054,500,000 $20,078,599,626
2000 $3,059,500,000 $18,937,031,610
1999 $2,951,822,205 $15,873,875,969
1998 $2,817,083,478 $15,200,846,154
1997 $2,498,384,130 $14,505,233,463
1996 $2,363,645,403 $13,789,560,878
1995 $2,216,974,096 $11,396,706,587
1994 $2,151,344,901 $10,122,020,000
1993 $2,063,342,117 $13,695,962,055
1992 $1,957,000,000 $13,253,565,861
1991 $2,020,583,702 $12,981,833,333
1990 $2,012,131,457 $12,308,624,418
1989 $2,006,165,167 $9,853,395,762
1988 $1,812,757,918 $10,577,041,645
1987 $1,704,370,308 $11,356,215,543
1986 $1,547,755,183 $13,293,205,278
1985 $1,409,536,121 $16,403,539,893
1984 $1,346,890,071 $17,503,078,174
1983 $1,236,016,507 $17,589,277,143
1982 $1,163,923,830 $16,298,929,011
1981 $1,114,204,743 $15,518,201,335
1980 $1,012,280,615 $13,062,420,382
1979 $670,362,452 $9,929,681,529
1978 $552,883,707 $9,275,200,458
1977 $495,097,668 $7,696,011,396
1976 $435,911,269 $7,633,528,867
1975 $402,178,605 $6,826,980,444
1974 $311,804,630 $5,159,557,148
1973 $260,767,828 $3,239,487,516
1972 $213,725,217 $3,059,681,698
1971 $186,826,503 $2,589,851,325
1970 $166,210,203 $2,140,384,010
1969 $141,393,142 $2,245,011,515
1968 $125,733,669 $1,753,746,430
1967 $125,554,009 $1,580,229,799
1966 $113,195,123 $1,342,287,553
1965 $105,021,997 $1,472,036,540
1964 $99,252,731 $1,339,494,267
1963 $99,893,761 $1,200,447,408
1962 $88,782,583 $1,110,565,881
1961 $85,363,759 $945,244,972
1960 $80,021,847 $857,704,413

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

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

GDP per capita in Barbados vs Syria by year

Barbados
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Barbados Syria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $28,365 - - -
2024 $26,897 $24,823 - -
2023 $25,584 $23,660 $847 $4,650
2022 $24,393 $22,193 $1,057 $4,772
2021 $21,084 $17,683 $689 $4,593
2020 $19,181 $16,555 $594 $3,738
2019 $21,929 $19,971 $1,110 $3,502
2018 $21,378 $19,777 $1,098 $3,456
2017 $20,871 $18,437 $852 $3,265
2016 $20,311 $19,176 $656 -
2015 $20,429 $19,186 $848 -
2014 $20,424 $18,595 $1,061 -
2013 $20,384 $19,032 $986 -
2012 $19,811 $19,605 $1,898 -
2011 $20,146 $20,316 $2,952 -
2010 $19,723 $20,033 $2,731 -
2009 $16,295 $20,324 $2,462 -
2008 $17,566 $21,376 $2,429 -
2007 $17,235 $20,949 $1,938 -
2006 $15,620 $20,076 $1,719 -
2005 $14,214 $18,450 $1,534 -
2004 $12,886 $17,299 $1,368 -
2003 $12,076 $16,707 $1,220 -
2002 $11,760 $16,133 $1,190 -
2001 $11,640 $15,866 $1,178 -
2000 $11,675 $15,914 $1,138 -
1999 $11,244 $14,873 $978 -
1998 $10,734 $14,621 $961 -
1997 $9,522 $13,941 $941 -
1996 $9,012 $13,090 $918 -
1995 $8,460 $12,375 $780 -
1994 $8,223 $11,900 $712 -
1993 $7,905 $11,448 $993 -
1992 $7,519 $11,127 $990 -
1991 $7,790 $11,576 $1,000 -
1990 $7,781 $11,687 $978 -
1989 $7,773 - $809 -
1988 $7,033 - $898 -
1987 $6,625 - $997 -
1986 $6,031 - $1,208 -
1985 $5,510 - $1,544 -
1984 $5,284 - $1,706 -
1983 $4,866 - $1,776 -
1982 $4,599 - $1,703 -
1981 $4,417 - $1,676 -
1980 $4,025 - $1,458 -
1979 $2,668 - $1,146 -
1978 $2,198 - $1,108 -
1977 $1,968 - $951 -
1976 $1,734 - $976 -
1975 $1,601 - $904 -
1974 $1,243 - $707 -
1973 $1,042 - $459 -
1972 $856 - $448 -
1971 $750 - $393 -
1970 $666 - $335 -
1969 $567 - $364 -
1968 $506 - $293.3 -
1967 $508 - $272.9 -
1966 $462 - $239.3 -
1965 $433 - $270.8 -
1964 $414 - $254.2 -
1963 $421 - $234.9 -
1962 $377 - $223.9 -
1961 $366 - $196.3 -
1960 $347 - $183.5 -

