Bahamas Population Overview
The Bahamas, officially known as the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, is an island nation located in the Lucayan Archipelago of the West Indies in the Atlantic Ocean. The country consists of more than 700 islands and cays, stretching southeast of Florida and north of Cuba and Hispaniola.
According to the UN World Population Prospects, the population of the Bahamas in 2026 is estimated at 417,790 (about 418 thousand), making it one of the least populous sovereign countries in the Caribbean.
Bahamas Population Facts (2026)
| Indicator | Data |
|---|---|
| Total Population | 417,790 |
| Caribbean Rank | 7 |
| Sovereignty | Independent |
| Land Area | 10,010 sq. km (3,860 sq. mi) |
| Population Density | 39 people per sq. km |
| Capital City | Nassau |
Source: UN World Population Prospects
Also read about the Bahamians population in the United States
Religion in Bahamas
The Bahamas is a predominantly Christian country, with Christianity playing a central role in Bahamian culture and public life. According to the 2010 Census and Pew Research Agency, about 95.8% of the population identifies with a Christian denomination.
Among Christians, Protestantism is the largest religious group, followed by Roman Catholicism.
Religious Composition of the Bahamas
| Religion / Affiliation | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Protestant | 80% |
| Roman Catholic | 14.5% |
| Other Christian | 1.3% |
| Unaffiliated | 3.1% |
| Other Religions | 1.1% |
Source: Pew Research Agency; Bahamas Census 2010
Protestant Denominations in the Bahamas
Protestants account for 80% of the Bahamian population, with the largest denominations including:
Baptists – 35%
Anglicans – 15%
Pentecostals – 8%
Church of God – 5%
Seventh-day Adventists – 5%
Methodists – 4%
Roman Catholicism in the Bahamas
The Roman Catholic Church represents about 14.5% of the population, making it the second-largest Christian group in the country.
Other Religions
The Bahamas also has small religious minorities, including Jews, Muslims, Baháʼís, Hindus, Rastafarians, and practitioners of traditional African religions such as Obeah.
Also read about: Religion in United States
Race and Ethnicity in Bahamas
The Bahamas is a multi-ethnic nation, home to people of diverse racial, ethnic, and national backgrounds. However, the population is overwhelmingly of African descent, reflecting the country’s historical ties to West Africa and the transatlantic slave trade.
According to the 2010 Census, the vast majority of Bahamians self-identified as Black or of African descent, with smaller White, Mixed, and other minority populations.
Racial Composition of the Bahamas
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| African descent (Black) | 90.6% |
| White | 4.7% |
| Mixed (African & European) | 2.1% |
| Other | 1.9% |
| Unspecified | 0.7% |
Source: Bahamas Population Census 2010
Afro-Bahamians
Afro-Bahamians form the largest ethnic group in the country. Their primary ancestry traces back to West Africa, and they have played a central role in shaping Bahamian culture, language, music, and traditions.
White Bahamians
The White population mainly consists of descendants of British Loyalists, English settlers, and Americans who arrived during the colonial period. There is also a small Greek-Bahamian community, particularly influential in business and commerce.
Other Ethnic Groups
Smaller communities include people of Mixed African-European ancestry, as well as individuals from Asian, Middle Eastern, and Caribbean immigrant backgrounds.
List of Major Islands of the Bahamas
The Commonwealth of The Bahamas consists of over 700 islands and cays, though only about 30 are inhabited. Population is heavily concentrated on New Providence (Nassau) and Grand Bahama. Over 70% of the Bahamian population lives on New Providence Island, highlighting the country’s highly uneven population distribution.
Major Islands and Cays of the Bahamas by Population
| Island | Area (sq. km) | Population |
| New Providence | 228 | 296,732 |
| Grand Bahama | 1,096 | 46,740 |
| Great Abaco | 1,146 | 16,695 |
| Eleuthera | 457 | 9,104 |
| Andros (All) | — | 7,695 |
| Exuma (Island & Cays) | 204 | 7,287 |
| Long Island | 538 | 2,718 |
| Bimini Islands | 23 | 2,361 |
| Harbour Island | — | 1,843 |
| Cat Island | 387 | 1,570 |
| Spanish Wells Cay | — | 1,453 |
| Berry Islands | 31 | 1,002 |
| Great Inagua | 1,615 | 831 |
| San Salvador | 162 | 819 |
| Acklins Island | 508 | 676 |
| Mayaguana | 293 | 203 |
| Rum Cay | 85 | 87 |
| Ragged Island | — | 56 |
Population figures based on Bahamas census estimates
Bahamas Population FAQs
What is the population of the Bahamas in 2026?
The population of the Bahamas in 2026 is estimated at 417,790, according to the UN World Population Prospects.
Is the Bahamas a densely populated country?
No. The Bahamas has a low population density of about 39 people per square kilometer, as most of its land area consists of sparsely populated islands and cays.
Which island has the largest population in the Bahamas?
New Providence Island is the most populated island, home to Nassau and over 70% of the country’s total population.
What is the main religion in the Bahamas?
Christianity is the dominant religion in the Bahamas. About 95% of the population identifies as Christian, mainly Protestant, followed by Roman Catholicism.
What is the largest Christian denomination in the Bahamas?
Protestant Christianity is the largest denomination, accounting for around 80% of the population, with Baptists forming the largest Protestant group.
What is the ethnic composition of the Bahamas?
The Bahamas is predominantly Black or of African descent (90.6%), with smaller populations of White (4.7%), Mixed (2.1%), and other ethnic groups.
How many islands are in the Bahamas?
The Bahamas consists of more than 700 islands and cays, though only about 30 islands are inhabited.
What languages are spoken in the Bahamas?
The official language is English, which is widely spoken across all islands.
Where do Bahamians live abroad?
Many Bahamians live in the United States, especially in Florida, forming the largest Bahamian diaspora community.
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