## The Bahamas: 2017 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; and Staff Report

_IMF Staff Country Reports, October 6, 2017_

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [The Bahamas: 2017 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; and Staff Report](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/cr/issues/2017/10/06/the-bahamas-2017-article-iv-consultation-press-release-and-staff-report-45310)

## Other formats

- [Markdown version](/en/publications/cr/issues/2017/10/06/the-bahamas-2017-article-iv-consultation-press-release-and-staff-report-45310/index.md)
- [Structured JSON version](/en/publications/cr/issues/2017/10/06/the-bahamas-2017-article-iv-consultation-press-release-and-staff-report-45310/index.json)
- [Bundle manifest](/en/publications/cr/issues/2017/10/06/the-bahamas-2017-article-iv-consultation-press-release-and-staff-report-45310/bundle-manifest.json)

## Bibliographic details
- Published: October 6, 2017
- Series: IMF Staff Country Reports
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9781484323090.002

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### Economic activity and shocks
- Continued weak economic activity in The Bahamas in 2016.
- Hurricane Matthew, which hit The Bahamas in October 2016, significantly impacted tourism activity in 2016 and early 2017.
- Completion of the megaresort Baha Mar and posthurricane reconstruction activity boosted job creation.

### Labor market
- Unemployment rate declined to 9.9 percent in May 2017.

### Growth projections
- Real GDP growth is projected to pick up to 1.75 percent in 2017.
- Real GDP growth is projected to reach 2.5 in 2018.
- Drivers of the 2017–2018 pickup:
  - A stronger US economy.
  - The phased opening of Baha Mar.
  - Related construction activity.
- Medium-term growth would remain low, reflecting significant structural bottlenecks.

### Key thematic coverage (as listed)
- Banking
- Credit
- Financial institutions
- Fiscal consolidation
- Fiscal policy
- Money
- Nonperforming loans
- Public debt
- Revenue administration

### Publication and document identifiers (selected)
- Pages: 71
- Volume: 2017
- Issue: 314
- Series: Country Report No. 2017/314
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9781484323090.002
- Stock No: 1BHSEA2017001
- ISBN: 9781484323090
- ISSN: 1934-7685

*International Monetary Fund. The Bahamas: 2017 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; and Staff Report (October 6, 2017).*

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## Content in this bundle

- **Country Report**
  - [Country Report (Markdown version)](/-/media/files/publications/cr/2017/cr17314.pdf.md){rel="alternate" type="text/markdown"}
  - [Country Report (PDF)](/-/media/files/publications/cr/2017/cr17314.pdf){rel="external" type="application/pdf"}

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_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/cr/issues/2017/10/06/the-bahamas-2017-article-iv-consultation-press-release-and-staff-report-45310_