Unemployment rate in Barbados: 6.5% in 2025, ranking 66th of 184 countries. In 2010 it was 10.7%.
Data last updated · Period: 2010–2025
Understanding the chart
The line chart above tracks unemployment rate in Barbados for each year from 2010 to 2025, 16 data points in all. Each dot is one year; the first and last years and the highest point are labelled with their values, and the vertical scale is in % of labor force. All values in this period were above zero. The data table below the chart lists every value, and you can download the data, embed the chart or share it from the buttons above. The figures cover 2010–2025 and come from World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0).
Key insights
- Between 2010 and 2025, Barbados's unemployment fell from 10.7% to 6.5%, a fall of 4.2 percentage points.
- The highest value in this period was 12.2% in 2014; the lowest was 6.4% in 2024.
- Recently, the figure has moved up and down over the last three years (2024: 6.4%; 2025: 6.5%).
- That is 1.7 percentage points above the world figure of 4.8%.
- Barbados has the 66th-highest value of 184 countries with recent data.
- In Caribbean, Barbados has the 6th-highest value of 11 countries with recent data; the highest is St. Vincent and the Grenadines (18.0%), and the typical (median) value is 6.5%.
Analysis
Averaged over periods, the figure was 11.4% in 2010 to 2014, 8.7% in 2015 to 2019 and 8.1% in 2020 onwards. The value went up in 8 of the 15 year-to-year steps and down in 7. The biggest one-year rise came in 2020 (+2.2 percentage points). The biggest one-year fall came in 2022 (−3.8 percentage points). Year to year, the figure typically varied by about 2.0 percentage points around its average of 9.3%, a moderately variable pattern.
What it means
Unemployment between 4 and 8% suggests a moderately balanced labour market in Barbados: most roles can be filled, though skilled staff may still be in demand. Compared with its neighbours in Caribbean, where the typical value is 6.5%, Barbados is close to the regional norm.
Related figures
- Unemployment (% of labor force) by country, 2025: 34.2% (highest: Eswatini). The share of people who are available for and looking for work but have none.
- Unemployment rate in The Bahamas, 2010–2025: 9.2% (Unemployment, 2025 · 41st of 184). Unemployment rate in The Bahamas: 9.2% in 2025, ranking 41st of 184 countries.
- Unemployment rate in Cuba, 2010–2025: 1.7% (Unemployment, 2025 · 170th of 184). Unemployment rate in Cuba: 1.7% in 2025, ranking 170th of 184 countries.
About this statistic
The share of people who are available for and looking for work but have none. Modeled estimates from the International Labour Organization. Affects how easy it is to hire and how much customers can spend. Many people in some countries work informally, which unemployment rates do not capture.
Employment and labour force figures show how many people earn an income and how tight the job market is, which shapes both consumer demand and hiring costs. The figures come from the World Bank's World Development Indicators, which compile official national statistics in a consistent form so countries can be compared.
Questions and answers
What is the unemployment rate in Barbados?
6.5% (Unemployment, 2025 · 66th of 184). Unemployment rate in Barbados: 6.5% in 2025, ranking 66th of 184 countries. In 2010 it was 10.7%.
How has unemployment in Barbados changed since 2010?
Between 2010 and 2025, Barbados's unemployment fell from 10.7% to 6.5%, a fall of 4.2 percentage points. The highest value in this period was 12.2% in 2014; the lowest was 6.4% in 2024.
Where does this data come from?
From World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0), covering 2010–2025. The share of people who are available for and looking for work but have none. Modeled estimates from the International Labour Organization. Affects how easy it is to hire and how much customers can spend. Many people in some countries work informally, which unemployment rates do not capture.
Data
| Year | Unemployment (% of labor force) |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 10.7% |
| 2011 | 11.2% |
| 2012 | 11.6% |
| 2013 | 11.6% |
| 2014 | 12.2% |
| 2015 | 9.8% |
| 2016 | 8.2% |
| 2017 | 8.6% |
| 2018 | 8.3% |
| 2019 | 8.4% |
| 2020 | 10.6% |
| 2021 | 11.0% |
| 2022 | 7.3% |
| 2023 | 6.5% |
| 2024 | 6.4% |
| 2025 | 6.5% |
Source and notes
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0). Period: 2010–2025. Coverage: Barbados.
The share of people who are available for and looking for work but have none. Modeled estimates from the International Labour Organization. Affects how easy it is to hire and how much customers can spend. Many people in some countries work informally, which unemployment rates do not capture.
Cite this statistic
Please also credit the original source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0).Related statistics
- Unemployment (% of labor force) by country, 2025
- Unemployment rate in The Bahamas, 2010–2025
- Unemployment rate in Cuba, 2010–2025
- Unemployment rate in Dominican Republic, 2010–2025
- Unemployment rate in Haiti, 2010–2025
- GDP of Barbados, 2010–2025
- Economic growth (GDP growth) in Barbados, 2010–2025
- GDP per person in Barbados, 2010–2025
- GDP per person, adjusted for prices (PPP, international $) in Barbados, 2010–2024
All Barbados data: economy, people, jobs and digital in one place
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