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Economy of Bahamas vs China compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Bahamas has a GDP of $15.8B compared to $18.7T for China, ranking 140/197 and 2/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Bahamas has $11.5B in government debt (72.5% of GDP), compared to $16.6T (88.3% of GDP) in China.

Bahamas vs China GDP by year

Bahamas
China
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bahamas China
2024 $15,832,800,000 $18,743,803,170,827
2023 $15,271,300,000 $18,270,356,654,533
2022 $13,896,800,000 $18,316,765,021,690
2021 $12,037,000,000 $18,201,698,719,564
2020 $10,363,200,000 $14,996,414,166,715
2019 $13,277,000,000 $14,560,167,101,283
2018 $12,819,200,000 $14,147,765,772,964
2017 $12,446,900,000 $12,537,559,062,283
2016 $11,880,900,000 $11,456,024,084,962
2015 $11,837,600,000 $11,280,814,787,469
2014 $11,139,100,000 $10,674,533,168,257
2013 $10,475,300,000 $9,743,124,247,267
2012 $10,720,400,000 $8,673,664,713,189
2011 $10,070,450,000 $7,671,757,207,851
2010 $10,095,760,000 $6,192,564,874,453
2009 $9,981,960,000 $5,189,577,094,998
2008 $10,526,000,000 $4,667,346,414,522
2007 $10,618,340,000 $3,604,055,822,572
2006 $10,167,250,000 $2,791,498,472,804
2005 $9,836,200,000 $2,317,551,298,052
2004 $9,055,290,000 $1,984,196,551,300
2003 $8,870,090,000 $1,683,903,309,844
2002 $8,881,160,000 $1,489,821,682,051
2001 $8,317,830,000 $1,355,036,590,252
2000 $8,076,470,000 $1,223,754,919,971
1999 $7,683,870,000 $1,103,843,203,576
1998 $6,833,220,000 $1,037,134,141,760
1997 $6,332,360,000 $967,753,570,435
1996 $3,609,000,000 $868,523,936,530
1995 $3,429,000,000 $738,190,896,228
1994 $3,259,000,000 $566,929,539,493
1993 $3,092,000,000 $446,557,291,212
1992 $3,109,000,000 $428,502,354,788
1991 $3,111,160,000 $384,510,452,962
1990 $3,166,000,000 $361,560,229,446
1989 $3,062,000,000 $348,380,566,802
1988 $2,817,900,000 $312,888,888,889
1987 $2,713,999,900 $273,455,156,951
1986 $2,472,500,000 $301,310,144,928
1985 $2,320,699,900 $310,064,625,850
1984 $2,041,100,000 $260,442,857,143
1983 $1,732,800,000 $231,130,268,199
1982 $1,578,300,000 $205,480,916,031
1981 $1,426,500,000 $196,218,253,968
1980 $1,335,300,000 $191,487,500,000
1979 $1,139,800,100 $178,573,913,043
1978 $832,400,000 $149,788,617,886
1977 $713,000,000 $175,226,595,860
1976 $642,100,000 $154,196,810,059
1975 $596,200,000 $163,687,619,736
1974 $632,400,000 $144,418,433,058
1973 $670,900,000 $138,764,340,892
1972 $590,900,000 $113,871,930,714
1971 $573,400,000 $99,959,013,880
1970 $539,500,000 $92,752,930,873
1969 $538,700,000 $79,847,786,729
1968 $453,800,000 $70,980,323,819
1967 $398,000,000 $73,011,350,596
1966 $346,800,000 $76,854,053,259
1965 $300,272,048 $70,565,994,356
1964 $266,560,043 $59,821,862,703
1963 $237,650,038 $50,812,227,919
1962 $212,170,034 $47,310,737,754
1961 $190,022,030 $50,162,299,350
1960 $169,736,027 $59,846,235,025

