National Identity
- Official name
- Commonwealth of The Bahamas
- 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
Sources:- The Constitution of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas ↗ - Ministry of Foreign Affairs - The Government of the Bahamas
- The World Factbook: Bahamas - CIA
- Coat of arms
- National flag
As published by Government of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas The flag is a black equilateral triangle against the mast, superimposed on a horizontal background made up of two colours on three equal stripes of aquamarine, gold and aquamarine.
As published in EnglishAs published by Government of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas The symbolism of the flag is as follows: Black, a strong colour, represents the vigour and force of a united people, the triangle pointing towards the body of the flag represents the enterprise and determination of The Bahamian people to develop and possess the rich resources of sun and sea symbolized by gold and aquamarine respectively.
As published in EnglishSource:- bahamas.gov.bs ↗ - Government of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas
- National anthem
- March On, Bahamaland1:15
- Title
- March On, Bahamaland
- Lyrics
- English
Lift up your head to the rising sun, Bahamaland; March on to glory, your bright banners waving high. See how the world marks the manner of your bearing! Pledge to excel through love and unity. Pressing onward, march together to a common loftier goal; Steady sunward, though the weather hide the wide and treacherous shoal. Lift up your head to the rising sun, Bahamaland; Till the road you’ve trod Lead unto your God, March on, Bahamaland!
Source: - Citizens
- Bahamians
- Official name:The Constitution of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas ↗ - Ministry of Foreign Affairs - The Government of the Bahamas
- Official name, Citizens:The World Factbook: Bahamas - CIA
- National flag:bahamas.gov.bs ↗ - Government of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas
- National anthem:nationalanthems.info ↗
Geography
- Location
- chain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Florida, northeast of Cuba
- Total area
- 13,880 km²
- Land area
- 10,010 km²
- Water area
- 3,870 km²
- Land borders
- None
- Coastline
- 3,542 km
- Terrain
Long, flat coral formations with some low rounded hills - Highest point
- 64 m1.3 km NE of Old Bight on Cat Island
- Lowest point
- 0 mAtlantic Ocean
- Climate
Tropical marine moderated by warm waters of Gulf Stream - Avg. temperature
- 25.4 °C
- Avg. daily range
- 24.4 to 26.5 °C
- Annual precipitation
- 944 mm
Temperature °CMeanDaily rangePrecipitation mmMonthly climate normals Month Avg. high, °C Mean, °C Avg. low, °C Precipitation, mm January 23.9 22.8 21.8 46 February 24.1 22.8 21.8 38 March 24.4 23.1 22.1 41 April 25.5 24.2 23.2 50 May 26.7 25.6 24.6 87 June 28.2 27.1 26.2 99 July 29 27.9 26.8 80 August 29.2 28.1 27 109 September 28.7 27.6 26.6 136 October 27.7 26.6 25.7 134 November 26 25 24 79 December 24.8 23.7 22.8 48 Country-wide averages over 1991–2020.
Sources:- The World Factbook: Bahamas - CIA
- Climate Change Knowledge Portal (ERA5 reanalysis) ↗ - World Bank
- Weather
- Loading
- Land use2023
- Arable0.8%Perm. crops0.3%Pasture0.2%Forest50.9%Other47.8%
- Arable land
- 8,000 hectares (0.8%)
- Permanent crops
- 3,000 hectares (0.3%)
- Permanent meadows & pastures
- 2,000 hectares (0.2%)
- Forest
- 509,860 hectares (50.9%)
- Other land
- 478,140 hectares (47.8%)
Source: - Natural hazards2026
- Tropical cyclones7.4Very high#19/191Coastal floods6.1High#39/191Epidemics5.0High#93/191Drought1.3Very low#141/191Earthquakes0.1Very low#127/191River floods0.0Very lowTsunamis0.0Very low
Scores out of 10, ranks out of 191 countries.
