Bahamas: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in the Bahamas?

Unemployment in the Bahamas was 9.5% of the labour force in 2025 and is projected at 9.4% in 2026, according to IMF World Economic Outlook figures (July 2026) reproduced in the Central Bank of The Bahamas' Monthly Economic and Financial Developments for August 2026. In his 2026/27 budget debate speech, the Prime Minister put unemployment at about 9.3% by mid-2025, down from 17.4% in 2021.

The Bahamas National Statistical Institute website has not published a labour force survey since 2019, so these are the most recent official figures that can be read online. The Central Bank expects job gains in tourism and construction.

Official sources: Central Bank of The Bahamas: Monthly Economic and Financial Developments, August 2026 (PDF) · Office of the Prime Minister: budget debate contribution 2026/27

Has the Bahamas minimum wage gone up?

The Government raised the minimum wage by 24%, the Prime Minister said in remarks on 1 April 2026, the day VAT on unprepared food was cut to zero, published by the Office of the Prime Minister.

The remarks do not give the new weekly or hourly amount or the date it took effect, so check the current minimum wage order before relying on a figure. The Prime Minister linked the rise to other measures meant to ease living costs, such as removing import duties on dozens of food categories.

Official sources: Office of the Prime Minister: remarks on day one of zero VAT on food, 1 April 2026

What is the minimum wage in the Bahamas?

The ILO puts the statutory minimum wage in the Bahamas at 1,126 BSD a month (about $1,126) in 2024. That is the highest since at least 2012.

How much do workers in the Bahamas earn on average?

$2,944 a month: that is average monthly earnings of employees in the Bahamas for 2024, according to the ILO. It is 1st highest of 18 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is $532 a month. Worldwide: 17th of 75.

What is the unemployment rate in the Bahamas?

9.2%: that is the unemployment rate in the Bahamas for 2025, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2013, at 16.2%; its low point was 2006, at 7.5%. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 6.0%, and the Bahamas placed 5th highest of 29. World rank, highest first: 36th of 174.

What is youth unemployment in the Bahamas?

19.2%: that is unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in the Bahamas for 2025, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2013, at 34.5%; its low point was 2006, at 16.4%. Latin America & Caribbean median: 14.0%; the Bahamas is 11th highest of 29. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 49th highest.

What is the labour force participation rate in the Bahamas?

According to the ILO, the labour force participation rate in the Bahamas was 73.8% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2019, at 74.4%; its low point was 2020, at 68.1%. Latin America & Caribbean median: 63.4%; the Bahamas is 2nd highest of 29. Worldwide: 19th of 174.

What is female labour force participation in the Bahamas?

70.7%: that is the labour force participation rate for women in the Bahamas for 2025, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2019, at 71.3%; its low point was 2020, at 65.2%. Latin America & Caribbean median: 52.5%; the Bahamas is 2nd highest of 29. Worldwide: 17th of 174.

What share of adults in the Bahamas have a job?

67.0%: that is the employment to population ratio in the Bahamas for 2025, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 59.9% (2020) to 68.6% (2006). Latin America & Caribbean median: 59.4%; the Bahamas is 4th highest of 29. World rank, highest first: 27th of 174.

How many workers in the Bahamas are self-employed or family workers?

In 2025, the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in the Bahamas was 15.9%, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 13.3% (2008) to 16.1% (2023). It is 29th highest of 29 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 29.8%. World rank, highest first: 123rd of 174.

How many people in the Bahamas are employees?

82.9%: that is the share of workers who are paid employees in the Bahamas for 2025, according to the ILO. The peak was 85.7% in 2008 and the low 82.8% in 2023. Latin America & Caribbean median: 64.8%; the Bahamas is 1st highest of 29. Worldwide: 46th of 174.