Skip to content

Economy of Barbados vs Vietnam compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Barbados has a GDP of $7.5B compared to $476B for Vietnam, ranking 157/197 and 33/197 by economy size, respectively.

Barbados has $7.97B in government debt (106.3% of GDP), compared to $149B (31.3% of GDP) in Vietnam.

Barbados vs Vietnam GDP by year

Barbados
Vietnam
1x
Year GDP, current $
Barbados Vietnam
2024 $7,498,050,000 $476,388,230,307
2023 $7,223,250,000 $433,857,681,378
2022 $6,884,900,000 $413,445,230,669
2021 $5,947,550,000 $366,474,752,771
2020 $5,407,050,000 $346,615,738,538
2019 $6,161,850,000 $334,365,270,497
2018 $6,001,950,000 $310,106,478,395
2017 $5,683,150,000 $281,353,605,987
2016 $5,674,600,000 $257,096,001,178
2015 $5,698,150,000 $239,258,328,382
2014 $5,620,600,000 $233,451,469,643
2013 $5,667,200,000 $213,708,811,665
2012 $5,761,450,000 $195,590,661,129
2011 $5,663,100,000 $172,595,049,184
2010 $5,672,900,000 $147,201,173,197
2009 $4,466,809,600 $106,014,659,565
2008 $4,790,410,400 $99,130,304,099
2007 $4,675,767,950 $77,414,425,532
2006 $4,217,323,400 $66,371,664,817
2005 $3,819,500,000 $57,633,255,738
2004 $3,444,500,000 $45,427,854,693
2003 $3,209,500,000 $39,552,513,232
2002 $3,106,500,000 $35,064,105,501
2001 $3,054,500,000 $32,685,198,809
2000 $3,059,500,000 $31,172,518,403
1999 $2,951,822,205 $28,683,659,007
1998 $2,817,083,478 $27,209,602,050
1997 $2,498,384,130 $26,843,700,442
1996 $2,363,645,403 $24,657,470,575
1995 $2,216,974,096 $20,736,164,459
1994 $2,151,344,901 $16,286,433,533
1993 $2,063,342,117 $13,180,953,598
1992 $1,957,000,000 $9,866,990,236
1991 $2,020,583,702 $9,613,369,520
1990 $2,012,131,457 $6,471,740,806
1989 $2,006,165,167 $6,293,304,975
1988 $1,812,757,918 $25,423,812,649
1987 $1,704,370,308 $36,658,108,850
1986 $1,547,755,183 $26,336,616,250
1985 $1,409,536,121 $14,094,687,821
1984 $1,346,890,071 -
1983 $1,236,016,507 -
1982 $1,163,923,830 -
1981 $1,114,204,743 -
1980 $1,012,280,615 -
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/vietnam | CC BY

GDP per capita in Barbados vs Vietnam by year

Barbados
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vietnam
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Barbados Vietnam
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $26,545 $24,823 $4,717 $16,386
2023 $25,584 $23,660 $4,323 $15,034
2022 $24,387 $22,193 $4,148 $13,905
2021 $21,080 $17,683 $3,704 $12,049
2020 $19,194 $16,555 $3,534 $11,609
2019 $21,912 $19,971 $3,441 $11,029
2018 $21,381 $19,777 $3,222 $10,010
2017 $20,285 $18,437 $2,956 $9,170
2016 $20,296 $19,176 $2,735 $8,375
2015 $20,424 $19,186 $2,578 $7,672
2014 $20,193 $18,595 $2,546 $7,297
2013 $20,410 $19,032 $2,360 $6,758
2012 $20,804 $19,605 $2,185 $6,377
2011 $20,508 $20,316 $1,951 $5,786
2010 $20,611 $20,033 $1,683 $5,389
2009 $16,295 $20,324 $1,226 $5,061
2008 $17,566 $21,376 $1,164 $4,844
2007 $17,235 $20,949 $926 $4,581
2006 $15,620 $20,076 $808 $4,237
2005 $14,214 $18,450 $711 $3,894
2004 $12,886 $17,299 $565 $3,543
2003 $12,076 $16,707 $497 $3,240
2002 $11,760 $16,133 $445 $3,002
2001 $11,640 $15,866 $419 $2,809
2000 $11,675 $15,914 $404 $2,614
1999 $11,244 $14,873 $376 $2,421
1998 $10,734 $14,621 $361 $2,308
1997 $9,522 $13,941 $362 $2,189
1996 $9,012 $13,090 $337 $2,019
1995 $8,460 $12,375 $287.8 $1,841
1994 $8,223 $11,900 $229.9 $1,674
1993 $7,905 $11,448 $189.4 $1,534
1992 $7,519 $11,127 $144.5 $1,413
1991 $7,790 $11,576 $143.7 $1,298
1990 $7,781 $11,687 $98.8 $1,210
1989 $7,773 - $98.1 -
1988 $7,033 - $405 -
1987 $6,625 - $595 -
1986 $6,031 - $436 -
1985 $5,510 - $238.6 -
1984 $5,284 - - -
1983 $4,866 - - -
1982 $4,599 - - -
1981 $4,417 - - -
1980 $4,025 - - -
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/vietnam | CC BY

