According to the 1982 international definition of employment (ILO, 1983 b) the Employed Labour Force is comprise of all persons above the age specified for measuring the economically active population (in Barbados, the age is fifteen (15) years and over) who during a specified brief period, known as the reference period (one week in the case of Barbados), performed a minimum of an hour's work for pay or profit. Also included are: those who are temporarily absent from a job or business for such reasons as illness, vacation, strike, study, training or maternity leave; and those who worked in family businesses with no direct payment from owners but for family gain, pay or profit. These employed persons can be government or private employees, who receive monthly or weekly wages/salaries; or employers or self employed persons who realize profit;or unpaid family workers and apprentices (for family gains or their own gain).

A domestic good or service that is sold (export sale) abroad. Exports include government and non-government goods and services; however they exclude goods and services to the U.S. military, diplomatic, and consular institutions abroad. Exports do include goods and services that were previously imported.