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Economy of Barbados vs Trinidad and Tobago compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Barbados has a GDP of $8.02B compared to $25.9B for Trinidad and Tobago, ranking 157/197 and 122/197 by economy size, respectively.

Barbados has $7.55B in government debt (94.2% of GDP), compared to $21.8B (84.2% of GDP) in Trinidad and Tobago.

Barbados vs Trinidad and Tobago GDP by year

Barbados
Trinidad and Tobago
1x
Year GDP, current $
Barbados Trinidad
2025 $8,016,550,000 $25,942,749,718
2024 $7,597,571,450 $25,633,544,529
2023 $7,223,248,150 $25,036,993,423
2022 $6,886,644,900 $28,341,164,301
2021 $5,948,900,600 $24,222,963,263
2020 $5,403,246,950 $20,888,515,184
2019 $6,166,710,800 $23,477,745,792
2018 $6,001,101,550 $23,883,058,083
2017 $5,847,381,600 $23,830,750,901
2016 $5,679,029,450 $23,624,322,193
2015 $5,699,619,150 $26,841,141,793
2014 $5,684,901,000 $29,474,180,005
2013 $5,660,059,700 $28,560,537,057
2012 $5,486,500,500 $27,147,349,937
2011 $5,563,162,050 $25,433,007,437
2010 $5,428,683,250 $22,157,920,592
2009 $4,466,809,600 $19,172,165,226
2008 $4,790,410,400 $27,871,587,350
2007 $4,675,767,950 $21,641,620,050
2006 $4,217,323,400 $18,369,361,094
2005 $3,819,500,000 $15,982,389,018
2004 $3,444,500,000 $13,280,291,990
2003 $3,209,500,000 $11,305,459,802
2002 $3,106,500,000 $9,008,298,229
2001 $3,054,500,000 $8,824,849,191
2000 $3,059,500,000 $8,154,342,116
1999 $2,951,822,205 $6,808,982,521
1998 $2,817,083,478 $6,043,686,654
1997 $2,498,384,130 $5,737,771,523
1996 $2,363,645,403 $5,759,570,336
1995 $2,216,974,096 $5,329,217,747
1994 $2,151,344,901 $4,947,181,646
1993 $2,063,342,117 $4,669,491,134
1992 $1,957,000,000 $5,439,552,941
1991 $2,020,583,702 $5,307,905,882
1990 $2,012,131,457 $5,068,000,000
1989 $2,006,165,167 $4,323,058,824
1988 $1,812,757,918 $4,496,910,569
1987 $1,704,370,308 $4,797,777,778
1986 $1,547,755,183 $4,794,444,444
1985 $1,409,536,121 $7,375,918,367
1984 $1,346,890,071 $7,757,083,333
1983 $1,236,016,507 $7,763,750,000
1982 $1,163,923,830 $8,140,416,667
1981 $1,114,204,743 $6,992,083,333
1980 $1,012,280,615 $6,235,833,333
1979 $670,362,452 $4,602,416,625
1978 $552,883,707 $3,562,333,458
1977 $495,097,668 $3,138,666,667
1976 $435,911,269 $2,500,424,955
1975 $402,178,605 $2,442,669,825
1974 $311,804,630 $2,042,001,071
1973 $260,767,828 $1,308,785,431
1972 $213,725,217 $1,083,391,758
1971 $186,826,503 $896,765,215
1970 $166,210,203 $821,850,000
1969 $141,393,142 $779,200,000
1968 $125,733,669 $758,899,950
1967 $125,554,009 $761,981,912
1966 $113,195,123 $723,739,857
1965 $105,021,997 $736,573,159
1964 $99,252,731 $711,897,520
1963 $99,893,761 $678,239,329
1962 $88,782,583 $619,322,810
1961 $85,363,759 $584,964,621
1960 $80,021,847 $535,673,252

