Communications: Broadband - fixed subscriptions: subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
24 (2023 est.)
Communications: Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total
95,000 (2023 est.)
Communications: 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)
Communications: Internet country code
.bs
Communications: Internet users: percent of population
92.47% (2024 est.)
Communications: Telephones - fixed lines: subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
23 (2024 est.)
Communications: Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions
93,100 (2024 est.)
Communications: Telephones - mobile cellular: subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
97 (2024 est.)
Communications: Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions
388,000 (2024 est.)
Economy: Agricultural products
sugarcane, grapefruits, vegetables, bananas, tomatoes, chicken, tropical fruits, oranges, coconuts, mangoes/guavas (2023)
Economy: Budget: expenditures
$3.389 billion (2023 est.)
Economy: Budget: revenues
$2.855 billion (2023 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2013
-$1.494 billion (2013 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2014
-$1.885 billion (2014 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2015
-$1.203 billion (2015 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2016
-$710.8 million (2016 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2017
-$1.575 billion (2017 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2018
-$1.115 billion (2018 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2019
-$345.5 million (2019 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2020
-$2.285 billion (2020 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2021
-$2.434 billion (2021 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2022
-$1.233 billion (2022 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2023
-$1.069 billion (2023 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2024
-$1.053 billion (2024 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates
1.0000 (2024 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Currency
Bahamian dollars (BSD) per US dollar -
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2013
1.0000 (2013 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2014
1.0000 (2014 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2015
1.0000 (2015 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2016
1.0000 (2016 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2017
1.0000 (2017 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2018
1.0000 (2018 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2019
1.0000 (2019 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2020
1.0000 (2020 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2021
1.0000 (2021 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2022
1.0000 (2022 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2023
1.0000 (2023 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2024
1.0000 (2024 est.)
Economy: Exports - commodities
refined petroleum, ships, aluminum, shellfish, plastics (2023)
Economy: Exports: Exports 2011
$3.770 billion (2011 est.)
Economy: Exports: Exports 2014
$4.162 billion (2014 est.)
Economy: Exports: Exports 2015
$4.242 billion (2015 est.)
Economy: Exports: Exports 2016
$3.903 billion (2016 est.)
Economy: Exports: Exports 2017
$3.949 billion (2017 est.)
Economy: Exports: Exports 2018
$4.519 billion (2018 est.)
Economy: Exports: Exports 2019
$4.644 billion (2019 est.)
Economy: Exports: Exports 2020
$2.412 billion (2020 est.)
Economy: Exports: Exports 2021
$3.367 billion (2021 est.)
Economy: Exports: Exports 2022
$5.425 billion (2022 est.)
Economy: Exports: Exports 2023
$6.011 billion (2023 est.)
Economy: Exports: Exports 2024
$6.771 billion (2024 est.)
Economy: GDP - composition, by end use: exports of goods and services
37.8% (2024 est.)
Economy: GDP - composition, by end use: government consumption
12.9% (2024 est.)
Economy: GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption
64.3% (2024 est.)
Economy: GDP - composition, by end use: imports of goods and services
-41.5% (2024 est.)
Economy: GDP - composition, by end use: investment in fixed capital
25.7% (2024 est.)
Economy: GDP - composition, by end use: investment in inventories
1.1% (2024 est.)
Economy: GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture
0.5% (2024 est.)
Economy: GDP - composition, by sector of origin: industry
9.6% (2024 est.)
Economy: GDP - composition, by sector of origin: services
77.2% (2024 est.)
Economy: GDP - per capita (PPP)
$41,198 (2024 est.)
Economy: GDP (official exchange rate)
$15.833 billion (2024 est.)
Economy: GDP (purchasing power parity) - real
$16.532 billion (2024 est.)
Economy: Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, ships, aircraft, cars, crude petroleum (2023)
Economy: Imports: Imports 2010
$4.414 billion (2010 est.)
Economy: Imports: Imports 2015
$4.007 billion (2015 est.)
Economy: Imports: Imports 2016
$4.082 billion (2016 est.)
Economy: Imports: Imports 2017
$4.557 billion (2017 est.)
Economy: Imports: Imports 2018
$4.731 billion (2018 est.)
Economy: Imports: Imports 2019
$4.488 billion (2019 est.)
Economy: Imports: Imports 2020
$3.124 billion (2020 est.)
Economy: Imports: Imports 2021
$4.569 billion (2021 est.)
