The Barbadian financial system grew by 2.5 per cent within the first half of 2025, fuelled by positive factors in tourism, building, and enterprise providers, in response to the Central Financial institution of Barbados.
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Governor Kevin Greenidge delivered the mid-year financial report on Friday, describing the outlook as “constructive” and projecting full-year development of roughly 2.7 per cent.
“We anticipate to proceed into the complete 12 months,” Greenidge stated. “That’s broadly based mostly on momentum in tourism, building, enterprise and different providers, and wholesale and retail.”
The Governor added that over the medium time period, financial development is predicted to common round 3 per cent, supported by tourism diversification, infrastructure upgrades, and advances in digital transformation.
Tourism remained a key driver of the financial system. Lengthy-stay customer arrivals elevated by 3.3 per cent, with the USA and European markets recording positive factors of 9.8 and 14.8 per cent respectively. Cruise tourism additionally rebounded strongly, with passenger arrivals leaping 34.8 per cent to 472,875.
Barbados’ worldwide reserves hit a file excessive of $3.9 billion, offering 37.4 weeks of import cowl—properly above the worldwide benchmark.
Inflation slowed significantly to 0.5 per cent, whereas unemployment declined to six.3 per cent within the first quarter. On the fiscal aspect, the Authorities posted a $372.9 million general surplus and a main surplus of $530.9 million. The nation’s debt-to-GDP ratio additionally fell to 102 per cent.
Greenidge stated the figures mirrored continued resilience and regular progress in stabilizing and rising the financial system.
