Bahamas Demographics

What is the population of Bahamas?

Population	410,862
Population: Male/Female	male: 190,100 female: 220,762
Population Growth Rate	1.07%
Population Distribution	most of the population lives in urban areas, with two-thirds living on New Providence Island where Nassau is located
Urban Population	urban population: 83.6% of total population rate of urbanization: 1.02% annual rate of change
Population in Major Urban Areas	280,000 NASSAU (capital)
Nationality Noun	noun: Bahamian(s) adjective: Bahamian
Ethnic Groups	African descent 90.6%, White 4.7%, mixed 2.1%, other 1.9%, unspecified 0.7%
Language Note	English (official), Creole (among Haitian immigrants)

What are the health conditions in Bahamas?

Life Expectancy at Birth	total population: 76.7 years male: 75.1 years female: 78.4 years
Death Rate - deaths/1,000 population	5.6
Infant Mortality Rate - total deaths/1,000 live births	total: 9.4 deaths/1,000 live births male: 10.5 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.2 deaths/1,000 live births
Health Expenditures - percent of GDP	7.6%
Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population	1.94
Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population	3
Drinking Water Source - percent of urban population improved	improved: total: 98.9% of population unimproved: total: 1.1% of population
Tobacco Use	total: 10.6% male: 18.8% female: 2.4%
Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births	77
Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman	1.44
Gross reproduction rate	1
Obesity - adult prevalence rate	31.6%
Sanitation Facility Access - percent of urban population improved	improved: total: 98.2% of population unimproved: total: 1.8% of population
Alcohol consumption per capita	total: 9.48 liters of pure alcohol beer: 3.66 liters of pure alcohol wine: 1.43 liters of pure alcohol spirits: 4.08 liters of pure alcohol other alcohols: 0.31 liters of pure alcohol
Currently married women (ages 15-49)	38.9%

How long do people live in Bahamas?

Life Expectancy at Birth	total population: 76.7 years male: 75.1 years female: 78.4 years
Median Age	total: 30.7 years male: 30.6 years female: 30.7 years
Gross reproduction rate	1
Infant Mortality Rate	total: 9.4 deaths/1,000 live births male: 10.5 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.2 deaths/1,000 live births
Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births	77
Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman	1.44

Birth Rate - births/1,000 population	13
Median Age	total: 30.7 years male: 30.6 years female: 30.7 years
Net Migration Rate - migrant(s)/1,000 population	3.2
Population Growth Rate	1.07%
Sex Ratio at Birth - male/female	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
Age Structure	0-14 years: 21.4% (male 41,675/female 46,363) 15-64 years: 70% (male 132,626/female 154,866) 65 years and over: 8.6% (male 15,799/female 19,533)
Gross reproduction rate	1
Infant Mortality Rate	total: 9.4 deaths/1,000 live births male: 10.5 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.2 deaths/1,000 live births
Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births	77
Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman	1.44

What are the health conditions in Bahamas?

Medical Facilities and Health Information

Adequate medical care is available on New Providence and Grand Bahama islands, but visitors should be aware that serious health problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost tens of thousands of dollars in up-front costs, and air ambulance companies generally require payment or an insurer’s guarantee of payment before providing service.

Ambulance service is available on the major islands; however, U.S. citizens have reported major delays in service, both in the length of time to arrive and once at the Emergency room. Ambulance service is even more limited in more remote locations. The endemic traffic congestion on New Providence Island may also impede a quick response. Service is likely to be extremely slow in the event of a major emergency or disaster.

Good information on vaccinations and other health precautions can be found via the CDC website or The Bahamas Ministry of Health page. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the World Health Organization (WHO) website. The WHO website also contains additional health information for travelers, including detailed country-specific health information. The Bahamas had an outbreak of dengue fever in 2011 with 10 reported deaths and 1,000 reported cases of individuals with dengue fever symptoms. For additional information regarding Dengue fever in the Bahamas, please visit The Bahamas Ministry of Health website.

Health Expenditures - percent of GDP

7.6%

Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population

3

Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population

1.94

What is school like in Bahamas?

Education Expenditures - percent of GDP

2.8%

Is Bahamas a safe place to visit?

