GeoRealityMatch
A breathtaking aerial view of Nassau, Bahamas showcasing vibrant blue waters and lush greenery.Scenic view of the Atlantis Resort amidst palm trees and blue ocean, Nassau, Bahamas.

Bahamas

North America · Caribbean

Very expensive cost of livingVery high development

Incomes are high, and the air is clean. Living costs are high.

Safety
Homicides
32.2per 100,000 people a yearVery highUNODC / World Bank · 2022
Money

Incomes above the median country

GNI per person
$37,020national income per person, US dollarsVery high
World Bank · 2024
Rent index
50.2New York = 100Very expensiveNumbeo · 2026

Income and inflation over time

Income per person rose 35% in current dollars from 2006 to 2024, and rose 1% after inflation.

GDP per person, current US$At purchasing power parityInflation

$0$25K$50K$41,258 PPP$39,455Inflation, % a year6%0200620102015202020242006, $29,185 a person, $30,402 at PPP, inflation 2.4%2007, $30,052 a person, $31,232 at PPP, inflation 2.5%2008, $29,392 a person, $30,679 at PPP, inflation 4.5%2009, $27,513 a person, $29,197 at PPP, inflation 2.1%2010, $27,473 a person, $29,625 at PPP, inflation 1.3%2011, $27,091 a person, $30,074 at PPP, inflation 3.2%2012, $28,552 a person, $31,036 at PPP, inflation 2%2013, $27,643 a person, $30,294 at PPP, inflation 0.7%2014, $29,137 a person, $31,726 at PPP, inflation 1.5%2015, $30,719 a person, $32,138 at PPP, inflation 1.9%2016, $30,617 a person, $32,285 at PPP, inflation -0.3%2017, $31,875 a person, $34,282 at PPP, inflation 1.5%2018, $32,642 a person, $35,228 at PPP, inflation 2.3%2019, $33,640 a person, $36,116 at PPP, inflation 2.5%2020, $26,179 a person, $27,205 at PPP2021, $30,368 a person, $31,065 at PPP, inflation 2.9%2022, $34,957 a person, $36,786 at PPP, inflation 5.6%2023, $38,232 a person, $39,122 at PPP, inflation 3.1%2024, $39,455 a person, $41,258 at PPP, inflation 0.4%$0$25K$50KInflation, % a year6%0200620102015202020242006, $29,185 a person, $30,402 at PPP, inflation 2.4%2007, $30,052 a person, $31,232 at PPP, inflation 2.5%2008, $29,392 a person, $30,679 at PPP, inflation 4.5%2009, $27,513 a person, $29,197 at PPP, inflation 2.1%2010, $27,473 a person, $29,625 at PPP, inflation 1.3%2011, $27,091 a person, $30,074 at PPP, inflation 3.2%2012, $28,552 a person, $31,036 at PPP, inflation 2%2013, $27,643 a person, $30,294 at PPP, inflation 0.7%2014, $29,137 a person, $31,726 at PPP, inflation 1.5%2015, $30,719 a person, $32,138 at PPP, inflation 1.9%2016, $30,617 a person, $32,285 at PPP, inflation -0.3%2017, $31,875 a person, $34,282 at PPP, inflation 1.5%2018, $32,642 a person, $35,228 at PPP, inflation 2.3%2019, $33,640 a person, $36,116 at PPP, inflation 2.5%2020, $26,179 a person, $27,205 at PPP2021, $30,368 a person, $31,065 at PPP, inflation 2.9%2022, $34,957 a person, $36,786 at PPP, inflation 5.6%2023, $38,232 a person, $39,122 at PPP, inflation 3.1%2024, $39,455 a person, $41,258 at PPP, inflation 0.4%

World Bank: GDP per person in current US dollars and at PPP, real GDP per person, consumer price inflation. Observed years only.

Health

Around the middle for life expectancy

Life expectancy
74.7years, at birthModerate
#89 of 195
World Bank · 2024
Health coverage
80WHO universal health coverage index, 0 to 100HighWHO · 2023
Air pollution
8.1PM2.5, micrograms per cubic metre, national averageVery lowWHO · 2023
Work and internet

Fast home internet

Unemployment rate
9.2%share of the labour force without a jobWorld Bank · 2025
Home internet
82 Mbpsmedian download speedFastOokla Speedtest · 2025

Internet speeds

Home internet82 MbpsFast

Ookla Speedtest Global Index, median download speed, ranked among the countries Ookla lists.

