Barbados Population
Latin America & Caribbean · 180th most populous · High income
Population right now (estimate)
282,743
The population of Barbados is about 282,743 as of 22 October 2026 (estimate), and 283 thousand for 2026 as a whole — 0.00% of the world's people.
Barbados is ranked 180th of 217 by population. Growth has nearly stopped: the population changes by only 0.04% a year. Projections show it peaking around 2028 at about 283 thousand, then declining. Since 1960 (231 thousand) it has grown by 22%. Population density is 656 people per square kilometre. 60% of people live in cities (2025).
Population 2026
283 thousand
Yearly change
+0.04%
World rank
180th
Share of world
0.00%
Density
656/km²
Land area
431 km²
Life expectancy
76.3 yrs
Births per woman
1.71
GDP per capita
$28,365
GDP
$8.0B
Population of Barbados, 1960–2050
Barbados population by year
| Year | Population | Yearly change | Density (per km²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 230,893 | — | 536 |
| 1970 | 249,387 | −0.02% | 579 |
| 1980 | 251,524 | +0.10% | 584 |
| 1990 | 258,582 | +0.18% | 600 |
| 2000 | 262,063 | −0.17% | 608 |
| 2010 | 275,243 | +0.41% | 639 |
| 2020 | 281,698 | +0.17% | 654 |
| 2024 | 282,467 | +0.05% | 655 |
| 2026proj. | 282,724 | +0.04% | 656 |
| 2030proj. | 282,490 | −0.07% | 655 |
| 2040proj. | 276,346 | −0.34% | 641 |
| 2050proj. | 264,216 | −0.50% | 613 |
Barbados vs Bangladesh
Bangladesh (178 million) has 629 times as many people as Barbados. Bangladesh is 2.1 times more densely populated.
Barbados population: questions and answers
What is the population of Barbados in 2026?
About 282,724 (283 thousand), based on World Bank projections.
Is Barbados's population growing?
Yes, by about 0.04% a year (2026).
What is the population density of Barbados?
About 656 people per km², with a land area of 431 km².
What will the population of Barbados be in 2050?
About 264 thousand on World Bank projections.
What is the capital of Barbados?
Bridgetown.
What is the life expectancy in Barbados?
76.3 years at birth (2024).
Sources: World Bank Open Data — World Development Indicators and Population Estimates and Projections (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata (CC0). Data retrieved 2026-10-22. Live figures are mathematical estimates interpolated between the World Bank's mid-year values, not real-time counts.