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

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

Barbados' GDP per capita is $28,365, ranking 48/197, compared to $847 in Syria, ranking 185/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Barbados ranks 84th at $24,823, while Syria ranks 160th at $4,650.

Economic indicators

Barbados Syria
Gross domestic product
$8.02B
2025
$20B
2023
GDP rank
157/197
2025
134/197
2023
GDP growth
2.7%
2024-2025
-1.85%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$28,365
2025
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank
48/197
2025
185/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$24,823
2024
$4,650
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
84/197
2024
160/197
2023
Government debt
$7.55B
2025
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
94.2%
2025
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$26,731
2025
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank
28/185
2025
150/185
2010
Average annual personal income after taxes
$19,127
2026
$693
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
20.9%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.5%
2016
3.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27%
2025
28.6%
2010
Consumer prices inflation
0.85%
2024-2025
13.4%
2018-2019
Central bank interest rate
2%
2020
n/a
Unemployment rate
6.03%
2024
14.9%
2011
Population
282789
26956472

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Barbados
Spending

Debt
Syria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Barbados Syria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 27% 94.2% - -
2024 28.1% 98.9% - -
2023 26.5% 104.1% - -
2022 26.9% 104% - -
2021 27.1% 108.6% - -
2020 30.6% 129.6% - -
2019 22.2% 101.6% - -
2018 25% 107.2% - -
2017 28% 134.6% - -
2016 28.6% 127.1% - -
2015 29.2% 122.5% - -
2014 27.4% 115.1% - -
2013 29.1% 111.7% - -
2012 28.9% 103.5% - -
2011 26.5% 94.4% - -
2010 28% 90.3% 28.6% 30%
2009 27.8% 83.5% 26.7% 31.2%
2008 27.1% 69.8% 22.9% 37.3%
2007 26.1% 64.9% 25.7% 42.7%
2006 25% 64.1% 26.3% 45%
2005 26.4% 62.7% 28.2% 50.7%
2004 26.2% 61% 31.3% 113%
2003 27.7% 61.8% 32.6% 133.4%
2002 29.1% 62% 28.5% 132.4%
2001 20.7% 59% 28% 144.5%
2000 19.7% 53.6% 27.4% 152.1%
1999 18.5% 47% 28% 147.7%
1998 17.8% 47.2% 28.8% 151.2%
1997 19.6% 52% 29% 147.6%
1996 19.1% 52.3% 27.7% 141.5%
1995 17.3% 52% 29.8% 152.6%
1994 15.9% 51.4% 30.3% 163%
1993 - - 29.4% 171.9%
1992 - - 34.2% 173.6%
1991 - - 34.3% 182.4%
1990 - - 28.3% 189.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Barbados' government spending was $2.16B, accounting for 27% of its GDP, while Syria spent $17.6B, or 28.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 94.2% in Barbados and 30% in Syria, ranking 28/185 and 155/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Barbados

Syria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Barbados Syria
2025 -0.31% -
2024 -0.84% -
2023 -1.57% -
2022 -1.74% -
2021 -3.88% -
2020 -4.19% -
2019 2.86% -
2018 -0.32% -
2017 -3.64% -
2016 -4.55% -
2015 -7.58% -
2014 -6.2% -
2013 -8.46% -
2012 -6.69% -
2011 -3.47% -
2010 -7.1% -7.79%
2009 -6.19% -2.89%
2008 -3.94% -2.86%
2007 -4.08% -2.99%
2006 -3.13% -1.12%
2005 -2.78% -4.41%
2004 -2.73% -4.18%
2003 -2.86% -2.7%
2002 -4.96% -2.02%
2001 3.83% 2.3%
2000 4.68% -1.36%
1999 5.06% -1.47%
1998 5.63% -2.81%
1997 5.15% -1.78%
1996 3.5% -2.83%
1995 5.79% -3.81%
1994 6.28% -6%
1993 - -4.96%
1992 - -7.26%
1991 - -6.57%
1990 - -3.92%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2010, Barbados' government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $385M, equivalent to 7.1% of GDP. This compares to Syria's deficit of $4.78B, or 7.79% of GDP.

