Philip Davis Wins Early Election as Bahamas Economy Rides Record 12.5 Million Visitors

Economy · Bahamas

—The stakes. The Bahamas economy is expanding on record tourism, but high public debt and a thin cruise-revenue base leave the next government with hard fiscal choices.

—The date. Prime Minister Philip Davis moved the general election up from October 2026 to 12 May 2026 and won a second term.

—The tourism engine. Total visitor arrivals reached 12.5 million in 2025, with sea arrivals at 86.5 percent of the total and cruise passengers far outnumbering stayover visitors.

—The debt overhang. Central government debt hit $12.4 billion, or 75.1 percent of GDP, at end December 2025, with the bulk of it owed to private creditors.