Introduction

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the sovereignty of the Bahamas using the methodology of the Burke Institute. Sovereignty is assessed in 7 areas: political, economic, technological, informational, cultural, cognitive and military. Each aspect is assessed on the basis of official data from international and national sources (UN, World Bank, UNESCO, IMF, ITU, FAO, SIPRI, PISA, etc.) without using politicized indexes. The maximum score in each direction is 100; the sum (up to 700) is the accumulated Sovereignty Index (Burke Index).

To adapt and adjust statistical parameters, an international expert survey was conducted for each of the seven components using a single questionnaire of 10 questions with a 10-point scale and one open-ended question.

In total, at least 100 experts from 50+ countries were interviewed for each indicator, taking into account geographical representation and specialization. When calculating and analyzing the data, equalizing coefficients were used, bringing all data to a scale of 0-10 points.

The final index value is the arithmetic mean between statistical data and expert estimates.

Below is an analysis in each area, a summary table and the main conclusions about the peculiarities of the sovereignty of the Bahamas.

Political sovereignty — 71.5

Delegation of sovereignty: The Bahamas is a member of the United Nations, the WTO, the OAS, the Commonwealth of Nations, CARICOM, CARIFORUM, the International Maritime Organization, the ISO Standardization Council (since 2024), the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO since 2025) and a number of other global and regional associations.

Limitation of national legislation by international organizations: The basis of law is the Constitution, but the Bahamas in some cases makes reservations to international treaties (for example, CEDAW, Convention on the Rights of the Child) if they contradict the basic law. Nevertheless, the country undertakes to implement many international norms (especially in the field of human rights, maritime law, financial standards), but reserves the right to constitutional priority in a number of areas.

Domestic political stability: The country maintains extremely high political stability: the index of political stability is 1.01 (2023; the global average is -0.06), there is no history of coups d'etat or major protests in the 21st century. The dominant party holds power steadily, parliamentary democracy remains, and trust in institutions is high. Government Effectiveness (WGI): The Government Effectiveness indicator for the Bahamas reached 69.9 (2023), a stable trend for five years, above the average of most small island states in the region.

Electronic Government (EGDI): In the UN EGDI rating (2022-2024), the Bahamas is in the “high level” category, in 2024 the development of digital public services was noted: tax services, licenses, court documents, individual EIDS and electronic portals. Support/confidence in the national leader: According to polls in 2024, support for Prime Minister Philip Davis remains at 45-54%, especially high among the electorate of the Progressive Liberal Party.

Foreign military bases: There are no foreign military bases in the country and their permanent deployment is prohibited. Joint exercises with the United States and NATO may be conducted periodically on the basis of temporary agreements.

Participation/distancing from transnational courts: The Bahamas participates in the activities of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, recognizes the jurisdiction of some international courts (maritime and commercial law), cooperates with the Inter-American System, but is not a member of the International Criminal Court.

Centralization/decentralization of power: A unitary state with a high level of centralization — all key powers are concentrated in the organs of the central government and the administration of the Prime Minister, the status of the islands is determined administratively, local governments are given a secondary role. Transparency and control of special services: Special services, police and defense forces are subordinate to the executive branch.

There is limited parliamentary oversight; external audits are rarely conducted. The independent monitoring by the Ombudsman and international observers is spot-on, prompting criticism of human rights violations and excessive use of force.

Data completeness assessment: the main indicators are available from international sources, the coverage is 90%.

Economic sovereignty — 68.7

GDP per capita (PPP): In 2024, the figure ranges from 36,244 to 41,198 US dollars according to the World Bank and trading platforms (the difference in estimates is related to the source). Sovereign gold and foreign exchange reserves: for June-July 2025 — 2.97–3.00 billion US dollars, which corresponds to about 3-5 months of imports (official data from the Central Bank of the Bahamas).

Government debt (% of GDP): In June 2025, the national debt amounted to 73.4% of GDP (a decrease from 77.7% a year earlier); the average in 2024-2025 was 73.4—79.4% according to various sources. Food security: The Bahamas imports approximately 90% of its food, and food security depends on global markets and logistics.

The country is taking measures to increase the share of local products (aquaculture, greenhouse production), but it is almost completely dependent on imports in the absence of serious hunger risks. Energy independence: almost 100% of electricity generation is based on imported hydrocarbon fuels.

Energy independence is low: several renewable energy projects (solar and wind farms) have so far yielded a negligible share. Explored resources: There are no significant industrial or mineral resources; the economy is based on tourism, financial services, fishing, shipping, and some local fisheries.

Freshwater reserves: Offshore artesian watersheds and de-stalinization, there are almost no natural rivers - all drinking water is either extracted from groundwater or desalinated, which requires high costs; water availability is significantly lower than in developed countries.

