🇧🇧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.
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 is relatively flat, with the highest point being Mount Hillaby at 340 m (1,120 ft). The island experiences a tropical monsoon climate with a wet season from June to December and a dry season from December to May, with average temperatures ranging from 21 to 31 °C (70 to 88 °F).
Barbados has a diverse population shaped by its history of indentured servitude and slavery. The capital city, Bridgetown, houses about one-third of the population, which is predominantly of African and English ancestry. The island has a rich cultural heritage influenced by various ethnic groups, including a significant historical presence of Irish indentured servants.
Governance Indicators
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).
| Country | Score |
|---|---|
| 🇨🇦Canada | 87.2 |
| 🇺🇸United States | 79.6 |
| 🇧🇧Barbados | 68.9 |
| 🇬🇱Greenland | 68.1 |
| 🇧🇸Bahamas | 65.8 |
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More Barbados Data
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