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Barbados - The Factbook https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/barbados/

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Barbados

Central America

INTRODUCTION

Background The was uninhabited when first settled by the British in 1627. African slaves worked the sugar plantations established on the island, which initially dominated the sugar industry. By 1720 Barbados was no longer a dominant force within the sugar industry, having been surpassed by the Leeward and . Slavery was abolished in 1834. The Barbadian 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. Barbados plans to remove the British as its by November 2021 and transition to a .

GEOGRAPHY

Location Caribbean, island in the North , northeast of

Geographic coordinates 13 10 N, 59 32 W

Map references and the Caribbean 1 of 16 4/27/2021, 8:53 AM Barbados - https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/barbados/ Area total: 430 sq km

land: 430 sq km

water: 0 sq km comparison to the world: 201

Area - comparative 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries total: 0 km

Coastline 97 km

Maritime claims territorial sea: 12 nm

: 200 nm

Climate tropical; rainy season (June to October)

Terrain relatively flat; rises gently to central highland

Elevation lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: 336 m

Natural resources , fish, natural gas

Land use agricultural land: 32.6% (2018 est.)

arable land: 25.6% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 2.3% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 4.7% (2018 est.)

forest: 19.4% (2018 est.)

other: 48% (2018 est.)

Irrigated land 50 sq km (2012)

Total renewable water resources 80 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

Population distribution most densely populated country in the eastern Caribbean; approximately one-third live in urban areas

Natural hazards infrequent hurricanes; periodic landslides

Environment - international agreements 2 of 16 4/27/2021, 8:53 AM Barbados - The World Factbook https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/barbados/ party to: , Change, Climate Change-, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note easternmost Caribbean island

PEOPLE AND SOCIETY

Population 301,865 (July 2021 est.) country comparison to the world: 180

Nationality noun: Barbadian(s) or Bajan (colloquial)

adjective: Barbadian or Bajan (colloquial)

Ethnic groups African descent 92.4%, mixed 3.1%, White 2.7%, East Indian 1.3%, other 0.2%, unspecified 0.3% (2010 est.)

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

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.)

Age structure 0-14 years: 17.49% (male 25,762/female 25,764)

15-24 years: 12.34% (male 18,024/female 18,330)

25-54 years: 42.69% (male 62,655/female 63,093)

55-64 years: 13.91% (male 19,533/female 21,430)

65 years and over: 13.57% (male 16,398/female 23,571) (2020 est.)

Dependency ratios total dependency ratio: 50.3

youth dependency ratio: 25.2

elderly dependency ratio: 25.1

potential support ratio: 4 (2020 est.)

Median age total: 39.5 years

male: 38.4 years

3 of 16 4/27/2021, 8:53 AM Barbados - The World Factbook https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/barbados/ female: 40.7 years (2020 est.) country comparison to the world: 55

Population growth rate 0.28% (2021 est.) country comparison to the world: 172

Birth rate 10.96 births/1,000 population (2021 est.) country comparison to the world: 178

Death rate 7.9 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.) country comparison to the world: 92

Net migration rate -0.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.) country comparison to the world: 114

Population distribution most densely populated country in the eastern Caribbean; approximately one-third live in urban areas

Urbanization urban population: 31.2% of total population (2020)

rate of urbanization: 0.2% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

Major urban areas - population 89,000 (capital) (2018)

Sex ratio at birth: 1.01 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female

total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2020 est.)

Maternal mortality rate 27 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) country comparison to the world: 115

Infant mortality rate total: 10.23 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 11.84 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 8.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.) country comparison to the world: 140

Life expectancy at birth total population: 78.31 years

4 of 16 4/27/2021, 8:53 AM Barbados - The World Factbook https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/barbados/ male: 75.54 years

female: 81.13 years (2021 est.) country comparison to the world: 70

Total fertility rate 1.7 children born/woman (2021 est.) country comparison to the world: 171

Contraceptive prevalence rate 59.2% (2012)

Drinking water source improved: total: 98.5% of population

unimproved: total: 1.5% of population (2017 est.)

