2008 Edition

Background

The island was uninhabited when first settled by the British in 1627. Slaves worked the sugar plantations established on the island until 1834 when slavery was abolished. The economy remained heavily dependent on sugar, rum, and molasses production through most of the 20th century. The gradual introduction of social and political reforms in the 1940s and 1950s led to complete independence from the UK in 1966. In the 1990s, tourism and manufacturing surpassed the sugar industry in economic importance.

Area

total: 431 sq km land: 431 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative

2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Climate

tropical; rainy season (June to October)

Coastline

97 km

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Hillaby 336 m

Environment - current issues

pollution of coastal waters from waste disposal by ships; soil erosion; illegal solid waste disposal threatens contamination of aquifers

Environment - international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 0.09 cu km/yr (33%/44%/22%) per capita: 333 cu m/yr (2000)

Geographic coordinates

13 10 N, 59 32 W

Geography - note

easternmost Caribbean island

Irrigated land

50 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

arable land: 37.21% permanent crops: 2.33% other: 60.46% (2005)

Location

Caribbean, island in the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Natural hazards

infrequent hurricanes; periodic landslides

Natural resources

petroleum, fish, natural gas

Terrain

relatively flat; rises gently to central highland region

Total renewable water resources

0.1 cu km (2003)

Age structure

0-14 years: 19.3% (male 27,270/female 27,193) 15-64 years: 71.7% (male 99,357/female 102,683) 65 years and over: 9% (male 9,856/female 15,609) (2008 est.)

Birth rate

12.48 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Death rate

8.58 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Education expenditures

6.9% of GDP (2005)

Ethnic groups

black 90%, white 4%, Asian and mixed 6%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

1.5% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 200 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

2,500 (2003 est.)

Infant mortality rate

total: 11.05 deaths/1,000 live births male: 12.4 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Languages

English

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 73.21 years male: 71.2 years female: 75.24 years (2008 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 99.7% male: 99.7% female: 99.7% (2002 est.)

Median age

total: 35.4 years male: 34.2 years female: 36.4 years (2008 est.)

Nationality

noun: Barbadian(s) or Bajan (colloquial) adjective: Barbadian or Bajan (colloquial)

Net migration rate

-0.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Population

281,968 (July 2008 est.)

Population growth rate

0.36% (2008 est.)

Religions

Protestant 63.4% (Anglican 28.3%, Pentecostal 18.7%, Methodist 5.1%, other 11.3%), Roman Catholic 4.2%, other Christian 7%, other 4.8%, none or unspecified 20.6% (2008 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2001)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.01 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.63 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2008 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.65 children born/woman (2008 est.)

Administrative divisions

11 parishes and 1 city*; Bridgetown*, Christ Church, Saint Andrew, Saint George, Saint James, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint Lucy, Saint Michael, Saint Peter, Saint Philip, Saint Thomas

Capital

name: Bridgetown geographic coordinates: 13 06 N, 59 37 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

30 November 1966

Country name

conventional long form: none conventional short form: Barbados

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Mary M. OURISMAN embassy: U.S. Embassy, Wildey Business Park, Wildey, St. Michael BB 14006 mailing address: P. O. Box 302, Bridgetown BB 11000; CMR 1014, APO AA 34055 telephone: [1] (246) 227-4399

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Michael Ian KING chancery: 2144 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 939-9200

Executive branch

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Sir Clifford Straughn HUSBANDS (since 1 June 1996) head of government: Prime Minister David THOMPSON (since 16 January 2008) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; the prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister

FAX

[1] (202) 332-7467 consulate(s) general: Miami, New York consulate(s): Los Angeles

[1] (246) 431-0179

Flag description

three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold, and blue with the head of a black trident centered on the gold band; the trident head represents independence and a break with the past (the colonial coat of arms contained a complete trident)

Government type

parliamentary democracy

Independence

30 November 1966 (from UK)

International organization participation

ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court of Judicature (judges are appointed by the Service Commissions for the Judicial and Legal Services); Caribbean Court of Justice is the highest court of appeal

Legal system

English common law; no judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Legislative branch

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (21 seats; members appointed by the governor general - 12 on the advice of the Prime Minister, 2 on the advice of the opposition leader, and 7 at his discretion) and the House of Assembly (30 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Assembly - last held 15 January 2008 (next to be called in 2013) election results: House of Assembly - percent of vote by party - DLP 52.5%, BLP 47.3%; seats by party - DLP 20, BLP 10

National holiday

Independence Day, 30 November (1966)

Political parties and leaders

Barbados Labor Party or BLP [Mia MOTTLEY]; Democratic Labor Party or DLP [David THOMPSON]; People's Empowerment Party or PEP [David COMISSIONG]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Barbados Secondary Teachers' Union or BSTU [Patrick FROST]; Barbados Union of Teachers or BUT [Herbert GITTENS]; Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados or CTUSAB, (includes the BWU, NUPW, BUT, and BSTU) [Leroy TROTMAN]; Barbados Workers Union or BWU [Leroy TROTMAN]; Clement Payne Labor Union [David COMISSIONG]; National Union of Public Workers [Joseph GODDARD]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

sugarcane, vegetables, cotton

Budget

revenues: $847 million (including grants) expenditures: $886 million (2000 est.)

