News Story

Source: Central Communications Unit, Ministry of Finance, The Bahamas

Date: 19 August 2025 

Contact: MOFcomms@bahamas.gov.bs

In keeping with Section 61 of the Public Debt Management Act, 2021, the June 2025 Public Debt Statistical Bulletin (“PDSB”) represents the sixteenth official report on public debt statistics in The Bahamas prepared by the Debt Management Office (the “DMO”) of the Ministry of Finance.

At end-June 2025, the public sector debt stock was estimated at $13,149.3 million—representing respective gains of $17.4 million (0.1%) and $440.9 million (3.5%) vis-à-vis end-March 2025 and June of the prior year. Net financing activities broadened the central Government’s component by $455.4 million (4.0%) year-on-year, to $11,769.2 million, which represented an estimated 73.4% of GDP compared with 77.7% at end-June 2024

Foreign currency debt rose by $157.7 million (2.8%), on an annual basis, to $5,883.0 million, with its corresponding share in the total moderating by 31 basis points to 44.7%. Reflecting new domestic securities issuances, Bahamian Dollar debt expanded by $283.2 million (4.1%) to $7,266.3 million (55.3% of the total).

Growth in external public sector debt was mainly explained by the $273.0 million (23.5%) increase in net exposure to financial institutions, following on the central Government’s drawdown of several new credit facilities. The government’s two capital market transactions netted a $59.9 million (2.1%) expansion in debt owed to private capital markets. These outcomes were significantly moderated by the $125.4 million net repayment to multilateral institutions, with a lesser $5.3 million reduction for the bilateral creditor.

Public sector domestic debt operations registered an annual gain of $238.6 million (3.2%), mainly due to higher liabilities to commercial banks and the private sector, of $224.6 million (8.0%) and $207.6 million (7.7%), respectively. In a strong offset, debt owed to the Central Bank and public corporations was reduced by $166.1 million (19.0%) and $99.2 million (14.3%), respectively.

By currency, 55.3% of the debt portfolio was in Bahamian Dollars, 39.0% in USD, and 5.7% held in other foreign currencies. Fixed rate debt constituted an elevated 64.7% of the overall portfolio, with the variable rate share at 35.3%

The Government remains committed to transparency and accountability in debt management activities, and invites stakeholders to visit the national Budget Website (www.bahamasbudget.gov.bs) to view the various published reports.