Quick facts
Barbados population overview
Barbados is the 20th most populous of 41 countries and territories in North America. The United Nations put the population at 283,500 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of -0.7% the live estimate on this page falls by roughly 6 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 3,119 births (11 per 1,000 people) and 2,948 deaths (10.4 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 85 people. The infant mortality rate is 10.5 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 230,893 in 1960 to 282,623 in 2025 — a change of +22.4%, or +0.3% per year on average. It peaked at 282,623 in 2025 and has declined 0.3% since.
Demographically, the median age is 37.8 years; life expectancy at birth is 80.1 years; women have on average 1.7 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 17.1% of residents are under 15 and 17.1% are 65 or older (2025); 59.7% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Bridgetown. Barbados covers 430 km², giving a population density of about 655 people per km². GDP was $8.02B in 2025 — about $28,365 per person (World Bank classification: high income).
Barbados population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 281,826 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 283,500 |
| World rank | #188 of 238 |
| Rank in North America | #20 of 41 |
| Share of world population | 0.003% |
| Annual growth rate | -0.7% |
| Births per year est. | 3,119 |
| Deaths per year est. | 2,948 |
| Net migration per year est. | -85 |
| Birth rate | 11 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 10.4 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 10.5 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 97.7 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 37.8 years |
| Life expectancy | 80.1 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 1.7 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 59.7% |
| Surface area 2023 | 430 km² |
| Population density | 655 per km² |
| Capital | Bridgetown |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $8.02B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $28,365 |
| Income group World Bank | High income |
Barbados population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 281,826 | – | – |
| 2025 | 282,623 | +156 | +0.1% |
| 2024 | 282,467 | +131 | +0% |
| 2023 | 282,336 | +18 | +0% |
| 2022 | 282,318 | +171 | +0.1% |
| 2021 | 282,147 | +449 | +0.2% |
| 2020 | 281,698 | +2,708 | +0.2% |
| 2015 | 278,990 | +3,747 | +0.3% |
| 2010 | 275,243 | +6,537 | +0.5% |
| 2005 | 268,706 | +6,643 | +0.5% |
| 2000 | 262,063 | +24 | +0% |
| 1995 | 262,039 | +3,457 | +0.3% |
| 1990 | 258,582 | +2,762 | +0.2% |
| 1985 | 255,820 | +4,296 | +0.3% |
| 1980 | 251,524 | +349 | +0% |
| 1975 | 251,175 | +1,788 | +0.1% |
| 1970 | 249,387 | +6,970 | +0.6% |
| 1965 | 242,417 | +11,524 | +1% |
| 1960 | 230,893 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Barbados
Population over time
- From 230,893 in 1960 to 281,826 today — up 22.1%.
- Population peaked at 282,623 in 2025 and is down 0.3% since.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +0.1% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 76.3 years (2024), up 12.2 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 1.7 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 11.1 births vs 10.2 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 0.9 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 17.1% of the population is under 15 and 17.1% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 4.5% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 0.71 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 0.87 Mt in 2019 — down 17.9% since.
- Per person: 2.52 t in 2024, vs 1.44 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 1,478.1 kg of oil equivalent per person (2007), up 18.7% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 5.5% of final energy in 2022 (-12 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 14.7% of land area (2023).
- Cover has been essentially stable since 1990 (+0 points).
Urban population (% of total)
- 59.7% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 40.4% in 1960 (+19.3 points).
- Became majority-urban around 1973.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: critical — freshwater withdrawals are 87.5% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 283 m³ in 2022, down 17.4% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $8.02B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 40.7% since 2015.
- That works out to $28,365 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 6.5% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 0.8% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 70.4% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 114.6 per 100 people (2022) — more subscriptions than people.
Barbados in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Barbados in 2026?
As of October 2026, Barbados has an estimated population of 281,826. The United Nations estimated 283,500 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the -0.7% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Barbados growing or shrinking?
It is shrinking at -0.7% per year — roughly 6 fewer people every day. Each year there are about 3,119 births and 2,948 deaths, with net migration of -85.
What is the population density of Barbados?
About 655 people per square kilometre: 281,826 people living on 430 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Barbados?
The median age is 37.8 years, and life expectancy at birth is 80.1 years. 17.1% of the population is under 15 and 17.1% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Barbados rank by population?
Barbados is the 188th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 20th in North America, with 0.003% of the global population.
How has the population of Barbados changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 230,893; by 2025 it had grown to 282,623 (+22.4%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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São Tomé and PríncipeSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (-0.7%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.