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Economy of Barbados vs Thailand compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Barbados has a GDP of $7.5B compared to $527B for Thailand, ranking 157/197 and 31/197 by economy size, respectively.

Barbados has $7.97B in government debt (106.3% of GDP), compared to $333B (63.2% of GDP) in Thailand.

Barbados vs Thailand GDP by year

Barbados
Thailand
1x
Year GDP, current $
Barbados Thailand
2024 $7,498,050,000 $526,517,658,842
2023 $7,223,250,000 $515,906,283,941
2022 $6,884,900,000 $495,644,697,588
2021 $5,947,550,000 $506,194,668,790
2020 $5,407,050,000 $500,461,898,480
2019 $6,161,850,000 $543,976,691,794
2018 $6,001,950,000 $506,754,208,404
2017 $5,683,150,000 $456,356,813,537
2016 $5,674,600,000 $413,366,349,748
2015 $5,698,150,000 $401,296,238,228
2014 $5,620,600,000 $407,339,040,198
2013 $5,667,200,000 $420,333,654,593
2012 $5,761,450,000 $397,558,325,279
2011 $5,663,100,000 $370,818,739,624
2010 $5,672,900,000 $341,104,766,329
2009 $4,466,809,600 $281,710,630,187
2008 $4,790,410,400 $291,382,982,431
2007 $4,675,767,950 $262,942,621,455
2006 $4,217,323,400 $221,758,296,022
2005 $3,819,500,000 $189,318,408,469
2004 $3,444,500,000 $172,895,685,155
2003 $3,209,500,000 $152,280,615,246
2002 $3,106,500,000 $134,300,904,400
2001 $3,054,500,000 $120,296,476,180
2000 $3,059,500,000 $126,392,224,254
1999 $2,951,822,205 $126,669,211,779
1998 $2,817,083,478 $113,675,596,788
1997 $2,498,384,130 $150,180,456,566
1996 $2,363,645,403 $183,035,237,429
1995 $2,216,974,096 $169,278,916,593
1994 $2,151,344,901 $146,683,778,959
1993 $2,063,342,117 $128,889,262,951
1992 $1,957,000,000 $111,452,746,518
1991 $2,020,583,702 $98,234,714,971
1990 $2,012,131,457 $85,343,190,719
1989 $2,006,165,167 $72,250,748,100
1988 $1,812,757,918 $61,667,253,471
1987 $1,704,370,308 $50,535,446,555
1986 $1,547,755,183 $43,096,773,981
1985 $1,409,536,121 $38,900,711,333
1984 $1,346,890,071 $41,797,647,776
1983 $1,236,016,507 $40,042,798,388
1982 $1,163,923,830 $36,589,772,404
1981 $1,114,204,743 $34,846,039,194
1980 $1,012,280,615 $32,353,514,989
1979 $670,362,452 $27,371,650,825
1978 $552,883,707 $24,006,566,637
1977 $495,097,668 $19,779,312,261
1976 $435,911,269 $16,985,208,648
1975 $402,178,605 $14,882,770,594
1974 $311,804,630 $13,702,998,512
1973 $260,767,828 $10,838,587,358
1972 $213,725,217 $8,177,873,151
1971 $186,826,503 $7,375,000,024
1970 $166,210,203 $7,086,538,438
1969 $141,393,142 $6,695,336,567
1968 $125,733,669 $6,081,009,428
1967 $125,554,009 $5,638,461,442
1966 $113,195,123 $5,279,230,817
1965 $105,021,997 $4,388,937,649
1964 $99,252,731 $3,889,129,942
1963 $99,893,761 $3,540,403,457
1962 $88,782,583 $3,308,912,797
1961 $85,363,759 $3,034,037,811
1960 $80,021,847 $2,760,750,861

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Barbados vs Thailand by year

