Barbados
Last updated May 3, 2026
Composite GEFRI Score
Emerging readiness
Barbados demonstrates early-stage readiness to meet the challenges and opportunities of education in a rapidly changing world (52nd percentile worldwide). Investments are generating initial gains, yet substantial gaps persist in several dimensions. Higher scores indicate a system that is better prepared to anticipate and shape the future of learning.
- Global percentile
- 52nd
- Global rank
- Not ranked (microstate)
- Regional rank
- Not ranked (microstate)
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Country profile
Barbados trails global peers in Innovation (29, 13th percentile). A coordinated reform effort is needed to strengthen education futures readiness.
Uneven scores across dimensions highlight areas that need targeted coordination.
Sparse R&D investment and a small research workforce slow experimentation and delay new ideas from reaching learners. Gender parity across secondary pathways reflects sustained commitment to equitable participation.
School Access and Gender Parity presents a near-term leapfrog opportunity: performance is just below the global average, backed by enough observed data to support forward planning. Regionally, Barbados leads most clearly in Governance, sitting well above the peer average.
Note: Several indicators use imputed values. Policymakers and planners should validate results further before committing to major initiatives.
Key insights
- Scores range from Governance (70.3) to Innovation (29.5), reflecting variation across dimensions.
- Leads regional peers most clearly in Governance.
Regional peers: Latin America & Caribbean
Composite GEFRI Score