Barbadian Dollar
Barbadian Dollar
Currency Code
BBD
ISO 052
Symbol
BBD
Native: $
Decimal Digits
2
Rounding: 0
Countries
BB
Using this currency
Currency Units
Major Unit
Name: dollar
Symbol: $
Minor Unit
Name: cent
Symbol:
Value: 0.01
Banknotes
Frequently Used
$2$5$10$20$50$100
Coins
Frequently Used
1 cent5 cent10 cent25 cent$1
Plural Forms
English Plural
Barbadian dollars
Native Plural
Barbadian Dollars
Overview
The Barbadian Dollar is the currency of Barbados, pegged to the US dollar since 1975. It is managed by the Central Bank of Barbados and plays a crucial role in the island's tourism-based economy.
Economy
- Barbados is a member of CARICOM, OAS, Commonwealth, ACS, OECS (associate).
- Main industries include: Tourism, Sugar, Light manufacturing, Component assembly for export.
- Barbados is part of the World Trade Organization.
- Imports are consumer goods, machinery, foodstuffs, construction materials, chemicals, fuel, electrical components.
- Major exports include manufactures, sugar, molasses, rum, other foods, chemicals, electrical components.
- GDP: $5.7 billion (2023 est.).
- GDP per capita: $19,825 (2023 est.).
- Unemployment rate: 8.1% (2023 est.).
- Inflation rate: 4.1% (2023 est.).
- Main trading partners: United States, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, Jamaica, China, Guyana.
- Trade agreements: CARICOM Single Market, EPA with EU, Various bilateral agreements.
History
- Previous currencies used: East Caribbean dollar, British West Indies dollar, Barbadian pound.
- The Barbadian dollar was introduced in 1972, replacing the East Caribbean dollar. It was initially floated but has been pegged to the US dollar since 1975.
- 1972: BBD introduced, replacing East Caribbean dollar
- 1975: Pegged to USD at 2:1 ratio
- 1986: Central Bank of Barbados established
- 2018: IMF Extended Fund Facility program
- 2022: Economic recovery from COVID-19 pandemic
- Exchange rate peg: USD (1975-present) at 2 BBD = 1 USD.
- Currently pegged to USD at 2 BBD = 1 USD.
General Information
- ISO 4217 Code: BBD
- Symbols: BBD/$
- Currency Subunits: 100 cents
- Central Bank: Central Bank of Barbados
- Monetary Policy: Currency board system maintaining USD peg. Focus on price stability and supporting tourism-dependent economy.
- Bills: 2 BBD, 5 BBD, 10 BBD, 20 BBD, 50 BBD, 100 BBD
- Coins: 1 cent, 5 cents, 10 cents, 25 cents, 1 dollar
- USD Exchange Rate: 2.00
- Pegged To: USD at 2 BBD = 1 USD
- Capital: Bridgetown
- Population: 288,023 (2023 est.)
- Area: 430 km²
- Languages: English (official), Bajan (Barbadian Creole)
- Time Zones: UTC-4 (Atlantic Standard Time)
- Government Type: Parliamentary republic
- Head of Government: Prime Minister (head of government), President (head of state)
- Independence: November 30, 1966 (from United Kingdom)
- Ethnic Groups: African descent 92.4%, Mixed 3.1%, White 2.7%, East Indian 1.3%, Other 0.2%, Unspecified 0.3%
- Religions: Protestant 66.4%, Roman Catholic 3.8%, Other Christian 5.4%, Rastafarian 1%, Other 1.5%, None 20.6%, Unspecified 1.2%
- Literacy Rate: 99.6% (2014 est.)
- Transport: Grantley Adams International Airport, modern road network, Bridgetown port
- Communications: Advanced telecommunications, 81% internet penetration, widespread mobile coverage
- Energy: Fossil fuels primary, growing renewable energy sector with solar initiatives
- Countries Using This Currency: Barbados
- Data Sources: Central Bank: Central Bank of Barbados (centralbank.org.bb), Economic Data: Barbados Statistical Service, World Bank, IMF, Trade Data: Barbados Customs and Excise Department, Demographic Data: Barbados Statistical Service, Geographic Data: Barbados Meteorological Services, Historical Data: Central Bank of Barbados archives
- Last Updated: 2025