Bahamas, The Unemployment Rate
Unemployment as % of total labor force SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS
Bahamas, The's unemployment rate was 9.21% in 2025, ranked 143rd globally. This represents a 2.4% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1986–2025.
Overview
Bahamas, The's unemployment rate stood at 9.21% in 2025, a decline of +0.22pp from 2024. The IMF projects 9.33% by 2025. Bahamas, The ranked 143rd globally.
The Bahamas has experienced a significant unemployment rate, fluctuating between 6.87% in 2001, its all-time trough, and 16.18% in 2013, its all-time peak. The unemployment rate has been steadily increasing since 2001, with a notable spike in 2013, surpassing its 1986 starting point of 12.20%. The current unemployment rate of 9.21% in 2025 ranks the country 143rd globally. Comparatively, São Tomé and Principe, a peer country, has a similar unemployment rate at 9.13%, while Zimbabwe has a slightly higher rate at 9.29%. The Bahamas' unemployment rate is expected to remain relatively high in the coming years, influenced by the global economic downturn and potential changes in the tourism industry, which is a significant contributor to the country's economy. A shift in the global economic landscape or successful implementation of economic reforms could potentially alter the trajectory of the unemployment rate in the Bahamas.
Data & projection
| Year | Unemployment Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2030* IMF | 9.03% | - | - |
| 2029* IMF | 9.03% | - | - |
| 2028* IMF | 9.03% | - | - |
| 2027* IMF | 9.03% | - | - |
| 2026* IMF | 9.13% | - | - |
| 2025* IMF | 9.33% | - | - |
| 2025 | 9.21% | −0.22pp | #143 |
| 2024 | 9.05% | −1.13pp | #145 |
| 2023 | 8.65% | −2.04pp | #143 |
| 2022 | 9.25% | −8.15pp | #145 |
| 2021 | 11.08% | −14.81pp | #146 |
| 2020 | 12.02% | +1.92pp | #151 |
| 2019 | 9.34% | −1.01pp | #142 |
| 2018 | 10.00% | −0.10pp | #145 |
| 2017 | 9.80% | −2.35pp | #141 |
| 2016 | 12.70% | −0.68pp | #158 |
| 2015 | 12.00% | −2.64pp | #154 |
| 2014 | 13.80% | −1.98pp | #159 |
| 2013 | 16.18% | +1.81pp | #167 |
| 2012 | 14.02% | −1.87pp | #160 |
| 2011 | 14.52% | −0.56pp | #163 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Bahamas, The matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 1981. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw unemployment rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Bahamas, The's unemployment rate was 9.21% in 2025. Ranked 143rd globally. This represents a 2.4% decrease from the previous year.
Bahamas, The's unemployment rate peaked at 16.18% in 2013.
The lowest unemployment rate in Bahamas, The was 6.87% in 2001.
Bahamas, The ranks 143rd globally in unemployment rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Bahamas, The's unemployment rate is projected to reach 9.33% by 2025 based on IMF projection.
The unemployment rate of Bahamas, The in 2025 was 9.21%. This ranks 143rd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_bahamas-the_unemployment-rate,
title = {Bahamas, The Unemployment Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/bahamas-the/unemployment-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}