#174 in world Americas UN member

Bahamas

Nassau Americas Caribbean

The Bahamas is an expansive archipelago in the Caribbean with a current population of approximately 405,000 residents. As a high-income nation, it maintains a robust economic profile with an estimated GDP per capita of $42,167, making it one of the most prosperous countries in the Americas.

Where is Bahamas?

Bahamas

Continent
Americas
Country
Bahamas
Coordinates
25.03°, -77.40°

Population Details

Population
405K
Area
13,943 km²
Density per km²
29 / km²
Growth rate
+0.46%
Annual growth
+1.9K people
Daily growth
+5.11 people
World population share
0.00%

Population Trend

Historical series from 1960 to 2026

Start 116.3K Latest 405K

Population & Social Snapshot

Age structure, urbanization, and benchmark indicators for Bahamas

Age Distribution

0-14 years 72.5K
15-64 years 284.8K
65+ years 47.7K

Urbanization

81.3% Urban
329.4K
Urban 329.4K
Rural 75.6K

Health & Education Benchmarks

Life Expectancy at Birth +1%
74.7 years
World avg: 74.0 years
Fertility Rate -42%
1.37 births per woman
World avg: 2.35 births per woman
Infant Mortality Rate -40%
11.1 per 1,000 live births
World avg: 18.6 per 1,000 live births
Internet Users +27%
92.5 % of population
World avg: 72.5 % of population

Demographics

Quick Facts

Capital
Nassau
Region
Americas
Area
13,943 km²
Languages
English
Currency
Bahamian dollar ($), United States dollar ($)
Timezones
UTC-05:00
UN Member
Yes

Economy

The Bahamian economy is characterized by a GDP growth rate of 3.4% and an unemployment rate of 9.2%. The latest ranking places the nation 40 of 212 globally for GDP per capita and 9 of 45 within the Americas. The economy is heavily integrated with the United States and relies significantly on tourism and offshore financial services, utilizing both the Bahamian dollar and the United States dollar as legal tender. Recent data shows the country ranks 43 of 186 globally for its unemployment rate when measured from the lowest figures upward.

Society

Health indicators show a life expectancy at birth of 74.71 years, which ranks the nation 107 of 215 globally. The Bahamas has achieved exceptional levels of digital connectivity, with 92.47% of the population identified as internet users, ranking the country 46 of 212 worldwide. Demographically, the nation is highly urbanized, with 81.3% of people living in urban centers, while the total population continues to grow at an annual rate of 0.46%.

Climate & Environment

The Bahamas enjoys a tropical maritime climate with temperatures typically ranging from 21 °C (70 °F) to 32 °C (90 °F) throughout the year. The islands are characterized by low-lying terrain, reaching a maximum elevation of 63 m (207 ft) at Mount Alvernia, which makes the archipelago particularly sensitive to the seasonal Atlantic hurricane cycles.

Government & Politics

Government Type
parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm
Independence
1973-07-10 (United Kingdom)

The Bahamas operates as a parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy and is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The British monarch serves as the formal head of state and is represented locally by a Governor-General. Executive authority is exercised by the Prime Minister, who leads the Cabinet and is typically the leader of the majority party in the House of Assembly. The legislative branch consists of a bicameral Parliament, comprising the 39-member House of Assembly, whose representatives are elected by popular vote, and a 16-member Senate, whose members are appointed by the Governor-General in consultation with the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition. The legal system is rooted in English Common Law, with the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London serving as the highest court of appeal. This stable political framework has supported the nation since it gained independence from the United Kingdom on 10 July 1973.

History

The history of the Bahamas is defined by its role as a maritime crossroads. Originally inhabited by the Lucayan people, the archipelago became the site of Christopher Columbus's first landfall in the New World in October 1492. Although the Spanish did not establish a permanent settlement, they depopulated the islands by enslaving the Lucayan population for labor elsewhere. By the late 1600s and early 1700s, the islands became a notorious haven for pirates, including the famous Blackbeard, due to the complex shallow waters and proximity to shipping lanes. The British eventually established control, declaring the Bahamas a crown colony in 1718. Following the American Revolution, thousands of British Loyalists migrated to the islands with enslaved Africans, significantly influencing the demographic makeup and establishing a short-lived cotton plantation economy. During the American Civil War and the Prohibition era, the islands served as a strategic hub for blockade running and rum smuggling. The Bahamas achieved internal self-government in 1964 and moved toward full sovereignty, officially gaining independence from the United Kingdom on 10 July 1973. Since then, the nation has focused on developing its tourism and financial sectors, becoming one of the wealthiest sovereign states in the Americas by GDP per capita.

