Barbados Health Spending
Current health expenditure as % of GDP SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS
Barbados's health spending was 5.67% in 2025, ranked 115th globally. This represents a 4.9% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 2000–2025.
Overview
Barbados's health spending stood at 5.67% in 2025, a rise of +0.26% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 5.67% by 2025. Barbados ranked 115th globally.
Barbados' health spending has demonstrated a fluctuating trend over the past quarter century, with significant variations in expenditure levels. The country's health spending peaked in 2021 at 7.44% of its GDP, a notable increase from its 4.93% trough in 2000, marking the beginning of the coverage period. Since then, health spending has gradually declined, reaching 5.67% of GDP in 2025. This recent figure places Barbados at the 115th position globally, slightly below its peer countries, such as Mexico, which maintained a higher health spending level of 5.71% of GDP. The country's health spending trajectory may be influenced by various factors, including demographic changes, healthcare policy reforms, and economic shifts. A sustained economic growth, coupled with a focus on improving healthcare outcomes, could potentially alter the trajectory of Barbados' health spending and propel the country towards a more robust healthcare system.
Data & projection
| Year | Health Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 5.53% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 5.67% | - | - |
| 2025 | 5.67% | +0.26% | #115 |
| 2023 | 5.40% | −0.47% | #71 |
| 2022 | 5.87% | −1.57% | #85 |
| 2021 | 7.44% | +0.72% | #111 |
| 2020 | 6.73% | +1.05% | #96 |
| 2019 | 5.67% | −0.16% | #90 |
| 2018 | 5.83% | −0.17% | #92 |
| 2017 | 6.00% | −0.19% | #91 |
| 2016 | 6.19% | +0.10% | #96 |
| 2015 | 6.09% | −0.01% | #96 |
| 2014 | 6.10% | −0.39% | #100 |
| 2013 | 6.48% | −0.37% | #109 |
| 2012 | 6.85% | +0.79% | #117 |
| 2011 | 6.06% | +0.09% | #105 |
| 2010 | 5.97% | −0.33% | #103 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Barbados matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 2011. Historically, 38% of countries showing this pattern (117 out of 307) saw health spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Barbados's health spending was 5.67% in 2025. Ranked 115th globally. This represents a 4.9% increase from the previous year.
Barbados's health spending peaked at 7.44% in 2021.
The lowest health spending in Barbados was 4.93% in 2000.
Barbados ranks 115th globally in health spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Barbados's health spending is projected to reach 5.67% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The health spending of Barbados in 2025 was 5.67%. This ranks 115th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_barbados_health-spending,
title = {Barbados Health Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/barbados/health-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}