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/china | CC BY

GDP per capita in Bahamas vs China by year

Bahamas
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
China
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bahamas China
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $39,455 $41,198 $13,303 $27,105
2023 $38,232 $39,090 $12,951 $25,179
2022 $34,957 $36,791 $12,971 $23,032
2021 $30,368 $31,065 $12,887 $20,843
2020 $26,179 $27,205 $10,627 $18,267
2019 $33,640 $36,116 $10,343 $17,601
2018 $32,642 $35,228 $10,086 $16,298
2017 $31,875 $34,282 $8,980 $15,022
2016 $30,617 $32,285 $8,255 $14,157
2015 $30,719 $32,138 $8,175 $13,463
2014 $29,137 $31,726 $7,781 $12,942
2013 $27,643 $30,294 $7,147 $12,228
2012 $28,552 $31,036 $6,405 $11,420
2011 $27,091 $30,074 $5,704 $10,457
2010 $27,473 $29,625 $4,629 $9,411
2009 $27,513 $29,197 $3,898 $8,448
2008 $29,392 $30,679 $3,523 $7,713
2007 $30,052 $31,232 $2,735 $6,935
2006 $29,185 $30,402 $2,129 $5,946
2005 $28,602 $29,143 $1,778 $5,148
2004 $26,650 $27,660 $1,531 $4,505
2003 $26,429 $27,031 $1,307 $4,007
2002 $26,782 $27,171 $1,164 $3,591
2001 $25,372 $26,351 $1,065 $3,258
2000 $24,940 $25,422 $969 $2,964
1999 $24,041 $24,184 $881 $2,690
1998 $21,667 $22,556 $835 $2,483
1997 $20,368 $21,606 $787 $2,297
1996 $11,784 $21,287 $713 $2,088
1995 $11,375 $20,377 $613 $1,884
1994 $10,991 $19,441 $476 $1,680
1993 $10,613 $18,781 $379 $1,471
1992 $10,873 $18,636 $368 $1,276
1991 $11,082 $19,296 $334 $1,105
1990 $11,473 $19,817 $319 $991
1989 $11,291 - $311 -
1988 $10,576 - $284 -
1987 $10,361 - $252.3 -
1986 $9,601 - $282.4 -
1985 $9,167 - $295 -
1984 $8,202 - $251.2 -
1983 $7,081 - $225.9 -
1982 $6,559 - $203.7 -
1981 $6,029 - $197.4 -
1980 $5,743 - $195.1 -
1979 $4,994 - $184.3 -
1978 $3,720 - $156.7 -
1977 $3,253 - $185.7 -
1976 $2,993 - $165.7 -
1975 $2,841 - $178.6 -
1974 $3,080 - $160.4 -
1973 $3,341 - $157.3 -
1972 $3,014 - $132.1 -
1971 $3,004 - $118.8 -
1970 $2,916 - $113.3 -
1969 $3,027 - $100.3 -
1968 $2,668 - $91.6 -
1967 $2,453 - $96.8 -
1966 $2,239 - $104.5 -
1965 $2,030 - $98.7 -
1964 $1,883 - $85.7 -
1963 $1,759 - $74.5 -
1962 $1,651 - $71.1 -
1961 $1,555 - $76 -
1960 $1,459 - $89.7 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/china | CC BY

The Bahamas' GDP per capita is $39,455, ranking 30/197, compared to $13,303 in China, ranking 76/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Bahamas ranks 57th at $41,198, while China ranks 77th at $27,105.

Economic indicators

Bahamas China
Gross domestic product
$15.8B
2024
$18.7T
2024
GDP rank
140/197
2024
2/197
2024
GDP growth
3.38%
2023-2024
4.98%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$39,455
2024
$13,303
2024
GDP per capita rank
30/197
2024
76/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,198
2024
$27,105
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
57/197
2024
77/197
2024
Government debt
$11.5B
2024
$16.6T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
72.5%
2024
88.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$28,616
2024
$11,749
2024
Government debt per person rank
25/185
2024
47/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$29,535
2026
$9,826
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$11.8T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
6,327,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
450
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
28.4%
2022
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.1%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20.6%
2024
32.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.41%
2023-2024
0.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4%
2016
3.1%
2024
Unemployment rate
8.65%
2023
5.11%
2021
Population
405203
1402578808