Notable Facts

  • The archipelago consists of approximately 700 islands and 2,000 cays scattered across 13943 km² (5383 sq mi) of the Atlantic Ocean.
  • The highest point in the country is Mount Alvernia on Cat Island, which reaches an elevation of 63 m (207 ft).
  • The nation is home to the deepest known blue hole in the world, Dean's Blue Hole, which plunges to a depth of approximately 202 m (663 ft).
  • Both the Bahamian dollar and the United States dollar are accepted as legal tender and are maintained at a fixed one-to-one exchange rate.
  • According to the latest estimates, 81.3249262966481 percent of the population of 401283 people live in urban areas, primarily in Nassau and Freeport.

Geography

Highest Point
Mount Alvernia on Cat Island (63 m)
Lowest Point
Atlantic Ocean (0 m)
Coastline
3,542 km

Explore weather and climate data for cities in Bahamas

Monthly averages for Nassau

January best
Excellent
Temp
24°C / 22°C
Feels Like
25°C / 21°C
Rain
7days (36 mm) Good
Sun
9.9h Good
Humidity
75% Muggy
February best
Excellent
Temp
24°C / 23°C
Feels Like
25°C / 22°C
Rain
5days (38 mm) Good
Sun
10.4h Excellent
Humidity
75% Muggy
March best
Excellent
Temp
24°C / 23°C
Feels Like
26°C / 22°C
Rain
6days (45 mm) Good
Sun
11h Excellent
Humidity
74% Muggy
April best
Excellent
Temp
25°C / 24°C
Feels Like
27°C / 24°C
Rain
7days (39 mm) Good
Sun
11.7h Excellent
Humidity
76% Humid
May
Good
Temp
27°C / 25°C
Feels Like
30°C / 27°C
Rain
10days (108 mm) Wet
Sun
11.9h Excellent
Humidity
79% Humid
June
Fair
Temp
28°C / 27°C
Feels Like
33°C / 29°C
Rain
15days (123 mm) Wet
Sun
11.5h Excellent
Humidity
81% Humid
July
Poor
Temp
29°C / 27°C
Feels Like
34°C / 31°C
Rain
15days (95 mm) Wet
Sun
12.1h Excellent
Humidity
79% Humid
August
Poor
Temp
29°C / 28°C
Feels Like
34°C / 31°C
Rain
16days (113 mm) Wet
Sun
11.8h Excellent
Humidity
79% Humid
September
Poor
Temp
29°C / 27°C
Feels Like
34°C / 31°C
Rain
17days (143 mm) Wet
Sun
10.7h Excellent
Humidity
79% Humid
October
Fair
Temp
28°C / 26°C
Feels Like
31°C / 28°C
Rain
17days (136 mm) Wet
Sun
10h Excellent
Humidity
78% Humid
November
Good
Temp
26°C / 25°C
Feels Like
28°C / 25°C
Rain
10days (90 mm) Wet
Sun
9.5h Good
Humidity
76% Humid
December best
Excellent
Temp
25°C / 23°C
Feels Like
26°C / 23°C
Rain
10days (47 mm) Wet
Sun
9.1h Good
Humidity
75% Muggy
Month Temp Feels Like Rain Sun Humidity Status Details
January best 24°C / 22°C 25°C / 21°C 7days (36 mm) Good 9.9h Good 75% Muggy Excellent View Details
February best 24°C / 23°C 25°C / 22°C 5days (38 mm) Good 10.4h Excellent 75% Muggy Excellent View Details
March best 24°C / 23°C 26°C / 22°C 6days (45 mm) Good 11h Excellent 74% Muggy Excellent View Details
April best 25°C / 24°C 27°C / 24°C 7days (39 mm) Good 11.7h Excellent 76% Humid Excellent View Details
May 27°C / 25°C 30°C / 27°C 10days (108 mm) Wet 11.9h Excellent 79% Humid Good View Details
June 28°C / 27°C 33°C / 29°C 15days (123 mm) Wet 11.5h Excellent 81% Humid Fair View Details
July 29°C / 27°C 34°C / 31°C 15days (95 mm) Wet 12.1h Excellent 79% Humid Poor View Details
August 29°C / 28°C 34°C / 31°C 16days (113 mm) Wet 11.8h Excellent 79% Humid Poor View Details
September 29°C / 27°C 34°C / 31°C 17days (143 mm) Wet 10.7h Excellent 79% Humid Poor View Details
October 28°C / 26°C 31°C / 28°C 17days (136 mm) Wet 10h Excellent 78% Humid Fair View Details
November 26°C / 25°C 28°C / 25°C 10days (90 mm) Wet 9.5h Good 76% Humid Good View Details
December best 25°C / 23°C 26°C / 23°C 10days (47 mm) Wet 9.1h Good 75% Muggy Excellent View Details

Temperature

36°C 30°C 24°C 18°C 12°C JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
HighLow

Line chart showing monthly temperatures. Jan: 24°C / 22°C . Feb: 24°C / 23°C . Mar: 24°C / 23°C . Apr: 25°C / 24°C . May: 27°C / 25°C . Jun: 28°C / 27°C . Jul: 29°C / 27°C . Aug: 29°C / 28°C . Sep: 29°C / 27°C . Oct: 28°C / 26°C . Nov: 26°C / 25°C . Dec: 25°C / 23°C .