National payment processing: All clearing operations, including bulk transfers, are carried out through the national infrastructure of the Central Bank of The Bahamas, the Bahamas Automated Clearing House (BACH) payment systems, as well as the Sand Dollar digital platform for settlements in digital currency.

The share of national currency in calculations: 99% of all internal payments are made in Bahamian dollars (BSD); depository transactions, salaries, small and large transfers are exclusively in BSD, which is pegged to the US dollar (1:1 exchange rate).

Own issuing center and credit policy: The issue, monetary policy, reserve regulation and interest rates are fully implemented by the Central Bank of the Bahamas, the national issuing center, whose policy is largely coordinated on the basis of internal macroeconomic estimates.

Data completeness assessment: the main macroeconomic indicators are available from official sources (World Bank, IMF), coverage is 90%

Technological sovereignty — 44.6

R&D expenditures (% of GDP): In recent years, R&D expenditures in the Bahamas' GDP have been less than 0.1%; the country does not publish separate statistics on total investments in science and technology, and any existing expenditures are made by private companies and university structures.

Import substitution in high-tech: There are no official government import substitution programs in the high-tech sector; the vast majority of equipment, software, components, and biomedical technologies are imported (USA, EU, Asia).

Higher education enrollment: The proportion of young people enrolled in higher education programs (tertiary enrollment) is about 15% of the cohort of the corresponding age (2024). Internet penetration: In early 2025, Internet penetration reached 94.8% of the population (over 380,000 users), making the Bahamas one of the most digitized countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Own national digital platforms: the GOVnet state portal for electronic public services, the eID digital identifier, tax and social services, as well as the Sand Dollar digital currency system, launched by the Central Bank of the country, are functioning. High-tech import dependence: almost all elements of IT infrastructure, network equipment, biotechnologies, medical and educational software are imported (USA, China, EU).

Digitalization of public services: The Bahamas is included in the "high level" category of the UN EGDI (2022-2024), coverage of basic online services (taxes, licenses, registrations, payments, social services, courts); continuous expansion of the range of e-Gov and mobile solutions.

Biotechnological autonomy: There is no in-house developed equipment, medicines, bioscience and laboratory solutions; the country depends on suppliers and foreign medical universities/companies; a number of clinics and pharmaceutical enterprises operate only on imported platforms.

Robotic autonomy: There are no industrial, service and medical robotics based on Bahamian enterprises, all equipment is from foreign manufacturers. Autonomy in chips and microelectronics: there is no in-house design or production of chips, only imported chips and electronics are used; national R&D structures and production in microelectronics are not formed.

Data completeness assessment: key indicators are obtained from WIPO, ITU, UNESCO, which ensures 97% coverage.

Information sovereignty — 62.8

Cybersecurity (CERT/ITU): In 2024, the Bahamas is ranked 85th on the National Cyber Security Index and belongs to Tier 4 according to ITU GCI, which means that there is legislation and basic cybersecurity programs, the national CERT/CIRT-BS is officially functioning in the country, but resources and maturity level are average.

IXP/network development: currently there are no IXPs in the Bahamas — all local Internet traffic passes through intermediary points in Miami; from 2020 to 2025, a regulatory framework is being developed and consultations are underway to launch a national IXP, but as of October 2025, the exchange point has not been put into operation.

Media in the national language: The official language of the media is English (radio, TV, online press), but major stations and newspapers also broadcast programs and materials in Haitian Creole, Spanish, and partly French for immigrants and tourists.

BigTech resilience: The Bahamas is technologically and content-dependent on global solutions (Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Apple, Meta), and large public and private services operate on foreign platforms. National measures to regulate data and the digital market are in the process of being developed, but there is no environment of complete technological independence.

The share of own media content: about 60% of on-air and online media content is produced domestically (news, talk shows, local series, educational programs), the rest is imported TV shows, films, music and news programs. Own IT products/software: Own popular developments — the state-owned electronic payment platform Sand Dollar, the government services portal GOVnet, several marketplaces and applications for tourism and transport; BACH (national clearing), but there are no major export or independent IT platforms.

Digital services coverage: Internet coverage is 94.8% of the population; the main government, registration, banking and educational services are digitized and accessible to the majority of citizens. National cloud storage systems: The largest government agencies use local data centers, but most of the cloud solutions are deployed on the infrastructure of international providers; there are no own state or sovereign cloud platforms for the mass market.

Sovereignty of mobile communications: The Bahamian operators are BTC (Bahamas Telecommunications Company, public-private) and Aliv (private, with corporatization through regional players). The main equipment and software solutions are imported, although licensing and infrastructure control are carried out by the national regulator. Legal regime of personal data: There is no Law on personal data as a comprehensive document in the Bahamas yet, there are separate provisions in banking, telecommunications and administrative legislation.

