The Bahamas
Commonwealth of The Bahamas
parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchyIndependence 10 July 1973 (from the UK)
The Bahamas as the 2025 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 135 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
Published as “The Bahamas” (1990–1997) and “Bahamas, The” (1998–2025).
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Introduction
1 fieldBackground
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.
Geography
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
17 fieldsLand useshare of 13,880 sq km
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
Population distribution
most of the population lives in urban areas, with two thirds living on New Providence Island where Nassau is located
Geography - note
strategic location adjacent to US and Cuba; extensive island chain of which 30 are inhabited
People and Society
29 fieldsAge structuremale left, female right · (2024 est.)
Per 1,000 population(2025 est.)
Male · female
Ethnic groups(2010 est.)
Religions(2010 est.)
Population distribution
most of the population lives in urban areas, with two thirds living on New Providence Island where Nassau is located
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.)
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
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.)
Environment
10 fieldsLand use(2023 est.)
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
Urbanization
- urban population:
- 83.6% of total population (2023)
- rate of urbanization:
- 1.02% annual rate of change (2020-25 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.)
Waste and recycling
- municipal solid waste generated annually:
- 264,000 tons (2024 est.)
- percent of municipal solid waste recycled:
- 24.9% (2022 est.)
Government
Parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); Prime Minister Philip Edward DAVIS (since 17 September 2021)
25 fieldsCountry 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
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
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
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
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
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
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
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
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
Political parties
- Coalition of Independents Party or COI
- Democratic National Alliance or DNA
- Free National Movement or FNM
- Progressive Liberal Party or PLP
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:
- [email protected]; https://www.bahamasembdc.org/
- consulate(s) general:
- Atlanta, Miami, New York
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:
- [email protected]; https://bs.usembassy.gov/
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)
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
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 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
Economy
27 fieldsTrading partnersexports left, imports right
By end use% of GDP · (2024 est.)
Budget(2023 est.)
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
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
Agricultural products
sugarcane, grapefruits, vegetables, bananas, tomatoes, chicken, tropical fruits, oranges, coconuts, mangoes/guavas (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Industries
tourism, banking, oil bunkering, maritime industries, transshipment and logistics, salt, aragonite, pharmaceuticals
Labor force
237,100 (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
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
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
Taxes and other revenues
16.2% (of GDP) (2023 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
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
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
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
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
Exchange rates
Bahamian dollars (BSD) per US dollar - 1 (2024 est.) · 1 (2023 est.) · 1 (2022 est.) · 1 (2021 est.) · 1 (2020 est.)
Energy
7 fieldsElectrification% of population · (2022 est.)
Installed generating capacity, 608,000 kW(2023 est.)
Natural gas
- consumption:
- 14.13 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
- imports:
- 14.13 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
Communications
6 fieldsPer 100 inhabitants(2023–24 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)
Transportation
5 fieldsMerchant marine, 1,274 ships by type(2023)
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
Military and Security
6 fieldsMilitary 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 equipment inventories and acquisitions
most of the RBDF's major equipment inventory has been acquired from the Netherlands or the US (2025)
Military service age and obligation
18-30 years of age for voluntary service for men and women (18-60 for Reserves); no conscription (2025)
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)
Transnational Issues
2 fieldsCite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Bahamas, The.” The World Factbook 2025. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/bahamas.