Barbados
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Thailand
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Barbados Thailand
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $26,545 $24,823 $7,347 $24,712
2023 $25,584 $23,660 $7,195 $23,519
2022 $24,387 $22,193 $6,909 $22,243
2021 $21,080 $17,683 $7,057 $20,243
2020 $19,194 $16,555 $6,986 $19,164
2019 $21,912 $19,971 $7,606 $19,963
2018 $21,381 $19,777 $7,100 $18,876
2017 $20,285 $18,437 $6,413 $17,573
2016 $20,296 $19,176 $5,834 $16,671
2015 $20,424 $19,186 $5,689 $15,791
2014 $20,193 $18,595 $5,801 $15,365
2013 $20,410 $19,032 $6,018 $15,216
2012 $20,804 $19,605 $5,726 $14,617
2011 $20,508 $20,316 $5,374 $13,227
2010 $20,611 $20,033 $4,974 $12,932
2009 $16,295 $20,324 $4,135 $11,964
2008 $17,566 $21,376 $4,309 $12,062
2007 $17,235 $20,949 $3,919 $11,723
2006 $15,620 $20,076 $3,331 $10,912
2005 $14,214 $18,450 $2,868 $10,169
2004 $12,886 $17,299 $2,642 $9,545
2003 $12,076 $16,707 $2,348 $8,824
2002 $11,760 $16,133 $2,090 $8,148
2001 $11,640 $15,866 $1,890 $7,632
2000 $11,675 $15,914 $2,006 $7,289
1999 $11,244 $14,873 $2,033 $6,901
1998 $10,734 $14,621 $1,848 $6,590
1997 $9,522 $13,941 $2,473 $7,148
1996 $9,012 $13,090 $3,055 $7,322
1995 $8,460 $12,375 $2,864 $6,901
1994 $8,223 $11,900 $2,518 $6,341
1993 $7,905 $11,448 $2,245 $5,834
1992 $7,519 $11,127 $1,972 $5,347
1991 $7,790 $11,576 $1,766 $4,914
1990 $7,781 $11,687 $1,559 $4,451
1989 $7,773 - $1,342 -
1988 $7,033 - $1,164 -
1987 $6,625 - $970 -
1986 $6,031 - $842 -
1985 $5,510 - $774 -
1984 $5,284 - $847 -
1983 $4,866 - $827 -
1982 $4,599 - $770 -
1981 $4,417 - $748 -
1980 $4,025 - $709 -
1979 $2,668 - $612 -
1978 $2,198 - $548 -
1977 $1,968 - $462 -
1976 $1,734 - $405 -
1975 $1,601 - $364 -
1974 $1,243 - $343 -
1973 $1,042 - $278.3 -
1972 $856 - $215.6 -
1971 $750 - $199.7 -
1970 $666 - $197.1 -
1969 $567 - $191.4 -
1968 $506 - $178.8 -
1967 $508 - $170.7 -
1966 $462 - $164.5 -
1965 $433 - $140.9 -
1964 $414 - $128.6 -
1963 $421 - $120.7 -
1962 $377 - $116.2 -
1961 $366 - $109.7 -
1960 $347 - $102.8 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Barbados' GDP per capita is $26,545, ranking 46/197, compared to $7,347 in Thailand, ranking 100/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Barbados ranks 84th at $24,823, while Thailand ranks 85th at $24,712.

Economic indicators

Barbados Thailand
Gross domestic product
$7.5B
2024
$527B
2024
GDP rank
157/197
2024
31/197
2024
GDP growth
2.48%
2023-2024
2.54%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$26,545
2024
$7,347
2024
GDP per capita rank
46/197
2024
100/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$24,823
2024
$24,712
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
84/197
2024
85/197
2024
Government debt
$7.97B
2024
$333B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
106.3%
2024
63.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$28,218
2024
$4,643
2024
Government debt per person rank
26/185
2024
84/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$18,869
2026
$6,733
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.78B
2020
$520B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
100,001
2025
Number of billionaires
1
2025
25
2025
Income share by richest 10%
25.8%
2016
26.1%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.5%
2016
3.4%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
30.2%
2024
22.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.44%
2023-2024
1.37%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2%
2020
1.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.54%
2023
0.78%
2024
Population
282798
71571743

