Bahamas, The

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total: 95,000 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 24 (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

total subscriptions: 93,100 (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 23 (2024 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 388,000 (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 97 (2024 est.)

Agricultural products

sugarcane, grapefruits, vegetables, bananas, tomatoes, chicken, tropical fruits, oranges, coconuts, mangoes/guavas (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Budget

revenues: $2.855 billion (2023 est.) expenditures: $3.389 billion (2023 est.) note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

Current account balance

-$1.053 billion (2024 est.) -$1.069 billion (2023 est.) -$1.233 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

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

Bahamian dollars (BSD) per US dollar - 1 (2024 est.) 1 (2023 est.) 1 (2022 est.) 1 (2021 est.) 1 (2020 est.)

Exports

$6.771 billion (2024 est.) $6.011 billion (2023 est.) $5.425 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

Exports - commodities

refined petroleum, ships, aluminum, shellfish, plastics (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Exports - partners

USA 36%, Zimbabwe 16%, Cote d'Ivoire 14%, Germany 8%, Guyana 8% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

GDP (official exchange rate)

$15.833 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 64.3% (2024 est.) government consumption: 12.9% (2024 est.) investment in fixed capital: 25.7% (2024 est.) investment in inventories: 1.1% (2024 est.) exports of goods and services: 37.8% (2024 est.) imports of goods and services: -41.5% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 0.5% (2024 est.) industry: 9.6% (2024 est.) services: 77.2% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

Imports

$7.069 billion (2024 est.) $6.273 billion (2023 est.) $5.843 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

Imports - commodities

refined petroleum, ships, aircraft, cars, crude petroleum (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Imports - partners

USA 60%, Germany 13%, China 5%, Japan 3%, Brazil 2% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Industrial production growth rate

12.5% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

0.4% (2024 est.) 3.1% (2023 est.) 5.6% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices

Labor force

237,100 (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

Public debt

73.7% of GDP (2023 est.) note: central government debt as a % of GDP

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$14.544 billion (2024 est.) $14.069 billion (2023 est.) $13.653 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars

Real GDP growth rate

3.4% (2024 est.) 3% (2023 est.) 10.9% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Real GDP per capita

$36,200 (2024 est.) $35,200 (2023 est.) $34,300 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars

Remittances

0.4% of GDP (2024 est.) 0.4% of GDP (2023 est.) 0.4% of GDP (2022 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$2.512 billion (2023 est.) $2.609 billion (2022 est.) $2.433 billion (2021 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

Taxes and other revenues

16.2% (of GDP) (2023 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

Unemployment rate

8.5% (2024 est.) 8.7% (2023 est.) 9.3% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

total: 17.8% (2024 est.) male: 17.8% (2024 est.) female: 17.8% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

Coal

imports: 600 metric tons (2023 est.)

Electricity

installed generating capacity: 608,000 kW (2023 est.) consumption: 2.036 billion kWh (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

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.)

Carbon dioxide emissions

2.99 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 2,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 2.966 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from consumed natural gas: 23,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Climate

tropical marine; moderated by warm waters of Gulf Stream

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

Land use

agricultural land: 1.3% (2023 est.) arable land: 0.8% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0.3% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0.2% (2023 est.) forest: 50.9% (2023 est.) other: 47.8% (2023 est.)

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.)

Urbanization

urban population: 83.6% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.02% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually: 264,000 tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 24.9% (2022 est.)

Area

total : 13,880 sq km land: 10,010 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.) arable land: 0.8% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0.3% (2023 est.) 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

territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 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

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

name: Nassau geographic coordinates: 25 05 N, 77 21 W time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time) 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

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

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

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) embassy: 42 Queen Street, Nassau mailing address: 3370 Nassau Place, Washington, DC 20521-3370 telephone: [1] (242) 322-1181 FAX: [1] (242) 356-7174 email address and website: acsnassau@state.gov https://bs.usembassy.gov/

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Wendall Kermith JONES (since 19 April 2022) chancery: 600 New Hampshire Ave NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20037 telephone: [1] (202) 319-2660 FAX: [1] (202) 319-2668 email address and website: embassy@bahamasembdc.org https://www.bahamasembdc.org/ consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Miami, New York

Executive branch

chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor-General Cynthia A. PRATT (since 1 September 2023) head of government: Prime Minister Philip Edward DAVIS (since 17 September 2021) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by governor-general on recommendation of prime minister 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

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) note: The Bahamas is a member of the 15-member Caribbean Community but is not party to the agreement establishing the Caribbean Court of Justice as its highest appellate court; the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) serves as the final court of appeal for The Bahamas

Legal system

common-law system based on the English model

Legislative branch

legislature name: Parliament legislative structure: bicameral note: Parliament sits for 5 years from the date of the last general election: the government may dissolve the parliament and call elections at any time

Legislative branch - lower chamber

chamber name: House of Assembly number of seats: 39 (all directly elected) electoral system: plurality/majority scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 9/16/2021 parties elected and seats per party: Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) (32); Free National Movement (FNM) (7) percentage of women in chamber: 17.9% expected date of next election: September 2026

Legislative branch - upper chamber

chamber name: Senate number of seats: 16 (all appointed) scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 10/6/2021 percentage of women in chamber: 31.3% expected date of next election: October 2026

National anthem(s)

title: "March On, Bahamaland!" lyrics/music: Timothy GIBSON history: adopted 1973 _____ title: "God Save the King" lyrics/music: unknown history: royal anthem, as a Commonwealth country

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

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.

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) note: the RBPF maintains internal security; both the RBDF and the RBPF, as well as the Department of Corrections, report to the Minister of National Security

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

0.7% of GDP (2024 est.) 0.8% of GDP (2023 est.) 0.8% of GDP (2022 est.) 0.9% of GDP (2021 est.) 0.9% of GDP (2020 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)

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

total: 9.48 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 3.66 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 1.43 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 4.08 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0.31 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

total dependency ratio: 43.2 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 30.2 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 13 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 7.7 (2025 est.)

Drinking water source

total: 98.9% of population

Education expenditure

2.7% of GDP (2023 est.) 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.) note: data represent population by racial group

Gross reproduction rate

0.71 (2025 est.)

Health expenditure

7.1% of GDP (2021) 15.8% of national budget (2022 est.)

Hospital bed density

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

Infant mortality rate

total: 9.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 10.5 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.2 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

English (official), Creole (among Haitian immigrants)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 76.7 years (2024 est.) male: 75.1 years female: 78.4 years

Major urban areas - population

280,000 NASSAU (capital) (2018)

Maternal mortality ratio

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

Median age

total: 31.1 years (2025 est.) male: 30.6 years female: 30.7 years

Nationality

noun: Bahamian(s) adjective: Bahamian

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

total: 415,306 (2025 est.) male: 192,055 female: 223,251

Population distribution

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

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

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 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 total population: 0.86 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Tobacco use

total: 10.8% (2025 est.) male: 20.8% (2025 est.) female: 1.9% (2025 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.45 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Urbanization

urban population: 83.6% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.02% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Illicit drugs

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

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees: 30 (2024 est.) IDPs: 30 (2024 est.)

Airports

54 (2025)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

C6

Heliports

9 (2025)

Merchant marine

total: 1,274 (2023) by type: bulk carrier 345, container ship 39, general cargo 58, oil tanker 193, other 639

Ports

total ports: 6 (2024) large: 0 medium: 1 small: 1 very small: 4 ports with oil terminals: 4 key ports: Clifton Pier, Cockburn Town, Freeport, Matthew Town, Nassau, South Riding Point