migration rate: −4.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15–64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.63 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.94 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 18.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.35 years male: 71.65 years female: 77.25 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.78 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Barbadian(s) adjective: Barbadian
Ethnic divisions: African 80%, European 4%, other 16%
Religions: Protestant 67% (Anglican 40%, Pentecostal 8%, Methodist 7%, other 12%), Roman Catholic 4%, none 17%, unknown 3%, other 9% (1980)
Languages: English
Literacy: age 15 and over has ever attended school (1995 est.)
total population: 97.4%
male: 98%
female: 96.8%
Government—————
Name of country: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Barbados
Data code: BB
Type of government: parliamentary democracy
Capital: Bridgetown
Administrative divisions: 11 parishes; Christ Church, Saint
Andrew, Saint George, Saint James, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint
Lucy, Saint Michael, Saint Peter, Saint Philip, Saint Thomas
note: the city of Bridgetown may be given parish status
Independence: 30 November 1966 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 30 November (1966)
Constitution: 30 November 1966
Legal system: English common law; no judicial review of legislative acts
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) is a
hereditary monarch, represented by Acting Governor General Denys
WILLIAMS (since 21 December 1995) who was appointed by the queen
head of government: Prime Minister Owen Seymour ARTHUR (since 6
September 1994) was appointed by the governor general; Deputy Prime
Minister Billie MILLER (since 6 September 1994)
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the governor general on advice of
the prime minister
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament
Senate: consists of a 21-member body appointed by the governor
general
House of Assembly: election last held 6 September 1994 (next to be
held by January 1999); results - percentage vote by party NA; seats
- (28 total) BLP 19, DLP 8,NDP 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Judicature, judges are appointed
by the Service Commissions for the Judicial and Legal Service
Political parties and leaders: Democratic Labor Party (DLP), David
THOMPSON; Barbados Labor Party (BLP), Owen ARTHUR; National
Democratic Party (NDP), Richard HAYNES
Other political or pressure groups: Barbados Workers Union, Leroy
TROTMAN; People's Progressive Movement, Eric SEALY; Workers' Party
of Barbados, Dr. George BELLE; Clement Payne Labor Union, David
COMMISSIONG
International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CDB,
ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,
ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU,
LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIH, UPU, WHO,
WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Courtney N. BLACKMAN
chancery: 2144 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 939–9218, 9219
FAX: [1] (202) 332–7467
consulate(s) general: Miami and New York
consulate(s): Los Angeles
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Jeanette W. HYDE
embassy: Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Building, Broad Street,
Bridgetown
mailing address: P. O. Box 302, Bridgetown; FPO AA 34055
telephone: [1] (809) 436–4950
FAX: [1] (809) 429–5246
Flag: three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold, and blue with the head of a black trident centered on the gold band; the trident head represents independence and a break with the past (the colonial coat of arms contained a complete trident)
Economy———
Economic overview: Historically, the Barbadian economy has been dependent on sugarcane cultivation and related activities, but in recent years the production has diversified into manufacturing and tourism. Sluggish performances in the sugar and tourism sectors - which declined by 25% and 8% respectively - tempered economic expansion in 1995; output increased by 2% for the year, down from nearly 4% in 1994. Improved weather conditions in 1995 are expected to boost agriculture output in 1996. Since taking office in 1994, Prime Minister ARTHUR has aggressively moved to promote foreign direct investment as part of a policy designed to reduce nagging unemployment. The government has also been active in promoting regional integration initiatives.