Economy: Imports: Imports 2022
$5.843 billion (2022 est.)
Economy: Imports: Imports 2023
$6.273 billion (2023 est.)
Economy: Imports: Imports 2024
$7.069 billion (2024 est.)
Economy: Industrial production growth rate
12.5% (2024 est.)
Economy: Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2015
1.86% (2015 est.)
Economy: Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2016
-0.35% (2016 est.)
Economy: Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2017
1.52% (2017 est.)
Economy: Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2018
2.27% (2018 est.)
Economy: Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2019
2.49% (2019 est.)
Economy: Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2020
0.04% (2020 est.)
Economy: Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2021
2.90% (2021 est.)
Economy: Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
5.61% (2022 est.)
Economy: Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
3.05% (2023 est.)
Economy: Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
0.41% (2024 est.)
Economy: Labor force
237,100 (2024 est.)
Economy: Public debt: Public debt 2013
44.77% (2013 est.)
Economy: Public debt: Public debt 2014
46.32% (2014 est.)
Economy: Public debt: Public debt 2016
50.20% (2016 est.)
Economy: Public debt: Public debt 2017
52.62% (2017 est.)
Economy: Public debt: Public debt 2018
56.50% (2018 est.)
Economy: Public debt: Public debt 2019
56.69% (2019 est.)
Economy: Public debt: Public debt 2020
79.04% (2020 est.)
Economy: Public debt: Public debt 2021
82.54% (2021 est.)
Economy: Public debt: Public debt 2022
77.66% (2022 est.)
Economy: Public debt: Public debt 2023
73.73% (2023 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2014
$12.129 billion (2014 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2015
$12.384 billion (2015 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2016
$12.528 billion (2016 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2017
$13.387 billion (2017 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2019
$14.254 billion (2019 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2020
$10.769 billion (2020 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2021
$12.313 billion (2021 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$13.653 billion (2022 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$14.069 billion (2023 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$14.544 billion (2024 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2015
1.00% (2015 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2016
-1.16% (2016 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2017
3.37% (2017 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2018
2.40% (2018 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2019
-0.84% (2019 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2020
-20.09% (2020 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2021
17.59% (2021 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2022
10.88% (2022 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2023
3.05% (2023 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2024
3.38% (2024 est.)
Economy: Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2014
$31,726 (2014 est.)
Economy: Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2015
$32,138 (2015 est.)
Economy: Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2016
$32,285 (2016 est.)
Economy: Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2017
$34,282 (2017 est.)
Economy: Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2019
$36,116 (2019 est.)
Economy: Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2020
$27,205 (2020 est.)
Economy: Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2021
$31,065 (2021 est.)
Economy: Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2022
$36,791 (2022 est.)
Economy: Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2023
$39,090 (2023 est.)
Economy: Remittances: Remittances 2020
$50.8 million (2020 est.)
Economy: Remittances: Remittances 2021
$53.0 million (2021 est.)
Economy: Remittances: Remittances 2022
0.4% of GDP (2022 est.)
Economy: Remittances: Remittances 2023
0.4% of GDP (2023 est.)
Economy: Remittances: Remittances 2024
0.4% of GDP (2024 est.)
Economy: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2015
$895.5 million (2015 est.)
Economy: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2016
$1.002 billion (2016 est.)
Economy: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2017
$1.414 billion (2017 est.)
Economy: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2018
$1.345 billion (2018 est.)
Economy: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2019
$1.758 billion (2019 est.)
Economy: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2020
$2.382 billion (2020 est.)
Economy: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2021
$2.433 billion (2021 est.)
Economy: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022
$2.609 billion (2022 est.)
Economy: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$2.512 billion (2023 est.)
Economy: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024
$2.632 billion (2024 est.)
Economy: Taxes and other revenues
16.2% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
Economy: Unemployment rate: Unemployment rate 2019
9.34% (2019 est.)
Economy: Unemployment rate: Unemployment rate 2020
12.02% (2020 est.)
Economy: Unemployment rate: Unemployment rate 2021
11.08% (2021 est.)
Economy: Unemployment rate: Unemployment rate 2022
9.25% (2022 est.)
Economy: Unemployment rate: Unemployment rate 2023
8.64% (2023 est.)
Economy: Unemployment rate: Unemployment rate 2024
9.05% (2024 est.)
Economy: Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24): female
17.8% (2024 est.)
Economy: Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24): male
17.8% (2024 est.)