Current Health Expenditure 6.6% (2018)

Physicians density 2.48 physicians/1,000 population (2017)

Hospital bed density 6 beds/1,000 population (2017)

Sanitation facility access improved: total: 99.2% of population

unimproved: total: 0.8% of population (2017 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate 1.1% (2019 est.) country comparison to the world: 42

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS 2,700 (2019 est.) country comparison to the world: 133

HIV/AIDS - deaths <100 (2019 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate 23.1% (2016) country comparison to the world: 67

Children under the age of 5 years underweight 3.5% (2012) country comparison to the world: 94

Education expenditures 4.4% of GDP (2017) country comparison to the world: 80

Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99.6%

5 of 16 4/27/2021, 8:53 AM Barbados - The World Factbook https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/barbados/ male: 99.6%

female: 99.6% (2014)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) total: 15 years

male: 14 years

female: 17 years (2011)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24 total: 29.6%

male: 27.9%

female: 31.5% (2016 est.) country comparison to the world: 31

ENVIRONMENT

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 party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Air pollutants particulate matter emissions: 22.24 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 1.28 megatons (2016 est.)

: 2.35 megatons (2020 est.)

Total water withdrawal municipal: 20 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 6.2 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 54.8 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

Total renewable water resources 80 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

Climate tropical; rainy season (June to October)

Land use agricultural land: 32.6% (2018 est.)

arable land: 25.6% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 2.3% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 4.7% (2018 est.)

forest: 19.4% (2018 est.)

6 of 16 4/27/2021, 8:53 AM Barbados - The World Factbook https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/barbados/

other: 48% (2018 est.)

Revenue from forest resources Forest revenues: 0.01% of GDP (2018 est.) country comparison to the world: 147

Revenue from coal Coal revenues: 0 % of GDP (2018 est.) country comparison to the world: 63

Urbanization urban population: 31.2% of total population (2020)

rate of urbanization: 0.2% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

Waste and recycling municipal solid waste generated annually: 174,815 tons (2011 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 15,733 tons (2015 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 9% (2015 est.)

GOVERNMENT

Country name conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Barbados

etymology: the name derives from the Portuguese "as barbadas," which means "the bearded ones" and can refer either to the long, hanging roots of the island's bearded fig trees or to the alleged beards of the native Carib inhabitants

Government type parliamentary under a constitutional ; a

Capital name: Bridgetown

geographic coordinates: 13 06 N, 59 37 W

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

etymology: named after a bridge constructed over the swampy (known as the Careenage) around the Constitution River that flows through the center of Bridgetown

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

Independence 30 (from the UK)

National holiday Independence Day, 30 November (1966)

Constitution history: adopted 22 November 1966, effective 30 November 1966

amendments: proposed by Parliament; passage of amendments to constitutional sections such as citizenship, fundamental rights and freedoms, and the organization and of the branches of government requires two-thirds majority vote by the

7 of 16 4/27/2021, 8:53 AM Barbados - The World Factbook https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/barbados/ membership of both houses of Parliament; passage of other amendments only requires a majority vote of both houses; amended several times, last in 2020

Legal system English common law; no of legislative acts

International law organization participation accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Citizenship citizenship by birth: yes

citizenship by descent only: yes

dual citizenship recognized: yes

residency requirement for : 5 years

Suffrage 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General (since 8 January 2018)

: Prime (since 25 May 2018)

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

elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of the majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; the prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister

Legislative branch description: bicameral Parliament consists of: 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 the discretion of the governor general) (30 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms)

elections: Senate - last appointments on 5 June 2018 (next appointments NA) House of Assembly - last held on 24 May 2018 (next to be held in 2023)

election results: Senate - appointed; composition - men 16, women 5, percent of women 23.8% House of Assembly - percent of vote by party - BLP 74.6%, DLP 22.6%, other 2.8%; seats by party - BLP 30; composition - men 24, women 6, percent of women 20%; note - total Parliament percent of women 21.6%

note: tradition dictates that the election is held within 5 years of the last election, but constitutionally it is 5 years from the first seating of Parliament plus a 90-day grace period

