World Factbook
Barbados
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: three equal vertical bands of ultramarine blue (left side), gold, and ultramarine blue with a black trident head centered on the gold band meaning: blue stands for the sea and sky, and gold for the beaches; the trident head represents independence and a break with the past
Capital
name
Bridgetown
etymology
originally named Indian Bridge in 1628 for a bridge built beside Carlisle Bay, then called St. Michael's Town until the 19th century; now named after a bridge built over the Constitution River that flows through the center of the city
time difference
UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
13 06 N, 59 37 W
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
yes
citizenship by descent only
yes
dual citizenship recognized
yes
residency requirement for naturalization
5 years
Constitution
history
adopted 22 November 1966, effective 30 November 1966; Constitution (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2021 establishes Barbados as a republic and revokes the earlier Order in Council
amendment process
proposed by Parliament; passage of amendments to constitutional sections such as citizenship, fundamental rights and freedoms, and the organization and authorities of the branches of government requires two-thirds majority vote by the membership of both houses of Parliament; passage of other amendments only requires a majority vote of both houses
Country name
etymology
the name is the plural of the Spanish word barbado and means "the bearded ones," which could refer either to the beard-like leaves of the island's fig trees or to the beards of Carib inhabitants
conventional long form
none
conventional short form
Barbados
Independence
30 November 1966 (from the UK)
Legal system
English common law; no judicial review of legislative acts
Government type
parliamentary republic; a Commonwealth realm
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court (consists of the High Court with 8 justices) and the Court of Appeal (consists of the High Court chief justice and president of the court and 4 justices; Caribbean Court of Justice is the final court of appeal
subordinate courts
Magistrates' Courts
judge selection and term of office
Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister and opposition leader of Parliament; other justices appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission, a 5-member independent body consisting of the Supreme Court chief justice, the commission head, and presidential appointees recommended by the prime minister; justices serve until mandatory retirement at age 65
Executive branch
cabinet
Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister
chief of state
President Jeffrey Davidson BOSTIC (since 30 November 2025)
election results
Jeffrey Davidson BOSTIC elected as the country's second president
head of government
Prime Minister Mia MOTTLEY (since 25 May 2018)
most recent election date
7 October 2025
election/appointment process
president elected by an electoral college of both Houses of Parliament for a 4-year renewable term; following legislative elections, the president usually appoints the leader of the majority party or leader of the majority coalition as prime minister; the prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister
expected date of next election
NA
National holiday
Independence Day, 30 November (1966)
National color(s)
blue, yellow, black
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
1 (cultural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison
Political parties
Alliance Party for Progress or APP Barbados Labor Party or BLP Democratic Labor Party or DLP
Legislative branch
note
note: tradition dictates that the next election is held within 5 years of the last election, but constitutionally it is 5 years from the first seating of Parliament plus a 90-day grace period
legislature name
Parlement de Barbade (Parliament of Barbados)
legislative structure
bicameral
National anthem(s)
title
"The National Anthem of Barbados"
history
adopted 1966
lyrics/music
Irving BURGIE/C. Van Roland EDWARDS
National symbol(s)
Neptune's trident, pelican, red bird of paradise flower (also known as "Pride of Barbados")
Administrative divisions
11 parishes and 1 city*; Bridgetown*, Christ Church, Saint Andrew, Saint George, Saint James, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint Lucy, Saint Michael, Saint Peter, Saint Philip, Saint Thomas
Legislative branch - lower chamber
chamber name
House of Assembly
term in office
5 years
number of seats
30 (all directly elected)
electoral system
plurality/majority
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
1/19/2022
expected date of next election
January 2027
percentage of women in chamber
26.7%
parties elected and seats per party
Barbados Labour Party (BLP) (30)
Legislative branch - upper chamber
chamber name
Senate
term in office
5 years
number of seats
21 (all appointed)
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
2/4/2022
expected date of next election
February 2027
percentage of women in chamber
33.3%
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 332-7467
chancery
2144 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone
[1] (202) 939-9200
chief of mission
Ambassador Victor Anthony FERNANDES (since 18 September 2024)
consulate(s) general
Miami, New York
email address and website
washington@foreign.gov.bb https://www.foreign.gov.bb/embassies-high-commissions-and-permanent-missions/
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
(246) 431-0179
embassy
Wildey Business Park, St. Michael BB 14006, Barbados, W.I.
telephone
(246) 227-4000
mailing address
3120 Bridgetown Place, Washington DC 20521-3120
chief of mission
Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Karin B. SULLIVAN (since January 2025); note - also accredited to Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
email address and website
bridgetownpublicaffairs@state.gov https://bb.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ACP, ACS, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction