Barbados Population
The island state of Barbados is among the Caribbean’s most prosperous states. Tourism has bypassed the sugar industry as a basis for the country’s economy.
Key figures and facts
- Capital: Bridgetown
- Ethnic groups: African origin 92.4%, European origin 2.7%, African + European origin 3.1%, East Indians 1.3%, other 0.5% (2010)
- Language: English
- Religion: Protestants 66.4%, Roman Catholic 3.8%, other Christians 5.4%, other 2.5%, none/unspecified 21.9% (2010)
- Population: 286 000 (2017)
- Area: 430 Km2
- Currency: dollar
- GNP per capita: 18 065 PPP $
- National Day: November 30th
The population of Barbados was estimated at 284 644 (World Bank 2013), with an estimated annual population growth of 0.5%. Life expectancy at birth is 77.6 for women and 72.8 for men. Growth has been low since the 1960s, partly due to emigration. About 90% of the population is of African origin, most descendants of slaves who were transported to the island as laborers on the sugar plantations in the 17th and 18th centuries. 4% are of European, most British descent, the others are of mixed origin.
Barbados is the most densely populated of the Caribbean countries, with over 640 people per km². Biggest city is the capital Bridgetown.
Population of Barbados by Year (Historical)
| Year | Population | Annual Growth Rate | Population Density | Global Rank |
| 2020 | 287,264 | 0.120% | 668.3139 | 183 |
| 2019 | 286,914 | 0.130% | 667.5000 | 183 |
| 2018 | 286,530 | 0.140% | 666.6070 | 182 |
| 2017 | 286,121 | 0.150% | 665.6558 | 181 |
| 2016 | 285,685 | 0.160% | 664.6419 | 181 |
| 2015 | 285,213 | 0.220% | 663.5442 | 181 |
| 2010 | 282,020 | 0.420% | 656.1186 | 181 |
| 2005 | 276,212 | 0.350% | 642.6116 | 181 |
| 2000 | 271,404 | 0.420% | 631.4302 | 180 |
| 1995 | 265,844 | 0.380% | 618.5000 | 178 |
| 1990 | 260,825 | 0.360% | 606.8279 | 175 |
| 1985 | 256,152 | 0.310% | 595.9605 | 175 |
| 1980 | 252,283 | 0.500% | 586.9628 | 171 |
| 1975 | 246,043 | 0.600% | 572.4512 | 171 |
| 1970 | 238,785 | 0.290% | 555.5721 | 169 |
| 1965 | 235,302 | 0.380% | 547.4721 | 167 |
| 1960 | 230,869 | 0.340% | 537.1628 | 166 |
| 1955 | 227,027 | 1.490% | 528.2279 | 165 |
| 1950 | 210,881 | 0.000% | 490.6791 | 164 |
Major Cities in Barbados by Population
| Rank | City | Population |
| 1 | Bridgetown | 98,400 |
| 2 | Speightstown | 3,523 |
| 3 | Oistins | 2,174 |
| 4 | Bathsheba | 1,654 |
| 5 | Holetown | 1,239 |
| 6 | Crane | 824 |
| 7 | Greenland | 512 |
Religion
Barbados has more than 90 different registered religious communities. About 70% of the population is Christian. The largest religious community is the Anglican Church with approximately 40%, followed by Pentecostal friends, Methodists, various Protestant churches and Catholics. There are small minorities of Jews, Muslims and Hindus.
Language
The official language is English.