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🇧🇧Barbados Political Stability: 64.1/100

Barbados scores 64.1 out of 100 on the Political Stability Index, rated "Stable" based on World Bank 2023 Worldwide Governance Indicators across six governance dimensions.

Stable
Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions

Composite score is the unweighted average of six governance dimensions, each measured on a 0-100 percentile scale.

Barbados is the easternmost island in the Lesser Antilles, located in the Atlantic Ocean. It measures 21 miles (34 kilometers) long and up to 14 miles (23 kilometers) wide, covering an area of 439 square kilometers (169 square miles). The island is relatively flat compared to its western neighbors and lies about 168 km (104 mi) east of Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Barbados has a diverse population with a significant historical influence from Irish indentured servants and African slaves. The population has evolved over centuries, with a notable shift in ethnic composition due to the sugar industry. The current demographic landscape reflects this complex history, although specific population figures are not provided.

Governance Indicators

Control of Corruption81/100
Voice & Accountability77/100
Political Stability75/100
Rule of Law54/100
Regulatory Quality53/100
Government Effectiveness44/100

Governance Profile: Barbados

World Bank governance: rule of law 54th percentile, corruption control 81st percentile, political stability 75th percentile.

Barbados's strongest governance dimension is Control of Corruption at 81/100, placing it in the top quartile globally. This indicates relatively effective mechanisms for limiting misuse of public office for private gain.

The weakest dimension is Government Effectiveness at 44/100. Limited government effectiveness can mean inconsistent public services and gaps in policy implementation.

A notable 37-point gap between Control of Corruption and Government Effectiveness reveals uneven governance. Some institutions function well while others lag significantly. Travelers should be aware that the quality of government services and protections may vary depending on the context.

Travelers to Barbados benefit from functional government institutions and reasonable regulatory frameworks. While not without challenges, the overall governance environment supports a manageable travel experience with adequate infrastructure and legal protections.

The U.S. State Department currently rates Barbados as Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions). This aligns with a governance profile that, while not without challenges, provides a baseline of institutional functioning.

NA Governance Comparison

Top governance performers in NA based on the corruption composite ranking (weighted: 60% corruption control, 25% rule of law, 15% government effectiveness).

CountryScore
🇨🇦Canada87.2
🇺🇸United States79.6
🇧🇧Barbados68.9
🇬🇱Greenland68.1
🇧🇸Bahamas65.8

Common Questions About Barbados's Political Stability

What is Barbados's political stability score?+
Barbados has a composite political stability score of 64.1 out of 100, placing it in the "Stable" category. This score is the average of six World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators for 2023: Voice & Accountability, Political Stability, Government Effectiveness, Regulatory Quality, Rule of Law, and Control of Corruption.
What do the World Bank governance indicators measure?+
The six indicators come from the World Bank's Worldwide Governance Indicators (WGI) project. Each measures a different dimension of governance on a 0-100 percentile scale. Voice & Accountability captures perceptions of citizen participation and media freedom. Political Stability measures the likelihood of political instability or violence. Government Effectiveness assesses the quality of public services and policy implementation. Regulatory Quality evaluates the government's ability to formulate sound policies. Rule of Law captures confidence in contract enforcement, property rights, and courts. Control of Corruption measures the extent to which public power is exercised for private gain.
How does Barbados's stability affect travel safety?+
Governance indicators provide context beyond traditional travel advisories. Barbados's strongest area is Control of Corruption (81/100) and its weakest is Government Effectiveness (44/100). Strong governance generally correlates with reliable infrastructure, transparent regulations, and effective emergency services.
How does Barbados compare to other countries in NA?+
Within NA, Barbados ranks among 5 peer countries with available governance data. Its composite score of 64.1/100 places it in the lower half of the regional ranking.
When was this data last updated?+
The governance data on this page is from the World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators 2023 dataset. The WGI project publishes annual updates covering over 200 countries. This page is refreshed every six hours to incorporate any new data from our sources.

More Barbados Data

Barbados Travel Advisory

Safety ratings, regional breakdown, and entry requirements.

Barbados Freedom Score

Free — 94/100 on the Freedom House index.

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Official State Dept. Page →

Read the full advisory on travel.state.gov.

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