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

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

GDP per capita in Barbados vs Trinidad and Tobago by year

Barbados
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Trinidad and Tobago
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Barbados Trinidad
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $28,365 - $18,967 -
2024 $26,897 $24,823 $18,733 $36,329
2023 $25,584 $23,660 $18,308 $34,623
2022 $24,393 $22,193 $20,751 $32,979
2021 $21,084 $17,683 $17,713 $30,482
2020 $19,181 $16,555 $15,284 $26,731
2019 $21,929 $19,971 $17,213 $29,316
2018 $21,378 $19,777 $17,571 $28,673
2017 $20,871 $18,437 $17,566 $28,484
2016 $20,311 $19,176 $17,449 $28,232
2015 $20,429 $19,186 $19,887 $29,825
2014 $20,424 $18,595 $21,908 $32,027
2013 $20,384 $19,032 $21,305 $31,746
2012 $19,811 $19,605 $20,332 $31,883
2011 $20,146 $20,316 $19,151 $31,078
2010 $19,723 $20,033 $16,815 $30,778
2009 $16,295 $20,324 $14,634 $29,602
2008 $17,566 $21,376 $21,299 $30,807
2007 $17,235 $20,949 $16,607 $29,355
2006 $15,620 $20,076 $14,153 $27,393
2005 $14,214 $18,450 $12,346 $23,536
2004 $12,886 $17,299 $9,871 $20,674
2003 $12,076 $16,707 $8,445 $18,743
2002 $11,760 $16,133 $6,763 $16,141
2001 $11,640 $15,866 $6,657 $14,797
2000 $11,675 $15,914 $6,179 $13,953
1999 $11,244 $14,873 $5,179 $12,812
1998 $10,734 $14,621 $4,613 $11,735
1997 $9,522 $13,941 $4,394 $10,769
1996 $9,012 $13,090 $4,427 $9,883
1995 $8,460 $12,375 $4,115 $9,099
1994 $8,223 $11,900 $3,840 $8,631
1993 $7,905 $11,448 $3,647 $8,209
1992 $7,519 $11,127 $4,277 $8,129
1991 $7,790 $11,576 $4,205 $7,274
1990 $7,781 $11,687 $4,047 $6,878
1989 $7,773 - $3,482 -
1988 $7,033 - $3,656 -
1987 $6,625 - $3,941 -
1986 $6,031 - $3,985 -
1985 $5,510 - $6,212 -
1984 $5,284 - $6,613 -
1983 $4,866 - $6,690 -
1982 $4,599 - $7,091 -
1981 $4,417 - $6,160 -
1980 $4,025 - $5,559 -
1979 $2,668 - $4,155 -
1978 $2,198 - $3,258 -
1977 $1,968 - $2,907 -
1976 $1,734 - $2,345 -
1975 $1,601 - $2,319 -
1974 $1,243 - $1,962 -
1973 $1,042 - $1,273 -
1972 $856 - $1,067 -
1971 $750 - $894 -
1970 $666 - $829 -
1969 $567 - $795 -
1968 $506 - $783 -
1967 $508 - $797 -
1966 $462 - $768 -
1965 $433 - $793 -
1964 $414 - $780 -
1963 $421 - $756 -
1962 $377 - $704 -
1961 $366 - $678 -
1960 $347 - $634 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

Barbados' GDP per capita is $28,365, ranking 48/197, compared to $18,967 in Trinidad and Tobago, ranking 65/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Barbados ranks 84th at $24,823, while Trinidad and Tobago ranks 62nd at $36,329.

Economic indicators

Barbados Trinidad
Gross domestic product
$8.02B
2025
$25.9B
2025
GDP rank
157/197
2025
122/197
2025
GDP growth
2.7%
2024-2025
-0.79%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$28,365
2025
$18,967
2025
GDP per capita rank
48/197
2025
65/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$24,823
2024
$36,329
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
84/197
2024
62/197
2024
Government debt
$7.55B
2025
$21.8B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
94.2%
2025
84.2%
2025
Government debt per person
$26,731
2025
$15,965
2025
Government debt per person rank
28/185
2025
43/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$19,127
2026
$10,176
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.78B
2020
$3.89B
2001
Number of billionaires
1
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25.8%
2016
29.9%
1992
Income share by poorest 10%
2.5%
2016
2.1%
1992
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27%
2025
32.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
0.85%
2024-2025
0.99%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
2%
2020
3.5%
2020
Unemployment rate
6.03%
2024
4.01%
2024
Population
282789
1370916