Source:- INFORM Risk Index ↗ - European Commission Joint Research Centre
- Location, Land borders, Coastline, Terrain, Highest point, Lowest point, Climate:The World Factbook: Bahamas - CIA
- Climate:Climate Change Knowledge Portal (ERA5 reanalysis) ↗ - World Bank
- Land use:FAOSTAT Land Use domain ↗ - FAO
- Natural hazards:INFORM Risk Index ↗ - European Commission Joint Research Centre
Demographics
- Population change2026
- +0.40% per year+1,595 people/yearWorld Rank153rdof 237
- Birth rate
- 10.5 per 1,000 population
- Death rate
- 9.0 per 1,000 population
- Net migration rate
- +2.2 per 1,000 population
- 2026
- 35.7 yearsWorld Rank101stof 237
- Age structure2026
- 0-14 years17.2%15-64 years70.3%65 years +12.5%
- Share aged 65 and over
- 12.5%
- Share aged under 18
- 21.4%
- Total dependency ratio
- 42
- Youth dependency ratio
- 25
- Elderly dependency ratio
- 18
- Sex ratio
- 0.91 male / female
MaleAgeFemalePopulation by age group, % of total population Age Male Female 80+ 1.2% 1.9% 70-79 2.2% 3.0% 60-69 4.5% 5.3% 50-59 6.2% 7.0% 40-49 6.4% 7.2% 30-39 7.7% 8.3% 20-29 7.3% 7.5% 10-19 6.8% 6.7% 0-9 5.5% 5.4% - 2026
- 0.74 below the replacement level for Bahamas ()1.36 births per womanreplacement 2.10123World Rank202ndof 237
- 0.65 daughters per woman0.35 below replacement, long-run each generation smaller than the lastreplacement 1.000.511.5
- 2026
- +1.6 per 1,000 populationfor every 1,000 people, 1.6 more births than deaths a year
- 2026
- +2.2 per 1,000 population
- Urbanization2026
- 81.3% live in 329,123 urban residents
- Largest localities2022latest available
- Nassau, Freeport, Marsh Harbour, Dundas TownRankLocalityPopulation (2010 census)1Nassau296,7322Freeport28,000(2010)3Marsh Harbour4,368(2010)4Dundas Town2,890(2010)5Murphy Town1,938(2010)6Dunmore Town1,8437Spanish Wells1,4538George Town1,437(2010)9Bailey Town1,418(2010)Source:
- Department of Statistics of the Bahamas (2010 census), via City Population by Thomas Brinkhoff ↗
- Population distribution
- Most of the population lives in urban areas, with two thirds living on New Providence Island where Nassau is located.
- Ethnic groups2010
- African descent90.6%White4.7%Mixed2.1%Other1.9%Unspecified0.7%
Figures count racial group.
Source:- The World Factbook: Bahamas - CIA
- Religions2010
- Protestant69.9%Roman Catholic12.0%Other Christian13.0%Other0.6%None1.9%Unspecified2.6%
- Protestant
- 69.9%
- 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%
- Other Christian
- 13.0%
- Jehovah's Witness
- 1.1%
Source:- The World Factbook: Bahamas - CIA
- Languages
- English
- Population, Population change, Median age, Age structure, Total fertility rate, Net reproduction rate, Natural change, Net migration rate:UN World Population Prospects ↗
- Urbanization:UN World Urbanization Prospects ↗
- Largest cities:Department of Statistics of the Bahamas (2010 census), via City Population by Thomas Brinkhoff ↗
- Population distribution, Ethnic groups, Religions:The World Factbook: Bahamas - CIA
Government & Administration
- Form of state
- Constitutional monarchyThe monarch is head of state, represented by a Governor-General who is appointed by and holds office at the monarch's pleasure; the Constitution calls the state "The Commonwealth of The Bahamas" (Arts. 1, 32, 71).
- System of government
- ParliamentaryThe Governor-General appoints as Prime Minister the member who commands majority support in the House of Assembly; the Cabinet is collectively responsible to Parliament, and a no-confidence vote forces resignation or dissolution (Arts. 72, 73, 74).
- Territorial organisation
- Unitary
- Official websites
- Capital
- Nassau296,732 people(2022)
- National holidays
- 13 days in 2026
- ThuJan 1New Year's Day
- SatJan 10Majority Rule Day
- MonJan 12Majority Rule Day (observed)
- FriApr 3Good Friday
- MonApr 6Easter Monday
- MonMay 25Whit Monday
- FriJun 5Randol Fawkes Labour Day
- FriJul 10Independence Day
- MonAug 3Emancipation Day
- MonOct 12National Heroes Day
- FriDec 25Christmas Day
- SatDec 26Boxing Day
- MonDec 28Boxing Day (observed)
Nationwide public holidays only, excluding regional, bank and government-only days.
