Barbados vs South Africa: Compare Statistics
Side-by-side comparison of 149 key metrics across economy, population, geography, and more — latest data through 2026.
Summary
South Africa has 232 times as many people as Barbados (65.49 million vs 282,780). South Africa's economy is 48.4 times the size of Barbados's ($424.75 billion vs $8.78 billion GDP).
Comparing Barbados and South Africa: Barbados leads on Radios (237,000) against South Africa (17); Barbados leads on Televisions (76,000) against South Africa (6); South Africa leads on Population Change (673,270 persons) against Barbados (60.30 persons). Across 149 compared metrics, Barbados wins on 66 and South Africa wins on 73.
- Communications: 8 metrics compared
- Economy: 55 metrics compared
- Environment: 9 metrics compared
- Geography: 5 metrics compared
- Government: 9 metrics compared
- Health: 20 metrics compared
- Military and Security: 2 metrics compared
- People and Society: 35 metrics compared
- Transportation: 4 metrics compared
- Travel and Tourism: 1 metric compared
- Other: 1 metric compared
Communications
8 metrics| Metric | 🇧🇧 Barbados | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed Broadband Penetration | 37.48 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants★ | 3.12 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants | |
| Internet Penetration Rate (%) | 70.36 % | 78.36 %★ | |
| Internet Usage Rate by Country (% of Population) | 79.99 %★ | 75.66 % | |
| Internet Users | percent of population: 80% (2023 est.) | percent of population: 76% (2023 est.) | |
| Mobile Internet Speed | 37.48 Mbps★ | 3.12 Mbps | |
| Radios | 237,000★ | 17 | |
| Televisions | 76,000★ | 6 | |
| Waterways | none | NA |
Economy
55 metricsEnvironment
9 metrics| Metric | 🇧🇧 Barbados | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual CO₂ Emissions Growth (abs) | 48,438★ | 3.23M | |
| Annual Forest Area Change Rate | 0 % | 87,566.02 %★ | |
| Carbon Dioxide Emissions | 1.35★ | 446.7 | |
| Population Distribution | most densely populated country in the eastern Caribbean; approximately one third of the population lives in urban areas | the population is concentrated along the southern and southeastern coast, and inland around Pretoria; the eastern half of the country is more densely populated than the west, as shown in this population distribution map | |
| Protected Land Area for Adaptation | 1.04 sq km | 9.88 sq km★ | |
| Protected Land Area Percentage | 1.1 % | 9.6 %★ | |
| Total Renewable Groundwater Resources by Country | 0.07 Cubic meters per year | 4.8 Cubic meters per year★ | |
| Total Renewable Water Resources | 80★ | 51.35 | |
| Total Threatened Mammal Species | 3 species★ | 33 species |
Geography
5 metrics| Metric | 🇧🇧 Barbados | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of land area by degree of urbanization | 43.74 %★ | 1.94 % | |
| Agricultural land | 100 sq. km | 963,410 sq. km★ | |
| Airports per 1,000 Sq Km | 430 | 1.21M★ | |
| Coastline Length (km) | 97 km | 2,798 km★ | |
| Irrigated Land | 50 | 16,700★ |
Government
9 metrics| Metric | 🇧🇧 Barbados | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rule of Law Index by Country | 62.08 %★ | 61.59 % | |
| Administrative Divisions | 11★ | 9 | |
| Corruption Perception Index | 68 index | 41 index★ | |
| Corruption Perceptions Index Score | 68 index★ | 41 index | |
| Independence | 30 | 31★ | |
| LGBT Rights Index Score | -0.5 | 10.94★ | |
| Prison Population Rate | 296 per 100,000 | 286 per 100,000★ | |
| Public Sector Corruption Perception | 68 | 41★ | |
| Suffrage Participation Rate | 18 | 18 |
Health
20 metricsMilitary and Security
2 metrics| Metric | 🇧🇧 Barbados | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active Military Personnel | 1,000 personnel | 74,000 personnel★ | |
| Total Armed Forces Personnel (PPP) | 1,000 | 89,000★ |
People and Society
35 metricsTransportation
4 metrics| Metric | 🇧🇧 Barbados | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Travel Trips Per Capita (PPP) | 2.89★ | 0.37 | |
| Airports | 1 | 573★ | |
| Civil Air Travel | no major transport aircraft | 90 | |
| Heliports | 1 | 49★ |
Travel and Tourism
1 metric| Metric | 🇧🇧 Barbados | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourism Receipts per Capita | 928.60M USD | 4.96B USD★ |
Other
1 metric| Metric | 🇧🇧 Barbados | 🇿🇦 South Africa | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current Bank Rate | 2 % | 7 %★ |
Frequently Asked Questions About Barbados vs South Africa
Which has a larger population, Barbados or South Africa?▾
South Africa. South Africa has 232 times as many people as Barbados (65.49 million vs 282,780). Data for 2026.
Which has a bigger economy, Barbados or South Africa?▾
South Africa. South Africa's economy is 48.4 times the size of Barbados's ($424.75 billion vs $8.78 billion GDP). Data for 2026.
Which is richer per person, Barbados or South Africa?▾
Barbados is richer per person: GDP per capita is about $31,032 in Barbados vs $6,486 in South Africa (2026 GDP in current US dollars divided by population).