2020 Edition

Background

Lucayan Indians inhabited the Bahama islands when Christopher COLUMBUS first set foot in the New World in 1492. British settlement of the islands began in 1647; the islands became a colony in 1783. Piracy thrived in the 17th and 18th centuries because of The Bahamas' close proximity to shipping lanes. Since gaining independence from the UK in 1973, The Bahamas has prospered through tourism, international banking, and investment management, which comprise up to 85% of GDP. Because of its proximity to the US -- the nearest Bahamian landmass is only 80 km (50 mi) from Florida -- the country is a major transshipment point for illicit trafficking to the US mainland, as well as to Europe. US law enforcement agencies cooperate closely with The Bahamas; the Drug Enforcement Administration, US Coast Guard, and US Customs and Border Protection assist Bahamian authorities with maritime security and law enforcement through Operation Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, or OPBAT.

Area

land

10,010 sq km

total

13,880 sq km

water

3,870 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Connecticut

Climate

tropical marine; moderated by warm waters of Gulf Stream

Coastline

3,542 km

Elevation

highest point

1.3 km NE of Old Bight on Cat Island 64 m

lowest point

Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Geographic coordinates

24 15 N, 76 00 W

Geography - note

strategic location adjacent to US and Cuba; extensive island chain of which 30 are inhabited

Irrigated land

10 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

total

0 km

Land use

agricultural land

1.3% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 0.8% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 0.3% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 0.2% (2023 est.)

forest

50.9% (2023 est.)

other

47.8% (2023 est.)

Location

chain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Florida, northeast of Cuba; note - although The Bahamas does not border the Caribbean Sea, geopolitically it is often designated as a Caribbean nation

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

hurricanes and other tropical storms cause extensive flood and wind damage

Natural resources

salt, aragonite, timber, arable land

Population distribution

most of the population lives in urban areas, with two thirds living on New Providence Island where Nassau is located

Terrain

long, flat coral formations with some low rounded hills

Age structure

0-14 years

21.4% (male 41,675/female 46,363)

15-64 years

70% (male 132,626/female 154,866)

65 years and over

8.6% (2024 est.) (male 15,799/female 19,533)

Alcohol consumption per capita

beer

3.66 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols

0.31 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits

4.08 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

total

9.48 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine

1.43 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Birth rate

13.1 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Death rate

5.44 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Dependency ratios

elderly dependency ratio

13 (2025 est.)

potential support ratio

7.7 (2025 est.)

total dependency ratio

43.2 (2025 est.)

youth dependency ratio

30.2 (2025 est.)

Drinking water source

improved: total

total: 98.9% of population

Education expenditure

Education expenditure (% GDP)

2.7% of GDP (2023 est.)

Education expenditure (% national budget)

10.6% national budget (2025 est.)

Ethnic groups

African descent 90.6%, White 4.7%, mixed 2.1%, other 1.9%, unspecified 0.7% (2010 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

0.71 (2025 est.)

Health expenditure

Health expenditure (as % of GDP)

7.1% of GDP (2021)

Health expenditure (as % of national budget)

15.8% of national budget (2022 est.)

Hospital bed density

2.7 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Infant mortality rate

female

8.2 deaths/1,000 live births

male

10.5 deaths/1,000 live births

total

9.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)

Languages

English (official), Creole (among Haitian immigrants)

Life expectancy at birth

female

78.4 years

male

75.1 years

total population

76.7 years (2024 est.)

Major urban areas - population

280,000 NASSAU (capital) (2018)

Maternal mortality ratio

76 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Median age

female

30.7 years

male

30.6 years

total

31.1 years (2025 est.)

Nationality

adjective

Bahamian

noun

Bahamian(s)

Net migration rate

3.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

31.6% (2016)

Physician density

1.9 physicians/1,000 population (2017)

Population

female

223,251

male

192,055

total

415,306 (2025 est.)

Population growth rate

1.08% (2025 est.)

Religions

Protestant 69.9% (includes Baptist 34.9%, Anglican 13.7%, Pentecostal 8.9% Seventh Day Adventist 4.4%, Methodist 3.6%, Church of God 1.9%, Plymouth Brethren 1.6%, other Protestant 0.9%), Roman Catholic 12%, other Christian 13% (includes Jehovah's Witness 1.1%), other 0.6%, none 1.9%, unspecified 2.6% (2010 est.)

