ARCHIVE // BM // 2012
Bermuda
2012 Edition — territory
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Communications
Broadcast media
[time series]
3 TV stations; cable and satellite TV subscription services are available; roughly 10 radio stations operating (2007)
Internet country code
[time series]
.bm
Internet users
(Internet hosts)
[time series]
20,040 (2012) country comparison to the world: 119
Internet users
[time series]
54,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 173
Telecommunication systems
(Telephone system)
[time series]
general assessment: a good, fully automatic digital telephone system with fiber-optic trunk lines domestic: the system has a high fixed-line teledensity coupled with a mobile-cellular teledensity of roughly 125 per 100 persons international: country code - 1-441; landing points for the GlobeNet, Gemini Bermuda, and the Challenger Bermuda-1 (CB-1)submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 3 (2009)
Telephones - fixed lines
(Telephones - main lines in use)
[time series]
57,800 (2010) country comparison to the world: 160
Telephones - mobile cellular
[time series]
88,200 (2010) country comparison to the world: 194
Economy
Agricultural products
(Agriculture - products)
[time series]
bananas, vegetables, citrus, flowers; dairy products, honey
Budget
[time series]
revenues: $738 million expenditures: $665 million (FY04/05)
Debt - external
[time series]
$160 million (FY99/00) country comparison to the world: 187
Economic overview
(Economy - overview)
[time series]
Bermuda enjoys the fourth highest per capita income in the world, more than 50% higher than that of the US; the average cost of a house by the mid-2000s exceeded $1,000,000. Its economy is primarily based on providing financial services for international business and luxury facilities for tourists. A number of reinsurance companies relocated to the island following the 11 September 2001 attacks on the US and again after Hurricane Katrina in August 2005 contributing to the expansion of an already robust international business sector. Bermuda's tourism industry - which derives over 80% of its visitors from the US - continues to struggle but remains the island's number two industry. Most capital equipment and food must be imported. Bermuda's industrial sector is largely focused on construction and agriculture is limited, with only 20% of the land being arable.
Exchange rates
[time series]
Bermudian dollars (BMD) per US dollar - 1 (2012) note: (2012 est.)
Exports
[time series]
$15 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 210 $16 million (2011 est.)
Exports - commodities
[time series]
reexports of pharmaceuticals
Exports - partners
[time series]
Germany 14%, US 11.7%, Australia 8% (2011)
Fiscal year
[time series]
1 April - 31 March
GDP (official exchange rate)
[time series]
$NA
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
(GDP (purchasing power parity))
[time series]
$4.5 billion (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 170
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
(GDP - composition by sector)
[time series]
agriculture: 0.7% industry: 7% services: 92.3% (2012 est.)
Real GDP per capita
(GDP - per capita (PPP))
[time series]
$69,900 (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 5
Real GDP growth rate
(GDP - real growth rate)
[time series]
4.6% (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 68
Household income or consumption by percentage share
[time series]
lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Imports
[time series]
$950 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 177 $940 million (2011 est.)
Imports - commodities
[time series]
clothing, fuels, machinery and transport equipment, construction materials, chemicals, food and live animals
Imports - partners
[time series]
South Korea 43.4%, US 16.1%, China 9.6%, Norway 7.5%, Singapore 6.6% (2011)
Industrial production growth rate
[time series]
NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
[time series]
2.7% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 2.7% (2011 est.)
