View Intelligence Dossier Back to 2011 CSV Excel Print All Years

Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) provides television and radio broadcasting services via 1 television station and 4 radio stations; British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) operates 1 radio station; broadcasts from Spanish radio and TV stations are accessible (2008)

Internet country code [time series]

.gi

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

2,053 (2010) country comparison to the world: 154

Internet users [time series]

20,200 (2009) country comparison to the world: 192

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: adequate, automatic domestic system and adequate international facilities domestic: automatic exchange facilities international: country code - 350; radiotelephone; microwave radio relay; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

24,000 (2010) country comparison to the world: 185

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

30,000 (2010) country comparison to the world: 201

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

none

Budget [time series]

revenues: $475.8 million expenditures: $452.3 million (2008 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]

2.1% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 23

Debt - external [time series]

$NA

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Self-sufficient Gibraltar benefits from an extensive shipping trade, offshore banking, and its position as an international conference center. Tax rates are low to attract foreign investment. The British military presence has been sharply reduced and now contributes about 7% to the local economy, compared with 60% in 1984. The financial sector, tourism (almost 5 million visitors in 1998), gaming revenues, shipping services fees, and duties on consumer goods also generate revenue. The financial sector, tourism, and the shipping sector contribute 30%, 30%, and 25%, respectively, of GDP. Telecommunications, e-commerce, and e-gaming account for the remaining 15%. In recent years, Gibraltar has seen major structural change from a public to a private sector economy, but changes in government spending still have a major impact on the level of employment.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

156 million kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 188

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

156 million kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 187

Exchange rates [time series]

Gibraltar pounds (GIP) per US dollar - 0.6388 (2010) 0.6175 (2009) 0.4993 (2007) 0.5418 (2006)

Exports [time series]

$271 million (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 176

Exports - commodities [time series]

(principally reexports) petroleum 51%, manufactured goods

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$1.106 billion (2006 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$1.275 billion (2008) country comparison to the world: 195 $1.203 billion (2007 est.) $1.106 billion (2006 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 0% industry: 0% services: 100% (2008 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$43,000 (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 $41,200 (2007 est.) $38,400 (2006 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

6% (2008) country comparison to the world: 53 8.8% (2007) 0% (2006 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports [time series]

$2.967 billion (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 140

Imports - commodities [time series]

fuels, manufactured goods, and foodstuffs

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

NA%

Industries [time series]

tourism, banking and finance, ship repairing, tobacco

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

2.8% (2008) country comparison to the world: 94 2.6% (2006)

Labor force [time series]

12,690 (including non-Gibraltar laborers) (2001) country comparison to the world: 213

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: negligible industry: 40% services: 60% (2001)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 180

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 104

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 126

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 188

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 141

Oil - consumption [time series]

25,000 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 120

Oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 160

Oil - imports [time series]

26,400 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 106

Oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 176

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 136

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA%

Public debt [time series]

7.5% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 13.5% of GDP (2006 est.)

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

43% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 33

Unemployment rate [time series]

3% (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 24

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 6.5 sq km country comparison to the world: 243 land: 6.5 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

more than 10 times the size of The National Mall in Washington, D.C.

Climate [time series]

Mediterranean with mild winters and warm summers

Coastline [time series]

12 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Rock of Gibraltar 426 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

limited natural freshwater resources: large concrete or natural rock water catchments collect rainwater (no longer used for drinking water) and adequate desalination plant

Geographic coordinates [time series]

36 08 N, 5 21 W

Geography - note [time series]

strategic location on Strait of Gibraltar that links the North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea

Irrigated land [time series]

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 1.2 km border countries: Spain 1.2 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005)

Location [time series]

Southwestern Europe, bordering the Strait of Gibraltar, which links the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, on the southern coast of Spain

Map references [time series]

Europe

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 3 nm

Natural hazards [time series]

Natural resources [time series]

none

Terrain [time series]

a narrow coastal lowland borders the Rock of Gibraltar

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Capital [time series]

name: Gibraltar geographic coordinates: 36 08 N, 5 21 W time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

Constitution [time series]

5 June 2006; came into force 2 January 2007

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: none conventional short form: Gibraltar

Dependency status [time series]

overseas territory of the UK

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Vice Admiral Sir Adrian JOHNS (since 26 October 2009) head of government: Chief Minister Fabian PICARDO (since 8 December 2011) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed from among the 17 elected members of the Parliament by the governor in consultation with the chief minister (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed chief minister by the governor

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

two horizontal bands of white (top, double width) and red with a three-towered red castle in the center of the white band; hanging from the castle gate is a gold key centered in the red band; the design is that of Gibraltar's coat of arms granted on 10 July 1502 by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain; the castle symbolizes Gibraltar as a fortress, while the key represents Gibraltar's strategic importance - the key to the Mediterranean

Government type [time series]

Independence [time series]

none (overseas territory of the UK)

International organization participation [time series]