Economy: Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24): total
17.8% (2024 est.)
Energy: Coal: imports
600 metric tons (2023 est.)
Energy: Electricity access: electrification - total population
100% (2022 est.)
Energy: Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels
99.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Energy: Electricity generation sources: solar
0.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Energy: Electricity: consumption
2.036 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Energy: Electricity: installed generating capacity
608,000 kW (2023 est.)
Energy: Electricity: transmission/distribution losses
10 million kWh (2023 est.)
Energy: Energy consumption per capita: Total energy consumption per capita 2023
104.409 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Energy: Natural gas: consumption
14.13 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
Energy: Natural gas: imports
14.13 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
Energy: Petroleum: refined petroleum consumption
20,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Environment: Carbon dioxide emissions: from coal and metallurgical coke
2,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Environment: Carbon dioxide emissions: from consumed natural gas
23,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Environment: Carbon dioxide emissions: from petroleum and other liquids
2.966 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Environment: Carbon dioxide emissions: total emissions
2.99 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Environment: Climate
tropical marine; moderated by warm waters of Gulf Stream
Environment: Environmental issues
coral reef decay; solid waste disposal
Environment: 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
Environment: International environmental agreements: signed, but not ratified
none of the selected agreements
Environment: Land use: agricultural land
1.3% (2023 est.)
Environment: Land use: agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 0.8% (2023 est.)
Environment: Land use: agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0.3% (2023 est.)
Environment: Land use: agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 0.2% (2023 est.)
Environment: Land use: forest
50.9% (2023 est.)
Environment: Land use: other
47.8% (2023 est.)
Environment: Particulate matter emissions
5.2 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Environment: Total renewable water resources
700 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Environment: Total water withdrawal: municipal
31 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Environment: Urbanization: rate of urbanization
1.02% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Environment: Urbanization: urban population
81.32% (2024 est.)
Environment: Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually
264,000 tons (2024 est.)
Environment: Waste and recycling: percent of municipal solid waste recycled
24.9% (2022 est.)
Geography: Area - comparative
slightly smaller than Connecticut
Geography: Area: land
10,010 sq km
Geography: Area: water
3,870 sq km
Geography: Coastline
3,542 km
Geography: Elevation: highest point
1.3 km NE of Old Bight on Cat Island 64 m
Geography: Elevation: lowest point
Atlantic Ocean 0 m
Geography: Geographic coordinates
24 15 N, 76 00 W
Geography: Geography - note
strategic location adjacent to US and Cuba; extensive island chain of which 30 are inhabited
Geography: Irrigated land
10 sq km (2012)
Geography: Land boundaries: total
0 km
Geography: Land use: agricultural land
1.3% (2023 est.)
Geography: Land use: agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 0.8% (2023 est.)
Geography: Land use: agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0.3% (2023 est.)
Geography: Land use: agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 0.2% (2023 est.)
Geography: Land use: forest
50.9% (2023 est.)
Geography: Land use: other
47.8% (2023 est.)
Geography: Map references
Central America and the Caribbean
Geography: Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone
200 nm
Geography: Maritime claims: territorial sea
12 nm
Geography: Natural hazards
hurricanes and other tropical storms cause extensive flood and wind damage
Geography: Population distribution
most of the population lives in urban areas, with two thirds living on New Providence Island where Nassau is located
Geography: Terrain
long, flat coral formations with some low rounded hills
Government: 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
Government: Capital: daylight saving time
+1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November
Government: Capital: etymology
named after King WILLIAM III of England (1650-1702), who was a member of the House of Orange-Nassau
Government: Capital: geographic coordinates
25 05 N, 77 21 W
Government: Capital: time difference
UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Government: Citizenship: citizenship by birth
no
Government: Citizenship: citizenship by descent only
at least one parent must be a citizen of The Bahamas
Government: Citizenship: dual citizenship recognized
no
Government: Citizenship: residency requirement for naturalization
6-9 years
Government: 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
Government: Constitution: history
previous 1964 (pre-independence); latest adopted 20 June 1973, effective 10 July 1973
Government: Country name: conventional short form
The Bahamas
Government: Country name: 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
Government: Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission
Ambassador Herschel WALKER (since 9 December 2025)
Government: Diplomatic representation from the US: email address and website
acsnassau@state.gov https://bs.usembassy.gov/
Government: Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy
42 Queen Street, Nassau
Government: Diplomatic representation from the US: FAX
[1] (242) 356-7174
Government: Diplomatic representation from the US: mailing address
3370 Nassau Place, Washington, DC 20521-3370
Government: Diplomatic representation from the US: telephone
[1] (242) 322-1181