Barbados' GDP per capita is $26,545, ranking 46/197, compared to $4,717 in Vietnam, ranking 122/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Barbados ranks 84th at $24,823, while Vietnam ranks 108th at $16,386.

Economic indicators

Barbados Vietnam
Gross domestic product
$7.5B
2024
$476B
2024
GDP rank
157/197
2024
33/197
2024
GDP growth
2.48%
2023-2024
7.09%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$26,545
2024
$4,717
2024
GDP per capita rank
46/197
2024
122/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$24,823
2024
$16,386
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
84/197
2024
108/197
2024
Government debt
$7.97B
2024
$149B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
106.3%
2024
31.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$28,218
2024
$1,475
2024
Government debt per person rank
26/185
2024
132/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$18,869
2026
$4,020
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.78B
2020
$205B
2024
Number of billionaires
1
2025
5
2025
Income share by richest 10%
25.8%
2016
28.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.5%
2016
2.6%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
30.2%
2024
19.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.44%
2023-2024
3.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2%
2020
4.5%
2023
Unemployment rate
6.54%
2023
1.53%
2024
Population
282798
102365351

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Barbados
Spending

Debt
Vietnam
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Barbados Vietnam
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 30.2% 106.3% 19.1% 31.3%
2023 28.8% 113.4% 18.8% 34.3%
2022 30.3% 116.9% 18.2% 34.9%
2021 32.5% 130.2% 20.1% 39.2%
2020 30.3% 128.4% 21.3% 41.3%
2019 23.9% 109.5% 19.8% 41%
2018 26.9% 115% 20.5% 43.8%
2017 29.8% 143.6% 21.5% 46.6%
2016 30.7% 136.5% 22.2% 47.9%
2015 31.4% 131.9% 24.2% 46.1%
2014 29% 122% 22.8% 43.6%
2013 30.8% 118.6% 24.5% 41.4%
2012 30.6% 109.4% 23.5% 38.3%
2011 27.7% 98.7% 21.2% 36.2%
2010 29.7% 96% 23.7% 37.3%
2009 29.5% 88.5% 25% 36.2%
2008 28.1% 72.6% 21.4% 31%
2007 27.8% 69% 22.3% 32.2%
2006 27.2% 69.8% 20.5% 30.2%
2005 28.7% 68.2% 20.6% 28.7%
2004 28.5% 66.5% 19.4% 29.4%
2003 29.8% 66.6% 22.2% 29.8%
2002 31% 66.1% 19.7% 27.7%
2001 22% 62.6% 19.2% 25.4%
2000 20.8% 56.6% 17.8% 24.8%
1999 19.7% 50.1% 16.7% -
1998 19% 50.5% 16% -
1997 21.5% 56.9% - -
1996 20.5% 56.1% - -
1995 18.6% 55.9% - -
1994 17% 55% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Barbados' government spending was $2.26B, accounting for 30.2% of its GDP, while Vietnam spent $91.1B, or 19.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 106.3% in Barbados and 31.3% in Vietnam, ranking 18/185 and 156/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Barbados

