Principal Income

    Historically, the Barbadian economy was dependent on the cultivation of cane sugar and related activities. However, activities have diversified in recent years, with the development of light industry and tourism growth.

Economic indicators:

GDP: $ 2.7 billion (2003)
GDP per capita: U.S. $ 9,807 (2003)
Inflation: - 0.5% (2003)
Unemployment: 10.7% (2003)

From: photography.nationalgeographic.com

Sectoral composition of GDP:

Agriculture: 6%
Industry: 16%
Services: 78%
Exports: $ 227 million
Export products: sugar and molasses, rum, food products, chemicals and electrical compenentes.
Destination: Caricom 43.2%, U.S. 15.3%, UK 13.2%, Canada 2.0% (2000)
Imports: $ 987 million
Import Tariff: automobiles, electrical appliances, machinery, foodstuffs, construction materials, chemicals, fuels, electrical components.
Source: U.S. 40.8%, Caricom 19.8%, UK 8.1%, Japan 5.2%, Canada 4.2%
Major trading partners: USA, UK, Canada, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela.

Reference: www.portalsaofrancisco.com.br access in 2012

Cost Of Living - Bridgetown

The cost of living in Bridgetown is very high compared to other places. The cost of living comparison to other places, uses local prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services at or near each location, converted to a single currency. The prices are grouped together into basket groups and the cost of living index calculated for each basket. The cost of living index for Bridgetown can be compared to any other selected location using the calculators.

Bridgetown is currently ranked 78 out of 780 places (rank 1 is most expensive: rank 780 is least expensive). The current cost of living rank for each basket, together with selected local benchmark prices converted to US Dollars are as follows:

Alcohol & Tobacco costs are very high compared to other places for items such as beer, spirits, wine and cigarettes. There are 140 places that are more expensive, and 639 places that are less expensive for alcohol and or tobacco.

Benchmark price in a store for a midrange bottle of wine is $15.00, domestic/local beer (500ml) $2.50, imported/international beer (330ml) $5.00 and a pack of 20 cigarettes is $6.00.

Clothing costs are high compared to other places for items such as business, casual and children's clothing and footwear. There are 198 places that are more expensive, and 581 places that are less expensive for clothing.

Benchmark price for an international brand of mens jeans is $75, a quality international brand of running shoes $100, mens leather shoes suitable for office wear $150 while a medium size international summer dress from a global chain store is $40.

Communication costs are average compared to other places for various communication costs such as home telephone rental, internet subscription, mobile tariff and data costs. There are 446 places that are more expensive, and 333 places that are less expensive for communication.

Benchmark price for a monthly standard plan internet subscription is $20, while the benchmark mobile tariff is $0.30 per minute.

Education costs are average compared to other places for items such as creche / pre-school fees, primary school fees, high school fees and tertiary study fees. There are 353 places that are more expensive, and 426 places that are less expensive for education.

Benchmark annual private international school fees (excluding extras) $18,228 for Primary School, and $22,059 for High School.

Furniture & Appliance costs are high compared to other places for items such as dining table and chairs, home entertainment, kitchen appliances, and sofa. There are 198 places that are more expensive, and 581 places that are less expensive for furniture and appliances.

Benchmark price for a Blu-ray player is $136, and $1,341 for a 46 inch LED HD TV.

Grocery costs are very high compared to other places for items such as consumables, cleaning products, dairy, fresh fruit & vegetables, general food products, snacks, soft drinks. There are 17 places that are more expensive, and 762 places that are less expensive for groceries.

Benchmark price in a major international retail store for 1 kg apples is $4.00, 1 kg oranges $4.00, 1 head lettuce $5.00, 1 kg potatos $4.00, 1 kg boneless, skinless, chicken breast $9.37, 1 kg cheddar cheese $5.80, 1 dozen large eggs $4.00, 500g loaf white bread $2.50, 1 L full cream milk $5.00, and 1.5 L water $2.50.

Healthcare costs are average compared to other places for doctor visit, hospital stay, non-prescription medicine, and medical insurance. There are 402 places that are more expensive, and 377 places that are less expensive for healthcare.

Benchmark price for a private practice Doctor visit for an uninsured patient is $77, and a private hospital stay per day including nursing care, medications, diagnostic tests, food, and related costs is $2,263.

Household Accommodation costs are high compared to other places for items such as apartment purchase, mortgage rate, rental, and utilities. There are 190 places that are more expensive, and 589 places that are less expensive for household accommodation.

Benchmark rental for a secure upmarket unfurnished apartment (3 bedrooms) is $2,583 in a central location, and $1,434 in a suburban location, per month, excluding utilities.

Miscellaneous costs are high compared to other places for items such as dry cleaning, linen, magazines, newspapers, office supplies, and postage stamps. There are 197 places that are more expensive, and 582 places that are less expensive for miscellaneous items.

Benchmark price for dry cleaning (1 mens 2 pc suit) is $9.84, while an international newspaper is $3.03.

Personal Care costs are high compared to other places for items such as cosmetics, hair care, and toiletries. There are 290 places that are more expensive, and 489 places that are less expensive for personal care.

Benchmark cost for a mens haircut and blow dry is $28, while a womens hair colour, cut and blow dry - medium length is $140.

Recreation and Culture costs are very high compared to other places for items such as books, cinema, sport and theatre tickets. There are 81 places that are more expensive, and 698 places that are less expensive for recreation and culture.

Benchmark price for a latest release international cinema ticket (average of on and off peak where applicable) for one adult is $10.00, and an international fitness club membership for one adult is $83 per month.

Restaurants, Meals Out and Hotel costs are very high compared to other places for items such as hotel daily room rates, meals and beverages in restaurants, and take away food and beverages. There are 57 places that are more expensive, and 722 places that are less expensive for restaurants, meals out and hotels.

Benchmark price for a cappuccino (regular, medium) is $4.10, coke/pepsi (330ml) $1.62, burger meal (international franchise or similar) $9.00, and a meal out (for 2 mid-range restaurant) $75.00.

Transport costs are high compared to other places for items such as fuel (petrol/gasoline), public transport, vehicle purchase and maintenance. There are 214 places that are more expensive, and 565 places that are less expensive for transport.

Benchmark average price over the last year for highest available octane petrol / gasoline (1L) is $0.98, while the benchmark purchase price including taxes/duties for a compact / small / economy sedan (1.4 L) is $27,500.

In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, Bridgetown is ranked as some hardship with a hardship index of 20%.

Personalized reports using the cost of living indexes, hardship indexes and exchange rates for Bridgetown or any other selected locations can be completed using the Calculators.

Reference: www.xpatulator.com access in 2012