Key Takeaways
- The Commonwealth of The Bahamas comprises 700 islands, cays, and islets spanning 13,878 square kilometers of land area with a total coastline of 3,542 kilometers.
- The Bahamas archipelago stretches 830 kilometers from northwest to southeast, lying between Florida and Cuba in the North Atlantic Ocean.
- New Providence Island, home to the capital Nassau, covers 207 square kilometers and hosts about 70% of the nation's population.
- The population of the Bahamas was estimated at 397,662 as of July 2023.
- The Bahamas has a population density of 39.58 people per square kilometer as of 2023.
- 89.5% of Bahamians live in urban areas, primarily Nassau and Freeport, per 2022 data.
- GDP of the Bahamas was $14.82 billion USD in 2022.
- GDP per capita is $34,617 USD (2022), ranking high in the Caribbean.
- Real GDP growth rate was 9.7% in 2022 after -4.5% contraction in 2020.
- The Bahamas is a constitutional parliamentary democracy with Queen Elizabeth II as head of state (pre-2022).
- Prime Minister Philip Davis leads the Progressive Liberal Party government since September 2021.
- Parliament consists of 39 members in the House of Assembly and 16 Senators.
- Tourism visitors reached 1.5 million stop-over arrivals in 2022.
- Hotel rooms number 18,000 across 300+ properties (2023).
- Average daily spend by tourists is $250 USD (2022).
The Bahamas is a vast, low-lying island chain featuring diverse tropical landscapes and a tourism-dependent economy.
Demographics and Population
- The population of the Bahamas was estimated at 397,662 as of July 2023.
- The Bahamas has a population density of 39.58 people per square kilometer as of 2023.
- 89.5% of Bahamians live in urban areas, primarily Nassau and Freeport, per 2022 data.
- Median age in the Bahamas is 32.8 years, with 48.6% under 25 as of 2023.
- Life expectancy at birth is 74.3 years overall (70.5 for males, 78.2 for females) in 2023.
- The total fertility rate is 1.67 children per woman, below replacement level in 2023.
- Net migration rate is -1.67 per 1,000 population annually due to emigration.
- 90.6% of the population is of African descent, 4.7% white, 2.1% mixed as of 2010 census.
- 72% of Bahamians are Protestant Christians, 14% Roman Catholic per 2010 census.
- English is spoken by 97.8% as first language, with Haitian Creole by 2.2% in 2010.
- Literacy rate for adults aged 15+ is 99.8% for males and 99.4% for females in 2021.
- Youth unemployment rate (15-24 years) stood at 25.1% in 2022.
- 23.4% of the population lives below the international poverty line of $2.15/day (2017 PPP).
- Average household size is 2.9 persons per 2010 census data.
- Infant mortality rate is 12.5 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2023.
- 77.9% of population has access to safely managed drinking water (2020).
- HIV prevalence among adults 15-49 is 1.4% as of 2022.
- 17.1% of adults aged 20-79 have diabetes (2021 estimate).
- Obesity rate among adults is 31.6% (2022).
- 3.2% of population aged 65+ in 2023, indicating a youthful demographic.
- Birth rate is 14.8 per 1,000 population (2023 est.).
- Death rate is 7.1 per 1,000 population (2023 est.).
- Population growth rate is 0.8% annually (2023).
- 1.6% of population are Haitian immigrants (approx. 6,400 in 2020).
- Female-headed households comprise 42% of total households (2010 census).
- Dependency ratio is 44.2% (2023), with 27.2% youth and 17% elderly.
- 96% of births attended by skilled health personnel (2020).
- Suicide rate is 5.4 per 100,000 population (2019).
- 85% of population has electricity access (2021).
Demographics and Population Interpretation
Economy and Trade
- GDP of the Bahamas was $14.82 billion USD in 2022.
- GDP per capita is $34,617 USD (2022), ranking high in the Caribbean.
- Real GDP growth rate was 9.7% in 2022 after -4.5% contraction in 2020.
