Unemployment Rate: Barbados
Barbados's unemployment rate is currently 7.8% as of 2026. # Barbados Unemployment Rate Barbados currently sits at 7.
Current (2026)
7.8%
-1.3% y/y
Peak (1993)
24.4%
Low (2007)
7.4%
Source
IMF World Economic Outlook
1981–2026 · 50 pts
Unemployment Rate — Barbados
1981 — 2026
Unemployment Rate — Barbados
Analysis# Barbados Unemployment Rate
Barbados currently sits at 7.8% unemployment in 2026, approaching its lowest point on record of 7.4% in 2007. The rate stands dramatically below its peak of 24.4% in 1993, reflecting a remarkable 27.8% improvement since 1981. This long-term decline demonstrates substantial progress in the island's labor market over four decades, despite periodic fluctuations.
The most significant disruption occurred in 2020, when unemployment spiked to 15.7% due to pandemic-related economic shocks. A sharp recovery followed through 2022, with the rate dropping to 8.2% and stabilizing near that level through 2026. The steady decline from 2022 onward suggests the island's labor market has regained solid footing, positioning unemployment near historic lows as economic conditions continue to stabilize.
Historical Data
50 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2030 | 7.8% | +0.00% |
| 2029 | 7.8% | -1.27% |
| 2028 | 7.9% | +1.28% |
| 2027 | 7.8% | +0.00% |
| 2026 | 7.8% | -1.27% |
| 2025 | 7.9% | +0.00% |
| 2024 | 7.9% | -3.66% |
| 2023 | 8.2% | +0.00% |
| 2022 | 8.2% | -41.84% |
| 2021 | 14.1% | -10.19% |
| 2020 | 15.7% | +55.45% |
| 2019 | 10.1% | +0.00% |
| 2018 | 10.1% | +1.00% |
| 2017 | 10.0% | +3.09% |
| 2016 | 9.7% | -14.16% |
| 2015 | 11.3% | -8.13% |
| 2014 | 12.3% | +6.03% |
| 2013 | 11.6% | +0.87% |
| 2012 | 11.5% | +2.68% |
| 2011 | 11.2% | +8.74% |
Show all 50 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 10.3% | +3.00% |
| 2009 | 10.0% | +23.46% |
| 2008 | 8.1% | +9.46% |
| 2007 | 7.4% | -14.94% |
| 2006 | 8.7% | -4.40% |
| 2005 | 9.1% | -5.21% |
| 2004 | 9.6% | -12.73% |
| 2003 | 11.0% | +6.80% |
| 2002 | 10.3% | +4.04% |
| 2001 | 9.9% | +5.32% |
| 2000 | 9.4% | -9.62% |
| 1999 | 10.4% | -14.75% |
| 1998 | 12.2% | -16.44% |
| 1997 | 14.6% | -7.59% |
| 1996 | 15.8% | -19.39% |
| 1995 | 19.6% | -10.09% |
| 1994 | 21.8% | -10.66% |
| 1993 | 24.4% | +6.55% |
| 1992 | 22.9% | +33.14% |
| 1991 | 17.2% | +15.44% |
| 1990 | 14.9% | -1.97% |
| 1989 | 15.2% | -11.11% |
| 1988 | 17.1% | -4.47% |
| 1987 | 17.9% | +1.13% |
| 1986 | 17.7% | -4.84% |
| 1985 | 18.6% | +9.41% |
| 1984 | 17.0% | +14.09% |
| 1983 | 14.9% | +9.56% |
| 1982 | 13.6% | +25.93% |
| 1981 | 10.8% | — |
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