Draft legislation on privacy and personal information is currently under consultation. Data completeness assessment: infrastructure indicators are available from ITU, CIRA, OECD and specialized sources, coverage is 93%. Cultural sovereignty — 70.4 Number of UNESCO sites: At the moment, the Bahamas has no sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List (0 sites). The list of candidates includes Historic Lighthouses of The Bahamas and Inagua National Park, but they have not received official status.

Total contribution to world culture: The main contribution is the oral and musical heritage of Afro-Bahamian and Latin Caribbean culture: genres junkanoo, rake-and-scrap, goombay, maritime folklore, folk crafts, the largest archipelagic reserves and marine parks of the region, local crafts and dance traditions.

National awards in art and culture: annually presented by E. Clement Bethel National Arts Festival Awards (national competition in music, fine arts, literature, theater, dance), there are a number of awards from the Ministry of Culture and private organizations.

Traditions and identity: A unique blend of African, British and Latin American traditions; pronounced junkanoo (national parade and carnival), gambay, embroidery, island tales and folklore, family crafts and cuisine; strong island identity, local Creole English.

State support for small nations: There is no indigenous (Indian) population in the Bahamas, all modern communities are descendants of Africans, Europeans and partly Haitians; the Government supports Creole folklore, language initiatives, educational cultural programs and museum projects for the integration of new ethnic groups.

Number of cultural sites: Over 20 large cultural complexes: national galleries, developing museums (Bahamian Museum of Art, National Art Gallery, Heritage Museum), colonial-era residences, annual cultural festivals throughout the country, large natural and marine reserves, botanical and sculpture parks.

International cultural projects: The Bahamas participates in UNESCO's Intangible Heritage inventory, major festivals and parks participate in exchanges, creative workshops, joint exhibitions in the USA, UK, EU; official representatives of the country speak at the World Tourism Event (2024) and Caribbean cultural societies.

Recognition and protection of cultural brands: the terms and images of junkanoo, Bahamian Goombay, a number of recipes, craft techniques are legally protected, and there is a tendency to register island grills and culinary products as cultural brands.

The diversity of culinary culture: A combination of African, European, Native American, Haitian and Creole traditions: seafood, sea snail stew (conk), stew fish, crab, peas and rice, johnnycake, Bahamas rum cake, tropical fruits. The proportion of the population involved in cultural life: more than 60% of citizens regularly participate in or attend music, art, craft or gastronomic festivals (junkanoo, national exhibitions, festivals in Exuma and Long Island, Wine & Art, Bahamas Heritage Festival), high coverage of cultural institutions and programs for young people.

Data completeness assessment: basic indicators are available in UNESCO and national statistics, coverage is 95%.

Cognitive sovereignty — 64.2

Human Development Index (HDI): In 2023/2024, the HDI of the Bahamas is 0.820, which corresponds to the “very high level" category, the country ranks 66th in the world. Government spending on education: In 2024, the Bahamas allocated about 20% of the budget to education (one of the highest rates in the region), which is about 2.5% of GDP.

Adult literacy: The literacy rate is 95-95.5% among adults, consistently high in the last 10-15 years. International Test Results (PISA): The Bahamas does not officially participate in PISA tests; there is no international comparative data on the results. The share of STEM graduates: estimated 15-18% of graduates of higher education institutions are in STEM programs (science, engineering, technology, mathematics), with biology, medicine, and engineering dominating.

The share of foreign educational programs: Branches of foreign schools and universities operate in the country, approximately 12-15% of all students study in international programs (some study remotely or in partnership), and a significant number of students receive higher education in the United States and Great Britain.

Languages and cultures of small nations: Officially English, but the State integrates elements of Haitian Creole and Latin Caribbean dialects into educational and cultural projects; there are no historical small nations, and all linguistic and cultural minorities receive support through programs of the Ministry of Culture and Education.

Number of state research centers (fundamental sciences): No centralized state institutes of fundamental sciences have been established; several research units operate at the University of the Bahamas (phytocenology, medicine, ecology, pedagogy), the rest of the research is only applied.

The share of the national educational platforms: In the school and university sectors, 75% of platforms and distance learning systems are national or localized; for universities and vocational schools, international LMS predominate.

The volume of government talent/personnel support programs: The Bahamian education and personnel policy system includes dozens of state and municipal competitions, scholarships, grant and internship programs for young people and talented students, about 5-7% of the educational budget is spent for these purposes.

Data completeness assessment: education indicators are available in the UNDP, UNESCO, OECD, coverage is 87%.