- Inflation rate (CPI) averaged 6.4% in 2022.
- Unemployment rate was 10.1% in 2022, down from 13.7% in 2021.
- Tourism accounts for 50% of GDP and 60% of employment (pre-COVID).
- Offshore banking sector holds $350 billion in deposits (2022 est.).
- Public debt is 88.3% of GDP as of 2022.
- Exports totaled $1.3 billion USD in 2022, mainly refined petroleum.
- Imports were $5.2 billion USD in 2022, primarily food and machinery.
- Trade balance deficit was -$3.9 billion USD in 2022.
- Current account balance is -25.3% of GDP (2022).
- Foreign direct investment inflow was $1.1 billion in 2022.
- Labor force totals 196,900 workers (2022 est.).
- Agriculture contributes 1.7% to GDP, employing 3% of workforce.
- Industry sector is 7.7% of GDP, mainly oil transshipment.
- Services dominate at 90.6% of GDP (2022).
- Corporate tax rate is 0% for International Business Companies.
- VAT rate is 12%, introduced in 2015.
- Minimum wage is BSD 210 per week (2023).
- Remittances received $100 million USD (2022).
- Ease of doing business rank improved to 83rd globally in 2020.
- Central Bank discount rate is 4% as of 2023.
- Stock market capitalization is $4.5 billion (2022).
- Fisheries production is 8,000 metric tons annually (2021).
- Arable land is 0.8% of total land area.
Economy and Trade Interpretation
Geography and Environment
- The Commonwealth of The Bahamas comprises 700 islands, cays, and islets spanning 13,878 square kilometers of land area with a total coastline of 3,542 kilometers.
- The Bahamas archipelago stretches 830 kilometers from northwest to southeast, lying between Florida and Cuba in the North Atlantic Ocean.
- New Providence Island, home to the capital Nassau, covers 207 square kilometers and hosts about 70% of the nation's population.
- Grand Bahama Island has an area of 1,373 square kilometers, making it the second-largest island in the Bahamas after Andros.
- Andros Island is the largest in the Bahamas at 5,957 square kilometers, featuring the world's third-largest barrier reef system.
- The Bahamas has a tropical maritime climate with average annual temperatures ranging from 21°C in winter to 32°C in summer.
- Annual rainfall in the Bahamas averages 1,295 millimeters on Grand Bahama and up to 2,896 millimeters on the southeastern islands.
- The highest point in the Bahamas is Mount Alvernia on Cat Island at 63 meters above sea level.
- The Bahamas' lowest point is sea level along its extensive 3,542 km coastline, vulnerable to sea-level rise.
- Approximately 80% of the Bahamas' land is classified as karst terrain with limestone bedrock and minimal surface water.
- The Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park covers 457 square kilometers, established in 1959 as the first land-sea park in the world.
- Blue Holes National Park on Andros features over 175 documented blue holes, the highest concentration globally.
- The Bahamas has over 2,500 kilometers of coral reefs supporting 500 species of fish and diverse marine life.
- Sea surface temperatures around the Bahamas average 25.5°C annually, peaking at 29°C in August.
- The Bahamas experiences an average of 1 hurricane per year, with 39% of all Atlantic hurricanes affecting the archipelago since 1851.
- Mangrove forests cover about 10% of the Bahamas' land area, crucial for coastal protection and biodiversity.
- The Lucayan National Park on Grand Bahama preserves 16 hectares including the only freshwater stream in the country.
- Groundwater supplies 90% of the Bahamas' freshwater, with aquifers holding about 1.2 billion cubic meters capacity.
- The Bahamas' territorial sea extends 12 nautical miles, with an exclusive economic zone of 345,890 square kilometers.
- Average wind speeds in the Bahamas range from 15-25 km/h year-round due to trade winds.
- The Abacos Islands feature the largest cluster of sea caves in the Bahamas, over 20 documented sites.
- Eleuthera Island spans 518 square kilometers with 180 km of coastline and pink sand beaches.
