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Economy of Bahamas vs Saint Lucia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Bahamas has a GDP of $15.8B compared to $2.55B for Saint Lucia, ranking 140/197 and 173/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Bahamas has $11.5B in government debt (72.5% of GDP), compared to $1.97B (77.2% of GDP) in Saint Lucia.

Bahamas vs Saint Lucia GDP by year

Bahamas
Saint Lucia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bahamas Saint Lucia
2024 $15,832,800,000 $2,549,062,963
2023 $15,271,300,000 $2,430,166,667
2022 $13,896,800,000 $2,342,714,815
2021 $12,037,000,000 $1,867,185,185
2020 $10,363,200,000 $1,499,274,074
2019 $13,277,000,000 $2,095,344,444
2018 $12,819,200,000 $2,060,955,556
2017 $12,446,900,000 $1,998,503,704
2016 $11,880,900,000 $1,868,544,444
2015 $11,837,600,000 $1,807,640,741
2014 $11,139,100,000 $1,749,185,185
2013 $10,475,300,000 $1,660,392,593
2012 $10,720,400,000 $1,598,207,407
2011 $10,070,450,000 $1,568,370,370
2010 $10,095,760,000 $1,482,385,185
2009 $9,981,960,000 $1,401,507,889
2008 $10,526,000,000 $1,437,731,111
2007 $10,618,340,000 $1,336,088,815
2006 $10,167,250,000 $1,268,319,185
2005 $9,836,200,000 $1,135,555,556
2004 $9,055,290,000 $1,066,666,667
2003 $8,870,090,000 $987,407,407
2002 $8,881,160,000 $900,000,000
2001 $8,317,830,000 $892,592,593
2000 $8,076,470,000 $932,592,593
1999 $7,683,870,000 $921,851,852
1998 $6,833,220,000 $877,407,407
1997 $6,332,360,000 $805,925,926
1996 $3,609,000,000 $788,888,889
1995 $3,429,000,000 $762,962,963
1994 $3,259,000,000 $713,703,704
1993 $3,092,000,000 $684,814,815
1992 $3,109,000,000 $674,074,074
1991 $3,111,160,000 $613,703,704
1990 $3,166,000,000 $579,629,630
1989 $3,062,000,000 $486,666,667
1988 $2,817,900,000 $429,629,630
1987 $2,713,999,900 $375,555,556
1986 $2,472,500,000 $340,000,000
1985 $2,320,699,900 $284,444,444
1984 $2,041,100,000 $251,481,481
1983 $1,732,800,000 $197,037,037
1982 $1,578,300,000 $183,333,333
1981 $1,426,500,000 $194,444,444
1980 $1,335,300,000 $170,370,370
1979 $1,139,800,100 -
1978 $832,400,000 -
1977 $713,000,000 -
1976 $642,100,000 -
1975 $596,200,000 -
1974 $632,400,000 -
1973 $670,900,000 -
1972 $590,900,000 -
1971 $573,400,000 -
1970 $539,500,000 -
1969 $538,700,000 -
1968 $453,800,000 -
1967 $398,000,000 -
1966 $346,800,000 -
1965 $300,272,048 -
1964 $266,560,043 -
1963 $237,650,038 -
1962 $212,170,034 -
1961 $190,022,030 -
1960 $169,736,027 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/saint-lucia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Bahamas vs Saint Lucia by year