Over the past 17 years, Barbados recorded a fiscal deficit in 9 of those years, while Syria ran a deficit in 16 years. On average, Barbados posted an annual surplus equal to 0.13% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.87% of GDP for Syria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Barbados

Syria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Barbados Syria
2025 0.85% -
2024 1.45% -
2023 3.19% -
2022 - -
2021 - -
2020 - -
2019 1.68% 13.4%
2018 3.11% 0.94%
2017 4.66% 18.1%
2016 1.28% 47.7%
2015 -1.11% 38.5%
2014 1.77% 10.9%
2013 1.81% 40%
2012 4.53% 36.7%
2011 9.43% 4.75%
2010 5.82% 4.4%
2009 3.64% 2.92%
2008 8.11% 15.7%
2007 4.03% 3.91%
2006 7.31% 10%
2005 6.08% 7.24%
2004 1.39% 4.43%
2003 1.62% 5.8%
2002 0.13% -0.13%
2001 2.58% 3%
2000 2.44% -3.85%
1999 1.56% -3.7%
1998 -1.27% -0.8%
1997 7.71% 1.89%

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

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

Over the past 23 years, Barbados has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.41%, compared with 11.4% in Syria. In 2019, inflation was 0.85% in Barbados and 13.4% in Syria.

Top exports between countries

Barbados
Export category Export value
Syria
Export category Export value
Metals $8K
Machinery & equipment $7K
Miscellaneous $6K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $6K
Raw agricultural goods $3K

Balance of trade

Barbados Syria
Current account balance
-$296M
2017
-$367M
2010
Current account balance ranking
96/190
2017
99/190
2010
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.07%
2017
-0.6%
2010
Goods imports
$1.53B
2017
$15.9B
2010
Goods exports
$705M
2017
$12.3B
2010
Service imports
$687M
2017
$3.53B
2010
Service exports
$1.52B
2017
$7.33B
2010
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
28.7%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
14.5%
2026
6.78%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Barbados Syria
Economic freedom 70.4 51.2
Economic freedom ranking 34/197 155/197
Property rights 76.4 4
Government integrity 71.3 3.6
Judicial effectiveness 87.3 3.7
Tax burden 83.2 87.3
Government spending 74.5 78.5
Fiscal health 76.5 13.8
Business freedom 72.3 33.8
Labor freedom 54.3 37.2
Monetary freedom 80.8 80
Trade freedom 48.2 47
Investment freedom 60 0
Financial freedom 60 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Barbados
Syria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Barbados Syria
2026 70.4 -
2025 68.9 -
2024 66.8 -
2023 69.8 -
2022 71.3 -
2021 65 -
2020 61.4 -
2019 64.7 -
2018 57 -
2017 54.5 -
2016 68.3 -
2015 67.9 -
2014 68.3 -
2013 69.3 -
2012 69 51.2
2011 68.5 51.3
2010 68.3 49.4
2009 71.5 51.3
2008 71.3 47.2
2007 70 48.3
2006 71.9 51.2
2005 70.1 46.3
2004 69.4 40.6
2003 71.3 41.3
2002 73.6 36.3
2001 71.5 36.6
2000 69.5 37.2
1999 66.7 39
1998 67.9 42.2
1997 64.5 43
1996 62.3 42.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Barbados is 70.4, ranking 34/197, compared to 51.2 for Syria, ranking 155/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Barbados Syria
Services, % of GDP
75.8%
2024
44.7%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
12.2%
2024
11.9%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.55%
2024
42.9%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$7.65B
2025
$18.2B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$24,840
2025
$4,480
2023
Total reserves including gold
$1.65B
2024
$20.6B
2010
Total reserves ranking
131/177
2024
66/177
2010
Net foreign direct investment
-$208M
2017
-$1.47B
2010
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$303M
2024
$0
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
0.15%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
25.7%
2016
35.2%
2007
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
16%
1969

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/syria | 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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2010, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. 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.