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Economy of Barbados vs Zimbabwe compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Barbados has a GDP of $7.5B compared to $41.5B for Zimbabwe, ranking 157/197 and 102/197 by economy size, respectively.

Barbados has $7.97B in government debt (106.3% of GDP), compared to $30.3B (73% of GDP) in Zimbabwe.

Barbados vs Zimbabwe GDP by year

Barbados
Zimbabwe
1x
Year GDP, current $
Barbados Zimbabwe
2024 $7,498,050,000 $41,539,411,516
2023 $7,223,250,000 $35,871,779,681
2022 $6,884,900,000 $40,757,561,709
2021 $5,947,550,000 $41,287,673,690
2020 $5,407,050,000 $31,980,334,561
2019 $6,161,850,000 $33,357,695,635
2018 $6,001,950,000 $34,141,666,667
2017 $5,683,150,000 $51,035,657,371
2016 $5,674,600,000 $20,559,250,000
2015 $5,698,150,000 $19,973,250,000
2014 $5,620,600,000 $19,505,500,000
2013 $5,667,200,000 $19,100,750,000
2012 $5,761,450,000 $17,123,500,000
2011 $5,663,100,000 $14,109,000,000
2010 $5,672,900,000 $12,047,750,000
2009 $4,466,809,600 $9,670,750,000
2008 $4,790,410,400 $4,418,000,000
2007 $4,675,767,950 $5,294,750,000
2006 $4,217,323,400 $5,446,750,000
2005 $3,819,500,000 $5,758,250,000
2004 $3,444,500,000 $5,808,500,000
2003 $3,209,500,000 $5,730,500,000
2002 $3,106,500,000 $6,345,250,000
2001 $3,054,500,000 $6,780,750,000
2000 $3,059,500,000 $6,693,250,000
1999 $2,951,822,205 $6,861,500,000
1998 $2,817,083,478 $6,405,250,000
1997 $2,498,384,130 $8,534,000,000
1996 $2,363,645,403 $8,557,500,000
1995 $2,216,974,096 $7,115,000,000
1994 $2,151,344,901 $6,894,250,000
1993 $2,063,342,117 $6,567,250,000
1992 $1,957,000,000 $6,755,000,000
1991 $2,020,583,702 $8,646,000,000
1990 $2,012,131,457 $8,788,301,546
1989 $2,006,165,167 $8,290,553,535
1988 $1,812,757,918 $7,818,774,177
1987 $1,704,370,308 $6,744,657,033
1986 $1,547,755,183 $6,220,698,247
1985 $1,409,536,121 $5,640,137,575
1984 $1,346,890,071 $6,355,369,172
1983 $1,236,016,507 $7,768,031,182
1982 $1,163,923,830 $8,544,060,905
1981 $1,114,204,743 $8,015,464,252
1980 $1,012,280,615 $6,682,278,300
1979 $670,362,452 $5,180,102,910
1978 $552,883,707 $4,353,822,343
1977 $495,097,668 $4,366,610,469
1976 $435,911,269 $4,320,576,877
1975 $402,178,605 $4,373,532,601
1974 $311,804,630 $3,984,194,614
1973 $260,767,828 $3,311,043,292
1972 $213,725,217 $2,679,096,597
1971 $186,826,503 $2,179,828,710
1970 $166,210,203 $1,885,168,339
1969 $141,393,142 $1,748,891,294
1968 $125,733,669 $1,480,355,355
1967 $125,554,009 $1,397,715,282
1966 $113,195,123 $1,282,403,936
1965 $105,021,997 $1,312,105,394
1964 $99,252,731 $1,217,759,447
1963 $99,893,761 $1,160,103,724
1962 $88,782,583 $1,118,172,226
1961 $85,363,759 $1,097,206,526
1960 $80,021,847 $1,053,528,036