Bahamas
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Saint Lucia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bahamas Saint Lucia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $39,455 $41,198 $14,182 $27,567
2023 $38,232 $39,090 $13,555 $25,975
2022 $34,957 $36,791 $13,104 $24,599
2021 $30,368 $31,065 $10,459 $19,101
2020 $26,179 $27,205 $8,411 $14,912
2019 $33,640 $36,116 $11,794 $18,710
2018 $32,642 $35,228 $11,643 $17,433
2017 $31,875 $34,282 $11,333 $16,131
2016 $30,617 $32,285 $10,638 $15,307
2015 $30,719 $32,138 $10,335 $14,353
2014 $29,137 $31,726 $10,045 $14,403
2013 $27,643 $30,294 $9,577 $14,010
2012 $28,552 $31,036 $9,260 $13,443
2011 $27,091 $30,074 $9,129 $13,471
2010 $27,473 $29,625 $8,674 $12,718
2009 $27,513 $29,197 $8,251 $12,600
2008 $29,392 $30,679 $8,517 $12,969
2007 $30,052 $31,232 $7,964 $12,199
2006 $29,185 $30,402 $7,611 $11,758
2005 $28,602 $29,143 $6,863 $10,818
2004 $26,650 $27,660 $6,495 $10,610
2003 $26,429 $27,031 $6,059 $9,707
2002 $26,782 $27,171 $5,568 $9,205
2001 $25,372 $26,351 $5,570 $9,106
2000 $24,940 $25,422 $5,880 $9,314
1999 $24,041 $24,184 $5,883 $9,214
1998 $21,667 $22,556 $5,673 $8,965
1997 $20,368 $21,606 $5,282 $8,456
1996 $11,784 $21,287 $5,244 $8,490
1995 $11,375 $20,377 $5,148 $8,222
1994 $10,991 $19,441 $4,892 $8,041
1993 $10,613 $18,781 $4,765 $7,865
1992 $10,873 $18,636 $4,760 $7,753
1991 $11,082 $19,296 $4,399 $7,127
1990 $11,473 $19,817 $4,205 $6,951
1989 $11,291 - $3,565 -
1988 $10,576 - $3,182 -
1987 $10,361 - $2,819 -
1986 $9,601 - $2,591 -
1985 $9,167 - $2,202 -
1984 $8,202 - $1,979 -
1983 $7,081 - $1,576 -
1982 $6,559 - $1,489 -
1981 $6,029 - $1,605 -
1980 $5,743 - $1,428 -
1979 $4,994 - - -
1978 $3,720 - - -
1977 $3,253 - - -
1976 $2,993 - - -
1975 $2,841 - - -
1974 $3,080 - - -
1973 $3,341 - - -
1972 $3,014 - - -
1971 $3,004 - - -
1970 $2,916 - - -
1969 $3,027 - - -
1968 $2,668 - - -
1967 $2,453 - - -
1966 $2,239 - - -
1965 $2,030 - - -
1964 $1,883 - - -
1963 $1,759 - - -
1962 $1,651 - - -
1961 $1,555 - - -
1960 $1,459 - - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/saint-lucia | CC BY

The Bahamas' GDP per capita is $39,455, ranking 30/197, compared to $14,182 in Saint Lucia, ranking 70/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Bahamas ranks 57th at $41,198, while Saint Lucia ranks 75th at $27,567.

Economic indicators

Bahamas Saint Lucia
Gross domestic product
$15.8B
2024
$2.55B
2024
GDP rank
140/197
2024
173/197
2024
GDP growth
3.38%
2023-2024
3.89%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$39,455
2024
$14,182
2024
GDP per capita rank
30/197
2024
70/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,198
2024
$27,567
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
57/197
2024
75/197
2024
Government debt
$11.5B
2024
$1.97B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
72.5%
2024
77.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$28,616
2024
$10,952
2024
Government debt per person rank
25/185
2024
52/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$29,535
2026
$10,412
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
34.1%
2015
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.1%
2015
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20.6%
2024
24.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.41%
2023-2024
-0.11%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4%
2016
n/a
Unemployment rate
8.65%
2023
10.1%
2024
Population
405203
180638

