Barbados: Introduction >> globalEDGE: Your source for Global Business Knowledge

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Technically, a citizen of Barbados should be referred to as a ‘Barbadian’. However, while on the island people use ‘Bajan’.

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The name 'Barbados' is derived from the Bearded Fig Trees once found in abundance on the island.

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Barbados is the easternmost of the Caribbean Islands in the Atlantic Ocean. Neighboring islands include Trinidad and Tobago, Saint Vincent, and the Grenadines. The government system is a constitutional democracy. The chief of state is President Dame Sandra Mason. Barbados is an open-market economy in which the prices of goods and services are determined in a free price system. Barbados is a member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

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Barbados: U.S. Commercial Service - Country Commercial Guide open_in_new

Barbados: World Bank - Doing Business Indicators open_in_new

Barbados: BBC - Country Profile open_in_new

Barbados: U.S. Department of State - Country Travel Information open_in_new

Demonym: Noun: Barbadian(s) or Bajan (colloquial)
Adjective: Barbadian or Bajan (colloquial)
Capital City: Bridgetown (-4 GMT)
Currency: Barbadian dollar (BBD)
Languages: English (official), Bajan (English-based creole language, widely spoken in informal settings)
Ethnic Groups: African descent 92.4%, white 2.7%, mixed 3.1%, East Indian 1.3%, other 0.2%, unspecified 0.2% (2010 est.)
Calling Code: 1-246
Voltage: 115
Religions: Protestant 66.4% (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 0.9%), 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.)

Key Facts

GDP per capita, PPP (current international $): $17,837 (2022)
Population, total: 281,635 (2022)
Ease of Doing Business Rank: 57.9 (127 out of 189) (2020)

Sources:

CIA World Factbook open_in_new
World Electric Guide open_in_new