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Barbados
Spending

Debt
Thailand
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Barbados Thailand
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 30.2% 106.3% 22.7% 63.2%
2023 28.8% 113.4% 22.8% 62.3%
2022 30.3% 116.9% 24.7% 60.5%
2021 32.5% 130.2% 26.8% 58.3%
2020 30.3% 128.4% 24.9% 49.4%
2019 23.9% 109.5% 20.6% 41.1%
2018 26.9% 115% 21.2% 41.9%
2017 29.8% 143.6% 21.5% 41.8%
2016 30.7% 136.5% 21.4% 41.7%
2015 31.4% 131.9% 22.3% 42.6%
2014 29% 122% 22.2% 43.3%
2013 30.8% 118.6% 21.6% 42.2%
2012 30.6% 109.4% 22.3% 41.9%
2011 27.7% 98.7% 21.1% 39.1%
2010 29.7% 96% 22% 39.8%
2009 29.5% 88.5% 21.7% 42.4%
2008 28.1% 72.6% 19.2% 34.9%
2007 27.8% 69% 20% 36%
2006 27.2% 69.8% 18.7% 39.2%
2005 28.7% 68.2% 19.6% 45.5%
2004 28.5% 66.5% 19.3% 46.3%
2003 29.8% 66.6% 18.3% 47.5%
2002 31% 66.1% 25.7% 54.9%
2001 22% 62.6% 20.8% 57.5%
2000 20.8% 56.6% 19.3% 57.8%
1999 19.7% 50.1% 26.5% 56.6%
1998 19% 50.5% 23.9% 49.9%
1997 21.5% 56.9% 21.6% 40.5%
1996 20.5% 56.1% 18% 15.2%
1995 18.6% 55.9% 17.2% 5.12%
1994 17% 55% 16% 6.69%
1993 - - 18.8% 9.14%
1992 - - 17.8% 11.4%
1991 - - 17% 14.1%
1990 - - 16.6% 18%
1989 - - 16.5% 23.7%
1988 - - 15.1% 30.3%
1987 - - 17.5% 38.8%
1986 - - 19.5% 40.1%
1985 - - 20.5% 36.8%
1984 - - 19.3% 30.6%
1983 - - 19.5% 28.9%
1982 - - 20.2% 27.1%
1981 - - 19.1% 24.4%
1980 - - 18.7% 22.1%
1979 - - 16.9% 23.7%
1978 - - 16.6% 22.8%
1977 - - 16.1% 22.4%
1976 - - 15.6% 22%
1975 - - 14.2% 15.8%
1974 - - 13.2% 16.3%
1973 - - 15.9% 21.2%
1972 - - 18.5% 26.8%
1971 - - 18.8% 21.5%
1970 - - 17.6% 18.5%
1969 - - 15.9% 17.7%
1968 - - 16% 15.5%
1967 - - 15.5% 15%
1966 - - 14.7% 14.4%
1965 - - 14.7% 14.8%
1964 - - 13.3% 13.3%
1963 - - 12% 12.6%
1962 - - 11.9% 13.4%
1961 - - 9.58% 12.9%
1960 - - 12.1% 14.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Barbados' government spending was $2.26B, accounting for 30.2% of its GDP, while Thailand spent $120B, or 22.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 106.3% in Barbados and 63.2% in Thailand, ranking 18/185 and 74/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Barbados

Thailand
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Barbados Thailand
2024 -0.89% -1.29%
2023 -1.71% -1.98%
2022 -1.96% -4.61%
2021 -4.65% -6.74%
2020 -4.16% -4.47%
2019 3.08% 0.43%
2018 -0.34% 0.2%
2017 -3.89% -0.42%
2016 -4.88% 0.41%
2015 -8.16% 0.19%
2014 -6.57% -0.7%
2013 -8.98% 0.6%
2012 -7.07% -0.86%
2011 -3.63% 0.09%
2010 -7.55% -1.07%
2009 -6.56% -2.21%
2008 -4.1% 0.8%
2007 -4.34% 0.22%
2006 -3.41% 1.87%
2005 -3.03% 2.17%
2004 -2.97% 1.11%
2003 -3.08% 1.98%
2002 -5.28% -6.72%
2001 4.07% -1.77%
2000 4.94% -1.79%
1999 5.39% -9.02%
1998 6.03% -6.29%
1997 5.64% -1.68%
1996 3.76% 2.75%
1995 6.22% 3.05%
1994 6.72% 2.78%
1993 - 6.67%
1992 - -0.18%
1991 - 1.6%
1990 - 1.41%
1989 - 0.16%
1988 - 0.58%
1987 - -2.38%
1986 - -4.32%
1985 - -5.11%
1984 - -3.85%
1983 - -4.02%
1982 - -6.18%
1981 - -4.07%
1980 - -4.41%
1979 - -3.62%
1978 - -3.31%
1977 - -2.91%
1976 - -3.35%
1975 - -1.73%
1974 - 1.29%
1973 - -2.7%
1972 - -4.81%
1971 - -5.47%
1970 - -3.73%
1969 - -2.53%
1968 - -2.79%
1967 - -2.1%
1966 - -1.13%
1965 - -1.05%
1964 - -1.01%
1963 - -0.81%
1962 - -0.27%
1961 - 0.05%
1960 - 0.48%
1959 - -1.15%
1958 - -0.91%
1957 - -1.31%
1956 - -1.38%
1955 - -1.65%
1954 - -3.46%
1953 - -3.56%
1952 - -2.4%
1951 - -3.54%
1950 - -0.7%
1949 - 0.7%
1948 - -0.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1948–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/thailand | 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 Thailand's deficit of $6.81B, or 1.29% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Barbados recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Thailand ran a deficit in 16 years. On average, Barbados posted an annual deficit equal to 1.66% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.06% of GDP for Thailand.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Barbados