- Time
- Currency
- Bahamian Dollar (BSD)
- Entry requirements
- Official visa and entry information
- Calling code
- +1-242
- Internet TLD
- .bs
- ISO 3166-1 codes
- BS, BHS
- Infrastructure
- Passengers carried
- 1,465,432 by the country's airlines(2023)
- Heliports
- 9
- Aircraft departures
- 41,831 by the country's airlines(2023)
- Air freight
- 18.6 million tonne-km(2023)
- Aircraft registration prefix
- C6
Sources:- The World Factbook: Bahamas - CIA
- World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- Flag carrier
- BahamasairState-owned
- 2025
- 64 / 100World Rank29thof 182Confidence interval
Corruption index score by year Year Score Lower bound Upper bound 2012 71 70 73 2013 71 69 73 2014 71 69 73 2016 66 57 74 2017 65 56 74 2018 65 56 74 2019 64 54.4 73.6 2020 63 53.5 72.5 2021 64 54.7 73.3 2022 64 55.3 72.7 2023 64 55 73 2024 65 54.8 75.2 2025 64 53.2 74.8 Source:- Corruption Perceptions Index 2025 ↗ - Transparency International, CC BY 4.0
- Form of state, System of government, Territorial organisation:The Constitution of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, Statute Law of The Bahamas, Revised Edition LRO 1/2006 ↗ - Government of The Bahamas
- National holidays:Open World Holidays Framework (vacanza/holidays) ↗
- Infrastructure:The World Factbook: Bahamas - CIA
- Infrastructure:World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- Corruption Perceptions Index:Corruption Perceptions Index 2025 ↗ - Transparency International, CC BY 4.0
Economy
- High income
- GDP growth (real)2026
- +2.5% per yearWorld Rank113thof 195
- GDP per capita (PPP)2026
- GDP per capita (nominal)
- $43,858 (32nd in the world)
Source:- 2024
- Services77.2% of GDPIndustry9.6% of GDPAgriculture0.5% of GDPManufacturing0.6%part of industry
- Households
- +64.3%
- Government
- +12.9%
- Investment
- +26.8%
- Exports
- +37.8%
- Imports
- −41.5%
The shape of the economyGDP by end useSource:- World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- Inflation2026
- 3.8%up 2.6 percentage points2.6pp from 2025
- Labor force2024
- 243,753 (61% of population)World Rank172ndof 187
- Labor force participation2024
- 74.0% of people aged 15+
- Unemployment2024
- 9.0%
- Youth unemployment2024
- 18.3% ages 15 to 24
- Labor productivity2024
- $34.4 per hour worked at PPP
- Budget balance2026
- 0.2% of GDP deficit
- Current account
- 9.3% of GDP, $1.7 billion deficit
Source: - Debt2024
- Central government debt77.8% of GDPInterest on debt3.9% of GDP
- Trade2024
- Goods$873.8 million12.9%
- Services$5.9 billion87.1%
- Total exports
- $6.8 billion
- Change from 2023
- up 12.7 percent on the previous year12.7%
Sources:- World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- The World Factbook: Bahamas - CIA
- Agricultural products2024
- Pomelos and grapefruits, Lemons and limes, Bananas, and 7 more
- 1Pomelos and grapefruits152.8×
- 2Lemons and limes7.1×
- 3Bananas5.3×
- 4Squash and gourds (including pumpkins)4.3×
- 5Oranges3.8×
- 6Meat of chickens (fresh or chilled)3.3×
- 7Coconuts (in shell)3.1×
- 8Mangoes and guavas and mangosteens3×
- 9Tomatoes2.8×
- 10Sugar cane2.3×
ProductSource:- FAOSTAT ↗ - Food and Agriculture Organization
- Industries
- tourism, banking, oil bunkering, maritime industries, transshipment and logistics, salt, aragonite, pharmaceuticals
- Income level, GDP by sector, Trade:World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- GDP (nominal), GDP growth (real), GDP per capita (PPP), Inflation, Budget balance:IMF World Economic Outlook ↗
- Labor force, Labor force participation, Unemployment, Youth unemployment, Labor productivity:ILOSTAT ↗ - International Labour Organization
- Debt:IMF Global Debt Database ↗
- Debt:IMF Public Finances in Modern History ↗
- Trade, Industries:The World Factbook: Bahamas - CIA
- Agricultural products:FAOSTAT ↗ - Food and Agriculture Organization
Cost of Living