Vietnam
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Barbados Vietnam
2024 -0.89% -1.54%
2023 -1.71% -1.72%
2022 -1.96% 0.67%
2021 -4.65% -1.43%
2020 -4.16% -2.86%
2019 3.08% -0.4%
2018 -0.34% -1.02%
2017 -3.89% -1.96%
2016 -4.88% -3.16%
2015 -8.16% -4.98%
2014 -6.57% -5.02%
2013 -8.98% -5.96%
2012 -7.07% -5.46%
2011 -3.63% -0.9%
2010 -7.55% -2.25%
2009 -6.56% -4.82%
2008 -4.1% -0.45%
2007 -4.34% -1.74%
2006 -3.41% 0.2%
2005 -3.03% -0.95%
2004 -2.97% -0.15%
2003 -3.08% -2.56%
2002 -5.28% -1.85%
2001 4.07% -2.19%
2000 4.94% -1.61%
1999 5.39% -1.25%
1998 6.03% -0.1%
1997 5.64% -
1996 3.76% -
1995 6.22% -
1994 6.72% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/vietnam | 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 Vietnam's deficit of $7.32B, or 1.54% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Barbados recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Vietnam ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Barbados posted an annual deficit equal to 2.73% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.05% of GDP for Vietnam.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Barbados

Vietnam
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Barbados Vietnam
2024 -0.44% 3.6%
2023 9.79% 3.3%
2022 - 3.2%
2021 - 1.8%
2020 - 3.2%
2019 4.1% 2.8%
2018 3.67% 3.5%
2017 4.66% 3.5%
2016 1.28% 2.7%
2015 -1.11% 0.6%
2014 1.77% 4.1%
2013 1.81% 6.6%
2012 4.53% 9.1%
2011 9.43% 18.7%
2010 5.82% 9.1%
2009 3.64% 6.7%
2008 8.11% 23.3%
2007 4.03% 8.4%
2006 7.31% 7.7%
2005 6.08% 8.3%
2004 1.39% 7.8%
2003 1.62% 3.1%
2002 0.13% 3.8%
2001 2.58% -0.4%
2000 2.44% -1.8%
1999 1.56% 4.1%
1998 -1.27% 8.1%
1997 7.71% 3.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Barbados has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.63%, compared with 5.64% in Vietnam. In 2024, inflation was -0.44% in Barbados and 3.6% in Vietnam.

Top exports between countries

Barbados
Export category Export value
Metals $107K
Machinery & equipment $27K
Wood & paper products $4K
Vietnam
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Barbados Vietnam
Current account balance
-$296M
2017
$28B
2024
Current account balance ranking
100/190
2017
18/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.22%
2017
+5.89%
2024
Goods imports
$1.53B
2017
$362B
2024
Goods exports
$705M
2017
$406B
2024
Service imports
$687M
2017
$36.2B
2024
Service exports
$1.52B
2017
$23.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
83.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
14.5%
2025
90.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Barbados Vietnam
Economic freedom 70.4 64.4
Economic freedom ranking 34/197 73/197
Property rights 76.4 47.3
Government integrity 71.3 39.2
Judicial effectiveness 87.3 31.3
Tax burden 83.2 80.9
Government spending 74.5 89.5
Fiscal health 76.5 96.9
Business freedom 72.3 70
Labor freedom 54.3 54.7
Monetary freedom 80.8 73.2
Trade freedom 48.2 79.8
Investment freedom 60 60
Financial freedom 60 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Barbados
Vietnam
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Barbados Vietnam
2026 70.4 64.4
2025 68.9 65.2
2024 66.8 62.8
2023 69.8 61.8
2022 71.3 60.6
2021 65 61.7
2020 61.4 58.8
2019 64.7 55.3
2018 57 53.1
2017 54.5 52.4
2016 68.3 54
2015 67.9 51.7
2014 68.3 50.8
2013 69.3 51
2012 69 51.3
2011 68.5 51.6
2010 68.3 49.8
2009 71.5 51
2008 71.3 50.4
2007 70 49.8
2006 71.9 50.5
2005 70.1 48.1
2004 69.4 46.1
2003 71.3 46.2
2002 73.6 45.6
2001 71.5 44.3
2000 69.5 43.7
1999 66.7 42.7
1998 67.9 40.4
1997 64.5 38.6
1996 62.3 40.2
1995 - 41.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Barbados is 70.4, ranking 34/197, compared to 64.4 for Vietnam, ranking 73/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Barbados Vietnam
Services, % of GDP
75.5%
2024
42.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
12.4%
2024
37.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.58%
2024
11.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$7.1B
2024
$454B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$23,850
2024
$15,850
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.65B
2024
$83.1B
2024
Total reserves ranking
131/177
2024
30/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$208M
2017
-$19.6B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$303M
2024
$20.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6M
2024
$600M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
7.29%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
25.7%
2016
4.2%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
30.6%
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/vietnam | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2023–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.