Bahamas

Region

🌍 Americas

Population

👥 398

Currency

💱 Bahamian dollar

Languages

🗣️ English

This mark means a fact is linked to a checked source. Hover or tap it to see the source. 35 of 141 facts on this page are sourced.

Official NameSource: REST Countries

Commonwealth of the Bahamas

Continent

America

DemonymSource: REST Countries

Bahamian

Independence

July 10, 1973 (from the UK)

Top-Level Domain

.bs

Calling CodeSource: REST Countries

Time ZoneSource: REST Countries

UTC-05:00

Capital CitySource: REST Countries

Nassau

ISO Alpha-2

ISO Alpha-3

BHS

UN Code

Geographic Coordinates

24.25,-76

Area (km²)Source: REST Countries

13,943#161 of 249

PopulationSource: REST Countries

398,165#178 of 247

Population Density (per km²)

39.90

Highest Point (m)

63 meters (Mount Alvernia)

Lowest Point (m)

0 meters (Atlantic Ocean)

Land Use

Mostly used for agriculture and tourism.

Irrigated Land

Very little land is irrigated.

Coastline Length

3,542 km

Climate

Tropical marine; moderated by the Gulf Stream

Natural Resources

Salt, aragonite, timber, arable land

Bordering CountriesSource: REST Countries

No land borders

Major Rivers

This country has no major rivers.

Major Lakes

This country has no major lakes.

Government Type

Parliamentary constitutional monarchy

Administrative Divisions

32 districts

Legal System

Based on English common law

Chief of State

King Charles III (represented by a Governor-General)

Head of Government

Prime Minister Philip Davis

Cabinet

The Cabinet is appointed by the Governor-General on the advice of the Prime Minister.

Elections

Elections are held every five years or when the Prime Minister advises the Governor-General to dissolve Parliament.

Judicial Branch

Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; Magistrates' Courts

Legislative Branch

Bicameral Parliament consisting of the Senate and the House of Assembly

Major Political Parties

Progressive Liberal Party (PLP), Free National Movement (FNM)

CurrencySource: REST Countries

Bahamian dollar

GDP, Nominal (US$ billion)Source: World Bank: GDP (current US$) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026

15.83#146 of 211

GDP, PPP (US$ billion)Source: World Bank: GDP, PPP (current international $) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026

16.56#154 of 201

GDP per Capita (US$)Source: World Bank: GDP per capita (current US$) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026

39,455.45#41 of 211

GDP - Agriculture (%)Source: World Bank: Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (% of GDP) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026

0.51

GDP - Industry (%)Source: World Bank: Industry (including construction), value added (% of GDP) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026

9.63

GDP - Services (%)Source: World Bank: Services, value added (% of GDP) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026

77.19

Inflation Rate (%)Source: World Bank: Inflation, consumer prices (annual %) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026

0.41#167 of 191

Labor Force (people)Source: World Bank: Labor force, total (2025)Checked September 29, 2026

245,159

Unemployment Rate (%)Source: World Bank: Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026

9.21#42 of 185

Public Debt (% of GDP)Source: World Bank: Central government debt, total (% of GDP) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026

71.46

Budget

The Bahamas' budget is primarily funded by tourism revenue and taxes.

Exports (US$ billion)Source: World Bank: Exports of goods and services (current US$) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026

5.98#128 of 192

Imports (US$ billion)Source: World Bank: Imports of goods and services (current US$) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026

6.56#134 of 192

Foreign Reserves

Significant foreign reserves, primarily in USD, are held by the Central Bank of The Bahamas.

Currency Exchange

Exchange rates can be found at major banks and online currency converters.

GDP by Sector

Tourism and related services are the dominant contributors to the GDP.

Major Industries

Tourism, banking, and financial services.

Major Export Partners

Primarily the United States and other Caribbean nations.

Major Import Partners

Primarily the United States, South Korea, and Japan.

Society

Literacy Rate (%)

Approximately 98%

Birth Rate (per 1,000 people)Source: World Bank: Birth rate, crude (per 1,000 people) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026

10.8

Death Rate (per 1,000 people)Source: World Bank: Death rate, crude (per 1,000 people) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026

8.8

Net Migration Rate

Approximately 0 migrants per 1,000 population.

Median Age

Approximately 36 years.

Urban Population (%)Source: World Bank: Urban population (% of total population) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026

81.33#53 of 214

Urbanization Rate

The urbanization rate is relatively low as most of the population is already urbanized.