Labor force
[time series]
38,360 (2004) country comparison to the world: 200
Labor force - by occupation
[time series]
agriculture and fishing: 3% laborers: 17% clerical: 19% professional and technical: 21% administrative and managerial: 15% sales: 7% services: 19% (2004 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares
[time series]
$1.436 billion (31 December 2011) country comparison to the world: 100 $1.535 billion (31 December 2010) $1.36 billion (31 December 2009)
Population below poverty line
[time series]
19% (2000)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad
[time series]
$NA
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home
[time series]
$NA
Unemployment rate
[time series]
2.1% (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 16
Energy
Carbon dioxide emissions
(Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy)
[time series]
812,800 Mt (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 171
Crude oil - exports
[time series]
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 80
Crude oil - imports
[time series]
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 158
Crude oil - production
[time series]
0 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 109
Crude oil - proved reserves
[time series]
0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 107
Electricity - consumption
[time series]
645.2 million kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 163
Electricity - exports
[time series]
0 kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 162
Electricity - from fossil fuels
[time series]
100% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 7
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants
[time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 159
Electricity - from nuclear fuels
[time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 47
Electricity - from other renewable sources
[time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 109
Electricity - imports
[time series]
0 kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 159
Electricity - installed generating capacity
[time series]
165,000 kW (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 157
Electricity - production
[time series]
686.4 million kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 156
Natural gas - consumption
[time series]
0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 119
Natural gas - exports
[time series]
0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 158
Natural gas - imports
[time series]
0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 159
Natural gas - production
[time series]
0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 100
Natural gas - proved reserves
[time series]
0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 111
Refined petroleum products - consumption
[time series]
4,361 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 175
Refined petroleum products - exports
[time series]
0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 153
Refined petroleum products - imports
[time series]
4,019 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 164
Refined petroleum products - production
[time series]
0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 124
Geography
Area
[time series]
total: 54 sq km country comparison to the world: 232 land: 54 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative
[time series]
about one-third the size of Washington, DC
Climate
[time series]
subtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in winter
Coastline
[time series]
103 km
Elevation
(Elevation extremes)
[time series]
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Town Hill 76 m
Environment - current issues
[time series]
sustainable development
Geographic coordinates
[time series]
32 20 N, 64 45 W
Geography - note
[time series]
consists of about 138 coral islands and islets with ample rainfall, but no rivers or freshwater lakes; some land was leased by the US Government from 1941 to 1995
Irrigated land
[time series]
NA
Land boundaries
[time series]
0 km
Land use
[time series]
arable land: 20% permanent crops: 0% other: 80% (55% developed, 45% rural/open space) (2005)
Location
[time series]
North America, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, east of South Carolina (US)
Map references
[time series]
North America
Maritime claims
[time series]
territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Natural hazards
[time series]
hurricanes (June to November)
Natural resources
[time series]
limestone, pleasant climate fostering tourism
Terrain
[time series]
low hills separated by fertile depressions
Government
Administrative divisions
[time series]
9 parishes and 2 municipalities*; Devonshire, Hamilton, Hamilton*, Paget, Pembroke, Saint George*, Saint George's, Sandys, Smith's, Southampton, Warwick
Capital
[time series]
name: Hamilton geographic coordinates: 32 17 N, 64 47 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November
Constitution
[time series]
8 June 1968; amended 1989 and 2003
Country name
[time series]
conventional long form: none conventional short form: Bermuda former: Somers Islands
Dependency status
[time series]
overseas territory of the UK
Diplomatic representation from the US
[time series]
chief of mission: Consul General Grace W. SHELTON consulate(s) general: Crown Hill, 16 Middle Road, Devonshire DVO3 mailing address: P. O. Box HM325, Hamilton HMBX; American Consulate General Hamilton, US Department of State, 5300 Hamilton Place, Washington, DC 20520-5300 telephone: [1] (441) 295-1342 FAX: [1] (441) 295-1592, 296-9233
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 George FERGUSSON (since 23 May 2012) head of government: Premier Craig CANNONIER (since 18 December 2012) cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the premier, appointed by the governor (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 usually appointed premier by the governor
Flag
(Flag description)
[time series]
red, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Bermudian coat of arms (a white shield with a red lion standing on a green grassy field holding a scrolled shield showing the sinking of the ship Sea Venture off Bermuda in 1609) centered on the outer half of the flag; it was the shipwreck of the vessel, filled with English colonists originally bound for Virginia, that led to settling of Bermuda note: the flag is unusual in that it is only British overseas territory that uses a red ensign, all others use blue
Government type
[time series]
parliamentary; self-governing territory
Independence
[time series]
none (overseas territory of the UK)
International law organization participation
[time series]
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
International organization participation
[time series]
Caricom (associate), ICC (NGOs), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, ITUC (NGOs), UPU, WCO
Judicial branch
[time series]
Supreme Court (Chief Justice and other justices appointed by the governor; remain in office until they reach 65 years of age); Court of Appeal (President of the Court of Appeal and other justices appointed by the governor for a specific period laid out in their respective instruments of appointment); Magistrate Courts
Legal system
[time series]
English common law
Legislative branch
[time series]
bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (11 seats; members appointed by the governor, the premier, and the opposition to serve a five-year term) and the House of Assembly (36 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve up to five-year terms) elections: last general election held on 17 December 2012 (next to be held not later than 2017) election results: percent of vote by party - OBA 51.7%, PLP 46.1%; seats by party - OBA 19, PLP 17
National anthem(s)
(National anthem)
[time series]
name: "Hail to Bermuda" lyrics/music: Bette JOHNS note: serves as a local anthem; as a territory of the United Kingdom, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)
National holiday
[time series]
Bermuda Day, 24 May
National symbol(s)
[time series]
red lion
Political parties
(Political parties and leaders)
[time series]
Progressive Labor Party or PLP [Marc BEAN]; One Bermuda Alliance or OBA [Thad HOLLIS]
Political parties
(Political pressure groups and leaders)
[time series]
Bermuda Employer's Union [Eddie SAINTS]; Bermuda Industrial Union or BIU [Derrick BURGESS]; Bermuda Public Services Union or BPSU [Ed BALL]; Bermuda Union of Teachers [Michael CHARLES]
Suffrage
[time series]
18 years of age; universal
Introduction
Background
[time series]
Bermuda was first settled in 1609 by shipwrecked English colonists headed for Virginia. Tourism to the island to escape North American winters first developed in Victorian times. Tourism continues to be important to the island's economy, although international business has overtaken it in recent years. Bermuda has also developed into a highly successful offshore financial center. A referendum on independence from the UK was soundly defeated in 1995.
