Gross National Product (GNP): US$2.61bn

Exchange rates against the US$ over the last year: 1.99 Barbados dollars (1.99)

SCORE CARD

World GNP ranking: 132nd GNP per capita: US$9750 Balance of payments: –US$94m Inflation: 0.1% Unemployment: 10%

Strengths

Well-developed tourism based on climate and accessibility. Information processing and financial services are important new growth sectors.

Weaknesses

Narrow economic base and an ailing sugar industry. Tourism is vulnerable to global downturns, especially as Barbados is promoted as a luxury destination. Relatively high manufacturing costs.

EXPORTS

IMPORTS

From "The Financial Times World Desk Reference" © Dorling Kindersley 2004