Bahamas - BS - BHS - BAH - Central America and the Caribbean
Last updated: July 16, 2025
Bahamas, The Images
View from Fort Fincastle out to Nassau Harbor in the Bahamas.
Fort Fincastle is a fort located in the city of Nassau on the island of New Providence in the Bahamas. It was built in 1793 to protect Nassau from pirates.
View from Fort Fincastle out to Nassau Harbor in the Bahamas.
Fort Fincastle is a fort located in the city of Nassau on the island of New Providence in the Bahamas. It was built in 1793 to protect Nassau from pirates.
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Bahamas, The Factbook Data
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Kimberly FURNISH (since June 2024)
embassy: 42 Queen Street, Nassau
mailing address: 3370 Nassau Place, Washington, DC 20521-3370
65 years and over: 8.6% (2024 est.) (male 15,799/female 19,533)
This is the population pyramid for the Bahamas. A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends.
For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page.
Geographic coordinates
24 15 N, 76 00 W
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.)
Natural hazards
hurricanes and other tropical storms cause extensive flood and wind damage
Area - comparative
slightly smaller than Connecticut
slightly smaller than Connecticut
Military service age and obligation
18-30 years of age for voluntary service for men and women (18-60 for Reserves); no conscription (2025)
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.
Environment - current issues
coral reef decay; solid waste disposal
Environment - international 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
note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
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
note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Military 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
Budget
revenues: $2.606 billion (2022 est.)
expenditures: $3.102 billion (2022 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
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
note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Climate
tropical marine; moderated by warm waters of Gulf Stream
Coastline
3,542 km
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
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
Flag description
three equal horizontal bands of aquamarine (top), gold, and aquamarine, with a black equilateral triangle based on the hoist side; the band colors represent the golden beaches of the islands surrounded by the aquamarine sea; black represents the vigor and force of a united people, and the triangle stands for the enterprise and determination of the Bahamian people
Illicit drugs
USG identification: major illicit drug-producing and/or drug-transit country (2025)
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
Land boundaries
total: 0 km
Land use
agricultural land: 1.3% (2022 est.)
arable land: 0.8% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 0.3% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 0.2% (2022 est.)
forest: 50.9% (2022 est.)
other: 47.8% (2022 est.)
Legal system
common-law system based on the English model
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
strategic location adjacent to US and Cuba; extensive island chain of which 30 are inhabited
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
Political parties
Coalition of Independents Party or COI Democratic National Alliance or DNA Free National Movement or FNM Progressive Liberal Party or PLP
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Terrain
long, flat coral formations with some low rounded hills
Government type
parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm
Country 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
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
Map references
Central America and the Caribbean
Irrigated land
10 sq km (2012)
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: embassy@bahamasembdc.org
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
Total renewable water resources
700 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
Urbanization
urban population: 83.6% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 1.02% annual rate of change (2020-25 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)
Drinking water source
improved:
total: 98.9% of population
unimproved:
total: 1.1% of population (2017 est.)
National anthem
name: "March On, Bahamaland!"
lyrics/music: Timothy GIBSON
note: adopted 1973; as a Commonwealth country, in addition to the national anthem, "God Save the King" serves as the royal anthem (see United Kingdom)
This is an audio of the National Anthem for Bahamas, The. The national anthem is generally a patriotic musical composition - usually in the form of a song or hymn of praise - that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions, or struggles of a nation or its people. National anthems can be officially recognized as a national song by a country's constitution or by an enacted law, or simply by tradition. Although most anthems contain lyrics, some do not.
Major urban areas - population
280,000 NASSAU (capital) (2018)
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Physician density
1.9 physicians/1,000 population (2017)
Hospital bed density
2.7 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)
National symbol(s)
blue marlin, flamingo, yellow elderflower
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption: 67.5% (2023 est.)
government consumption: 13% (2023 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 19.5% (2023 est.)
investment in inventories: 1.2% (2023 est.)
exports of goods and services: 39.7% (2023 est.)
imports of goods and services: -43% (2023 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
Dependency ratios
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.)
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
Population distribution
most of the population lives in urban areas, with two thirds living on New Providence Island where Nassau is located
Electricity access
electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
C6
Sanitation facility access
improved:
total: 98.2% of population
unimproved:
total: 1.8% of population (2017 est.)
Ethnic groups
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
Religions
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.)
Languages
English (official), Creole (among Haitian immigrants)
Imports - partners
USA 60%, Germany 13%, China 5%, Japan 3%, Brazil 2% (2023)
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Literacy
total population: NA
male: NA
female: NA
Elevation
highest point: 1.3 km NE of Old Bight on Cat Island 64 m
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
Health expenditure
7.1% of GDP (2021)
15.8% of national budget (2022 est.)
Military expenditures
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.)
Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 1,700 active RBDF (2024)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
most of the RBDF's major equipment inventory has been acquired from the Netherlands or the US (2024)
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)
Total water withdrawal
municipal: 30 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually: 264,000 tons (2015 est.)
Air pollutants
particulate matter emissions: 5.2 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
key ports: Clifton Pier, Cockburn Town, Freeport, Matthew Town, Nassau, South Riding Point
Remittances
0.44% of GDP (2023 est.) 0.44% of GDP (2022 est.) 0.47% of GDP (2021 est.)
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
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
Bahamian coat of arms
National color(s)
aquamarine, yellow, black
Labor force
237,100 (2024 est.)
note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
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