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Barbados
Spending

Debt
Trinidad and Tobago
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Barbados Trinidad
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 27% 94.2% 32.4% 84.2%
2024 28.1% 98.9% 32.2% 81.8%
2023 26.5% 104.1% 32.4% 78.2%
2022 26.9% 104% 28.3% 69.9%
2021 27.1% 108.6% 31.4% 80.2%
2020 30.6% 129.6% 35.1% 81.6%
2019 22.2% 101.6% 31% 62.9%
2018 25% 107.2% 30.2% 58.1%
2017 28% 134.6% 30.9% 57.2%
2016 28.6% 127.1% 31.2% 53.3%
2015 29.2% 122.5% 34.1% 43.2%
2014 27.4% 115.1% 33% 37.1%
2013 29.1% 111.7% 31.7% 32.9%
2012 28.9% 103.5% 29.9% 32.9%
2011 26.5% 94.4% 30.4% 39.2%
2010 28% 90.3% 31.5% 28.9%
2009 27.8% 83.5% 33.4% 34.2%
2008 27.1% 69.8% 28.2% 24.6%
2007 26.1% 64.9% 26.8% 29.4%
2006 25% 64.1% 34.6% 32.7%
2005 26.4% 62.7% 29.5% 36.6%
2004 26.2% 61% 23.3% 43.3%
2003 27.7% 61.8% 23.5% 52.4%
2002 29.1% 62% 24.6% 58.2%
2001 20.7% 59% 25.2% 54.2%
2000 19.7% 53.6% 24.1% 52.3%
1999 18.5% 47% 24.8% 55.2%
1998 17.8% 47.2% 27.3% 47.4%
1997 19.6% 52% 27.4% 51.3%
1996 19.1% 52.3% 28.2% 51.9%
1995 17.3% 52% 26.7% 57.3%
1994 15.9% 51.4% 26.5% 64.8%
1993 - - 27.3% 59.6%
1992 - - 28.8% 49.5%
1991 - - 30% 50%
1990 - - 27.9% 49.5%
1989 - - 30.9% 51.9%
1988 - - 45.3% 65.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

In 2025, Barbados' government spending was $2.16B, accounting for 27% of its GDP, while Trinidad and Tobago spent $8.39B, or 32.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 94.2% in Barbados and 84.2% in Trinidad and Tobago, ranking 28/185 and 37/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Barbados

Trinidad and Tobago
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Barbados Trinidad
2025 -0.31% -5.46%
2024 -0.84% -5.92%
2023 -1.57% -1.2%
2022 -1.74% 0.96%
2021 -3.88% -8.39%
2020 -4.19% -11.8%
2019 2.86% -3.72%
2018 -0.32% -5.89%
2017 -3.64% -10.5%
2016 -4.55% -9.84%
2015 -7.58% -7.37%
2014 -6.2% -4.34%
2013 -8.46% -2.7%
2012 -6.69% -1.28%
2011 -3.47% -0.69%
2010 -7.1% 0.14%
2009 -6.19% -4.88%
2008 -3.94% 5.7%
2007 -4.08% 3.24%
2006 -3.13% -0.3%
2005 -2.78% 0.84%
2004 -2.73% 1.91%
2003 -2.86% 1.9%
2002 -4.96% -0.2%
2001 3.83% 0.62%
2000 4.68% 0.18%
1999 5.06% -0.9%
1998 5.63% -1.83%
1997 5.15% 0.11%
1996 3.5% -0.46%
1995 5.79% 0.17%
1994 6.28% -0.02%
1993 - 0.24%
1992 - -2.76%
1991 - -0.21%
1990 - -1.32%
1989 - -4.46%
1988 - -9.34%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/trinidad-and-tobago | 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 Trinidad and Tobago's deficit of $1.42B, or 5.46% of GDP.