Central bank discount rate

12% (31 December 2007)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

10.8% (31 December 2007)

Currency (code)

Barbadian dollar (BBD)

Currency code

BBD

Current account balance

-$254 million (2007 est.)

Debt - external

$668 million (2003)

Economic aid - recipient

$2.07 million (2005)

Economy - overview

Historically, the Barbadian economy was dependent on sugarcane cultivation and related activities. However, production in recent years has diversified into light industry and tourism, with about three-quarters of GDP and 80% of exports being attributed to services. Growth has rebounded since 2003, bolstered by increases in construction projects and tourism revenues - reflecting its success in the higher-end segment. The country enjoys one of the highest per capita incomes in the region and an investment grade rating which benefits from its political stability and stable institutions. Offshore finance and information services are important foreign exchange earners and thrive from having the same time zone as eastern US financial centers and a relatively highly educated workforce. The government continues its efforts to reduce unemployment, to encourage direct foreign investment, and to privatize remaining state-owned enterprises.

Electricity - consumption

939.9 million kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - production

1.003 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Exchange rates

Barbadian dollars (BBD) per US dollar - NA (2007), 2 (2006), 2 (2005), 2 (2004), 2 (2003)

Exports

$385 million (2006)

Exports - commodities

manufactures, sugar and molasses, rum, other foods and beverages, chemicals, electrical components

Exports - partners

Trinidad and Tobago 15.5%, Jamaica 13.5%, UK 9.4%, US 9.3%, Brazil 8.3%, Saint Lucia 7.2%, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 4.5% (2007)

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 6% industry: 16% services: 78% (2000 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$18,900 (2007 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

4.3% (2007 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$3.739 billion (2007 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$5.31 billion (2007 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports

$1.586 billion (2006)

Imports - commodities

consumer goods, machinery, foodstuffs, construction materials, chemicals, fuel, electrical components

Imports - partners

US 30.5%, Trinidad and Tobago 27.6%, UK 6.5% (2007)

Industrial production growth rate

-3.2% (2000 est.)

Industries

tourism, sugar, light manufacturing, component assembly for export

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

5.5% (2007 est.)

Labor force

128,500 (2001 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 10% industry: 15% services: 75% (1996 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$5.513 billion (2005)

Natural gas - consumption

29.17 million cu m (2006 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - production

29.17 million cu m (2006 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

141.6 million cu m (1 January 2008 est.)

Oil - consumption

8,674 bbl/day (2006 est.)

Oil - exports

1,750 bbl/day (2005)

Oil - imports

10,710 bbl/day (2005)

Oil - production

1,111 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

2.2 million bbl (1 January 2008 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$620 million (2007)

Stock of domestic credit

$3.533 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of money

$1.478 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of quasi money

$2.717 billion (31 December 2007)

Unemployment rate

10.7% (2003 est.)

Internet country code

.bb

Internet hosts

104 (2008)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

19 (2000)

Internet users

160,000 (2005)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 2, FM 6, shortwave 0 (2004)

Radios

237,000 (1997)

Telephone system

general assessment: fixed-line teledensity of roughly 50 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone density of about 85 per 100 persons domestic: island-wide automatic telephone system international: country code - 1-246; landing point for the East Caribbean Fiber System (ECFS) submarine cable with links to 13 other islands in the eastern Caribbean extending from the British Virgin Islands to Trinidad; satellite earth stations - 1 (Intelsat -Atlantic Ocean); tropospheric scatter to Trinidad and Saint Lucia (2007)

Telephones - main lines in use

134,900 (2005)

Telephones - mobile cellular

237,100 (2006)

Television broadcast stations

1 (plus 2 cable channels) (2004)

Televisions

76,000 (1997)

Airports

1 (2007)

Airports - with paved runways

total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2007)

Merchant marine

total: 85 by type: bulk carrier 15, cargo 50, chemical tanker 7, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 3, refrigerated cargo 6, roll on/roll off 2 foreign-owned: 80 (Canada 9, Greece 12, India 1, Iran 2, Lebanon 1, Norway 38, Sweden 7, Syria 1, UK 9) registered in other countries: 1 (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2008)

Ports and terminals

Bridgetown

Roadways

total: 1,600 km paved: 1,600 km (2004)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 75,265 females age 16-49: 75,389 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 58,556 females age 16-49: 58,143 (2008 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 2,157 female: 2,155 (2008 est.)

Military - note

the Royal Barbados Defense Force includes a land-based Troop Command and a small Coast Guard; the primary role of the land element is to defend the island against external aggression; the Command consists of a single, part-time battalion with a small regular cadre that is deployed throughout the island; it increasingly supports the police in patrolling the coastline to prevent smuggling and other illicit activities (2007)

Military expenditures

0.5% of GDP (2006 est.)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service (younger requires parental consent); no conscription (2008)

Royal Barbados Defense Force

Troops Command, Barbados Coast Guard (2007)

Disputes - international

Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago abide by the April 2006 Permanent Court of Arbitration decision delimiting a maritime boundary and limiting catches of flying fish in Trinidad and Tobago's exclusive economic zone; joins other Caribbean states to counter Venezuela's claim that Aves Island sustains human habitation, a criterion under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which permits Venezuela to extend its EEZ/continental shelf over a large portion of the eastern Caribbean Sea

Illicit drugs

one of many Caribbean transshipment points for narcotics bound for Europe and the US; offshore financial center This page was last updated on 18 December, 2008