Thailand
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Barbados Thailand
2024 -0.44% 1.37%
2023 9.79% 8.48%
2022 - -1.61%
2021 - 1.23%
2020 - -0.85%
2019 4.1% 0.71%
2018 3.67% 1.06%
2017 4.66% 0.67%
2016 1.28% 0.19%
2015 -1.11% -0.9%
2014 1.77% 1.9%
2013 1.81% 2.18%
2012 4.53% 3.01%
2011 9.43% 3.81%
2010 5.82% 3.25%
2009 3.64% -0.85%
2008 8.11% 5.47%
2007 4.03% 2.24%
2006 7.31% 4.64%
2005 6.08% 4.54%
2004 1.39% 2.76%
2003 1.62% 1.8%
2002 0.13% 0.7%
2001 2.58% 1.63%
2000 2.44% 1.59%
1999 1.56% 0.28%
1998 -1.27% 7.99%
1997 7.71% 5.63%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Barbados has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.63%, compared with 2.25% in Thailand. In 2024, inflation was -0.44% in Barbados and 1.37% in Thailand.

Top exports between countries

Barbados
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $554K
Metals $210K
Textiles & consumer goods $31K
Wood & paper products $4K
Miscellaneous $2K
Animal & marine products $1K
Thailand
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $13M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $5.79M
Raw materials & minerals $510K
Textiles & consumer goods $290K
Chemicals & pharma $206K
Metals $187K
Raw agricultural goods $19K
Miscellaneous $10K
Wood & paper products $8K
Precious metals & jewellery $6K

Balance of trade

Barbados Thailand
Current account balance
-$296M
2017
$11.6B
2024
Current account balance ranking
100/190
2017
23/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.22%
2017
+2.21%
2024
Goods imports
$1.53B
2017
$276B
2024
Goods exports
$705M
2017
$297B
2024
Service imports
$687M
2017
$74B
2024
Service exports
$1.52B
2017
$71.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
66.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
14.5%
2025
70%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Barbados Thailand
Economic freedom 70.4 62.2
Economic freedom ranking 34/197 88/197
Property rights 76.4 41.8
Government integrity 71.3 38.9
Judicial effectiveness 87.3 35
Tax burden 83.2 80.8
Government spending 74.5 83.6
Fiscal health 76.5 81
Business freedom 72.3 69.9
Labor freedom 54.3 56.4
Monetary freedom 80.8 73.3
Trade freedom 48.2 70.2
Investment freedom 60 55
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Barbados
Thailand
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Barbados Thailand
2026 70.4 62.2
2025 68.9 60.6
2024 66.8 59
2023 69.8 60.6
2022 71.3 63.2
2021 65 69.7
2020 61.4 69.4
2019 64.7 68.3
2018 57 67.1
2017 54.5 66.2
2016 68.3 63.9
2015 67.9 62.4
2014 68.3 63.3
2013 69.3 64.1
2012 69 64.9
2011 68.5 64.7
2010 68.3 64.1
2009 71.5 63
2008 71.3 62.3
2007 70 63.5
2006 71.9 63.3
2005 70.1 62.5
2004 69.4 63.7
2003 71.3 65.8
2002 73.6 69.1
2001 71.5 68.9
2000 69.5 66.6
1999 66.7 66.9
1998 67.9 67.3
1997 64.5 66.1
1996 62.3 71
1995 - 71.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Barbados is 70.4, ranking 34/197, compared to 62.2 for Thailand, ranking 88/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Barbados Thailand
Services, % of GDP
75.5%
2024
59.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
12.4%
2024
32.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.58%
2024
8.71%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$7.1B
2024
$509B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$23,850
2024
$23,960
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.65B
2024
$237B
2024
Total reserves ranking
131/177
2024
15/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$208M
2017
-$6.95B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$303M
2024
$14.3B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6M
2024
$7.36B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
3.52%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
25.7%
2016
5.4%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
21.6%
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/thailand | 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 (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1948–1995, 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.

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.