Barbados Launches New Grant Investing $2480 To Every Newborn
Barbados has launched the Child Wealth Fund, an investment given to every newborn, according to The Voice. Every eligible child will receive BBD$5000 ($2484.16) to help reduce inequality in Barbados. The investment plan was announced in the country’s 2026-27 budget. Minister of Finance Ryan Straughn said an estimated $52.1 million had been set aside for the fund, according to Barbados Today.
“The grant, payable to the families, is as follows: $300 per month for twins up to age five and $600 per month for triplets and more up until age five. Families that currently have twins, triplets, or other multiple births aged less than five years old can apply to receive the grant from April 1. No means testing is required to access the multiple birth cash grant.”
About the fund
Every child born in Barbados on or after 30 November 2021, the date when Barbados became a Republic, will be able to receive the investment. The fund will be placed in a trust and invested in a diversified portfolio of real assets, bonds, and equities. The children will be able to access funds when they are older.
Reducing inequality in Barbados
Straughn said the program is designed to break cycles where “too many families start from zero, generation after generation.”
“A universal birthright creates a baseline asset that cannot be taken away by bad luck or lack of opportunity,” Straughn said, describing the fund as a national standard in a republic “where every Bajan child deserves a chance to thrive.”
Eligible children include those of Barbadian citizenship by birth, those of Barbadian citizenship by descent of Barbadian public officials working abroad for the government, and those of Barbadian citizenship by descent of Barbadians living in the country.
“The legislation will be introduced later this year, before the fifth anniversary of our republic and the 60th anniversary of independence, to govern the administration of the fund,” Straughn said.
Image: Nappystock