Rainfall

0 mm 25 mm 50 mm 75 mm 100 mm 125 mm 150 mm JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Rainfall

Bar chart showing monthly rainfall. Jan: 36 mm. Feb: 38 mm. Mar: 45 mm. Apr: 39 mm. May: 108 mm. Jun: 123 mm. Jul: 95 mm. Aug: 113 mm. Sep: 143 mm. Oct: 136 mm. Nov: 90 mm. Dec: 47 mm.

Frequently Asked Questions

The population of Bahamas is approximately 405K (2024).

The capital of Bahamas is Nassau.

Bahamas's GDP per capita is $42.2K (2024).

Life expectancy in Bahamas is 74.71 years (2024).

Bahamas covers 13,943 km² (5,383 sq mi).

Bahamas is sparsely populated, averaging 29 people per km², below the global average of 60.

Bahamas's population is growing slowly at 0.5% per year, below the global average.

Yes — based on GDP per capita, Bahamas falls in the high GDP-per-person tier at $42.2K. Official World Bank income groups use Atlas-method GNI per capita, so this is a GDP-based comparison rather than an official income-group label.

Bahamas's intentional homicide rate is 32.2 per 100,000 people, among the highest reported globally.

The official language of Bahamas is English.

Bahamas uses the Bahamian dollar ($) as its sole official currency.

Bahamas is an island nation and shares no land borders.

The best months to visit Bahamas are January, February, March, April, December, based on climate data for the capital.

The latest estimates show the population of the Bahamas is approximately 405,000 people. The nation ranks 174 of 215 globally in terms of population size and 29 of 46 within the Americas. Most residents are concentrated in urban areas, with Nassau serving as the primary demographic and administrative hub.

According to current estimates, the Bahamas has a GDP per capita of $42,167. This figure ranks the nation 40 of 212 globally and 5 of 21 within the Caribbean subregion. This high ranking reflects a robust economy driven primarily by the tourism sector and offshore financial services.

The current unemployment rate in the Bahamas is 9.2%. In a global comparison of 186 countries, the Bahamas ranks 43 when ordered from the lowest to the highest unemployment rates. The labor market is heavily influenced by the seasonal nature of the tourism industry and various government employment initiatives.

Recent data indicates that approximately 92.47% of the Bahamian population are internet users. This high level of connectivity places the Bahamas at a rank of 46 of 212 globally. The widespread access to digital services supports the nation’s significant financial services sector and modern tourism infrastructure.

The population of the Bahamas is currently growing at an annual rate of 0.46%. While this represents steady growth, the fertility rate is approximately 1.37 births per woman, which is below the replacement level. Net migration and improvements in healthcare continue to influence the overall demographic trends of the archipelago.

Approximately 81.3% of the Bahamian population lives in urban areas, reflecting a highly centralized demographic structure. Most residents are located in Nassau on New Providence Island or in Freeport on Grand Bahama. This concentration of people facilitates the delivery of modern services and supports the country's tourism-based economic model.

The estimated 2026 population of the Bahamas is 404,986 people. This current estimate is based on a projected annual growth rate of 0.46% following the official 2024 population count of 401,283. The population remains concentrated on a few primary islands, with New Providence being the most populous.

The Bahamas currently ranks 174th in the world out of 215 countries and territories. Regionally, recent data ranks it 29th in the Americas and 7th within the Caribbean subregion. This positioning highlights its status as a mid-sized island nation with a highly urbanized and centralized population structure.

The population is currently growing at an annual rate of 0.46%. While the country continues to see a net increase in residents, this growth rate has slowed over time. The increase is driven by a natural balance of 12 daily births versus 10 daily deaths, supplemented by migration.

The estimated population density is 40.5 people per km² (105 people per sq mi). This density rank places the Bahamas 161st globally. Although the national average is relatively low, actual density is much higher in Nassau, where the vast majority of the 404,986 residents live and work.

Approximately 81.3% of the Bahamian population resides in urban areas, making it one of the most urbanized nations in the world. The Bahamas ranks 53rd globally for urbanization, as residents have historically moved to centers like Nassau and Freeport for better access to employment, education, and services.

The latest fertility rate in the Bahamas is 1.37 births per woman, which is below the global average and the replacement level of 2.1. This low rate indicates that the natural population growth is limited, and the country relies on migration and increased life expectancy to maintain its population.

All Indicators

Explore Bahamas's data across 50+ indicators

Last updated: