The Department of Statistics is the Government Agency in The Bahamas mandated by law to collect, process, analyze and disseminate statistics. The present legislation governing the operation of the Department of Statistics is “The Statistics Act of 1973”.

The Department of Statistics is subject to the Minister of Finance and functions under the direct supervision of the Director of Statistics. The Department therefore under the direction of The Director of Statistics is mandated:-

• to take any census of population and housing in The Bahamas;
• to collect, compile, analyze, abstract and publish statistical information relating to the commercial, industrial, agricultural, mining, social, financial, economic and general activities and conditions of The Bahamas;
• to collaborate with other Government departments, commissions, bodies incorporated directly by the Legislature and other organizations, in the collection, compilation, analysis and publication of statistical records of or connected with those departments, commissions, bodies and organizations;
• to advise the Government on all matters of policy relating to statistics;
• to conduct general purpose surveys in The Bahamas; and
• generally to organize a coordinated scheme of economic and social statistics relating to The Bahamas