Religion in Barbados

The 2021 census of Barbados, conducted by the national statistical service (Barbados Statistical Service), recorded 136,365 responses about religious affiliation. A total of 62,000 respondents, or around 45.5 percent, reported no religious affiliation; the Statistical Service notes that this should not automatically be understood as atheism. The census included Anglican, Baptist, Church of God, Methodist, Moravian, Nazarene, Roman Catholic, Seventh-day Adventist, various Pentecostal churches, Jehovah’s Witnesses, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Brethren, Salvation Army, Other Christian, Baha’i, Hindu, Islam, Judaism and Rastafarian. Christian churches, historically especially Protestant churches, have the strongest institutional structure. The Anglican Diocese of Barbados comprises more than 54 congregations in 11 administrative parishes (Parishes) and more than 200 communities. Church of God, Roman Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, Moravian, Adventist and Pentecostal institutions are also documented in Barbados. Muslim places of worship such as Jama Mosque and Madina Masjid, the Nidhe Israel Synagogue and the Barbados Jewish Community in Bridgetown, as well as Hindu, Baha’i and Rastafari communities, each offer their own forms of prayer, teaching, festivals and community life. The current sizes of smaller communities cannot be compared reliably. The Constitution of Barbados protects freedom of conscience, thought and religion, as well as public and private worship, religious teaching, practice and observance. Religious communities may establish and manage educational institutions at their own expense and provide religious instruction. No one may be required, without consent, to attend instruction or ceremonies of another religion; for people under 21, the guardian’s consent is provided for. No general state requirement to register a religion is documented. Voluntary registration as a separate legal entity with CAIPO costs BDS$750 for a company. The Ministry of Education Transformation includes religious and moral education (Religious and Moral Education) in the state primary-school curriculum for grades 1 to 4. The state school directory includes, among others, Al-Falah Muslim Primary/Secondary School and schools of the Barbados Seventh Day Adventist Church. Denominational and private schools, as well as independent religious instruction, are constitutionally permitted, subject to protection against religious instruction from another religion. Statutory religious holidays are listed in public holidays legislation (Public Holidays Act): Good Friday, Easter Monday, Whit Monday and Christmas Day. Schools are generally closed on statutory holidays, but this does not create a duty to participate in religious activities. Ramadan, Eid, Diwali and Rosh Hashanah are not listed as statutory holidays in the Public Holidays Act. Emancipation Day and Kadooment Day belong to the area of public holidays and traditions, not religious-holiday regulation. Religious weddings may be conducted by an authorized marriage officer (Marriage Officer). The ordained minister must belong to a religious denomination, and the application must be made through its leadership; approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs is also required. Permanent authorization requires, among other things, residence in Barbados, a registered church or mosque, ordination, the denomination’s support, at least 50 members and a place of worship that has existed for at least one year. A valid notice of marriage or Marriage Licence is required. The licence is valid for three months and costs BDS$200 plus a BDS$10 stamp fee for residents or nationals, or BDS$25 for non-nationals. A marriage certificate costs BDS$10, or BDS$20 for non-nationals; providers or denominations set additional ceremony costs themselves. Religious funerals are usually organized by the relevant community and family. State registration of the death is handled separately by the Registration Department. A copy of the death certificate costs BDS$5, and a certificate of cause of death costs BDS$10; regular processing takes approximately five to seven working days. There is no uniform nationwide state regulation for baptism, confirmation and other religious rites. The state has supported exchange with faith communities through initiatives including the 2019 Abrahamic Conference and a 2023 consultation with faith-based organisations. The Ministry of Labour, Social Security and the Third Sector is responsible for church affairs. An interfaith council of Religions for Peace Barbados, reported as being developed in 2021, is documented as a dialogue approach; a fully institutionalized current structure has not been verified. In 2026, registered charities, non-profit companies and Third-Sector organizations may access a faith-based organization grant facility (Faith-based Organisations Special Fund Grant Facility) of BDS$5 million per year. Requirements include, among other things, at least three years of registration and youth or community programs; individuals, scholarships and one-off religious events are not covered.