In 2021, Barbados officially removed Queen Elizabeth II as its Head of State, transitioning to a republic 55 years after gaining independence from Great Britain in 1966. This transition underlines its active confrontation with its colonial legacy, exemplified by its historical marker of being England’s first “slave society.” In the face of its collective trauma of enslavement, the country recognizes freedom and equality as the “most fundamental features” of its national identity. Barbados is actively involved in the movement to seek reparatory justice for slavery, and representatives from the country serve as leading members of the CARICOM Reparations Commission. The population is predominantly Black (92 per cent) or mixed (3 per cent), with a small minority of White, South Asian, East Asian and Middle Eastern (5 per cent) groups. The country is largely Christian. Demographic homogeneity paired with a firm government commitment to human rights, justice, and progressive social policy have minimized ethnic cleavages in the country.  

The country holds regular and competitive elections, and the main parties—the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) and the Democratic Labour Party (DLP)—are both center-left social democratic parties. Politics in the country are driven by discussions over how to shed colonial ties and reassert Barbadian black identity and sovereignty as well as claims for reparations. Barbados is currently undergoing consultations for constitutional reform that aligns with the ethos of the new Republic. The Constitutional Reform Commission (CMC) is scheduled to deliver its final report in 2024. The Commission's mandate includes consulting with Barbadians on desired constitutional reforms and educating the public to increase interest and awareness of the Constitution. A final important national issue is how to mitigate poverty and social inequality. Despite the country’s relative prosperity in the region and a successful economic rebound from the Covid-19 pandemic, poverty rates are concerning, with households headed by women disproportionately affected. Part of the government’s response is a rights-based Social Protection Policy, attentive to the complex and multidimensional nature of poverty.  

Barbados faces significant risks related to natural disasters and the impacts of climate change, which especially affect low-income sectors and women. The country has become a voice against climate insecurity through demands for reform of the Global Financing Architecture.

Women in Barbados have seen significant improvements in anti-discrimination policies and rights, as well as increased representation. However, they still face challenges, currently holding only 26.67 per cent of the seats in parliament. Economic inequality and gender-based violence remain persistent issues in the country. In 2022, the Barbados High-Court de-criminalized homosexuality, a first step towards improving social rights and equality for the LGBTQIA+ community.

Looking ahead, it will be important to watch the outcomes of the constitutional reform process, implementation of social protection policies, and overall emergence of a new governing ethos which could lead to shifts in any of the GSoD metrics of democratic performance. Lastly, it will be important to follow how the country will continue to work towards a more equal and just society and how it will address its challenges in terms of Gender Equality.

Last Updated: June 2024