Country Profile: Bahamas, The

The Bahamas is an archipelago located in the North Atlantic Ocean, strategically positioned southeast of Florida and northeast of Cuba. It boasts a population of over 415,000, with the majority residing in urban areas, predominantly on New Providence Island where the capital, Nassau, is situated. The economy is heavily reliant on tourism and international banking, contributing approximately 85% to its GDP. Governed as a parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy, The Bahamas has continued to prosper since gaining independence from the UK in 1973, despite facing challenges related to illicit trafficking due to its proximity to the US.

Geography

The Bahamas comprises a chain of islands with a total area of 13,880 square kilometers, characterized by long, flat coral formations and a tropical marine climate. The nation has no land borders and features a coastline of 3,542 km, making it susceptible to natural hazards such as hurricanes. With a significant portion of its population living in urban areas, the country’s geography also includes extensive maritime claims.

3,542 km of coastline
13,880 sq km total area
80 km distance from the nearest US landmass
200 nm exclusive economic zone

People and Society

As of 2025, The Bahamas has an estimated population of 415,306, predominantly of African descent (90.6%). The society is diverse, with English as the official language and a majority adherence to Protestant Christianity. The demographic structure shows a youthful population with a median age of 31.1 years. While urbanization is high, with 83.6% of the population residing in urban areas, the country faces challenges regarding income inequality and access to public services.

415,306 estimated population (2025)
1.08% projected annual population growth rate (2025)
69.9% identify as Protestant
13.1 births per 1,000 population (2025)
76.7 years life expectancy at birth (2024)

Economy

The Bahamas has a high-income economy primarily driven by tourism and financial services, which account for a considerable portion of its GDP. Despite its prosperity, there are significant income disparities among the population. The GDP in purchasing power parity was estimated at approximately $14.544 billion in 2024, with a strong focus on the service sector, which comprises about 77.2% of the economy.

$14.544 billion GDP (PPP) (2024 est.)
77.2% services sector contribution (2024 est.)
8.5% unemployment rate (2024 est.)
$36,200 GDP per capita (PPP) (2024 est.)
0.4% inflation rate (2024 est.)

Government

The Bahamas operates as a parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy, with the King of the UK serving as the head of state, represented locally by a Governor-General. The government is composed of a bicameral legislature, and universal suffrage is granted at the age of 18. Notable political parties include the Progressive Liberal Party and the Free National Movement.

Established on July 10, 1973 (independence from the UK)
39 members in the House of Assembly
16 appointed members in the Senate
Prime Minister Philip Edward Davis (since September 17, 2021)
Universal suffrage at age 18

Military and Security

The Royal Bahamas Defense Force (RBDF) is responsible for national defense, supported by the Royal Bahamas Police Force for internal security. The military's focus is on maritime protection and disaster response, with an estimated active personnel strength of about 1,500 to 1,800. Military expenditures account for around 0.7% of GDP as of 2024.

0.7% of GDP allocated to military expenditures (2024 est.)
1,500-1,800 active personnel in the RBDF (2025)
Military service age ranges from 18 to 30 years
Established in 1980

Energy

The Bahamas has achieved 100% electricity access, primarily generated through fossil fuels, which comprise 99.1% of total installed capacity. The country has begun exploring renewable energy sources, with solar constituting 0.9% of the energy mix as of 2023.

608,000 kW installed electricity generating capacity (2023 est.)
2.036 billion kWh total electricity consumption (2023 est.)
20,000 bbl/day refined petroleum consumption (2023 est.)
100% electricity access (2022 est.)

Environment

Environmental challenges in The Bahamas include coral reef decay and issues related to solid waste disposal. The country is a participant in various international environmental agreements, aiming to address its climate impact and conserve biodiversity.

24.9% of municipal solid waste recycled (2022 est.)
700 million cubic meters of total renewable water resources (2022 est.)
2.99 million metric tonnes of CO2 emissions (2023 est.)

Transportation

The Bahamas is served by 54 airports and a merchant marine system that includes 1,274 vessels. With a focus on enhancing its transportation infrastructure, the country features various ports with essential oil terminals and offers a mix of civil aviation options.

54 airports (2025)
1,274 vessels in the merchant marine (2023)
6 total ports (2024)

Communications

The communication sector shows a high level of access, with 95% of the population using the internet and significant growth in mobile cellular subscriptions. The country has a regulated media framework, including multiple television and radio service providers.

388,000 mobile cellular subscriptions (2024 est.)
95% internet penetration rate (2023 est.)
93,100 fixed-line subscriptions (2024 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	415,306	Estimated for 2025
Area	13,880 sq km	Total area
GDP (PPP)	$14.544 billion	Estimated for 2024
Unemployment Rate	8.5%	Estimated for 2024
Electricity Access	100%	Total population with access (2022 est.)
Life Expectancy at Birth	76.7 years	Estimated for 2024
Birth Rate	13.1 births/1,000 people	Estimated for 2025
Military Expenditures	0.7% of GDP	Estimated for 2024
Urban Population	83.6%	Total urban population (2023)
Internet Users	95%	Estimated for 2023