Judicial branch highest : Supreme Court (consists of the High Court with 8 justices) and the Court of Appeal (consists of the High Court chief justice and president of the court and 4 justices; note - in 2005, Barbados acceded to the Caribbean Court of Justice as the final court of appeal, replacing that of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London)

judge selection and : 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 , 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

8 of 16 4/27/2021, 8:53 AM Barbados - The World Factbook https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/barbados/ Political parties and leaders Bajan Free Party [Alex MITCHELL] Barbados Integrity Movement [Neil HOLDER] Barbados Labor Party or BLP [Mia MOTTLEY] Democratic Labor Party or DLP [Freundel STUART] People’s Democratic [Mark ADAMSON] People's Empowerment Party or PEP [David COMISSIONG] Solutions Barbados [Grenville PHILLIPS II] United Progressive Party or UPP [Lynette EASTMOND]

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

Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador Noel Anderson LYNCH (since 11 January 2019)

chancery: 2144 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 939-9200

FAX: [1] (202) 332-7467

consulate(s) general: , New York

Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador Linda S. TAGLIALATELA (since 1 February 2016) note - also accredited to and Barbuda, , , and Nevis, , and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

telephone: [1] (246) 227-4000

embassy: Wildey Business Park, Wildey, St. Michael BB 14006, W.I.

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

FAX: [1] (246) 431-0179

Flag description three equal vertical bands of ultramarine blue (hoist side), gold, and ultramarine 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)

National symbol(s) Neptune's trident, , Red Bird of Paradise flower (also known as Pride of Barbados); national colors: blue, yellow, black

National name: The of Barbados

lyrics/music: Irving BURGIE/C. Van Roland EDWARDS

note: adopted 1966; the anthem is also known as "In Plenty and In Time of Need"

ECONOMY

Economic overview Barbados is the wealthiest and one of the most developed countries in the Eastern Caribbean and enjoys one of the highest per capita incomes in the region. 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. Offshore finance and information services are important foreign exchange earners, boosted by being in the same time zone as eastern US financial centers and by a relatively highly educated workforce. Following the 2008-09 recession, external vulnerabilities such as fluctuations in international oil prices have hurt economic growth, raised Barbados' already high public debt to GDP ratio - which stood at 105% of GDP in 2016 - and cut into its international reserves. 9 of 16 4/27/2021, 8:53 AM Barbados - The World Factbook https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/barbados/ Real GDP growth rate -0.2% (2017 est.)

2.3% (2016 est.)

2.2% (2015 est.) country comparison to the world: 196

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 4.4% (2017 est.)

1.5% (2016 est.) country comparison to the world: 175

Credit ratings Moody's rating: Caa1 (2019)

Standard & Poors rating: B- (2019)

Real GDP () $4.488 billion (2019 est.)

$4.493 billion (2018 est.)

$4.519 billion (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 country comparison to the world: 182

GDP (official exchange rate) $4.99 billion (2017 est.)

Real GDP per capita $15,639 (2019 est.)

$15,675 (2018 est.)

$15,789 (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars country comparison to the world: 107

Gross national saving 7.2% of GDP (2017 est.)

11.8% of GDP (2016 est.)

10.8% of GDP (2015 est.) country comparison to the world: 179

GDP - composition, by sector of origin : 1.5% (2017 est.)

industry: 9.8% (2017 est.)

services: 88.7% (2017 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use household consumption: 84.2% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 13.4% (2017 est.) 10 of 16 4/27/2021, 8:53 AM Barbados - The World Factbook https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/barbados/

investment in fixed capital: 17.6% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 0.2% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 31.6% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -47% (2017 est.)