Military sovereignty — 33.1

Defense spending (% of GDP): As of 2024-2025, the military expenditures of the Bahamas amount to about 0.8–1.0% of GDP (approximately 70 million US dollars per year). The size of the armed forces: The entire defense system is the Royal Bahamas Defense Force (RBDF) and the Coast Guard: about 1,700 people in the RBDF, 300 reservists, 500 people in the police and related units.

Modern weapons: The main focus is naval forces. There are no heavy weapons; patrol and multi-purpose boats (Legend-class, Stan Patrol, Coastal craft), light small arms, several patrol aircraft, drones are used. There are no combat aircraft or armored vehicles, and the purchase and maintenance are carried out through the United States and Great Britain.

The share of own weapons: all military and police equipment is imported, and there is no national military-industrial complex or weapons production. Border control: The border is exclusively maritime (there are no land borders), carried out through DBIF, RBDF and the police; modern border checkpoints and an electronic system (e-Gates, biometric corridors) operate.

A joint project between the United States and the Bahamas on aviation and customs clearance is active. Military reserve: The official reserve is smaller (up to 1,200), mobilizes only in extreme circumstances, and services are completed on a voluntary basis. Autonomy of military decisions: The security strategy is coordinated with partners (USA, UK), active cooperation with NATO, CARICOM and RSS.

Key security decisions are accepted collectively, formal neutrality is taken into account, but the course towards external support dominates. National military industry: There is no military-industrial complex and defense enterprises; all needs are provided by procurement.

The presence of nuclear weapons, the number of warheads, and the absolute reserve: The Bahamas does not possess and has never possessed nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons; the country has signed the Nonproliferation Treaty and the regional Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone treaty.

Military space, national Intelligence system: There are no military satellites or space programs, intelligence is limited to units of the police, Coast Guard and support from the United States, CARICOM, RSS and international operators.

All parameters are reflected in the annual reports of SIPRI, UNODA, the Ministry of Defense, the official portals of state-owned companies (Embraer, IMBEL) and the UN/NGO industry databases – 89% coverage

Final Summary Table

The main conclusions

Strengths. High level of human development: HDI is 0.820, literacy is about 95%, one of the most developed economies in the Caribbean region. Political stability and democratic institutions: The Bahamas remains one of the most politically stable small countries, with open elections and transparent legislation.

Advanced digital and financial services: Internet penetration of 94.8%, its own state-owned digital platforms and the Sand Dollar system (national digital currency). Tourism and investment-oriented economy: The country is the world's leading tourist destination (tourism accounts for up to 60% of GDP), the financial center of the region, low levels of corruption in key areas, and high rates of development of the capital and the main islands.

Cultural diversity and high activity of the population: more than 60% are regularly involved in cultural events, there is a wide network of awards and national festivals, ethno-folklore and immigrant programs are supported.

Maritime security and modern border management: Electronic and biometric control systems have been implemented, and the defense of maritime borders is being supported jointly with the United States and Great Britain. Well-developed educational infrastructure: High government spending on education, regular grants and talent support programs.

Weaknesses. Deep import dependence: 90% of food, most of the energy, high-tech, medical and educational technologies come from abroad, which creates vulnerability to external shocks and logistical crises. Very low R&D costs, weak scientific and technological autonomy: less than 0.1% of GDP for R&D, lack of own clusters of fundamental science, biotechnology and microelectronics.

Limited defense independence: The modernity of weapons is average, there is no military-industrial complex, defense is based on partnership with external players and the import of equipment. Low energy independence: almost 100% of generation is from fossil fuels, only small renewable energy projects.

Lack of UNESCO sites: The country does not yet have worldwide recognition through the World Heritage, although it is actively working on nominations. There is no comprehensive law on personal data, digital sovereignty is limited: dependence on BigTech and foreign data centers remains, and local cloud technologies are only developing. Vulnerability to natural hazards (hurricanes) and periodic local crime in tourist areas.

Overall assessment: the cumulative sovereignty Index of the Bahamas is 415.3 out of 700 possible points (average — 59.3%), which places the country in the top 100 in the global top.

The Bahamas is a stable, financially and on a tourist level developed island with strong cultural, educational and security institutions, but with significant dependence on external supplies of food, energy, technology and scientific knowledge, as well as limited strategic and digital autonomy.

Sovereignty is reinforced by strong social, economic, and legal institutions, but requires long-term investments and reforms to enhance structural independence and resilience to global challenges. The sovereignty profile indicates that the sovereignty of the Bahamas is based on strong institutional and socio-economic foundations, a high level of democracy and cultural support.

At the same time, long-term sustainability is directly related to international integration, the external market, global technologies and the support of strategic partners.