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

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

GDP per capita in Barbados vs Zimbabwe by year

Barbados
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Zimbabwe
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Barbados Zimbabwe
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $26,545 $24,823 $2,497 $5,928
2023 $25,584 $23,660 $2,195 $5,791
2022 $24,387 $22,193 $2,536 $5,396
2021 $21,080 $17,683 $2,614 $4,827
2020 $19,194 $16,555 $2,060 $4,179
2019 $21,912 $19,971 $2,184 $4,166
2018 $21,381 $19,777 $2,271 $3,993
2017 $20,285 $18,437 $3,445 $10,756
2016 $20,296 $19,176 $1,408 $4,275
2015 $20,424 $19,186 $1,387 $4,046
2014 $20,193 $18,595 $1,373 $3,903
2013 $20,410 $19,032 $1,363 $3,784
2012 $20,804 $19,605 $1,239 $3,472
2011 $20,508 $20,316 $1,038 $3,047
2010 $20,611 $20,033 $902 $2,661
2009 $16,295 $20,324 $736 $2,233
2008 $17,566 $21,376 $341 $1,987
2007 $17,235 $20,949 $414 $2,396
2006 $15,620 $20,076 $431 $2,454
2005 $14,214 $18,450 $461 $2,496
2004 $12,886 $17,299 $470 $2,591
2003 $12,076 $16,707 $468 $2,708
2002 $11,760 $16,133 $525 $3,238
2001 $11,640 $15,866 $566 $3,533
2000 $11,675 $15,914 $563 $3,429
1999 $11,244 $14,873 $582 $3,491
1998 $10,734 $14,621 $552 $3,527
1997 $9,522 $13,941 $751 $3,457
1996 $9,012 $13,090 $767 $3,372
1995 $8,460 $12,375 $648 $3,051
1994 $8,223 $11,900 $634 $3,012
1993 $7,905 $11,448 $605 $2,703
1992 $7,519 $11,127 $631 $2,651
1991 $7,790 $11,576 $831 $2,930
1990 $7,781 $11,687 $867 $2,757
1989 $7,773 - $840 -
1988 $7,033 - $816 -
1987 $6,625 - $726 -
1986 $6,031 - $693 -
1985 $5,510 - $649 -
1984 $5,284 - $757 -
1983 $4,866 - $959 -
1982 $4,599 - $1,096 -
1981 $4,417 - $1,069 -
1980 $4,025 - $949 -
1979 $2,668 - $779 -
1978 $2,198 - $665 -
1977 $1,968 - $677 -
1976 $1,734 - $687 -
1975 $1,601 - $717 -
1974 $1,243 - $674 -
1973 $1,042 - $579 -
1972 $856 - $483 -
1971 $750 - $406 -
1970 $666 - $361 -
1969 $567 - $346 -
1968 $506 - $302 -
1967 $508 - $294.4 -
1966 $462 - $278.7 -
1965 $433 - $294.3 -
1964 $414 - $281.9 -
1963 $421 - $277.1 -
1962 $377 - $275.7 -
1961 $366 - $279.2 -
1960 $347 - $276.6 -

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

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

Barbados' GDP per capita is $26,545, ranking 46/197, compared to $2,497 in Zimbabwe, ranking 148/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Barbados ranks 84th at $24,823, while Zimbabwe ranks 154th at $5,928.

Economic indicators

Barbados Zimbabwe
Gross domestic product
$7.5B
2024
$41.5B
2024
GDP rank
157/197
2024
102/197
2024
GDP growth
2.48%
2023-2024
1.74%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$26,545
2024
$2,497
2024
GDP per capita rank
46/197
2024
148/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$24,823
2024
$5,928
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
84/197
2024
154/197
2024
Government debt
$7.97B
2024
$30.3B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
106.3%
2024
73%
2024
Government debt per person
$28,218
2024
$1,824
2024
Government debt per person rank
26/185
2024
121/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$18,869
2026
$2,897
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.78B
2020
$2.46B
1999
Number of billionaires
1
2025
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
25.8%
2016
40.5%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.5%
2016
1.9%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
30.2%
2024
12.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.44%
2023-2024
736%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2%
2020
35%
2024
Unemployment rate
6.54%
2023
12.1%
2024
Population
282798
17361868

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Barbados
Spending

Debt
Zimbabwe
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Barbados Zimbabwe
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 30.2% 106.3% 12.9% 73%
2023 28.8% 113.4% 15.5% 76.1%
2022 30.3% 116.9% 14.4% 66.8%
2021 32.5% 130.2% 12.8% 39.9%
2020 30.3% 128.4% 9.27% 56.8%
2019 23.9% 109.5% 9.36% 53.9%
2018 26.9% 115% 13.9% 33%
2017 29.8% 143.6% 19.8% 49%
2016 30.7% 136.5% 16.6% 35.1%
2015 31.4% 131.9% 14.7% 34.1%
2014 29% 122% 14.1% 29.2%
2013 30.8% 118.6% 14.7% 26.4%
2012 30.6% 109.4% 14.6% 27.2%
2011 27.7% 98.7% 16.2% 30%
2010 29.7% 96% 12.8% 33.2%
2009 29.5% 88.5% 7.93% 39.7%
2008 28.1% 72.6% 2.54% 41.3%
2007 27.8% 69% 3.43% 30.2%
2006 27.2% 69.8% 5.72% 26.7%
2005 28.7% 68.2% 10.5% 22.4%
2004 28.5% 66.5% - -
2003 29.8% 66.6% - -
2002 31% 66.1% - -
2001 22% 62.6% - -
2000 20.8% 56.6% - -
1999 19.7% 50.1% - -
1998 19% 50.5% - -
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/zimbabwe | CC BY

In 2024, Barbados' government spending was $2.26B, accounting for 30.2% of its GDP, while Zimbabwe spent $5.37B, or 12.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 106.3% in Barbados and 73% in Zimbabwe, ranking 18/185 and 50/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Barbados

