2014 Edition

Background

The island was uninhabited when first settled by the British in 1627. African 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

430 sq km 430 sq km 0 sq km

total

430 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

Atlantic Ocean 0 m Mount Hillaby 336 m

highest point

Mount Hillaby 336 m

lowest point

Atlantic Ocean 0 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

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands none of the selected 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)

0.1 cu km/yr (20%/26%/54%) 371.3 cu m/yr (2009)

per capita

371.3 cu m/yr (2009)

total

0.1 cu km/yr (20%/26%/54%)

Geographic coordinates

13 10 N, 59 32 W

Geography - note

easternmost Caribbean island

Irrigated land

54.35 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

27.91% 2.33% 69.77% (2011)

arable land

27.91%

other

69.77% (2011)

permanent crops

2.33%

Location

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

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims

12 nm 200 nm

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 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

0.08 cu km (2011)

Age structure

18.4% (male 26,709/female 26,716) 13.6% (male 19,705/female 19,754) 45% (male 64,821/female 65,394) 12.5% (male 16,837/female 19,286) 10.5% (male 12,068/female 18,390) (2014 est.)

0-14 years

18.4% (male 26,709/female 26,716)

15-24 years

13.6% (male 19,705/female 19,754)

25-54 years

45% (male 64,821/female 65,394)

55-64 years

12.5% (male 16,837/female 19,286)

65 years and over

10.5% (male 12,068/female 18,390) (2014 est.)

Birth rate

11.97 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Death rate

8.41 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Dependency ratios

42.6 % 26.8 % 15.8 % 6.3 (2014 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

15.8 %

potential support ratio

6.3 (2014 est.)

total dependency ratio

42.6 %

youth dependency ratio

26.8 %

Drinking water source

urban: 99.8% of population rural: 99.8% of population total: 99.8% of population urban: 0.2% of population rural: 0.2% of population total: 0.2% of population (2012 est.)

rural

0.2% of population

total

0.2% of population (2012 est.)

urban

0.2% of population

Education expenditures

5.6% of GDP (2012)

Ethnic groups

black 92.4%, white 2.7%, mixed 3.1%, East Indian 1.3%, other 0.2%, unspecified 0.2% (2010 est.)

Health expenditures

7.7% of GDP (2011)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.9% (2012 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

1,500 (2012 est.)

Hospital bed density

6.6 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Infant mortality rate

10.93 deaths/1,000 live births 12.58 deaths/1,000 live births 9.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

female

9.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

total

10.93 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

English (official), Bajan (English-based creole language, widely spoken in informal settings)

Life expectancy at birth

74.99 years 72.64 years 77.37 years (2014 est.)

female

77.37 years (2014 est.)

total population

74.99 years

Literacy

age 15 and over has ever attended school 99.7% 99.7% 99.7% (2002 est.)

definition

age 15 and over has ever attended school

female

99.7% (2002 est.)

male

99.7%

total population

99.7%

Major urban areas - population

BRIDGETOWN (capital) 122,000 (2011)

Maternal mortality rate

51 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

37.6 years 36.5 years 38.7 years (2014 est.)

female

38.7 years (2014 est.)

male

36.5 years

total

37.6 years

Nationality

Barbadian(s) or Bajan (colloquial) Barbadian or Bajan (colloquial)

adjective

Barbadian or Bajan (colloquial)

noun

Barbadian(s) or Bajan (colloquial)

Net migration rate

-0.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

34.7% (2008)

Physicians density

1.81 physicians/1,000 population (2005)

Population

289,680 (July 2014 est.)

Population growth rate

0.33% (2014 est.)