Visas and moving

Digital nomad visaEasy

Minimum income
$1,000 a month
Duration
12 months
Renewable
Yes
Application fee
$1,000
  • Tax treatmentExempt
  • Processing timeAbout 5 days
  • Health insuranceRequired
  • DependantsAllowed, $500 each
  • Apply onlineYes
  • Path to residencyNo
  • NationalitiesOpen to all
Official page
Scenic view of the Atlantis Resort amidst palm trees and blue ocean, Nassau, Bahamas.
How it changed

Bahamas's Human Development Index

0.820Very high human development

66th of 193 in UNDP's 2023 ranking, 7th of 23 in North America.

UNDP builds the index from three dimensions: a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable, and a decent standard of living. They are measured by life expectancy at birth, mean and expected years of schooling, and gross national income per capita. UNDP Human Development Report 2025.

Nearest countries by HDI

  1. #64Russia0.832
  2. #65Belarus0.824
  3. #66Bahamas0.820
  4. #67Malaysia0.819
  5. #68North Macedonia0.815
Full HDI ranking, all 193 countries

HDI since 1990

Year by year

Human development rose from 0.762 in 1990 to 0.820 in 2023.

0.700.770.850.82019902000201020231990: 0.7621991: 0.7621992: 0.7621993: 0.7631994: 0.7651995: 0.7741996: 0.7791997: 0.7731998: 0.7771999: 0.7832000: 0.7872001: 0.7902002: 0.7932003: 0.7942004: 0.7952005: 0.7982006: 0.8002007: 0.8012008: 0.8012009: 0.8002010: 0.8012011: 0.8022012: 0.8052013: 0.8052014: 0.8072015: 0.8072016: 0.8082017: 0.8102018: 0.8122019: 0.8002020: 0.7972021: 0.7942022: 0.8182023: 0.8200.700.770.8519902000201020231990: 0.7621991: 0.7621992: 0.7621993: 0.7631994: 0.7651995: 0.7741996: 0.7791997: 0.7731998: 0.7771999: 0.7832000: 0.7872001: 0.7902002: 0.7932003: 0.7942004: 0.7952005: 0.7982006: 0.8002007: 0.8012008: 0.8012009: 0.8002010: 0.8012011: 0.8022012: 0.8052013: 0.8052014: 0.8072015: 0.8072016: 0.8082017: 0.8102018: 0.8122019: 0.8002020: 0.7972021: 0.7942022: 0.8182023: 0.820

UNDP Human Development Report, 2025 edition. 34 annual values, none interpolated.

Twenty years here

Year by yearThe world report
Life expectancy at birth
74.7 years2024at birthUp 1.3 years from 73.4 years in 2005
Internet users
92%2024of people onlineUp 66 points from 26% in 2006
Urban population
81%2025of people in towns and citiesDown 1 point from 82% in 2006
Births per woman
1.372024births per womanDown 0.64 from 2.01 in 2005
Renewable share of energy
1%2022of energy usedDown 1 point from 2% in 2004
Access to electricity
100%2024of people with electricityLevel with 2005
Infant mortality
112024deaths before age one, per 1,000 birthsDown 3 from 15 in 2005
CO2 emissions per person
3.6 t2024of CO2 per person a yearUp 1.1 t from 2.5 t in 2005
Forest area
51%2023of land under forestLevel with 2004

World Bank, from the first to the last observed year of each indicator; each has its own window.

Our take

700 islands of turquoise water; an offshore finance hub with a strong tourism economy. The case for living here is high incomes and clean air. The case against is a high cost of living.

About Bahamas

The Bahamas is an archipelago of over 700 islands and cays scattered across the western Atlantic, famous for its extraordinary turquoise waters, pink-sand beaches, and laid-back island atmosphere. Nassau has energy and history, while the outer islands offer real seclusion and some of the best diving and sailing in the world. Those seeking cultural depth or budget travel may find it falls short, but for coastal beauty it is hard to beat.

Practical facts

  • CapitalNassau
  • LanguagesEnglish
  • CurrencyBahamian dollar (BSD)
  • Area10,010 km²
  • Plug typeType A/B
  • Drives on theleft
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Every figure

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Quick answers

What is Bahamas's Human Development Index?

Bahamas's Human Development Index is 0.820 for 2023 (UNDP Human Development Report 2025), ranked #66 of 193 by UNDP.

How expensive is Bahamas?

Numbeo's cost-of-living index puts Bahamas at 98.8 (New York = 100); that is #141 cheapest of 143 countries with data.

What is life expectancy in Bahamas?

Life expectancy at birth in Bahamas is 74.7 yrs (World Bank), ranked #89 of 195 countries.