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Barbados Zimbabwe
2024 -0.89% -1.06%
2023 -1.71% -3.9%
2022 -1.96% -3.3%
2021 -4.65% -2.24%
2020 -4.16% -0.34%
2019 3.08% -1.72%
2018 -0.34% -3.81%
2017 -3.89% -7.37%
2016 -4.88% -4.63%
2015 -8.16% -1.45%
2014 -6.57% -0.71%
2013 -8.98% -0.69%
2012 -7.07% -0.13%
2011 -3.63% -1.72%
2010 -7.55% -0.11%
2009 -6.56% -1.39%
2008 -4.1% -1.2%
2007 -4.34% -1.67%
2006 -3.41% -1.4%
2005 -3.03% -3.46%
2004 -2.97% -
2003 -3.08% -
2002 -5.28% -
2001 4.07% -
2000 4.94% -
1999 5.39% -
1998 6.03% -
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/zimbabwe | 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 Zimbabwe's deficit of $438M, or 1.06% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Barbados recorded a fiscal deficit in 19 of those years, while Zimbabwe ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Barbados posted an annual deficit equal to 4.14% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.11% of GDP for Zimbabwe.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Barbados

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Barbados Zimbabwe
2024 -0.44% 736%
2023 9.79% 667%
2022 - 193.4%
2021 - 98.5%
2020 - 557%
2019 4.1% 255.3%
2018 3.67% 10.6%
2017 4.66% 0.9%
2016 1.28% -1.6%
2015 -1.11% -2.4%
2014 1.77% -0.2%
2013 1.81% 1.6%
2012 4.53% 3.7%
2011 9.43% 3.5%
2010 5.82% 3%
2009 3.64% 6.2%
2008 8.11% 157%
2007 4.03% -72.7%
2006 7.31% 33%
2005 6.08% -31.5%
2004 1.39% 113.6%
2003 1.62% -8.6%
2002 0.13% -34.4%
2001 2.58% -37.2%
2000 2.44% 4.5%
1999 1.56% -13.4%
1998 -1.27% -28%
1997 7.71% -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/zimbabwe | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Barbados has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.63%, compared with 93.4% in Zimbabwe. In 2024, inflation was -0.44% in Barbados and 736% in Zimbabwe.

Top exports between countries

Barbados
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $6K
Zimbabwe
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $15K
Textiles & consumer goods $15K

Balance of trade

Barbados Zimbabwe
Current account balance
-$296M
2017
$501M
2024
Current account balance ranking
100/190
2017
62/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.22%
2017
+1.21%
2024
Goods imports
$1.53B
2017
$9.06B
2024
Goods exports
$705M
2017
$7.79B
2024
Service imports
$687M
2017
$1.66B
2024
Service exports
$1.52B
2017
$457M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
23.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
14.5%
2025
18%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Barbados Zimbabwe
Economic freedom 70.4 35.2
Economic freedom ranking 34/197 190/197
Property rights 76.4 19.4
Government integrity 71.3 20.7
Judicial effectiveness 87.3 16.8
Tax burden 83.2 73.6
Government spending 74.5 93.9
Fiscal health 76.5 52.4
Business freedom 72.3 42
Labor freedom 54.3 33.3
Monetary freedom 80.8 0
Trade freedom 48.2 50.4
Investment freedom 60 10
Financial freedom 60 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Barbados
Zimbabwe
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Barbados Zimbabwe
2026 70.4 35.2
2025 68.9 35.1
2024 66.8 38.2
2023 69.8 39
2022 71.3 33.1
2021 65 39.5
2020 61.4 43.1
2019 64.7 40.4
2018 57 44
2017 54.5 44
2016 68.3 38.2
2015 67.9 37.6
2014 68.3 35.5
2013 69.3 28.6
2012 69 26.3
2011 68.5 22.1
2010 68.3 21.4
2009 71.5 22.7
2008 71.3 29.5
2007 70 32
2006 71.9 33.5
2005 70.1 35.2
2004 69.4 34.4
2003 71.3 36.7
2002 73.6 36.7
2001 71.5 38.8
2000 69.5 48.7
1999 66.7 47.2
1998 67.9 44.6
1997 64.5 48
1996 62.3 46.7
1995 - 48.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Barbados is 70.4, ranking 34/197, compared to 35.2 for Zimbabwe, ranking 190/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Barbados Zimbabwe
Services, % of GDP
75.5%
2024
50.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
12.4%
2024
35%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.58%
2024
8.69%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$7.1B
2024
$39.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$23,850
2024
$5,870
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.65B
2024
$485M
2024
Total reserves ranking
131/177
2024
157/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$208M
2017
-$465M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$303M
2024
$465M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6M
2024
$131M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
3.44%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
25.7%
2016
38.3%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
8.85%
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/zimbabwe | 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. 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 (2021–2024, 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.