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The total population of Barbados is estimated at 270,000 in 2005, of which 52.9% live in urban areas. [1] Women represent 51.5% of the total population. [2] In the year 2004, 76,000 women were 15 to 49 years old, that is, around 55% of the total number of women. [3] The average annual rate of growth of the population has been slowly approaching 0% since 1970 (Figure 1).
Estimated (crude) death rates decreased during the period 1995-2002; male and female rates are roughly equal (Figure 2).
The gross national income per capita (PPP value) was US$15,060 in 2003. [4] Data are not available as to the income ratio of the population with the 20% highest income and the 20% with the lowest. Public expenditure on health was 6.7% of gross domestic product in 2002-2003, and private expenditure was 1.9% (excluding health insurance). [5] The entire population has access to improved water sources and sanitation services (Figure 3).
Among the population aged 15 years and over, literacy was 99.7% in 2005; male literacy was 99.7% and female literacy, 99.8%. [6] In 2002-2003, the gross enrollment rate for the primary, as well as the secondary level, exceeded 100% for both sexes (Figure 4).
Resources that facilitate initiatives leading to gender equality
Life expectancy at birth was 78.9 years for women and 72.3 years for men in the year 2005. [10] Gains in life expectancy continue to be made, and the gap between women and men has grown as well (Figure 5).
Very high estimated incidence rates were found for malignant neoplasms of breast among women (2002) (see table).
n.a.= not applicable The prevalence of tobacco consumption in the population 13-15 years of age was 13% among women and 16% among men (2002). Prevalence data on obesity in the population 15 to 49 years old are available for the Bridgetown area: 30% among women and 10% among men (1993).
Age-specific death rates in 2002, due to all causes combined, were higher among males than females in all age groups except under 1 year and 1-4 years of age (Figure 6).
The infant mortality rate was 14.3 per 1,000 live births in 2003. [12]
When mortality in Barbados is considered by cause of death and by age group, several difficulties are encountered: since the total number of children in the population who are under 15 years of age is rather small, and since mortality is naturally low among the young, many death rates of zero are obtained and there is also large variability in the rates. Nonetheless, the rates obtained for 2002 show that, while communicable diseases and external causes were the main causes of mortality at ages 1 to 4 years, none of the causes really stood out as a major problem among children 5 to 14 years old (Figure 7).
Among those 15 to 44 years old, as well as the population aged 45 to 64 years, in 2002 the male death rate due to external causes was over 4 times the female rate. However, at ages 45 to 64 the male and female death rates due to diseases of the circulatory system, neoplasms, and communicable diseases far exceeded the rates due external causes (Figure 8). Malignant neoplasms of the digestive organs and peritoneum are an important element within total mortality due to neoplasms. At ages 45 to 64 years, the male death rate in 2002 due to malignant neoplasms of this site was 43 per 100,000 and the female rate was 47. Together with uterus (18 per 100,000 women) and breast (67), these three sites of malignant neoplasms contributed over two-thirds of the total mortality from neoplasms among women in this age group. [13] Ischemic heart disease, as well as cerebrovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus, are major causes of death among adults 45 years and over of either sex, and especially adults 65 years and over. However, at ages 45 to 64 years, in 2002 malignant neoplasms of uterus and breast, jointly, caused greater female mortality in Barbados than any of these three causes (Figure 10).
Accidents, suicide and homicide are all included in the grouping external causes of death . In 2002, male death rates in Barbados due to each of these causes were many times those for women (Figure 11).
In 2004 the total fertility rate in Barbados was 1.5 children per woman. [14] Adolescent pregnancy is one of several reproductive risk categories; [15] it constitutes a barrier that can prevent women from developing capabilities to help them achieve the resources necessary for their well-being. In Barbados, in 2004, 4% of adolescents 15 to 19 years old gave birth; among women 35 to 49 years, 3% gave birth to a child. [16] There were 2 maternal deaths in 2003. [17] A rising trend is seen in the number of AIDS cases reported annually from 1984 until 1998, especially among men (Figure 12). The figure does not include cases for which the breakdown by sex is not available: 9 in 1998, 5 in 1999, and 57 in 2000. A total of 117 cases were reported for 2001 and 95 for 2002, but their sex is not available; and, for the year 2001, 74 male and 62 female cases were reported. [18] In September 2005 there were 522 people under treatment with antiretroviral drugs; [19] it is estimated that, in 2004, less than 1,000 people 15 to 49 years needed such treatment. [20]
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Source: Idem. 