- Cost of living index
- Loading
- Monthly costs (excluding rent)
- Loading
- Rent
- Loading
- Buying an apartment
- Loading
- Average gross salary2024
- BSD 2,944 per month$2,944 (USD), $2,660 (PPP)
- Median
- BSD 1,700 per month($1,700)
- Men
- BSD 3,090 per month($3,090)
- Women
- BSD 2,812 per month($2,812)
Source:- ILOSTAT ↗ - International Labour Organization
- 2024
- BSD 1,126 per month, gross$1,126 (USD), $1,017 (PPP)
- Share of the average gross salary
- 38%
Source:- ILOSTAT ↗ - International Labour Organization
- Average gross salary, Minimum wage:ILOSTAT ↗ - International Labour Organization
Society
- 2023
- 0.820Very highWorld Rank66thof 193BahamasWorld
Human Development Index by year Year Bahamas World 1990 0.762 0.608 1991 0.762 0.611 1992 0.762 0.614 1993 0.763 0.617 1994 0.765 0.620 1995 0.774 0.625 1996 0.779 0.631 1997 0.773 0.636 1998 0.777 0.641 1999 0.783 0.646 2000 0.787 0.651 2001 0.790 0.657 2002 0.793 0.662 2003 0.794 0.669 2004 0.795 0.675 2005 0.798 0.681 2006 0.800 0.688 2007 0.801 0.694 2008 0.801 0.698 2009 0.800 0.701 2010 0.801 0.707 2011 0.802 0.713 2012 0.805 0.717 2013 0.805 0.721 2014 0.807 0.726 2015 0.807 0.731 2016 0.808 0.735 2017 0.810 0.739 2018 0.812 0.741 2019 0.800 0.745 2020 0.797 0.742 2021 0.794 0.742 2022 0.818 0.752 2023 0.820 0.756 Source:- Human Development Report ↗ - United Nations Development Programme
- Mean years of schooling2023
- 12.8 years
- Expected for a child today
- 11.9 years
Source:- Human Development Report ↗ - United Nations Development Programme
- Education expenditure2023
- 2.7% of GDP
- Share of government spending
- 11.6%
Source:- World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- Internet users2024
- 92.5% of the population
- Households with Internet access
- 93.1%
Source:- ITU DataHub ↗ - International Telecommunication Union
- Mobile subscriptions2024
- 387,960
- Fixed telephone lines
- 93,084
- Fixed broadband
- 25.3 subscriptions per 100 people
Counts subscriptions, not people.
Source:- ITU DataHub ↗ - International Telecommunication Union
- Refugees hosted2025
- 10 people
- Asylum seekers
- 20
- Internally displaced persons
- 30(2024)All due to disasters
- Refugees from Bahamas abroad
- 1,254
Sources:- Refugee Data Finder ↗ - UN Refugee Agency
- Global Internal Displacement Database ↗ - Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre
- Inbound tourists2024
- Official tourism site1.9 million arrivalsup 3% against 20193% above 2019World Rank69thof 139
- Per resident
- 4.7 arrivals per resident
- Same-day visitors
- 9.4 million arrivals
- $5.5 billion
- Spending per arrival
- $2,966
- Share of GDP
- 15.2% tourism direct GDP(2012, latest available)
- $442 million
- Hotel beds
- 32,194
- 5.3 nights
Overnight arrivals by year2010 to 2024A tourist stays at least one night. Arrivals count trips, not people.
Source:- UN Tourism Data Dashboard ↗ - UN Tourism
- Human Development Index, Mean years of schooling:Human Development Report ↗ - United Nations Development Programme
- Education expenditure:World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- Internet users, Mobile subscriptions:ITU DataHub ↗ - International Telecommunication Union
- Refugees hosted:Refugee Data Finder ↗ - UN Refugee Agency
- Refugees hosted:Global Internal Displacement Database ↗ - Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre
- Inbound tourists:UN Tourism Data Dashboard ↗ - UN Tourism
Crime & Safety
- Travel advisory (US)
- Loading
- Active humanitarian crisisAug 2026
- None - no active crisis
- Homicide rate2024
- 29.9 per 100,000 peopleVery high by global standards
- Crime rates
- 7 offence categories
Offence Per 100,000 Count Year Homicide (victims) 29.9 120 2024 Serious assault 906.1 3,602 2022 Sexual violence 51.3 204 2022 Kidnapping 1.8 7 2022 Burglary 24.7 98 2022 Theft 447.3 1,778 2022 Vehicle theft 103.1 410 2022 A low figure can also mean weak recording.
