Quick facts
Bahamas population overview
The Bahamas is the 17th most populous of 41 countries and territories in North America. The United Nations put the population at 404,677 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +0.4% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 4 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 4,249 births (10.5 per 1,000 people) and 3,602 deaths (8.9 per 1,000), plus net immigration of roughly 890 people. The infant mortality rate is 10.1 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 116,317 in 1960 to 403,033 in 2025 — a change of +246.5%, or +1.9% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 35.7 years; life expectancy at birth is 75 years; women have on average 1.4 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 17.5% of residents are under 15 and 12.1% are 65 or older (2025); 81.3% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Nassau. The Bahamas covers 13,880 km², giving a population density of about 29.2 people per km². GDP was $15.83B in 2024 — about $39,455 per person (World Bank classification: high income).
Bahamas population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 405,903 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 404,677 |
| World rank | #178 of 238 |
| Rank in North America | #17 of 41 |
| Share of world population | 0.005% |
| Annual growth rate | +0.4% |
| Births per year est. | 4,249 |
| Deaths per year est. | 3,602 |
| Net migration per year est. | +890 |
| Birth rate | 10.5 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 8.9 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 10.1 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 91.1 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 35.7 years |
| Life expectancy | 75 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 1.4 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 81.3% |
| Surface area 2023 | 13,880 km² |
| Population density | 29.2 per km² |
| Capital | Nassau |
| GDP (current US$) 2024 | $15.83B |
| GDP per capita 2024 | $39,455 |
| Income group World Bank | High income |
Bahamas population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 405,903 | – | – |
| 2025 | 403,033 | +1,750 | +0.4% |
| 2024 | 401,283 | +1,843 | +0.5% |
| 2023 | 399,440 | +1,902 | +0.5% |
| 2022 | 397,538 | +1,165 | +0.3% |
| 2021 | 396,373 | +510 | +0.1% |
| 2020 | 395,863 | +10,517 | +0.5% |
| 2015 | 385,346 | +17,868 | +1% |
| 2010 | 367,478 | +23,584 | +1.3% |
| 2005 | 343,894 | +20,059 | +1.2% |
| 2000 | 323,835 | +22,374 | +1.4% |
| 1995 | 301,461 | +25,516 | +1.8% |
| 1990 | 275,945 | +22,791 | +1.7% |
| 1985 | 253,154 | +20,628 | +1.7% |
| 1980 | 232,526 | +22,640 | +2.1% |
| 1975 | 209,886 | +24,904 | +2.6% |
| 1970 | 184,982 | +37,030 | +4.6% |
| 1965 | 147,952 | +31,635 | +4.9% |
| 1960 | 116,317 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Bahamas
Population over time
- From 116,317 in 1960 to 405,903 today — up 249%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +0.4% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 74.7 years (2024), up 12.3 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 1.4 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 10.8 births vs 8.8 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 2 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 17.5% of the population is under 15 and 12.1% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 3.7% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 1.46 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 1.73 Mt in 1972 — down 15.4% since.
- Per person: 3.64 t in 2024, vs 7.79 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 2,006.6 kg of oil equivalent per person (2007), down 14.2% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 1.1% of final energy in 2022 (+1.1 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 50.9% of land area (2023).
- Cover has been essentially stable since 1990 (+0 points).
Urban population (% of total)
- 81.3% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 57.6% in 1960 (+23.7 points).
- Majority-urban for the whole period covered.
Water resources & stress
- Renewable freshwater per person: 1,761 m³ in 2022, down 69.3% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $15.83B in 2024.
- Nominal GDP is up 42.1% since 2014.
- That works out to $39,455 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 9.2% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 0.4% in 2024.
Internet & mobile
- 92.5% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 96.7 per 100 people (2024).
Bahamas in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of the Bahamas in 2026?
As of October 2026, the Bahamas has an estimated population of 405,903. The United Nations estimated 404,677 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +0.4% annual growth rate.
Is the population of the Bahamas growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +0.4% per year — roughly 4 more people every day. Each year there are about 4,249 births and 3,602 deaths, with net migration of +890.
What is the population density of the Bahamas?
About 29.2 people per square kilometre: 405,903 people living on 13,880 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in the Bahamas?
The median age is 35.7 years, and life expectancy at birth is 75 years. 17.5% of the population is under 15 and 12.1% is 65 or older (2025).
How does the Bahamas rank by population?
The Bahamas is the 178th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 17th in North America, with 0.005% of the global population.
How has the population of the Bahamas changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 116,317; by 2025 it had grown to 403,033 (+246.5%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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GuadeloupeSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+0.4%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.