Sex ratio

0-14 years

0.9 male(s)/female

15-64 years

0.86 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.81 male(s)/female

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

0.86 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Tobacco use

female

1.9% (2025 est.)

male

20.8% (2025 est.)

total

10.8% (2025 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.45 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

1.02% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

urban population

83.6% of total population (2023)

Administrative divisions

31 districts; Acklins Islands, Berry Islands, Bimini, Black Point, Cat Island, Central Abaco, Central Andros, Central Eleuthera, City of Freeport, Crooked Island and Long Cay, East Grand Bahama, Exuma, Grand Cay, Harbour Island, Hope Town, Inagua, Long Island, Mangrove Cay, Mayaguana, Moore's Island, North Abaco, North Andros, North Eleuthera, Ragged Island, Rum Cay, San Salvador, South Abaco, South Andros, South Eleuthera, Spanish Wells, West Grand Bahama

Capital

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November

etymology

named after King WILLIAM III of England (1650-1702), who was a member of the House of Orange-Nassau

geographic coordinates

25 05 N, 77 21 W

name

Nassau

time difference

UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

at least one parent must be a citizen of The Bahamas

dual citizenship recognized

no

residency requirement for naturalization

6-9 years

Constitution

amendment process

proposed as an "Act" by Parliament; passage of amendments to articles such as the organization and composition of the branches of government requires approval by at least two-thirds majority of the membership of both houses of Parliament and majority approval in a referendum; passage of amendments to constitutional articles such as fundamental rights and individual freedoms, the powers, authorities, and procedures of the branches of government, or changes to the Bahamas Independence Act 1973 requires approval by at least three-fourths majority of the membership of both houses and majority approval in a referendum

history

previous 1964 (pre-independence); latest adopted 20 June 1973, effective 10 July 1973

Country name

conventional long form

Commonwealth of The Bahamas

conventional short form

The Bahamas

etymology

name may be derived from the Spanish baha mar, meaning "low sea," which describes the shallow waters of the Bahama Banks; alternatively, it may be a form of the local name Guanahani, which is of unknown origin and meaning

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Herschel WALKER (since 9 December 2025)

email address and website

acsnassau@state.gov https://bs.usembassy.gov/

embassy

42 Queen Street, Nassau

FAX

[1] (242) 356-7174

mailing address

3370 Nassau Place, Washington, DC 20521-3370

telephone

[1] (242) 322-1181

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

600 New Hampshire Ave NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20037

chief of mission

Ambassador Wendall Kermith JONES (since 19 April 2022)

consulate(s) general

Atlanta, Miami, New York

email address and website

embassy@bahamasembdc.org https://www.bahamasembdc.org/

FAX

[1] (202) 319-2668

telephone

[1] (202) 319-2660

Executive branch

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by governor-general on recommendation of prime minister

chief of state

King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor-General Cynthia A. PRATT (since 1 September 2023)

election/appointment process

the monarchy is hereditary; governor-general appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the governor-general appoints the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as prime minister; the prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister

head of government

Prime Minister Philip Edward DAVIS (since 17 September 2021)

Flag

description: three equal horizontal bands of aquamarine (top), gold, and aquamarine, with a black equilateral triangle based on the left side meaning: the band colors represent the islands' golden beaches surrounded by the aquamarine sea; black stands for the vigor and force of a united people, and the triangle for the people's enterprise and determination

Government type

parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm

Independence

10 July 1973 (from the UK)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

ACP, ACS, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Petrocaribe, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)

Judicial branch

highest court(s)

Court of Appeal (consists of the court president and 6 justices, organized in 3-member panels); Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 19 justices)

judge selection and term of office

Court of Appeal president and Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the governor-general on the advice of the prime minister after consultation with the leader of the opposition party; other Court of Appeal and Supreme Court justices appointed by the governor general upon recommendation of the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, a 5-member body headed by the chief justice; Court of Appeal justices appointed for life with mandatory retirement normally at age 68 but can be extended until age 70; Supreme Court justices appointed for life with mandatory retirement normally at age 65 but can be extended until age 67

subordinate courts

Industrial Tribunal; Magistrates' Courts; Family Island Administrators (can also serve as magistrates)