Military
Manpower available for military service
[time series]
males age 16-49: 15,081 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service
[time series]
males age 16-49: 12,323 females age 16-49: 12,174 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually
[time series]
male: 433 female: 410 (2010 est.)
Military - note
[time series]
defense is the responsibility of the UK
Military and security forces
(Military branches)
[time series]
Bermuda Regiment (2012)
Military expenditures
[time series]
0.11% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 170
Military service age and obligation
[time series]
18-45 years of age for voluntary male or female enlistment in the Bermuda Regiment; males must register at age 18 and may be subjectt to conscription; term of service is 38 months for volunteers or conscripts (2012)
People and Society
Age structure
[time series]
0-14 years: 17.8% (male 6,205/ female 6,079) 15-64 years: 66.7% (male 22,735/ female 23,350) 65 years and over: 15.5% (male 4,472/ female 6,239) (2012 est.)
Birth rate
[time series]
11.42 births/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 169
Death rate
[time series]
7.74 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 109
Education expenditure
(Education expenditures)
[time series]
2.6% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 146
Ethnic groups
[time series]
black 54.8%, white 34.1%, mixed 6.4%, other races 4.3%, unspecified 0.4% (2000 census)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate
[time series]
0.3% (2005) country comparison to the world: 88
HIV/AIDS - deaths
[time series]
392 (2005) country comparison to the world: 99
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS
[time series]
163 (2005) country comparison to the world: 160
Infant mortality rate
[time series]
total: 2.47 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 221 male: 2.58 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.36 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)
Languages
[time series]
English (official), Portuguese
Life expectancy at birth
[time series]
total population: 80.82 years country comparison to the world: 22 male: 77.6 years female: 84.1 years (2012 est.)
Literacy
[time series]
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98% male: 98% female: 99% (2005 est.)
Major urban areas - population
(Major cities - population)
[time series]
HAMILTON (capital) 12,000 (2009)
Median age
[time series]
total: 42.3 years male: 40.7 years female: 43.9 years (2012 est.)
Nationality
[time series]
noun: Bermudian(s) adjective: Bermudian
Net migration rate
[time series]
2.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 37
Population
[time series]
69,080 (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 202
Population growth rate
[time series]
0.572% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 145
Religions
[time series]
Protestant 52% (Anglican 23%, African Methodist Episcopal 11%, other Protestant 18%), Roman Catholic 15%, other 12%, unaffiliated 6%, unspecified 1%, none 14% (2000 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
[time series]
total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 12 years (2006)
Sex ratio
[time series]
at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
Total fertility rate
[time series]
1.97 children born/woman (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 134
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]
none
Transportation
Airports
[time series]
1 (2012) country comparison to the world: 219
Airports - with paved runways
[time series]
total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2012)
Merchant marine
[time series]
total: 139 country comparison to the world: 41 by type: bulk carrier 22, chemical tanker 3, container 14, liquefied gas 43, passenger 27, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 19, refrigerated cargo 9 foreign-owned: 105 (France 1, Germany 14, Greece 8, Hong Kong 4, Ireland 1, Israel 3, Japan 2, Monaco 2, Nigeria 11, Norway 5, Sweden 14, UK 14, US 26) registered in other countries: 241 (Bahamas 15, Cyprus 1, France 5, Greece 3, Hong Kong 20, Isle of Man 7, Liberia 4, Malta 15, Marshall Islands 35, Netherlands 1, Norway 24, Panama 27, Philippines 47, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Singapore 25, UK 6, US 5) (2010)
Ports
(Ports and terminals)
[time series]
Hamilton, Ireland Island, Saint George
Roadways
[time series]
total: 447 km country comparison to the world: 197 paved: 447 km note: public roads - 225 km; private roads - 222 km (2007)