Life Expectancy (years)Source: World Bank: Life expectancy at birth, total (years) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026

74.7#106 of 214

HIV/AIDS Prevalence

Approximately 3% of the adult population.

Health Expenditures (% of GDP)Source: World Bank: Current health expenditure (% of GDP) (2023)Checked September 29, 2026

6.3

Ethnic Groups

Primarily of African descent, with some European and mixed ancestry.

Religions

Predominantly Christian, with Baptist being the largest denomination.

LanguagesSource: REST Countries

English

Education

Education System

Education is compulsory from ages 5-16, with a system of public and private schools. Curriculum follows a British model.

School Life Expectancy (years)Source: World Bank: School life expectancy, primary to tertiary, both sexes (years) (1995)Checked September 29, 2026

11.7

Government Education Spending

Government spending on education is a significant portion of the budget.

Primary Education Access

—

Secondary Education Access

—

Higher Education Access

—

Major Universities

University of The Bahamas.

Culture

Cultural Overview

Bahamian culture is a mix of African, European (primarily British), and indigenous influences. It is known for its music, art, and vibrant social life.

National HolidaysSource: Nager.Date

New Year's Day (2026-01-02)
Majority Rule Day (2026-01-12)
Perry Christie Day (2026-04-03)
Good Friday (2026-04-03)
Easter Monday (2026-04-06)
Whit Monday (2026-05-25)
Independence Day (2026-07-10)
Emancipation Day (2026-08-07)
National Heroes' Day (2026-10-12)
Christmas Day (2026-12-25)
Boxing Day (2026-12-26)

Popular Music

Genres include Junkanoo, Rake 'n' Scrape, and other Caribbean-influenced styles.

Traditional Food

Includes conch dishes (cracked conch, conch salad), peas and rice, and seafood.

Sports

Sailing, cricket, and basketball are popular. The Bahamas has a strong presence in sailing and track and field.

Major Festivals

Junkanoo is the most famous, with street parades featuring music, dance, and elaborate costumes.

Famous People

Sidney Poitier (actor), Lenny Kravitz (musician), and Buddy Hield (basketball player).

Cultural Heritage Sites

Historical forts, churches, and colonial architecture.

UNESCO Sites

No UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Annual Tourist Visits

—

Tourism Overview

—

Top Tourist Attractions

—

Famous Cities

—

National Parks

—

Protected Areas

—

Best Time to Visit

—

Tourist Visa Info

—

Visa Requirements Overview

—

Travel Advisory

—

Healthcare

Healthcare Quality

The Bahamas has a moderate healthcare quality index.

Medical Cost

Medical costs are relatively high due to reliance on imported goods and services.

Number of Hospitals

The Bahamas has several hospitals located throughout the islands.

Universal Healthcare

Universal healthcare exists, with public and private options; the public system is primarily funded by taxation.

Medical Services Overview

Medical services are available through public and private hospitals and clinics, with a wide range of services offered.

Emergency Medical Access

Emergency medical services are available, primarily on the more populated islands.

Emergency & Safety

Emergency Number (Police)

—

Emergency Number (Ambulance)

—

Emergency Number (Fire)

—

Crime Rate

—

Safety Index

—

Military Expenditure

—

Emergency Services Overview

—

Safety Overview

—

Military Branches

—

Infrastructure

Electricity Access

—

Water Access

—

Sanitation Access

—

Railways

No railways.

Roadways

—

Transportation System

Roads, ferries, and aviation are the main transportation methods. Inter-island travel is common.

AirportsSource: OurAirports

Grand Bahama International Airport (FPO), Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS), San Salvador International Airport (ZSA), Andros Town Airport (ASD), Arthur's Town Airport (ATC), Chub Cay Airport (CCZ)

Ports

—

Public Transit

—

Technology & Communication

Internet Penetration (%)Source: World Bank: Individuals using the Internet (% of population) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026

92.47#46 of 211

Mobile Subscriptions (per 100)

—

Tech Startups

—

Innovation Index

—

ICT Development Index

—

TV Broadcast Stations

—

Radio Broadcast Stations

—

Plug Type & Voltage

—

CO2 Emissions (t per capita)Source: World Bank: Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions excluding LULUCF per capita (t CO2e/capita) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026

3.64#80 of 202

Air Quality Index

—

Water Pollution Level

—

Renewable Energy Usage

—

Environmental Issues

—

Natural Hazards

—

Waste Management

—

Environmental Agreements

—

UN MembershipSource: REST Countries

Yes

Diplomatic Missions

—

International OrganizationsSource: REST Countries

Commonwealth

Major Treaties

—

Visa-Free Countries

—