Government: Diplomatic representation in the US: chancery
600 New Hampshire Ave NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20037
Government: Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission
Ambassador Wendall Kermith JONES (since 19 April 2022)
Government: Diplomatic representation in the US: consulate(s) general
Atlanta, Miami, New York
Government: Diplomatic representation in the US: email address and website
embassy@bahamasembdc.org https://www.bahamasembdc.org/
Government: Diplomatic representation in the US: FAX
[1] (202) 319-2668
Government: Diplomatic representation in the US: telephone
[1] (202) 319-2660
Government: Executive branch: cabinet
Cabinet appointed by governor-general on recommendation of prime minister
Government: Executive branch: chief of state
King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor-General Cynthia A. PRATT (since 1 September 2023)
Government: Executive branch: 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
Government: Executive branch: head of government
Prime Minister Philip Edward DAVIS (since 17 September 2021)
Government: 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: International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Government: 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)
Government: 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)
Government: Judicial branch: 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
Government: Judicial branch: subordinate courts
Industrial Tribunal; Magistrates' Courts; Family Island Administrators (can also serve as magistrates)
Government: Legal system
common-law system based on the English model
Government: Legislative branch - lower chamber: chamber name
House of Assembly
Government: Legislative branch - lower chamber: electoral system
plurality/majority
Government: Legislative branch - lower chamber: expected date of next election
September 2026
Government: Legislative branch - lower chamber: most recent election date
9/16/2021
Government: Legislative branch - lower chamber: number of seats
39 (all directly elected)
Government: Legislative branch - lower chamber: parties elected and seats per party
Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) (32); Free National Movement (FNM) (7)
Government: Legislative branch - lower chamber: percentage of women in chamber
17.9%
Government: Legislative branch - lower chamber: scope of elections
full renewal
Government: Legislative branch - lower chamber: term in office
5 years
Government: Legislative branch - upper chamber: chamber name
Senate
Government: Legislative branch - upper chamber: expected date of next election
October 2026
Government: Legislative branch - upper chamber: most recent election date
10/6/2021
Government: Legislative branch - upper chamber: number of seats
16 (all appointed)
Government: Legislative branch - upper chamber: percentage of women in chamber
31.3%
Government: Legislative branch - upper chamber: scope of elections
full renewal
Government: Legislative branch - upper chamber: term in office
5 years
Government: Legislative branch: legislative structure
bicameral
Government: Legislative branch: legislature name
Parliament
Government: National anthem(s): history
royal anthem, as a Commonwealth country
Government: National anthem(s): lyrics/music
unknown
Government: 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
Government: National color(s)
aquamarine, yellow, black
Government: National holiday
Independence Day, 10 July (1973)
Government: National symbol(s)
blue marlin, flamingo, yellow elderflower
Government: Political parties
Coalition of Independents Party or COI Democratic National Alliance or DNA Free National Movement or FNM Progressive Liberal Party or PLP
Government: Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Introduction: 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 and Security: 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: Military and security forces
Royal Bahamas Defense Force (RBDF): includes land, air, maritime elements; Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) (2025)
Military and Security: Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 1,500-1,800 active RBDF (2025)
Military and Security: Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
most of the RBDF's major equipment inventory has been acquired from the Netherlands or the US (2025)
Military and Security: Military expenditures: Military Expenditures 2020
0.9% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military and Security: Military expenditures: Military Expenditures 2021
0.9% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military and Security: Military expenditures: Military Expenditures 2022
0.8% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military and Security: Military expenditures: Military Expenditures 2023
0.8% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military and Security: Military expenditures: Military Expenditures 2024
0.7% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military and Security: Military service age and obligation
18-30 years of age for voluntary service for men and women (18-60 for Reserves); no conscription (2025)
People and Society: Age structure: 0-14 years
21.4% (male 41,675/female 46,363)
People and Society: Age structure: 15-64 years
70% (male 132,626/female 154,866)
People and Society: Age structure: 65 years and over
8.6% (2024 est.) (male 15,799/female 19,533)
People and Society: Alcohol consumption per capita: beer
3.66 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
People and Society: Alcohol consumption per capita: other alcohols
0.31 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
People and Society: Alcohol consumption per capita: spirits
4.08 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
People and Society: Alcohol consumption per capita: total
9.48 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
People and Society: Alcohol consumption per capita: wine
1.43 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
People and Society: Birth rate
13.1 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
People and Society: Current health expenditure
6.30% (2023 est.)