Source:- UNODC Data Portal ↗ - UN Office on Drugs and Crime
- Prison population2022
- 331.8 per 100,000 people
- Persons held
- 1,319
Source:- UNODC Data Portal ↗ - UN Office on Drugs and Crime
- Active humanitarian crisis:INFORM Severity Index ↗ - European Commission Joint Research Centre
- Homicide rate, Crime rates, Prison population:UNODC Data Portal ↗ - UN Office on Drugs and Crime
Health
- Life expectancy2026
- 75.0 years
- Health expenditure2023
- 6.3% of GDP$2,262 per person
- Physicians2017
- 1.9 per 1,000 population
- Hospital beds2023
- 2.2 per 1,000 population
- Infant mortality2026
- 10.1 per 1,000 live births
- Maternal mortality2023
- 76 per 100,000 live births
- Alcohol consumption2022
- 6.9 litres of pure alcohol per adult per year
- Tobacco use2015latest available
- 15.5% of adults
- Men
- 27%
- Women
- 4%
Source:- Global Health Observatory ↗ - World Health Organization
- Road traffic deaths2019
- 7.7 per 100,000 population
- Life expectancy, Infant mortality:UN World Population Prospects ↗
- Health expenditure, Physicians, Hospital beds, Road traffic deaths:World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- Maternal mortality:Maternal mortality estimates ↗ - UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-agency Group
- Alcohol consumption, Tobacco use:Global Health Observatory ↗ - World Health Organization
Environment
- CO₂ emissions2024
- 1.46 Mt per yearup 3.5 percent on the previous year3.5% from 2023
- CO₂ per capita
- 3.5 t per personWorld Rank90thof 207
- Share of global CO₂
- < 0.01%
- Methane (CH₄)
- 0.34 Mt CO₂-eq
- Nitrous oxide (N₂O)
- 0.04 Mt CO₂-eq
- All greenhouse gases
- 1.84 Mt CO₂-eq
Source:- Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research (EDGAR) ↗ - European Commission, Joint Research Centre
- 2024
- 3.9 µg/m³ of PM2.5Most polluted191stof 236
- WHO guideline
- 5 µg/m³
Source:- Air Quality Life Index ↗ - Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago
- Environmental issues
- coral reef decay
- solid waste disposal
- International agreements
- 18 of 20 landmark treaties in forceParty to 53 multilateral environmental agreements
Treaty Standing Joined Climate Paris Agreement in force 2016 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in force 1994 Kyoto Protocol in force 2005 Ozone layer Montreal Protocol in force 1993 Vienna Convention (Ozone Layer) in force 1993 Biodiversity Convention on Biological Diversity in force 1993 CITES in force 1979 Convention on Migratory Species (Bonn) not a party Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety in force 2004 Nagoya Protocol in force 2022 Land and heritage Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in force 1997 World Heritage Convention in force 2014 UN Convention to Combat Desertification in force 2001 Chemicals and waste Basel Convention in force 1992 Rotterdam Convention (PIC) not a party Stockholm Convention (POPs) in force 2006 Minamata Convention on Mercury in force 2020 Oceans UN Convention on the Law of the Sea in force 1994 High Seas Treaty (BBNJ) in force 2026 MARPOL 73/78 in force 1983 Source:- International Environmental Agreements Database ↗ - Université Laval
- CO₂ emissions:Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research (EDGAR) ↗ - European Commission, Joint Research Centre
- Air pollution:Air Quality Life Index ↗ - Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago
- Environmental issues:The World Factbook: Bahamas - CIA
- International agreements:International Environmental Agreements Database ↗ - Université Laval
Food & Water
- No access to safe drinking water2022
- 1.6% of the population
- Renewable water2022
- 0.7 billion m³ per year
- Per person
- 1,761 m³ per year
- Dependency ratio
- 0% originates outside the country
Source:- AQUASTAT ↗ - Food and Agriculture Organization
- Obesity2024
- 48.3% of adults
- Men
- 38.8%
- Women
- 57%
Source:- Global Health Observatory ↗ - World Health Organization
- No access to safe drinking water, Renewable water:AQUASTAT ↗ - Food and Agriculture Organization
- Obesity:Global Health Observatory ↗ - World Health Organization
Energy
- Energy consumption2024
- Per capita
- 124.7 GJ per person
- Share of world total
- 0.01%
- Supply
- No meaningful productionproduces under 2% of what it consumes, 2024
Source:- International Energy Statistics ↗ - U.S. Energy Information Administration
- Electricity2024
- No electricity trade2.2 TWh generated per year
- Generation
- 2.2 TWh per year
- Consumption
- 2 TWh per year
Source:- International Energy Statistics ↗ - U.S. Energy Information Administration
- Oil, gas & coal
- No domestic productionconsumes 22,434 b/d in 2024Consumption202422,434 b/d
Oil imports and exports count crude oil only.
- Energy consumption, Electricity, Oil, gas & coal:International Energy Statistics ↗ - U.S. Energy Information Administration
Defense
- Military personnel2025
- approximately 1,500–1,800active RBDF
- Military service2025
- Voluntaryno conscription; men and women 18–30; reserves 18–60
- Nuclear weapons2026
- None - no nuclear arsenal
- Military personnel, Military service:The World Factbook: Bahamas - CIA
- Nuclear weapons:Status of World Nuclear Forces ↗ - Federation of American Scientists
