Barbados Rate of Natural Increase

Barbados has a low rate of natural increase (RNI), reflecting both a declining birth rate and a relatively low death rate, resulting in slow population growth. As of recent estimates, Barbados' RNI is close to zero or even slightly negative, indicating that the number of births barely exceeds, or sometimes falls below, the number of deaths. In comparison, neighboring Caribbean countries such as Saint Lucia and Grenada generally have slightly higher RNIs, though these too are modest compared to global averages, due to similar demographic trends like aging populations and lower fertility rates. However, some other nearby nations, such as Trinidad and Tobago, also experience low or negative RNIs, largely due to emigration and declining birth rates. Overall, Barbados’ RNI is among the lowest in the Caribbean, highlighting broader regional challenges related to population aging and migration.

Data from US Census International Database