🇧🇧 Barbados

Public Sector Debt · 2026

Total Debt

102.0%

of GDP

Global Rank

#27

of 192

SOE Debt

+7.4%

3 categories

5yr Change

-44pp

improving

Where the Debt Sits

Central Government

Central Government: 94.6%Energy SOEs: 0.8%Infrastructure: 1.1%Public Corps: 5.5%

Full Debt Breakdown

Central Government94.6% of GDP

Central GovernmentIMF WEO — General Government Debt

94.6%

Energy SOEs0.8% of GDP

BNOCL (Barbados National Oil Company)Barbados Fiscal Risk Statement 2024→BNOCL debt $56.8M. State oil company.

0.8%

Infrastructure SOEs1.1% of GDP

BWA (Barbados Water Authority)Barbados Fiscal Risk Statement 2024→BWA debt $72.6M. Cash flow issues from delayed receivables. 50-100% probability of govt bailout per FRS 2026.

1.1%

Public Corporations5.5% of GDP

Transport Board + other SOEsBarbados Fiscal Risk Statement 2024; IMF Barbados 2024→Transport Board insolvent (negative equity). BPI $177M, GAIA $137M, BTII $84M, Hope $54M, NPC $50M. Pre-program: 58 SOEs received 7.5% GDP in transfers. SOEs account for 80% of total non-guaranteed debt ($782M).

5.5%

Total Corporate Debt51.8% of GDP

NF corporate debt (est.)WB WDI 2019

51.8%

Household Debt27.9% of GDP

Household debt (est.)WB WDI 2019

27.9%

Unfunded Pension Liabilities4.2% of GDP

Unfunded pension liabilities (SOE sector)Barbados Fiscal Risk Statement 2024→Unfunded pension liabilities totalled $284.7M at Dec 2023.

4.2%

All Layers Total185.9%