Ease of Doing Business Index scores Overall score: 57.9 (2020)

Starting a Business score: 86.4 (2020)

Trading score: 62.8 (2020)

Enforcement score: 38.9 (2020)

Agricultural products sugar cane, poultry, vegetables, milk, eggs, pork, coconuts, pulses nes, sweet potatoes, tropical fruit

Industries tourism, sugar, light manufacturing, component assembly for export

Industrial production growth rate 2.4% (2017 est.) country comparison to the world: 119

Labor force 144,000 (2017 est.) country comparison to the world: 175

Labor force - by occupation agriculture: 10%

industry: 15%

services: 75% (1996 est.)

Unemployment rate 10.1% (2017 est.)

9.9% (2016 est.) country comparison to the world: 149

Population below poverty line NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Budget revenues: 1.466 billion (2013 est.) (2017 est.)

expenditures: 1.664 billion (2017 est.)

Taxes and other revenues 29.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.) country comparison to the world: 82

11 of 16 4/27/2021, 8:53 AM Barbados - The World Factbook https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/barbados/ Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) -4% (of GDP) (2017 est.) country comparison to the world: 155

Public debt 157.3% of GDP (2017 est.)

149.1% of GDP (2016 est.) country comparison to the world: 3

Fiscal year 1 April - 31

Current account balance -$189 million (2017 est.)

-$206 million (2016 est.) country comparison to the world: 97

Exports $485.4 million (2017 est.)

$516.9 million (2016 est.) country comparison to the world: 175

Exports - partners US 21%, 14%, Jamaica 8%, 6%, and 6% (2019)

Exports - commodities rums and other hard liquor, ships, orthopedic appliances, cement, packaged medicines (2019)

Imports $1.52 billion (2017 est.)

$1.541 billion (2016 est.) country comparison to the world: 176

Imports - partners 35%, 14%, 9%, 5% (2019)

Imports - commodities refined petroleum, ships, cars, shipping containers, packaged medicines (2019)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold $264.5 million (31 December 2017 est.)

$341.8 million (31 December 2016 est.) country comparison to the world: 169

Debt - external $4.49 billion (2010 est.)

$668 million (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 137

Exchange rates Barbadian dollars (BBD) per US -

2 (2017 est.) 12 of 16 4/27/2021, 8:53 AM Barbados - The World Factbook https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/barbados/

2 (2016 est.)

2 (2015 est.)

2 (2014 est.)

2 (2013 est.)

note: the is pegged to the US dollar

ENERGY

Electricity access electrification - total population: 100% (2020)

Electricity - production 1.01 billion kWh (2016 est.) country comparison to the world: 150

Electricity - consumption 990 million kWh (2016 est.) country comparison to the world: 155

Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2017 est.) country comparison to the world: 104

Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2016 est.) country comparison to the world: 125

Electricity - installed generating capacity 269,000 kW (2016 est.) country comparison to the world: 162

Electricity - from fossil fuels 93% of total installed capacity (2016 est.) country comparison to the world: 50

Electricity - from nuclear fuels 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) country comparison to the world: 46

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) country comparison to the world: 157

Electricity - from other renewable sources 7% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) country comparison to the world: 90

Crude oil - production 1,000 bbl/day (2018 est.) country comparison to the world: 90

Crude oil - exports

13 of 16 4/27/2021, 8:53 AM Barbados - The World Factbook https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/barbados/ 674 bbl/day (2015 est.) country comparison to the world: 77

Crude oil - imports 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) country comparison to the world: 94

Crude oil - proved reserves 2.534 million bbl (1 January 2018 est.) country comparison to the world: 94

Refined petroleum products - production 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) country comparison to the world: 117

Refined petroleum products - consumption 11,000 bbl/day (2016 est.) country comparison to the world: 159

Refined petroleum products - exports 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) country comparison to the world: 129

Refined petroleum products - imports 10,630 bbl/day (2015 est.) country comparison to the world: 147