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bahamas
Spending

Debt
Saint Lucia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bahamas Saint Lucia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 20.6% 72.5% 24.5% 77.2%
2023 22.2% 74.8% 25.6% 76.6%
2022 23.9% 79.1% 23% 74.4%
2021 26.9% 84.5% 27.4% 87%
2020 28.2% 81.9% 34.9% 100%
2019 19.9% 59.3% 25.1% 62.1%
2018 19.2% 60.6% 23.2% 60.5%
2017 22.5% 53.4% 23.3% 60.4%
2016 19.4% 51% 23% 61.3%
2015 17.9% 48.5% 23.7% 61.1%
2014 17.6% 46.3% 23.6% 62.4%
2013 18.4% 44.8% 25.4% 62.1%
2012 16.5% 36.4% 28% 60.8%
2011 17.1% 35.3% 27% 55.2%
2010 15.3% 33.7% 26% 53%
2009 15.6% 30.9% 24.5% 51%
2008 14.4% 25.5% 22.2% 46.7%
2007 13.3% 23% 22.6% 49.1%
2006 13% 22.8% 24.7% 48.6%
2005 12.3% 22% 26% 51.9%
2004 12.4% 21.4% 22.9% 49.6%
2003 11.8% 20.9% 22.9% 45.6%
2002 11.3% 18.8% 23.6% 48.8%
2001 11.2% 18.2% 22.1% 38.1%
2000 11.3% 18.7% 20.7% 32.5%
1999 8.78% 18.7% 20.9% 28.9%
1998 11.6% 20% 18.8% 29.4%
1997 12.5% 20.8% 19.5% 27.2%
1996 11.2% 20.2% 18.9% 24.1%
1995 11.2% 20.5% 19.2% 22.9%
1994 11.4% 20.4% 19.1% 23.8%
1993 11.5% 19.8% 21.8% 22.9%
1992 11.8% 17.9% 18.4% 22.2%
1991 12% 15.4% 18.4% 19.8%
1990 11.4% 13.2% 16.7% 17%
1989 - - 19% 18.1%
1988 - - 18.2% 18.6%
1987 - - 19.9% 19.6%
1986 - - 21.1% 17.2%
1985 - - 20.4% 17.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/saint-lucia | CC BY

In 2024, the Bahamas' government spending was $3.26B, accounting for 20.6% of its GDP, while Saint Lucia spent $625M, or 24.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 72.5% in the Bahamas and 77.2% in Saint Lucia, ranking 53/185 and 46/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bahamas

Saint Lucia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bahamas Saint Lucia
2024 -1.18% -2.13%
2023 -3.49% -3.09%
2022 -5.16% -1.67%
2021 -11.1% -5.1%
2020 -8.09% -12%
2019 -1.65% -3.51%
2018 -3.24% -1.03%
2017 -5.92% -1.14%
2016 -2.61% -0.79%
2015 -3.24% -2.35%
2014 -4.38% -3.08%
2013 -5.16% -4.84%
2012 -3.15% -7.62%
2011 -2.87% -5.38%
2010 -2.56% -4.17%
2009 -2.45% -2.67%
2008 -0.83% -0.72%
2007 -0.76% -1.62%
2006 -0.43% -5.07%
2005 -1.11% -6.18%
2004 -1.93% -2.63%
2003 -1.63% -3.23%
2002 -1.62% -3.1%
2001 0.3% -3.08%
2000 0.09% -1.16%
1999 1.68% 1.62%
1998 -0.41% 2.25%
1997 -1.56% -1.13%
1996 -0.15% -0.58%
1995 0.18% -0.13%
1994 -0.39% -0.02%
1993 -1.05% -0.26%
1992 -2.23% -0.66%
1991 -2.29% -0.43%
1990 -2.64% 0.29%
1989 - 0.89%
1988 - 2.02%
1987 - 0.56%
1986 - -1.61%
1985 - -1.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/saint-lucia | 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 Saint Lucia's deficit of $54.2M, or 2.13% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, the Bahamas recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while Saint Lucia ran a deficit in 32 years. On average, the Bahamas posted an annual deficit equal to 2.37% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.47% of GDP for Saint Lucia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bahamas

