Labor force participation rate in Barbados
Barbados: Labor force participation rate was 64.7% in 2025. ▼ Falling
Labor force participation rate in Barbados, 1990–2025
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for labor force participation rate in Barbados is 64.7%, measured in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 0.4% on the previous year and down 1.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labor force participation rate in Barbados peaked at 70.2% in 2004 and was at its lowest, 62.4%, in 2021.
That places Barbados 66th out of 186 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 36 years of available data.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 68.7% | 67.7% | 69.7% | 10 |
| 2000s | 69.6% | 69.2% | 70.2% | 10 |
| 2010s | 66.8% | 64.9% | 68.9% | 10 |
| 2020s | 64.3% | 62.4% | 65.3% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Barbados
More work & labour data for Barbados
- Legislation on sexual harassment in employment 1 (1=yes; 0=no) (2023)
- Criminal sanctions or compensation for workplace sexual harassment 1 (1=yes; 0=no) (2023)
- Women can take the same jobs as men 1 (1=yes; 0=no) (2023)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) 64.7% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) 68.7% (2025)
- Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) 88.8% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15 61.0% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15-6 78.3% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) 80.3% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15 76.4% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is labor force participation rate in Barbados?
- Labor force participation rate in Barbados was 64.7% in 2025, according to ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest labor force participation rate recorded in Barbados?
- The highest recorded value was 70.2% in 2004.
- What is the lowest labor force participation rate recorded in Barbados?
- The lowest recorded value was 62.4% in 2021.
- How does Barbados rank for labor force participation rate?
- Barbados ranks 66th out of 186 countries with data for 2025.
- Is labor force participation rate rising or falling in Barbados?
- Over the last ten years it is down 1.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Barbados data come from?
- The figures come from ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Labor force participation rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of the working-age population (ages 15 and over) who are economically active (employed or unemployed).