Natural gas - production 14.16 million cu m (2017 est.) country comparison to the world: 91

Natural gas - consumption 19.82 million cu m (2017 est.) country comparison to the world: 113

Natural gas - exports 0 cu m (2017 est.) country comparison to the world: 66

Natural gas - imports 5.653 million cu m (2017 est.) country comparison to the world: 78

Natural gas - proved reserves 141.6 million cu m (1 January 2018 est.) country comparison to the world: 102

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy 1.76 million Mt (2017 est.) country comparison to the world: 160

COMMUNICATIONS

Telephones - fixed lines total subscriptions: 141,618

14 of 16 4/27/2021, 8:53 AM Barbados - The World Factbook https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/barbados/ subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 48.19 (2019 est.) country comparison to the world: 128

Telephones - mobile cellular total subscriptions: 319,177

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 108.61 (2019 est.) country comparison to the world: 178

Telecommunication systems general assessment: island-wide automatic telephone system; telecom sector across the Caribbean region remains one of the key growth areas and contributors to the overall GDP; numerous competitors licensed, but small and localized (2020)

domestic: fixed-line teledensity of roughly 48 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone density about 109 per 100 persons (2019)

international: country code - 1-246; landing points for the ECFS and Fiber submarine cable with links to 15 other islands in the eastern Caribbean extending from the British to Trinidad and Puerto Ricco; satellite earth stations - 1 (Intelsat - Atlantic Ocean); tropospheric scatter to Trinidad and Saint Lucia (2019)

note: the COVID-19 outbreak is negatively impacting telecommunications production and supply chains globally; consumer spending on telecom devices and services has also slowed due to the pandemic's effect on worldwide; overall progress towards improvements in all facets of the telecom industry - mobile, fixed-line, broadband, submarine cable and satellite - has moderated

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

Internet country code .bb

Internet users total: 239,664

percent of population: 81.76% (July 2018 est.) country comparison to the world: 171

Broadband - fixed subscriptions total: 89,340

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 30 (2018 est.) country comparison to the world: 124

TRANSPORTATION

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix 8P

Airports total: 1 (2020) country comparison to the world: 212

Airports - with paved runways total: 1 (2019)

over 3,047 m: 1

Pipelines

15 of 16 4/27/2021, 8:53 AM Barbados - The World Factbook https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/barbados/ 33 km gas, 64 km oil, 6 km refined products (2013)

Roadways total: 1,700 km (2015)

paved: 1,700 km (2015) country comparison to the world: 173

Merchant marine total: 145

by type: bulk carrier 31, general cargo 100, other 14 (2020) country comparison to the world: 75

Ports and terminals major seaport(s): Bridgetown

MILITARY AND SECURITY

Military and security forces Royal Barbados Defense Force: The , The Barbados (2021)

Military expenditures 0.9% of GDP (2017)

0.9% of GDP (2016)

0.7% of GDP (2015)

0.7% of GDP (2014)

0.7% of GDP (2013) country comparison to the world: 130

Military and security service personnel strengths the Royal Barbados Defense Force (RBDF) has approximately 600 active personnel (2020)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions the RBDF's major equipment inventory - maritime patrol boats - is supplied by the Netherlands (2020)

Military service age and obligation voluntary service only; 17 years, 9 months to 17 years, 11 months with a letter of consent from a parent or guardian, or be in the age range of 18-25 years at the start of recruit training; citizen of Barbados by descent or naturalization (2021)

TRANSNATIONAL ISSUES

Disputes - international

Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago abide by the April 2006 Permanent Court of Arbitration decision delimiting a and limiting catches of in Trinidad and Tobago's exclusive economic zone; joins other Caribbean states to counter Venezuela's claim that Aves Island sustains habitation, a criterion under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which permits Venezuela to extend its Economic Exclusion Zone/ over a large portion of the eastern

Illicit drugs one of many Caribbean transshipment points for narcotics bound for and the US; offshore financial center

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