Saint Lucia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bahamas Saint Lucia
2024 0.41% -0.11%
2023 3.05% 4.07%
2022 5.61% 6.38%
2021 2.9% 2.41%
2020 0.04% -1.76%
2019 2.49% 0.54%
2018 2.27% 1.94%
2017 1.52% 0.1%
2016 -0.35% -3.08%
2015 1.86% -0.98%
2014 1.51% 3.52%
2013 0.72% 1.47%
2012 1.97% 4.18%
2011 3.2% 2.77%
2010 1.34% 3.25%
2009 2.06% -0.16%
2008 4.49% 5.55%
2007 2.49% 2.82%
2006 2.39% 2.4%
2005 1.59% 3.9%
2004 0.98% 1.46%
2003 3.03% 1.03%
2002 2.17% -0.26%
2001 2.04% 5.31%
2000 1.61% 3.71%
1999 1.25% 3.5%
1998 1.34% 3.2%
1997 0.54% -0.006%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/saint-lucia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Bahamas has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.95%, compared with 2.04% in Saint Lucia. In 2024, inflation was 0.41% in the Bahamas and -0.11% in Saint Lucia.

Top exports between countries

Bahamas
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $12K
Chemicals & pharma $1K
Saint Lucia
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $22K
Wood & paper products $17K
Precious metals & jewellery $5K
Miscellaneous $4K

Balance of trade

Bahamas Saint Lucia
Current account balance
-$1.05B
2024
-$64.1M
2024
Current account balance ranking
127/190
2024
86/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-6.65%
2024
-2.52%
2024
Goods imports
$4.6B
2024
$848M
2024
Goods exports
$874M
2024
$137M
2024
Service imports
$2.47B
2024
$598M
2024
Service exports
$5.9B
2024
$1.46B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.5%
2024
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.8%
2024
19%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Bahamas Saint Lucia
Economic freedom 65.1 67.5
Economic freedom ranking 66/197 57/197
Property rights 62.7 64.3
Government integrity 67.1 59.7
Judicial effectiveness 79.8 77.3
Tax burden 96.1 77.7
Government spending 83.8 82.6
Fiscal health 9.1 80
Business freedom 69.4 71.9
Labor freedom 66.5 65.2
Monetary freedom 77.2 81
Trade freedom 59.4 60
Investment freedom 50 50
Financial freedom 60 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bahamas
Saint Lucia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bahamas Saint Lucia
2026 65.1 67.5
2025 63.2 67
2024 62.5 62.2
2023 62.6 60.7
2022 68.7 64.3
2021 64.6 67.5
2020 64.5 68.2
2019 62.9 68.7
2018 63.3 67.6
2017 61.1 65
2016 70.9 70
2015 68.7 70.2
2014 69.8 70.7
2013 70.1 70.4
2012 68 71.3
2011 68 70.8
2010 67.3 70.5
2009 70.3 68.8
2008 71.1 -
2007 72 -
2006 72.3 -
2005 72.6 -
2004 72.1 -
2003 73.5 -
2002 74.4 -
2001 74.8 -
2000 73.9 -
1999 74.7 -
1998 74.5 -
1997 74.5 -
1996 74 -
1995 71.8 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/saint-lucia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for the Bahamas is 65.1, ranking 66/197, compared to 67.5 for Saint Lucia, ranking 57/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bahamas Saint Lucia
Services, % of GDP
77.2%
2024
75.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
9.63%
2024
9.75%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.51%
2024
1.13%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$14.9B
2024
$2.27B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$39,550
2024
$24,840
2024
Total reserves including gold
$2.51B
2023
$406M
2024
Total reserves ranking
122/177
2023
162/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$77.6M
2024
-$187M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$241M
2024
$187M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$163M
2024
-$350K
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
3.42%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
9.3%
2020
25%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.8%
2024
n/a

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/saint-lucia | 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 (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, 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.