Bahamian Dollar
Bahamian Dollar
Currency Code
BSD
ISO 044
Symbol
BSD
Native: $
Decimal Digits
2
Rounding: 0
Countries
BS
Using this currency
Currency Units
Major Unit
Name: dollar
Symbol: $
Minor Unit
Name: cent
Symbol:
Value: 0.01
Banknotes
Frequently Used
$1$5$10$20$50$100
Rarely Used
$1/2$3
Coins
Frequently Used
1 cent5 cent10 cent25 cent
Rarely Used
15 cent50 cent$1$2$5
Plural Forms
English Plural
Bahamian dollars
Native Plural
Bahamian Dollars
Overview
The Bahamian Dollar is the currency of the Bahamas, pegged to the US dollar at par since 1973. It is managed by the Central Bank of the Bahamas and serves the country's tourism and financial services economy.
Economy
- Bahamas is a member of CARICOM, OAS, Commonwealth, ACS.
- Main industries include: Tourism, Banking, Cement, Oil transshipment, Salt, Rum, Aragonite, Pharmaceuticals.
- Bahamas is part of the World Trade Organization.
- Imports are machinery, transport equipment, manufactures, chemicals, mineral fuels, food.
- Major exports include mineral products, salt, animal products, rum, chemicals, fruit and vegetables.
- GDP: $12.8 billion (2023 est.).
- GDP per capita: $31,458 (2023 est.).
- Unemployment rate: 9.6% (2023 est.).
- Inflation rate: 5.9% (2023 est.).
- Main trading partners: United States, Poland, Germany, Ecuador, Canada, China.
- Trade agreements: CARICOM Single Market, EPA with EU, Various bilateral agreements.
History
- Previous currencies used: Bahamian pound, British pound.
- The Bahamian dollar was introduced in 1966, replacing the Bahamian pound. It was initially pegged to the British pound, then switched to the US dollar peg in 1973.
- 1966: BSD introduced, replacing Bahamian pound
- 1973: Pegged to USD at 1:1 parity
- 1974: Central Bank of the Bahamas established
- 1992: Introduction of BIRD (Bahamian Inter-bank Rate)
- 2001: Financial services sector modernization
- Exchange rate peg: USD (1973-present) at 1:1 parity.
- Exchange rate peg: GBP (1966-1973).
- Currently pegged to USD at 1 BSD = 1 USD.
General Information
- ISO 4217 Code: BSD
- Symbols: BSD/$
- Currency Subunits: 100 cents
- Central Bank: Central Bank of the Bahamas
- Monetary Policy: Currency board system maintaining USD parity. Focus on financial stability and supporting tourism-dependent economy.
- Bills: 1 BSD, 5 BSD, 10 BSD, 20 BSD, 50 BSD, 100 BSD
- Coins: 1 cent, 5 cents, 10 cents, 15 cents, 25 cents, 1 dollar
- USD Exchange Rate: 1.00
- Pegged To: USD at 1 BSD = 1 USD
- Capital: Nassau
- Population: 407,906 (2023 est.)
- Area: 13,943 km²
- Languages: English (official), Creole
- Time Zones: UTC-5 (Eastern Standard Time)
- Government Type: Parliamentary democracy under constitutional monarchy
- Head of Government: Prime Minister (head of government), Governor-General (representing British Crown)
- Independence: July 10, 1973 (from United Kingdom)
- Ethnic Groups: Black 90.6%, White 4.7%, Mixed 2.1%, Other 1.9%, Unspecified 0.7%
- Religions: Protestant 69.9%, Roman Catholic 12%, Other Christian 13%, Other 0.6%, None 1.9%, Unspecified 2.6%
- Literacy Rate: 95.6% (2003 est.)
- Transport: Lynden Pindling International Airport, Family Islands airports, modern road networks, major cruise ports
- Communications: Advanced telecommunications, 85% internet penetration, comprehensive mobile coverage
- Energy: Fossil fuels primary, growing solar energy initiatives
- Countries Using This Currency: Bahamas
- Data Sources: Central Bank: Central Bank of the Bahamas (centralbankbahamas.com), Economic Data: Department of Statistics Bahamas, World Bank, IMF, Trade Data: Bahamas Customs Department, Demographic Data: Department of Statistics Bahamas, Geographic Data: Bahamas Meteorology Department, Historical Data: Central Bank of the Bahamas archives
- Last Updated: 2025