PEOPLE
About 90% of Barbados' population is of African descent, 4% European descent, and 6% Asian or mixed. About 40% of Barbadians are Anglican, and the rest mostly Roman Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, and Moravian. There also are small Jewish and Muslim communities. Barbados' population growth rate has been very low, less than 1% since the 1960s, largely due to family planning efforts and a high emigration rate.
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Barbadian(s); informally "Bajan(s)."
Population (2006 estimate): 279,912.
Annual population growth rate (2005): 0.3%.
Ethnic groups: Predominantly of African descent 90%, White 4%, Asian or mixed 6%.
Religions: Protestant 67% (Anglican 40%, Pentecostal 8%, Methodist 7%, other 12%), Roman Catholic 4%, none 17%, other 12%.
Language: English.
Education (2005): Adult literacy--99.7%.
Health (2005): Infant mortality rate--11.0/1,000. Life expectancy--men 70.8 years; women 74.8 years.
Work force (2006): 142,000 (tourism, government, manufacturing, construction, mining, agriculture, fishing).
Unemployment (2006): 7.6%.