Religions

Protestant 66.3% (includes Anglican 23.9%, other Pentecostal 19.5%, Adventist 5.9%, Methodist 4.2%, Wesleyan 3.4%, Nazarene 3.2%, Church of God 2.4%, Baptist 1.8%, Moravian 1.2%, other Protestant .8%), Roman Catholic 3.8%, other Christian 5.4% (includes Jehovah's Witness 2.0%, other 3.4%), Rastafarian 1%, other 1.5%, none 20.6%, unspecified 1.2% (2010 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 91.6% of population rural: 91.6% of population total: 91.6% of population urban: 8.4% of population rural: 8.4% of population total: 8.4% of population (2006 est.)

rural

8.4% of population

total

8.4% of population (2006 est.)

urban

8.4% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

15 years 14 years 17 years (2011)

female

17 years (2011)

male

14 years

total

15 years

Sex ratio

1.01 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female 0.65 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

0-14 years

1 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.99 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.94 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.65 male(s)/female

at birth

1.01 male(s)/female

total population

0.94 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.68 children born/woman (2014 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

26.2% 24.1% 28.7% (2003)

female

28.7% (2003)

total

26.2%

Urbanization

44.4% of total population (2011) 1.35% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.35% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

44.4% of total population (2011)

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

Bridgetown 13 06 N, 59 37 W UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

13 06 N, 59 37 W

name

Bridgetown

time difference

UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Constitution

adopted 22 November 1966, effective 30 November 1966; amended several times, last in 2003 (2011)

Country name

none Barbados

conventional long form

none

conventional short form

Barbados

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Larry L. PALMER (since 9 May 2012); note - also accredited to Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines U.S. Embassy, Wildey Business Park, Wildey, St. Michael BB 14006 P. O. Box 302, Bridgetown BB 11000; (Department Name) Unit 3120, DPO AA 34055 [1] (246) 227-4000 [1] (246) 431-0179

chief of mission

Ambassador Larry L. PALMER (since 9 May 2012); note - also accredited to Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

embassy

U.S. Embassy, Wildey Business Park, Wildey, St. Michael BB 14006

FAX

[1] (246) 431-0179

mailing address

P. O. Box 302, Bridgetown BB 11000; (Department Name) Unit 3120, DPO AA 34055

telephone

[1] (246) 227-4000

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador John E. BEALE (since 29 January 2009) 2144 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 939-9200 [1] (202) 332-7467 Miami, New York Los Angeles

chancery

2144 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador John E. BEALE (since 29 January 2009)

consulate(s)

Los Angeles

consulate(s) general

Miami, New York

FAX

[1] (202) 332-7467

telephone

[1] (202) 939-9200

Executive branch

Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Elliot BELGRAVE (since 1 June 2012) Prime Minister Freundel STUART (since 23 October 2010) Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister the monarchy 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

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister

chief of state

Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Elliot BELGRAVE (since 1 June 2012)

elections

the monarchy 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

head of government

Prime Minister Freundel STUART (since 23 October 2010)

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 band colors represent the blue of the sea and sky and the gold of the beaches; the trident head represents independence and a break with the past (the colonial coat of arms contained a complete trident)

Government type

parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm

Independence

30 November 1966 (from the UK)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

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

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (consists of the High Court with 8 justices) and the Court of Appeal (consists of the chief Justice and president of the court and 4 justices note - Barbados, a member of the Caribbean Court of Justice, replaced the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) as the final court of appeal Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the governor-general on the recommendation of the prime minister and opposition leader of Parliament; other justices appointed by the governor-general on the recommendation of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission, a 5-member independent body consisting of the Supreme Court chief justice, the commission head, and governor-general appointees recommended by the prime minister; justices serve until mandatory retirement at age 65 Magistrates' Courts

highest court(s)

Supreme Court (consists of the High Court with 8 justices) and the Court of Appeal (consists of the chief Justice and president of the court and 4 justices

judge selection and term of office

Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the governor-general on the recommendation of the prime minister and opposition leader of Parliament; other justices appointed by the governor-general on the recommendation of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission, a 5-member independent body consisting of the Supreme Court chief justice, the commission head, and governor-general appointees recommended by the prime minister; justices serve until mandatory retirement at age 65

subordinate courts

Magistrates' Courts

Legal system

English common law; no judicial review of legislative acts

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) House of Assembly - last held on 21 February 2013 (next to be called in 2018) House of Assembly - percent of vote by party - DLP 51.3%, BLP 48.3%, other 0.4%; seats by party - DLP 16, BLP 14

election results

House of Assembly - percent of vote by party - DLP 51.3%, BLP 48.3%, other 0.4%; seats by party - DLP 16, BLP 14

elections

House of Assembly - last held on 21 February 2013 (next to be called in 2018)

