Bahamas, The

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.

24 15 N, 76 00 W

hurricanes and other tropical storms cause extensive flood and wind damage

slightly smaller than Connecticut

coral reef decay; solid waste disposal

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

tropical marine; moderated by warm waters of Gulf Stream

3,542 km

Total: 0 km

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.)

Territorial sea: 12 nm

Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

salt, aragonite, timber, arable land

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

long, flat coral formations with some low rounded hills

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

Central America and the Caribbean

10 sq km (2012)

700 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

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

Highest point: 1.3 km NE of Old Bight on Cat Island 64 m

Lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Total : 13,880 sq km

Land: 10,010 sq km

Water: 3,870 sq km

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)

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.)

Noun: Bahamian(s)

Adjective: Bahamian

Urban population: 83.6% of total population (2023)

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

Improved:

Total: 98.9% of population

280,000 NASSAU (capital) (2018)

1.9 physicians/1,000 population (2017)

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

Total dependency ratio: 42.9 (2024 est.)

Youth dependency ratio: 30.6 (2024 est.)

Elderly dependency ratio: 12.3 (2024 est.)

Potential support ratio: 8.1 (2024 est.)

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

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.)

English (official), Creole (among Haitian immigrants)

7.1% of GDP (2021)

15.8% of national budget (2022 est.)

0.71 (2024 est.)

Total: 17.8% (2024 est.)

Male: 17.8% (2024 est.)

Female: 17.8% (2024 est.)

note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

3.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Total: 30.7 years (2024 est.)

Male: 30.6 years

Female: 30.7 years

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

1.44 children born/woman (2024 est.)

Total: 410,862 (2024 est.)

Male: 190,100

Female: 220,762

Total: 9.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

Male: 10.5 deaths/1,000 live births

Female: 8.2 deaths/1,000 live births

Total: 10.8% (2025 est.)

Male: 20.8% (2025 est.)

Female: 1.9% (2025 est.)

31.6% (2016)

5.6 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

13.1 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

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.)

Total population: 76.7 years (2024 est.)

Male: 75.1 years

Female: 78.4 years

2.7% of GDP (2023 est.)

10.6% national budget (2025 est.)

1.07% (2024 est.)

Municipal: 31 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Municipal solid waste generated annually: 264,000 tons (2024 est.)

Percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 24.9% (2022 est.)

5.2 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

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.)

104.409 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

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

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

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

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

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

10 July 1973 (from the UK)

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

common-law system based on the English model

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

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)

Independence Day, 10 July (1973)

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

18 years of age; universal

parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm

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

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

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

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

blue marlin, flamingo, yellow elderflower

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

aquamarine, yellow, black

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/

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

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

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

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

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

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

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

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

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Bahamian dollars (BSD) per US dollar -

Exchange rates:
1 (2024 est.)
1 (2023 est.)
1 (2022 est.)
1 (2021 est.)
1 (2020 est.)

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

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

$15.833 billion (2024 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

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

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

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

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

237,100 (2024 est.)

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

$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

73.7% of GDP (2023 est.)

note: central government debt as a % of GDP

8.5% (2024 est.)
8.7% (2023 est.)
9.3% (2022 est.)

note: % of labor force seeking employment

16.2% (of GDP) (2023 est.)

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

$14.544 billion (2024 est.)
$14.069 billion (2023 est.)
$13.653 billion (2022 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

0.4% (2024 est.)
3.1% (2023 est.)
5.6% (2022 est.)

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

-$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

$36,200 (2024 est.)
$35,200 (2023 est.)
$34,300 (2022 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

$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

$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

3.4% (2024 est.)
3% (2023 est.)
10.9% (2022 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

12.5% (2024 est.)

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

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

Electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)

Imports: 600 metric tons (2023 est.)

Fossil fuels: 99.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Solar: 0.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Consumption: 14.13 million cubic meters (2023 est.)

Imports: 14.13 million cubic meters (2023 est.)

Refined petroleum consumption: 20,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Installed generating capacity: 608,000 kW (2023 est.)

Consumption: 2.036 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Transmission/distribution losses: 10 million kWh (2023 est.)

Percent of population: 95% (2023 est.)

.bs

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)

Total subscriptions: 400,000 (2023 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 99 (2022 est.)

Total: 95,000 (2023 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 24 (2023 est.)

Total subscriptions: 97,000 (2023 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 24 (2023 est.)

C6

54 (2025)

Total: 1,274 (2023)

By type: Bulk carrier 345, container ship 39, general cargo 58, oil tanker 193, other 639

9 (2025)

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

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

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.)

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

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)

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

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

Refugees: 30 (2024 est.)

IDPs: 30 (2024 est.)

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

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

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

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