- The Bahamas ranks 5th globally in terms of islands per capita with over 2 islands per 1,000 residents.
- Forest cover in the Bahamas is approximately 51.4% of total land area as of 2020.
- The country experiences 300+ sunny days annually with UV index often exceeding 11.
- The Great Bahama Bank, a vast shallow carbonate platform, underlies much of the archipelago at depths under 10 meters.
- Inagua National Park, the largest in the Bahamas at 1,209 square kilometers, hosts 80,000 flamingos.
- Average humidity in Nassau is 77% year-round, highest in October at 82%.
- The Bahamas' mean elevation is 1.9 meters, one of the lowest globally, heightening flood risks.
- Coral bleaching events affected 40% of Bahamian reefs between 2014-2017 due to warming oceans.
Geography and Environment Interpretation
Government and Politics
- The Bahamas is a constitutional parliamentary democracy with Queen Elizabeth II as head of state (pre-2022).
- Prime Minister Philip Davis leads the Progressive Liberal Party government since September 2021.
- Parliament consists of 39 members in the House of Assembly and 16 Senators.
- Last general election held on September 16, 2021, with PLP winning 32 seats.
- Voting age is 18, with 85% voter turnout in 2021 election.
- Independence from UK achieved on July 10, 1973.
- 31 administrative districts, each with a local government council.
- Budget revenue was $2.6 billion BSD in FY 2022/23.
- Defense budget is 0.6% of GDP (2022).
- Royal Bahamas Defence Force has 5,000 personnel (2023).
- Corruption Perceptions Index score 64/100, ranking 30th globally (2022).
- Press Freedom Index rank 77th with score 62.97 (2023).
- Human Development Index 0.812, ranking 54th (2021).
- Gender Inequality Index 0.452 (2021).
- Women hold 20% of House of Assembly seats (2021).
- Death penalty abolished for all crimes in 1993.
- Freedom House score 91/100, classified as Free (2023).
- 14 ministries including Finance, Tourism, and Foreign Affairs.
- Supreme Court head is Chief Justice Sir Ian Winder (2023).
- Bahamas is member of UN, CARICOM, OAS, and Commonwealth.
- Foreign aid received $10 million USD annually (2021).
- National debt serviced at $500 million USD yearly (2022).
- 2023/24 budget deficit projected at 2.5% of GDP.
- Police force numbers 4,500 officers for 400k population (2022).
- Drug seizure value $200 million USD in 2022.
- Environmental protection under Department of Environmental Planning.
Government and Politics Interpretation
Tourism, Culture and Society
- Cruise passenger arrivals totaled 5.5 million in 2022.
Tourism, Culture and Society Interpretation
Tourism, Culture, and Society
- Tourism visitors reached 1.5 million stop-over arrivals in 2022.
- Hotel rooms number 18,000 across 300+ properties (2023).
- Average daily spend by tourists is $250 USD (2022).
- Junkanoo Carnival attracts 50,000 visitors annually.
- 75% of tourists come from USA, 10% from Canada (2022).
- Scuba diving tourism generates $250 million yearly.
- Cultural heritage sites include 27 National Trust properties.
- Rake-n-Scrape music festivals held year-round on outer islands.
- 90% of resorts offer all-inclusive packages (2023).
- Reggae music influences 40% of local festivals.
- National dish Conch Salad consumed by 80% of tourists.
- 200+ annual fishing tournaments, including Billfish Blast.
- Literacy programs reach 95% school enrollment rate.
- University of The Bahamas enrolls 4,000 students.
- Crime victimization rate for tourists 0.5% (2022).
- 60+ golf courses, including Ocean Club at Paradise Island.
- Bahamian dollar fixed at 1:1 with USD since 1973.
- 12 casinos operate under Gaming Board license.
- Annual Eleuthera Pineapple Festival draws 10,000 attendees.
- Goombay Festival in June celebrates African heritage.
Tourism, Culture, and Society Interpretation
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