National anthem

"The National Anthem of Barbados" Irving BURGIE/C. Van Roland EDWARDS adopted 1966; the anthem is also known as "In Plenty and In Time of Need"

lyrics/music

Irving BURGIE/C. Van Roland EDWARDS

name

"The National Anthem of Barbados"

National holiday

Independence Day, 30 November (1966)

National symbol(s)

Neptune's trident

Political parties and leaders

Barbados Labor Party or BLP [Owen ARTHUR] Democratic Labor Party or DLP [Freundel STUART] People's Empowerment Party or PEP [David COMISSIONG]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Barbados Secondary Teachers' Union or BSTU [Mary REDMAN] Barbados Union of Teachers or BUT [Karen BEST] 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 [Linda BROOKS] Clement Payne Labor Union [David COMISSIONG] National Union of Public Workers [Walter MALONEY]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

sugarcane, vegetables, cotton

Budget

$1.15 billion (2013 est.) $1.45 billion (2013 est.)

expenditures

$1.45 billion (2013 est.)

revenues

$1.15 billion (2013 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-7% of GDP (2013 est.)

Central bank discount rate

7% (31 December 2010 est.) 7% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

8.5% (31 December 2013 est.) 8.7% (31 December 2012 est.)

Current account balance

-$276.6 million (2013 est.) -$204.4 million (2012 est.)

Debt - external

$4.49 billion (2010 est.) $668 million (2003 est.)

Economy - overview

Barbados is the wealthiest and most developed country in the Eastern Caribbean and enjoys one of the highest per capita incomes in Latin America. Historically, the Barbadian economy was dependent on sugarcane cultivation and related activities. However, in recent years the economy has diversified into light industry and tourism with about four-fifths of GDP and of exports being attributed to services. 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. Barbados' tourism, financial services, and construction industries have been hard hit since the onset of the global economic crisis in 2008. Barbados' public debt-to-GDP ratio rose from 56% in 2008 to 90.5% in 2013. Growth prospects are limited because of a weak tourism outlook and planned austerity measures.

Exchange rates

Barbadian dollars (BBD) per US dollar - 2 (2013 est.) 2 (2012 est.) 2 (2010 est.) the Barbadian dollar is pegged to the US dollar

Exports

$1.051 billion (2013 est.) $1.039 billion (2012 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Trinidad and Tobago 20.8%, US 11.9%, St. Lucia 9.7%, St. Vincent and the Grenadines 6%, Jamaica 5.6%, Antigua and Barbuda 4.9%, St. Kitts and Nevis 4.6%, UK 4.4% (2012)

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP - composition, by end use

81.7% 15.4% 14.3% 1.9% 40.5% -53.8% (2013 est.)

exports of goods and services

40.5%

government consumption

15.4%

household consumption

81.7%

imports of goods and services

-53.8%

investment in fixed capital

14.3%

investment in inventories

1.9%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

3.1% 13.9% 83% (2013 est.)

agriculture

3.1%

industry

13.9%

services

83% (2013 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$25,100 (2013 est.) $25,400 (2012 est.) $25,400 (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

-0.8% (2013 est.) 0% (2012 est.) 0.8% (2011 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$4.262 billion (2013 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$7.004 billion (2013 est.) $7.056 billion (2012 est.) $7.056 billion (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars

Gross national saving

9% of GDP (2013 est.) 9.4% of GDP (2012 est.) 3.4% of GDP (2011 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$1.674 billion (2013 est.) $1.584 billion (2012 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

Trinidad and Tobago 35.9%, US 26.9%, China 5.6% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

-0.7% (2013 est.)

Industries

tourism, sugar, light manufacturing, component assembly for export

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.1% (2013 est.) 4.8% (2012 est.)

Labor force

141,800 (2013 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

10% 15% 75% (1996 est.)

agriculture

10%

industry

15%

services

75% (1996 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$4.495 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $NA (31 December 2011) $4.366 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Public debt

90.5% of GDP (2013 est.) 85.6% of GDP (2012 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$712.6 million (31 December 2013 est.) $839.7 million (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of broad money

$4.229 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $4.198 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$5.035 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $4.874 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$1.749 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $1.711 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

27% of GDP (2013 est.)

Unemployment rate

11.4% (2013 est.) 11.6% (2012 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

1.442 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

764.5 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

1,001 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

2.26 million bbl (1 January 2013 est.)

