Barbados Government Spending
Government expenditure as % of GDP GC.XPN.TOTL.GD.ZS
Barbados's government spending was 28.79% in 2016, ranked 92nd globally. This represents a 1.4% decrease from 2015. Data from World Bank, covering 2003–2016.
Overview
Barbados's government spending stood at 28.79% in 2016, a decline of +0.41% from 2015. Barbados ranked 92nd globally.
Barbados’ government spending as a share of GDP averaged 28.79 in 2016, placing the country 92nd in the world according to the World Bank. Over the 14‑year series from 2003 to 2016, fiscal outlays rose from a low of 25.79 in 2004 to a high of 33.98 in 2009, reflecting an expansionary response to the global financial crisis and subsequent stimulus measures. After the 2009 peak, spending gradually receded, reaching 26.98 in 2003 before stabilising around the high‑20s in the later years. Barbados’ 2016 level is comparable to peers such as Georgia (28.67) and Colombia (28.63), suggesting a similar fiscal stance among small open economies that balance social programmes with debt sustainability. The modest decline from the post‑crisis peak indicates a return to more restrained budgets, and future trajectories will likely depend on the island’s capacity to diversify revenue sources while managing public debt pressures.
Data & projection
| Year | Government Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 28.79% | −0.41% | #92 |
| 2015 | 29.20% | +1.25% | #92 |
| 2014 | 27.95% | −1.36% | #85 |
| 2013 | 29.31% | +0.89% | #82 |
| 2012 | 28.42% | +1.88% | #82 |
| 2011 | 26.54% | −0.89% | #72 |
| 2010 | 27.43% | −6.55% | #72 |
| 2009 | 33.98% | +3.12% | #80 |
| 2008 | 30.86% | +1.62% | #76 |
| 2007 | 29.25% | +2.35% | #65 |
| 2006 | 26.90% | −1.21% | #58 |
| 2005 | 28.10% | +2.31% | #62 |
| 2004 | 25.79% | −1.19% | #61 |
| 2003 | 26.98% | – | #58 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Barbados matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 2011. Historically, 38% of countries showing this pattern (117 out of 307) saw government spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Barbados's government spending was 28.79% in 2016. Ranked 92nd globally. This represents a 1.4% decrease from the previous year.
Barbados's government spending peaked at 33.98% in 2009.
The lowest government spending in Barbados was 25.79% in 2004.
Barbados ranks 92nd globally in government spending as of 2016.
The World Bank indicator code is GC.XPN.TOTL.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
The government spending of Barbados in 2016 was 28.79%. This ranks 92nd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_barbados_government-spending,
title = {Barbados Government Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/barbados/government-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}