Over the past 32 years, Barbados recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Trinidad and Tobago ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, Barbados posted an annual deficit equal to 1.51% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.25% of GDP for Trinidad and Tobago.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Barbados

Trinidad and Tobago
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Barbados Trinidad
2025 0.85% 0.99%
2024 1.45% 0.53%
2023 3.19% 4.63%
2022 - 5.83%
2021 - 2.06%
2020 - 0.6%
2019 1.68% 1%
2018 3.11% 1.02%
2017 4.66% 1.88%
2016 1.28% 3.07%
2015 -1.11% 4.66%
2014 1.77% 5.68%
2013 1.81% 5.2%
2012 4.53% 9.26%
2011 9.43% 5.11%
2010 5.82% 10.5%
2009 3.64% 6.98%
2008 8.11% 12%
2007 4.03% 7.89%
2006 7.31% 8.33%
2005 6.08% 6.87%
2004 1.39% 3.72%
2003 1.62% 3.81%
2002 0.13% 4.15%
2001 2.58% 5.54%
2000 2.44% 3.56%
1999 1.56% 3.44%
1998 -1.27% 5.61%
1997 7.71% 3.63%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Barbados has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.22%, compared with 4.75% in Trinidad and Tobago. In 2025, inflation was 0.85% in Barbados and 0.99% in Trinidad and Tobago.

Top exports between countries

Barbados
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $8.46M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $7.59M
Metals $3M
Wood & paper products $2.15M
Raw materials & minerals $2.11M
Precious metals & jewellery $641K
Machinery & equipment $614K
Animal & marine products $363K
Textiles & consumer goods $287K
Miscellaneous $28K
Trinidad
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $70.9M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $45.7M
Chemicals & pharma $14.9M
Wood & paper products $10.3M
Textiles & consumer goods $3.43M
Machinery & equipment $3.13M
Metals $2.72M
Animal & marine products $2.58M
Raw agricultural goods $1.72M
Miscellaneous $205K

Balance of trade

Barbados Trinidad
Current account balance
-$296M
2017
$1.25B
2025
Current account balance ranking
96/190
2017
48/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.07%
2017
+4.81%
2025
Goods imports
$1.53B
2017
$6.83B
2025
Goods exports
$705M
2017
$10.2B
2025
Service imports
$687M
2017
$2.8B
2025
Service exports
$1.52B
2017
$1.27B
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
14.5%
2026
45%
2026

Economic freedom indices

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

Barbados Trinidad
Economic freedom 70.4 62.4
Economic freedom ranking 34/197 87/197
Property rights 76.4 47.3
Government integrity 71.3 45.5
Judicial effectiveness 87.3 58.8
Tax burden 83.2 76.1
Government spending 74.5 71.1
Fiscal health 76.5 86.3
Business freedom 72.3 67.1
Labor freedom 54.3 57.2
Monetary freedom 80.8 81
Trade freedom 48.2 68.8
Investment freedom 60 50
Financial freedom 60 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Barbados
Trinidad and Tobago
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Barbados Trinidad
2026 70.4 62.4
2025 68.9 63.6
2024 66.8 60.4
2023 69.8 59.5
2022 71.3 58.8
2021 65 59
2020 61.4 58.3
2019 64.7 57
2018 57 57.7
2017 54.5 61.2
2016 68.3 62.9
2015 67.9 64.1
2014 68.3 62.7
2013 69.3 62.3
2012 69 64.4
2011 68.5 66.5
2010 68.3 65.7
2009 71.5 68
2008 71.3 69.5
2007 70 70.6
2006 71.9 70.4
2005 70.1 71.5
2004 69.4 71.3
2003 71.3 68.8
2002 73.6 70.1
2001 71.5 71.8
2000 69.5 74.5
1999 66.7 72.4
1998 67.9 72
1997 64.5 71.3
1996 62.3 69.2

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

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Barbados is 70.4, ranking 34/197, compared to 62.4 for Trinidad and Tobago, ranking 87/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Barbados Trinidad
Services, % of GDP
75.8%
2024
59.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
12.2%
2024
34.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.55%
2024
0.78%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$7.65B
2025
$25.4B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$24,840
2025
$36,080
2025
Total reserves including gold
$1.65B
2024
$5.6B
2024
Total reserves ranking
131/177
2024
99/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$208M
2017
$404M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$303M
2024
-$453M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6M
2024
$527M
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
25.7%
2016
20%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
19%
2023

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/trinidad-and-tobago | 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 (2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, 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.

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.