Electricity - consumption

986 million kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

239,000 kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

1.002 billion kWh (2011 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

20 million cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - production

20 million cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

113.3 million cu m (1 January 2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

8,339 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

8,736 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

31 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Broadcast media

government-owned Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) operates the lone terrestrial TV station; CBC also operates a multi-channel cable TV subscription service; roughly a dozen radio stations, consisting of a CBC-operated network operating alongside privately owned radio stations (2007)

Internet country code

.bb

Internet hosts

1,524 (2012)

Internet users

188,000 (2008)

Telephone system

island-wide automatic telephone system fixed-line teledensity of roughly 50 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone density approaching 125 per 100 persons 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 (2009)

domestic

fixed-line teledensity of roughly 50 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone density approaching 125 per 100 persons

general assessment

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 (2009)

Telephones - main lines in use

144,000 (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

347,000 (2012)

Airports

1 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2013)

over 3,047 m

1 (2013)

total

1

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 23, cargo 52, chemical tanker 13, container 6, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 8, refrigerated cargo 4, roll on/roll off 1 83 (Canada 11, Greece 14, Iran 5, Lebanon 2, Norway 38, Sweden 4, Syria 1, Turkey 1, UAE 1, UK 6) (2010)

foreign-owned

83 (Canada 11, Greece 14, Iran 5, Lebanon 2, Norway 38, Sweden 4, Syria 1, Turkey 1, UAE 1, UK 6) (2010)

total

109

Pipelines

gas 33 km; oil 64 km; refined products 6 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Bridgetown

major seaport(s)

Bridgetown

Roadways

1,600 km 1,600 km (2011)

total

1,600 km

Manpower available for military service

73,820 73,835 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

73,835 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

73,820

Manpower fit for military service

58,125 58,016 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

58,016 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

58,125

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

1,842 1,849 (2010 est.)

female

1,849 (2010 est.)

male

1,842

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 island defense against external aggression; the Command consists of a single, part-time battalion with a small regular cadre deployed throughout the island; the cadre increasingly supports the police in patrolling the coastline for smuggling and other illicit activities (2007)

Military branches

Royal Barbados Defense Force: Troops Command, Barbados Coast Guard (2011)

Royal Barbados Defense Force

Troops Command, Barbados Coast Guard (2011)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service, or earlier with parental consent; no conscription (2013)

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, which permits Venezuela to extend its Economic Exclusion Zone/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

Trafficking in persons

Barbados is a source and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labor; legal and illegal female migrants from Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, and Guyana seem most vulnerable to forced prostitution; Barbadian and immigrant children are prostituted in exchange for material goods; in the past, foreigners are reported to have been forced to work in the domestic service, agriculture, and construction industries Tier 2 Watch List - Barbados does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; the country was granted a waiver of an otherwise required downgrade to Tier 3 because the government adopted a national action plan on human trafficking that specifies implementing agencies and addresses prosecution, protection, and prevention measures; the government conducted at least two sex trafficking investigations in 2012, as opposed to none in the previous year but did not report any prosecutions or convictions of trafficking offenses; Barbadian law does not appear to prohibit all forms of human trafficking and does not prescribe sufficiently stringent penalties; government efforts to prevent human trafficking included broadcasting short public awareness messages, holding town hall meetings, and funding a hotline (2013)

current situation

Barbados is a source and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labor; legal and illegal female migrants from Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, and Guyana seem most vulnerable to forced prostitution; Barbadian and immigrant children are prostituted in exchange for material goods; in the past, foreigners are reported to have been forced to work in the domestic service, agriculture, and construction industries

tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List - Barbados does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; the country was granted a waiver of an otherwise required downgrade to Tier 3 because the government adopted a national action plan on human trafficking that specifies implementing agencies and addresses prosecution, protection, and prevention measures; the government conducted at least two sex trafficking investigations in 2012, as opposed to none in the previous year but did not report any prosecutions or convictions of trafficking offenses; Barbadian law does not appear to prohibit all forms of human trafficking and does not prescribe sufficiently stringent penalties; government efforts to prevent human trafficking included broadcasting short public awareness messages, holding town hall meetings, and funding a hotline (2013)