Crime Information

The criminal threat level for New Providence Island is rated as critical by the Department of State. New Providence Island has experienced a spike in crime that has adversely affected the traveling public, with a spate of more violent criminal activity between 2009 and 2012. The U.S. Embassy has received multiple reports indicating tourists have been robbed at gunpoint or knifepoint in tourist locations in the downtown areas of Nassau, including the cruise ship docks and the Cable Beach commerce areas; several of these incidents occurred during daylight hours. Burglaries, larcenies, and “snatch-and-grab” crimes happen in Nassau and U.S. citizens have been victims of these crimes as well. The U.S. Embassy has received reports of assaults, including sexual assaults, in diverse areas such as in casinos, outside hotels, or on cruise ships. The Bahamas has the highest incidence of rape in the Caribbean according to a 2007 United Nations report on crime, violence, and development trends. The majority of sexual assaults reported occurred after excessive consumption of alcohol. The loss of ability to remember facts and details due to alcohol consumption makes prosecution of sexual assaults more difficult. Much of the violent crime occurs outside tourist spots, such as in the “over-the-hill” section of Nassau (the area inland from Bay Street, to the South of Bay Street, behind the tourist district), but can occur anywhere, including in areas frequented by tourists. Home break-ins, theft, and robbery are not confined to any specific part of the island.

The upsurge in criminal activity has also led to incidents that, while not directed at tourists, could place innocent bystanders at risk.

Armed robbery remains a major criminal threat facing U.S. citizens in The Bahamas. The Royal Bahamas Police Force issued a message citing concerns about the increased number of armed robberies in Nassau. AU.S. citizen was fatally shot in Nassau in May 2013 during an armed robbery. Between January 1, 2013, and April 15, 2013, there were 328 armed robberies, 111 robberies, and 660 house break-ins, according to statistics available on the Royal Bahamas Police Force website.

Criminal activity in the outlying family islands does occur, but to a much lesser degree than on New Providence Island. The Embassy has received reports of burglaries and thefts, especially thefts of boats and/or outboard motors on Abaco and Bimini.

The Embassy has received no reports of harassment or hate crimes motivated by race, religion, or citizenship. Visitors have reported harassment of persons based on sexual orientation; some women have reported verbal harassment and unwanted attention. Some organized criminal activity is believed to occur in The Bahamas, primarily related to illegal importation and smuggling of illicit drugs or human trafficking. The Bahamas, due to its numerous uninhabited islands and cays, has historically been favored by smugglers and pirates. As a tourist, you would typically not have noticeable interaction with organized crime elements; however, those operating their own water or air vessels should be alert to the possibility of encountering similar crafts operated by smugglers engaged in illicit activities on the open seas or in air space near The Bahamas.

You are advised to report crime to the Royal Bahamian Police Force as quickly as possible. Early reports frequently improve the likelihood of identifying and apprehending suspected perpetrators. In general, the Royal Bahamian Police Force is responsive to reports of crime and takes the threat of crime against tourists very seriously. However, the police response is sometimes slowed by a lack of resources or by physical constraints imposed by geography and infrastructure.

There is nobody better at protecting you than yourself. Beware of your surroundings at all times. The U.S. Embassy reports that victims of crime are often those who have let their guard down to individuals who appeared overly friendly or became victims after criminals targeted them as easy prey due to the visitor appearing excessively drunk or unaware. Take some time before traveling to improve your personal security—things are not the same everywhere as they are in the United States.

Criminal Penalties

While traveling in another country, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own. In some places driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States. You can be prosecuted under U.S. law upon return to the U.S. if you buy pirated goods overseas. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in The Bahamas, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking illegal drugs in The Bahamas can result in long jail sentences and/or heavy fines. It’s very important to know what is legal and what is not where you are going before you go.

Mandatory Consular Notification Country: Based on the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, bilateral agreements with certain countries, and customary international law, if you are arrested in The Bahamas, you have the option to request that the police, prison officials, or other authorities alert the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate of your arrest, and to have communications from you forwarded to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

For additional information regarding arrests and the judicial process, please see the U.S. Embassy’s website on Arrests in The Bahamas. Travelers should also be aware that Bahamas laws do not include a right to a public defender in lower courts. Any legal representation is at the expense of the visitor.