Barbados Services Employment
Employment in services SL.SRV.EMPL.ZS
Barbados's services employment was 82.58% in 2025, ranked 169th globally. This represents a 0.1% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Barbados's services employment stood at 82.58% in 2025, a rise of +0.08% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 83.59% by 2026. Barbados ranked 169th globally.
Barbados’ services sector has become the dominant source of employment, with 82.58 percent of the labour force employed in services in 2025, placing the island at rank 169 globally. This figure matches the all‑time peak recorded in the same year, up from a trough of 70.34 percent in 1992 and an early‑series level of 70.97 percent in 1991, indicating a steady upward trajectory over the 35‑year coverage period. The rise reflects the island’s strategic shift toward tourism, financial services and information technology, sectors that have expanded as traditional agriculture and manufacturing have contracted. Barbados now posts a services‑employment share slightly above the Virgin Islands (US) at 81.86 percent and comparable to Cyprus (81.58 percent), though it remains marginally below the United Kingdom’s 83.23 percent. Continued investment in high‑value services and diversification away from tourism‑dependent activities will be crucial to sustain the upward trend and mitigate potential shocks from external demand fluctuations.
Data & projection
| Year | Services Employment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 84.82% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 84.21% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 83.59% | - | - |
| 2025 | 82.58% | +0.08% | #169 |
| 2024 | 82.50% | +0.11% | #169 |
| 2023 | 82.40% | +1.43% | #171 |
| 2022 | 80.97% | +0.70% | #172 |
| 2021 | 80.27% | −0.35% | #172 |
| 2020 | 80.62% | +0.36% | #173 |
| 2019 | 80.26% | +1.59% | #173 |
| 2018 | 78.67% | +1.08% | #165 |
| 2017 | 77.58% | −0.29% | #161 |
| 2016 | 77.88% | +0.13% | #163 |
| 2015 | 77.75% | +0.27% | #164 |
| 2014 | 77.48% | +0.30% | #165 |
| 2013 | 77.18% | +0.11% | #164 |
| 2012 | 77.07% | +0.29% | #164 |
| 2011 | 76.78% | +0.48% | #165 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Barbados matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 2011. Historically, 38% of countries showing this pattern (117 out of 307) saw services employment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Barbados's services employment was 82.58% in 2025. Ranked 169th globally. This represents a 0.1% increase from the previous year.
Barbados's services employment peaked at 82.58% in 2025.
The lowest services employment in Barbados was 70.34% in 1992.
Barbados ranks 169th globally in services employment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.SRV.EMPL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Barbados's services employment is projected to reach 83.59% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The services employment of Barbados in 2025 was 82.58%. This ranks 169th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_barbados_services-employment,
title = {Barbados Services Employment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/barbados/services-employment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}