Urban Population: Barbados
Barbados's urban population is currently 59.5% as of 2024. # Barbados Urban Population Barbados's urban population stands at 59.
Current (2024)
59.5%
+0.2% y/y
Peak (1990)
63.6%
Low (1960)
40.4%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1960–2024 · 65 pts
Urban Population — Barbados
1960 — 2024
Urban Population — Barbados
Analysis# Barbados Urban Population
Barbados's urban population stands at 59.54% in 2024, representing a substantial increase from 40.43% in 1960—a 47.3% rise over six decades. The nation peaked at 63.559% urbanization in 1990, meaning current levels remain 4 percentage points below that historical high. This slight decline from the 1990 peak reflects a modest rural resurgence or stabilization of urban migration patterns.
The data reveals a consistent upward trend from 1960 through 1990, followed by a gradual plateau. Since 2015, urbanization has remained remarkably stable between 59.2% and 59.5%, with annual increases typically under 0.15 percentage points. The recent trajectory suggests Barbados has reached an urbanization equilibrium, where rural-to-urban migration has slowed considerably and the urban share is unlikely to approach 1990 levels without significant demographic shifts.
Historical Data
65 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 59.5% | +0.20% |
| 2023 | 59.4% | +0.12% |
| 2022 | 59.4% | +0.05% |
| 2021 | 59.3% | +0.04% |
| 2020 | 59.3% | +0.03% |
| 2019 | 59.3% | +0.02% |
| 2018 | 59.3% | +0.02% |
| 2017 | 59.3% | +0.01% |
| 2016 | 59.3% | +0.01% |
| 2015 | 59.2% | +0.01% |
| 2014 | 59.2% | +0.00% |
| 2013 | 59.2% | +0.00% |
| 2012 | 59.2% | +0.00% |
| 2011 | 59.2% | +0.00% |
| 2010 | 59.2% | -0.10% |
| 2009 | 59.3% | -0.33% |
| 2008 | 59.5% | -0.52% |
| 2007 | 59.8% | -0.65% |
| 2006 | 60.2% | -0.73% |
| 2005 | 60.6% | -0.76% |
Show all 65 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 61.1% | -0.73% |
| 2003 | 61.6% | -0.66% |
| 2002 | 62.0% | -0.54% |
| 2001 | 62.3% | -0.37% |
| 2000 | 62.5% | -0.25% |
| 1999 | 62.7% | -0.24% |
| 1998 | 62.8% | -0.23% |
| 1997 | 63.0% | -0.21% |
| 1996 | 63.1% | -0.19% |
| 1995 | 63.2% | -0.17% |
| 1994 | 63.3% | -0.14% |
| 1993 | 63.4% | -0.11% |
| 1992 | 63.5% | -0.07% |
| 1991 | 63.5% | -0.03% |
| 1990 | 63.6% | +0.00% |
| 1989 | 63.6% | +0.00% |
| 1988 | 63.6% | +0.01% |
| 1987 | 63.6% | +0.01% |
| 1986 | 63.5% | +0.01% |
| 1985 | 63.5% | +0.02% |
| 1984 | 63.5% | +0.02% |
| 1983 | 63.5% | +0.02% |
| 1982 | 63.5% | +0.03% |
| 1981 | 63.5% | +0.03% |
| 1980 | 63.5% | +0.55% |
| 1979 | 63.1% | +1.80% |
| 1978 | 62.0% | +2.87% |
| 1977 | 60.3% | +3.73% |
| 1976 | 58.1% | +4.38% |
| 1975 | 55.7% | +4.79% |
| 1974 | 53.1% | +4.89% |
| 1973 | 50.6% | +4.63% |
| 1972 | 48.4% | +3.95% |
| 1971 | 46.6% | +2.73% |
| 1970 | 45.3% | +1.76% |
| 1969 | 44.5% | +1.58% |
| 1968 | 43.8% | +1.50% |
| 1967 | 43.2% | +1.40% |
| 1966 | 42.6% | +1.28% |
| 1965 | 42.1% | +1.14% |
| 1964 | 41.6% | +0.99% |
| 1963 | 41.2% | +0.82% |
| 1962 | 40.9% | +0.63% |
| 1961 | 40.6% | +0.42% |
| 1960 | 40.4% | — |
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