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bahamas
Spending

Debt
China
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bahamas China
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 20.6% 72.5% 32.9% 88.3%
2023 22.2% 74.8% 32.7% 82%
2022 23.9% 79.1% 32.6% 75.5%
2021 26.9% 84.5% 31.9% 70.1%
2020 28.2% 81.9% 34.8% 69%
2019 19.9% 59.3% 33.6% 59.4%
2018 19.2% 60.6% 32.6% 55.6%
2017 22.5% 53.4% 32% 53.9%
2016 19.4% 51% 31.7% 49.7%
2015 17.9% 48.5% 31% 40.8%
2014 17.6% 46.3% 28.4% 39.3%
2013 18.4% 44.8% 28.1% 36.4%
2012 16.5% 36.4% 27.7% 33.8%
2011 17.1% 35.3% 26.6% 33.2%
2010 15.3% 33.7% 24.7% 33.3%
2009 15.6% 30.9% 25.2% 34%
2008 14.4% 25.5% 22.2% 26.7%
2007 13.3% 23% 17.9% 28.7%
2006 13% 22.8% 18.1% 25.2%
2005 12.3% 22% 18% 25.9%
2004 12.4% 21.4% 17.6% 26%
2003 11.8% 20.9% 18% 26.4%
2002 11.3% 18.8% 18.2% 25.6%
2001 11.2% 18.2% 17.2% 24.3%
2000 11.3% 18.7% 16.1% 22.7%
1999 8.78% 18.7% 14.9% 21.6%
1998 11.6% 20% 12.6% 20.4%
1997 12.5% 20.8% 11.5% 20.4%
1996 11.2% 20.2% 11% 21.2%
1995 11.2% 20.5% 11.1% 21.4%
1994 11.4% 20.4% 12.4% -
1993 11.5% 19.8% 13.4% -
1992 11.8% 17.9% 14.6% -
1991 12% 15.4% 16.5% -
1990 11.4% 13.2% 18.2% -
1989 - - 18.6% -
1988 - - 20.9% 4.46%
1987 - - 23.4% 3.6%
1986 - - 25.6% 3.24%
1985 - - 25.8% 3.31%
1984 - - 26.9% 0.97%
1983 - - 28.3% -
1982 - - 27.9% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/china | CC BY

In 2024, the Bahamas' government spending was $3.26B, accounting for 20.6% of its GDP, while China spent $6.18T, or 32.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 72.5% in the Bahamas and 88.3% in China, ranking 53/185 and 34/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bahamas

China
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bahamas China
2024 -1.18% -7.34%
2023 -3.49% -6.71%
2022 -5.16% -7.32%
2021 -11.1% -5.9%
2020 -8.09% -9.56%
2019 -1.65% -6%
2018 -3.24% -4.2%
2017 -5.92% -3.34%
2016 -2.61% -3.33%
2015 -3.24% -2.5%
2014 -4.38% -0.67%
2013 -5.16% -0.82%
2012 -3.15% -0.3%
2011 -2.87% -0.1%
2010 -2.56% -0.36%
2009 -2.45% -1.72%
2008 -0.83% -0.02%
2007 -0.76% 0.06%
2006 -0.43% -1.13%
2005 -1.11% -1.38%
2004 -1.93% -1.49%
2003 -1.63% -2.36%
2002 -1.62% -2.84%
2001 0.3% -2.56%
2000 0.09% -2.81%
1999 1.68% -2.3%
1998 -0.41% -1.08%
1997 -1.56% -0.73%
1996 -0.15% -0.73%
1995 0.18% -0.94%
1994 -0.39% -1.68%
1993 -1.05% -0.89%
1992 -2.23% -1.22%
1991 -2.29% -1.04%
1990 -2.64% -0.72%
1989 - -0.91%
1988 - -2.22%
1987 - -2.08%
1986 - -1.82%
1985 - -0.45%
1984 - -1.44%
1983 - -1.61%
1982 - -1.33%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/china | CC BY

In 2024, the Bahamas' government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $187M, equivalent to 1.18% of GDP. This compares to China's deficit of $1.38T, or 7.34% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, the Bahamas recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while China ran a deficit in 34 years. On average, the Bahamas posted an annual deficit equal to 2.37% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.46% of GDP for China.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bahamas

