Legal Framework

The Legal Foundation of National Statistics in The Bahamas

The Bahamas National Statistical Institute (BNSI) operates under the Statistics Act, 2021, which is the legal backbone for official data collection, analysis, and publication in The Bahamas.

This modern legislation grants BNSI the statutory authority to independently manage all national data operations, including censuses, key economic indicators, and coordinating the National Statistical System, and replaces the outdated 1973 Act with a framework aligned to international best practices such as the UN Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics.

The Critical Role of BNSI in National Development

The BNSI supports national progress by delivering essential data on:

Economic growth and GDP

Employment and labor market trends

Population and demographics

Household expenditure and poverty rates

Education, health, and environmental conditions

Data Privacy and Ethical Standards

A vital element of the Statistics Act, 2021 is the protection of personal data. All personal and household-level information collected through BNSI surveys and censuses is strictly confidential and used only for aggregated statistical reporting. The Institute follows global statistical ethics and confidentiality protocols to maintain public confidence and protect privacy.

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