9 answers, 3 from Barbados's own official bodies, with a link to each figure.
Barbados' gross secondary enrolment ratio was 104.4% and its gross primary ratio 83.9% in 2024, according to the World Bank's World Development Indicators, which use UNESCO Institute for Statistics data. The primary completion rate was 85.3% (primary completion).
A gross ratio compares all pupils enrolled at a level with the population of official school age for that level, so it can exceed 100% when older or younger pupils are enrolled. The Ministry of Educational Transformation's site could not be reached on 15 October 2026.
Barbados' gross tertiary enrolment ratio was 50.8% in 2025, according to the World Bank's World Development Indicators, which use UNESCO Institute for Statistics data.
The ratio compares students in universities and colleges with the population in the five years after secondary school age. It is a ratio, not a count of students or graduates.
Education took 14.2% of Barbados government spending in 2025, according to the World Bank's World Development Indicators, based on UNESCO Institute for Statistics data. Public education spending equalled 3.6% of GDP in 2024 (spending as % of GDP).
The figures cover all levels of public education, including tertiary. Years differ between the two indicators, so they should not be combined. Neither indicator shows results or pupil numbers.
The figures below use one definition for every country, so they can differ from national figures.
The UNESCO Institute for Statistics puts net primary school enrolment in Barbados at 96.7% in 2018. Since 2005 it has ranged from 90.2% (2005) to 96.7% (2008). It is 3rd highest of 17 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 92.9%. World rank, highest first: 12th of 69.
The UNESCO Institute for Statistics puts gross secondary school enrolment in Barbados at 104.4% in 2024. Since 2005 it has ranged from 102.5% (2023) to 110.9% (2008). Latin America & Caribbean median: 91.6%; Barbados is 5th highest of 22. World rank, highest first: 23rd of 100.
According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, gross tertiary enrolment in Barbados was 50.8% in 2025. Its high point since 2007 was 2009, at 74.2%; its low point was 2018, at 45.9%.
According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, government spending on education in Barbados was 3.6% of GDP in 2024. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 3.8% of GDP, and Barbados placed 8th highest of 11. World rank, highest first: 27th of 36.
14: that is the number of primary pupils per teacher in Barbados for 2018, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Since 2005 it has ranged from 13 (2014) to 15 (2005). It is 14th highest of 18 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 18. Worldwide: 70th of 85.
According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, the primary completion rate in Barbados was 85.3% in 2024. The peak was 103.3% in 2006 and the low 81.4% in 2019. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 93.9%, and Barbados placed 16th highest of 19. World rank, highest first: 82nd of 104.
Read on 14 October 2026. Definitions · Report an error