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  Bahamas  

Facts and Figures

IOM Member State since 2004

Capital: Nassau
Population (2011): 0.3 million
Area: 13,939 sq km
Major Language: English
Currency: Bahamian Dollar (BSD)
GDP per Capita PPP (2010): USD 25,384
HDI Rank (2011): 53 of 187
Remittances (2011 estimate): not available
Net Migration Rate (2010-2015): 1.1 migrants / 1,000 population
Immigrants (2010): 9.7%
Women as a Percentage of Immigrants (2010): 48.5%
Population under 15 (2011): 22.2%
Adult HIV Prevalence (2009): 3%
Sources and Definitions

Latest News

Overview

Migration Activities

The migrant population in the Bahamas comprises mainly of Haitians who settle for work, while others are from Cuba and Jamaica. There is inter-island migration, chiefly to New Providence and Grand Bahama islands. Major countries of destination for migrants from the Bahamas who are in search of employment are Canada, United Kingdom and the United States of America. According to IOM exploratory research on trafficking in persons in the Bahamas, approximately 5,000 registered Haitian migrant workers are in the country, supporting 13,000 dependent family members. Also between 20,000 and 50,000 undocumented Haitians are living in the Bahamas. Migration statistics show that the majority of persons entering the Bahamas are Haitian children up to the age of 14, who apparently travel with a relative or parent. Despite all this, there are few quantitative studies on Haitian migrants according to a 2005 IOM report on Haitian Migrants in the Bahamas.

The Bahamas' proximity to the US, Haiti, Jamaica, Cuba and other Caribbean Islands is a key factor contributing to irregular migration. Because of its close proximity, the Bahamas is used as a transit point by migrants and asylum seekers en route to the USA.

Regulating Migration

The issue of returnees to the Caribbean has been a major point of discussion in relations between the US and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). CARICOM member governments contend that expelled migrants from the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom are responsible for many of their security problems. By all accounts returnees commit a small fraction of the crimes in the Caribbean.

To help alleviate the problem faced by the Bahamas, IOM proposes a 12-month project that will contribute to the efforts by the Bahamas to facilitate reintegration of returned migrants and provide technical know-how and capacity-building activities to the Government and other partners in the Bahamas to provide returnees with essential services and sustain long-term returnee reintegration projects within the country. This project will assist returnees sent back by the US Government from all age groups with special attention paid to those whose stay in the US has been the longest; those who have completed their sentences for violent crimes in the US, and those with no immediate families in the county. In the case of minors, the project will facilitate family-tracing and reunification, as well as age-appropriate activities such as schooling, vocational training, and/or sports activities for youth, in accordance with international standards and national laws.



Last updated:
Main text: May 2009
Facts and figures: April 2012