Legal system

common-law system based on the English model

Legislative branch

legislative structure

bicameral

legislature name

Parliament

Legislative branch - lower chamber

chamber name

House of Assembly

electoral system

plurality/majority

expected date of next election

September 2026

most recent election date

9/16/2021

number of seats

39 (all directly elected)

parties elected and seats per party

Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) (32); Free National Movement (FNM) (7)

percentage of women in chamber

17.9%

scope of elections

full renewal

term in office

5 years

Legislative branch - upper chamber

chamber name

Senate

expected date of next election

October 2026

most recent election date

10/6/2021

number of seats

16 (all appointed)

percentage of women in chamber

31.3%

scope of elections

full renewal

term in office

5 years

National anthem(s)

history

royal anthem, as a Commonwealth country

lyrics/music

unknown

title

"God Save the King"

National coat of arms

the motto on the Bahamas coat of arms is “Forward, Upward, Onward Together;” the flamingo and marlin supporting the shield are national animals that represent respectively the land and sea; the pink conch shell symbolizes the marine life of the islands, and the green palm fronds represent the natural vegetation; the Santa Maria, Christopher Columbus’s flagship, also appears; the sun signifies the world-famous climate and the bright future of the islands

National color(s)

aquamarine, yellow, black

National holiday

Independence Day, 10 July (1973)

National symbol(s)

blue marlin, flamingo, yellow elderflower

Political parties

Coalition of Independents Party or COI Democratic National Alliance or DNA Free National Movement or FNM Progressive Liberal Party or PLP

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agricultural products

sugarcane, grapefruits, vegetables, bananas, tomatoes, chicken, tropical fruits, oranges, coconuts, mangoes/guavas (2023)

Budget

expenditures

$3.389 billion (2023 est.)

revenues

$2.855 billion (2023 est.)

Current account balance

Current account balance 2022

-$1.233 billion (2022 est.)

Current account balance 2023

-$1.069 billion (2023 est.)

Current account balance 2024

-$1.053 billion (2024 est.)

Economic overview

high-income tourism and financial services economy; major income inequality; strong US bilateral relations; several tax relief programs; targeted investment in agriculture, energy, light manufacturing, and technology industries

Exchange rates

Currency

Bahamian dollars (BSD) per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2020

1 (2020 est.)

Exchange rates 2021

1 (2021 est.)

Exchange rates 2022

1 (2022 est.)

Exchange rates 2023

1 (2023 est.)

Exchange rates 2024

1 (2024 est.)

Exports

Exports 2022

$5.425 billion (2022 est.)

Exports 2023

$6.011 billion (2023 est.)

Exports 2024

$6.771 billion (2024 est.)

Exports - commodities

refined petroleum, ships, aluminum, shellfish, plastics (2023)

Exports - partners

USA 36%, Zimbabwe 16%, Cote d'Ivoire 14%, Germany 8%, Guyana 8% (2023)

GDP - composition, by end use

exports of goods and services

37.8% (2024 est.)

government consumption

12.9% (2024 est.)

household consumption

64.3% (2024 est.)

imports of goods and services

-41.5% (2024 est.)

investment in fixed capital

25.7% (2024 est.)

investment in inventories

1.1% (2024 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

0.5% (2024 est.)

industry

9.6% (2024 est.)

services

77.2% (2024 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$15.833 billion (2024 est.)

Imports

Imports 2022

$5.843 billion (2022 est.)

Imports 2023

$6.273 billion (2023 est.)

Imports 2024

$7.069 billion (2024 est.)

Imports - commodities

refined petroleum, ships, aircraft, cars, crude petroleum (2023)

Imports - partners

USA 60%, Germany 13%, China 5%, Japan 3%, Brazil 2% (2023)

Industrial production growth rate

12.5% (2024 est.)

Industries

tourism, banking, oil bunkering, maritime industries, transshipment and logistics, salt, aragonite, pharmaceuticals

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022

5.6% (2022 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023

3.1% (2023 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024

0.4% (2024 est.)

Labor force

237,100 (2024 est.)

Public debt

Public debt 2023

73.7% of GDP (2023 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022

$13.653 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023

$14.069 billion (2023 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024

$14.544 billion (2024 est.)

Real GDP growth rate

Real GDP growth rate 2022

10.9% (2022 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2023

3% (2023 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2024

3.4% (2024 est.)