Interpol (subbureau), UPU

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court; Court of Appeal

Legal system [time series]

the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral Parliament (18 seats: 17 members elected by popular vote, 1 for the speaker appointed by Parliament; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held on 8 December 2011 (next to be held not later than 8 December 2015) election results: percent of vote by party - GSD 48%, GSLP 46.8%, Progressive Democratic Party 4.4%; seats by party - GSD 10, GSLP 7, Progressive Democratic Party 0

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

name: "Gibraltar Anthem" lyrics/music: Peter EMBERLEY note: adopted 1994; serves as a local anthem; as a territory of the United Kingdom, "God Save the Queen" remains official (see United Kingdom)

National holiday [time series]

National Day, 10 September (1967); note - day of the national referendum to decide whether to remain with the UK or join Spain

National symbol(s) [time series]

Barbary macaque

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Gibraltar Liberal Party [Joseph GARCIA]; Gibraltar Social Democrats or GSD [Fabian PICARDO]; Gibraltar Socialist Labor Party or GSLP [Joseph John BOSSANO]; Progressive Democratic Party

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Chamber of Commerce; Gibraltar Representatives Organization; Women's Association

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal; and British citizens who have been residents six months or more

Introduction

Background [time series]

Strategically important, Gibraltar was reluctantly ceded to Great Britain by Spain in the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht; the British garrison was formally declared a colony in 1830. In a referendum held in 1967, Gibraltarians voted overwhelmingly to remain a British dependency. The subsequent granting of autonomy in 1969 by the UK led to Spain closing the border and severing all communication links. A series of talks were held by the UK and Spain between 1997 and 2002 on establishing temporary joint sovereignty over Gibraltar. In response to these talks, the Gibraltar Government called a referendum in late 2002 in which the majority of citizens voted overwhelmingly against any sharing of sovereignty with Spain. Since late 2004, tripartite talks among Spain, the UK, and Gibraltar have been held with the aim of cooperatively resolving problems that affect the local population, and work continues on cooperation agreements in areas such as taxation and financial services; communications and maritime security; policy, legal and customs services; environmental protection; and education and visa services. Throughout 2009, a dispute over Gibraltar's claim to territorial waters extending out three miles gave rise to periodic non-violent maritime confrontations between Spanish and UK naval patrols. A new noncolonial constitution came into effect in 2007, and the European Court of First Instance recognized Gibraltar's right to regulate its own tax regime in December 2008, but the UK retains responsibility for defense, foreign relations, internal security, and financial stability.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 7,037 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 6,017 females age 16-49: 5,706 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 228 female: 220 (2010 est.)

Military - note [time series]

defense is the responsibility of the UK; the Royal Gibraltar Regiment replaced the last British regular infantry forces in 1992

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Royal Gibraltar Regiment (2009)

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 20.4% (male 3,040/female 2,862) 15-64 years: 65.8% (male 9,607/female 9,451) 65 years and over: 13.8% (male 1,934/female 2,062) (2011 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

14.23 births/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 144

Death rate [time series]

8.18 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 95

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

Ethnic groups [time series]

Spanish, Italian, English, Maltese, Portuguese, German, North Africans

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 6.69 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 167 male: 7.44 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.87 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Languages [time series]

English (used in schools and for official purposes), Spanish, Italian, Portuguese

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 78.68 years country comparison to the world: 47 male: 75.84 years female: 81.72 years (2011 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: NA total population: above 80% male: NA female: NA

Median age [time series]

total: 33.3 years male: 32.4 years female: 34.3 years (2011 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Gibraltarian(s) adjective: Gibraltar

Net migration rate [time series]

-3.32 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 180

Population [time series]

28,956 (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 216

Population growth rate [time series]

0.273% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 169

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic 78.1%, Church of England 7%, other Christian 3.2%, Muslim 4%, Jewish 2.1%, Hindu 1.8%, other or unspecified 0.9%, none 2.9% (2001 census)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.96 children born/woman (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 130

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 100% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 0.2% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

in 2002, Gibraltar residents voted overwhelmingly by referendum to reject any "shared sovereignty" arrangement; the government of Gibraltar insists on equal participation in talks between the UK and Spain; Spain disapproves of UK plans to grant Gibraltar even greater autonomy

Transportation

Airports [time series]

1 (2010) country comparison to the world: 218

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2010)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 265 country comparison to the world: 32 by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 139, chemical tanker 65, container 35, liquefied gas 2, petroleum tanker 11, roll on/roll off 4, vehicle carrier 8 foreign-owned: 250 (Belgium 2, Cyprus 1, Denmark 6, Finland 2, Germany 125, Greece 7, Iceland 1, Italy 4, Jersey 1, Morocco 4, Netherlands 33, Norway 42, Singapore 1, Sweden 12, UAE 5, UK 4) note: this country allows large numbers of ships owned by foreign entities to be registered in its national shipping registry and to fly its flag; these ships operate under the laws of the flag state registered in other countries: 6 (Liberia 5, Panama 1) (2010)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Gibraltar

Roadways [time series]

total: 29 km country comparison to the world: 218 paved: 29 km (2007)