People and Society: Death rate
5.44 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
People and Society: Dependency ratios: elderly dependency ratio
13 (2025 est.)
People and Society: Dependency ratios: potential support ratio
7.7 (2025 est.)
People and Society: Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio
43.2 (2025 est.)
People and Society: Dependency ratios: youth dependency ratio
30.2 (2025 est.)
People and Society: Drinking water source: improved: total
total: 98.9% of population
People and Society: Education expenditure: Education expenditure (% GDP)
2.7% of GDP (2023 est.)
People and Society: Education expenditure: Education expenditure (% national budget)
10.6% national budget (2025 est.)
People and Society: Education expenditures
2.74% (2023 est.)
People and Society: Ethnic groups
African descent 90.6%, White 4.7%, mixed 2.1%, other 1.9%, unspecified 0.7% (2010 est.)
People and Society: Gross reproduction rate
0.71 (2025 est.)
People and Society: Health expenditure: Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
7.1% of GDP (2021)
People and Society: Health expenditure: Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
15.8% of national budget (2022 est.)
People and Society: HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate
1.10% (2024 est.)
People and Society: Hospital bed density
2.2 beds/1,000 population (2023 est.)
People and Society: Infant mortality rate: female
8.2 deaths/1,000 live births
People and Society: Infant mortality rate: male
10.5 deaths/1,000 live births
People and Society: Infant mortality rate: total
11.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
People and Society: Life expectancy at birth: female
78.3 years (2024 est.)
People and Society: Life expectancy at birth: male
71.1 years (2024 est.)
People and Society: Major urban areas - population
280,000 NASSAU (capital) (2018)
People and Society: Maternal mortality ratio
76 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
People and Society: Median age: female
30.7 years
People and Society: Median age: male
30.6 years
People and Society: Nationality: adjective
Bahamian
People and Society: Net migration rate
3.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
People and Society: Obesity - adult prevalence rate
31.6% (2016)
People and Society: Physician density
1.9 physicians/1,000 population (2017)
People and Society: Population
401,283 (2024 est.)
People and Society: Population distribution
most of the population lives in urban areas, with two thirds living on New Providence Island where Nassau is located
People and Society: Population growth rate
1.08% (2025 est.)
People and Society: Population: female
223,251
People and Society: Population: male
192,055
People and Society: Sex ratio: 0-14 years
0.9 male(s)/female
People and Society: Sex ratio: 15-64 years
0.86 male(s)/female
People and Society: Sex ratio: 65 years and over
0.81 male(s)/female
People and Society: Sex ratio: at birth
1.03 male(s)/female
People and Society: Sex ratio: total population
0.86 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
People and Society: Tobacco use: female
1.9% (2025 est.)
People and Society: Tobacco use: male
20.8% (2025 est.)
People and Society: Tobacco use: total
10.8% (2025 est.)
People and Society: Total fertility rate
1.37 children born/woman (2024 est.)
People and Society: Urbanization: rate of urbanization
1.02% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
People and Society: Urbanization: urban population
81.32% (2024 est.)
Transnational Issues: Illicit drugs: USG identification
major illicit drug-producing and/or drug-transit country (2025)
Transnational Issues: Refugees and internally displaced persons: IDPs
30 (2024 est.)
Transnational Issues: Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees
30 (2024 est.)
Transportation: Airports
54 (2025)
Transportation: Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
C6
Transportation: Heliports
9 (2025)
Transportation: Merchant marine: by type
bulk carrier 345, container ship 39, general cargo 58, oil tanker 193, other 639
Transportation: Merchant marine: total
1,274 (2023)
Transportation: Ports: key ports
Clifton Pier, Cockburn Town, Freeport, Matthew Town, Nassau, South Riding Point
Transportation: Ports: large
0
Transportation: Ports: medium
1
Transportation: Ports: ports with oil terminals
4
Transportation: Ports: small
1
Transportation: Ports: total ports
6 (2024)
Transportation: Ports: very small
4
Warning: Some information might be outdated or incorrect, please check statistics before using(most of the economical stats are correct, its mostly the Population stats that are incorrect). Some dates are listed but some are missed, if you have any issues please report it to the Github at github.com.