China
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bahamas China
2024 0.41% 0.2%
2023 3.05% 0.2%
2022 5.61% 2%
2021 2.9% 0.9%
2020 0.04% 2.5%
2019 2.49% 2.9%
2018 2.27% 2.1%
2017 1.52% 1.6%
2016 -0.35% 2%
2015 1.86% 1.5%
2014 1.51% 2%
2013 0.72% 2.7%
2012 1.97% 2.6%
2011 3.2% 5.4%
2010 1.34% 3.3%
2009 2.06% -0.7%
2008 4.49% 5.9%
2007 2.49% 4.7%
2006 2.39% 1.5%
2005 1.59% 1.8%
2004 0.98% 3.9%
2003 3.03% 1.1%
2002 2.17% -0.8%
2001 2.04% 0.7%
2000 1.61% 0.4%
1999 1.25% -1.4%
1998 1.34% -0.8%
1997 0.54% 2.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/china | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Bahamas has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.95%, compared with 1.82% in China. In 2024, inflation was 0.41% in the Bahamas and 0.2% in China.

Top exports between countries

Bahamas
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $1.43M
Metals $79K
Machinery & equipment $47K
Precious metals & jewellery $11K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K
China
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $931M
Raw materials & minerals $218M
Metals $64.9M
Chemicals & pharma $25.7M
Textiles & consumer goods $21.9M
Wood & paper products $5.24M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.09M
Miscellaneous $2.06M
Raw agricultural goods $288K
Precious metals & jewellery $265K

Balance of trade

Bahamas China
Current account balance
-$1.05B
2024
$424B
2024
Current account balance ranking
127/190
2024
1/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-6.65%
2024
+2.26%
2024
Goods imports
$4.6B
2024
$2.64T
2024
Goods exports
$874M
2024
$3.41T
2024
Service imports
$2.47B
2024
$613B
2024
Service exports
$5.9B
2024
$384B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.5%
2024
17.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.8%
2024
20%
2024

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Bahamas China
Economic freedom 65.1 48.3
Economic freedom ranking 66/197 170/197
Property rights 62.7 40.9
Government integrity 67.1 42.3
Judicial effectiveness 79.8 38.6
Tax burden 96.1 69.3
Government spending 83.8 67.8
Fiscal health 9.1 4.4
Business freedom 69.4 68.7
Labor freedom 66.5 57.9
Monetary freedom 77.2 76.1
Trade freedom 59.4 73.4
Investment freedom 50 20
Financial freedom 60 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bahamas
China
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bahamas China
2026 65.1 48.3
2025 63.2 49
2024 62.5 48.5
2023 62.6 48.3
2022 68.7 48
2021 64.6 58.4
2020 64.5 59.5
2019 62.9 58.4
2018 63.3 57.8
2017 61.1 57.4
2016 70.9 52
2015 68.7 52.7
2014 69.8 52.5
2013 70.1 51.9
2012 68 51.2
2011 68 52
2010 67.3 51
2009 70.3 53.2
2008 71.1 53.1
2007 72 52
2006 72.3 53.6
2005 72.6 53.7
2004 72.1 52.5
2003 73.5 52.6
2002 74.4 52.8
2001 74.8 52.6
2000 73.9 56.4
1999 74.7 54.8
1998 74.5 53.1
1997 74.5 51.7
1996 74 51.3
1995 71.8 52

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/china | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for the Bahamas is 65.1, ranking 66/197, compared to 48.3 for China, ranking 170/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bahamas China
Services, % of GDP
77.2%
2024
56.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
9.63%
2024
36.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.51%
2024
6.78%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$14.9B
2024
$19.3T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$39,550
2024
$26,920
2024
Total reserves including gold
$2.51B
2023
$3.46T
2024
Total reserves ranking
122/177
2023
1/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$77.6M
2024
$154B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$241M
2024
$18.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$163M
2024
$172B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
1.89%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
9.3%
2020
0%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.8%
2024
40.6%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/china | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.