Real GDP per capita

Real GDP per capita 2022

$34,300 (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2023

$35,200 (2023 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2024

$36,200 (2024 est.)

Remittances

Remittances 2022

0.4% of GDP (2022 est.)

Remittances 2023

0.4% of GDP (2023 est.)

Remittances 2024

0.4% of GDP (2024 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2021

$2.433 billion (2021 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022

$2.609 billion (2022 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023

$2.512 billion (2023 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

16.2% (of GDP) (2023 est.)

Unemployment rate

Unemployment rate 2022

9.3% (2022 est.)

Unemployment rate 2023

8.7% (2023 est.)

Unemployment rate 2024

8.5% (2024 est.)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

female

17.8% (2024 est.)

male

17.8% (2024 est.)

total

17.8% (2024 est.)

Coal

imports

600 metric tons (2023 est.)

Electricity

consumption

2.036 billion kWh (2023 est.)

installed generating capacity

608,000 kW (2023 est.)

transmission/distribution losses

10 million kWh (2023 est.)

Electricity access

electrification - total population

100% (2022 est.)

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels

99.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

solar

0.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Energy consumption per capita

Total energy consumption per capita 2023

104.409 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Natural gas

consumption

14.13 million cubic meters (2023 est.)

imports

14.13 million cubic meters (2023 est.)

Petroleum

refined petroleum consumption

20,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

24 (2023 est.)

total

95,000 (2023 est.)

Broadcast media

4 major TV providers; 1 TV station is operated by government-owned, commercially run Broadcasting Corporation of the Bahamas (BCB) and competes with 4 privately owned TV stations; multi-channel cable TV subscription service is widely available; 32 licensed broadcast (radio) service providers, with 31 privately owned FM radio stations; the BCB operates a multi-channel radio network with national coverage; the sector is regulated by the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (2019)

Internet country code

.bs

Internet users

percent of population

95% (2023 est.)

Telephones - fixed lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

23 (2024 est.)

total subscriptions

93,100 (2024 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

97 (2024 est.)

total subscriptions

388,000 (2024 est.)

Airports

54 (2025)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

C6

Heliports

9 (2025)

Merchant marine

by type

bulk carrier 345, container ship 39, general cargo 58, oil tanker 193, other 639

total

1,274 (2023)

Ports

key ports

Clifton Pier, Cockburn Town, Freeport, Matthew Town, Nassau, South Riding Point

large

0

medium

1

ports with oil terminals

4

small

1

total ports

6 (2024)

very small

4

Military - note

the RBDF was established in 1980; its primary responsibilities are maritime security and safeguarding the territorial integrity of the Bahamas, providing disaster relief and humanitarian assistance, and supporting internal law and order in cooperation with other law enforcement agencies; the RBDF is a naval force with a few light aircraft, coastal patrol craft, and patrol boats, as well as a lightly-armed marine infantry/commando squadron for base and internal security; the RBDF has training relationships with the UK and the US (2025)

Military and security forces

Royal Bahamas Defense Force (RBDF): includes land, air, maritime elements; Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) (2025)

Military and security service personnel strengths

approximately 1,500-1,800 active RBDF (2025)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

most of the RBDF's major equipment inventory has been acquired from the Netherlands or the US (2025)

Military expenditures

Military Expenditures 2020

0.9% of GDP (2020 est.)

Military Expenditures 2021

0.9% of GDP (2021 est.)

Military Expenditures 2022

0.8% of GDP (2022 est.)

Military Expenditures 2023

0.8% of GDP (2023 est.)

Military Expenditures 2024

0.7% of GDP (2024 est.)

Military service age and obligation

18-30 years of age for voluntary service for men and women (18-60 for Reserves); no conscription (2025)

Illicit drugs

USG identification

major illicit drug-producing and/or drug-transit country (2025)

Refugees and internally displaced persons

IDPs

30 (2024 est.)

refugees

30 (2024 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions

from coal and metallurgical coke

2,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from consumed natural gas

23,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids

2.966 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

total emissions

2.99 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Environmental issues

coral reef decay; solid waste disposal

International environmental agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Particulate matter emissions

5.2 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

Total renewable water resources

700 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Total water withdrawal

municipal

31 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually

264,000 tons (2024 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled

24.9% (2022 est.)