ARCHIVE // GI // 2012

Gibraltar

2012 Edition — territory

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Communications
Broadcast media [time series]
Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) provides TV and radio broadcasting services via 1 TV 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]
3,509 (2012) country comparison to the world: 151
Internet users [time series]
20,200 (2009) country comparison to the world: 193
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: 184
Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]
32,500 (2010) country comparison to the world: 205
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: 20
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.
Exchange rates [time series]
Gibraltar pounds (GIP) per US dollar - 0.6324 (2012) 0.624 (2011) 0.6472 (2010) 0.6175 (2009) 0.5302 (2008)
Exports [time series]
$271 million (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 181
Exports - commodities [time series]
(principally reexports) petroleum 51%, manufactured goods
Fiscal year [time series]
1 July - 30 June
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 est.) country comparison to the world: 201 $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: 18 $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: 43 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: 148
Imports - commodities [time series]
fuels, manufactured goods, and foodstuffs
Industrial production growth rate [time series]
NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]
2.8% (2008) country comparison to the world: 65 2.6% (2006)
Labor force [time series]
12,690 (2001) (2001) country comparison to the world: 215
Labor force - by occupation [time series]
agriculture: negligible industry: 40% services: 60% (2001)
Population below poverty line [time series]
NA%
Public debt [time series]
7.5% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 13.5% of GDP (2006 est.)
Taxes and other revenues [time series]
43% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 38
Unemployment rate [time series]
3% (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 26
Energy
Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]
3.908 million Mt (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 130
Crude oil - exports [time series]
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 118
Crude oil - imports [time series]
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 190
Crude oil - production [time series]
0 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 139
Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]
0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 137
Electricity - consumption [time series]
152.5 million kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 190
Electricity - exports [time series]
0 kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 200
Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]
100% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 15
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 172
Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 96
Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 132
Electricity - imports [time series]
0 kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 192
Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]
36,000 kW (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 188
Electricity - production [time series]
164 million kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 186
Natural gas - consumption [time series]
0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 148
Natural gas - exports [time series]
0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 204
Natural gas - imports [time series]
0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 200
Natural gas - production [time series]
0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 135
Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]
0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 142
Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]
24,920 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 123
Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]
0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 181
Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]
27,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 90
Refined petroleum products - production [time series]
0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 151
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]
NA
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]
NA
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 9 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]
NA
Independence [time series]
none (overseas territory of the UK)
International organization participation [time series]
ICC (NGOs), 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
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. Between 1997 and 2002, the UK and Spain held a series of talks 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, Spain, the UK, and Gibraltar have held tripartite talks 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. 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 (2011)
People and Society
Age structure [time series]
0-14 years: 20.2% (male 3,028/ female 2,846) 15-64 years: 65.5% (male 9,572/ female 9,449) 65 years and over: 14.3% (male 2,015/ female 2,124) (2012 est.)
Birth rate [time series]
14.22 births/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 143
Death rate [time series]
8.27 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 89
Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]
NA
Ethnic groups [time series]
Spanish, Italian, English, Maltese, Portuguese, German, North Africans
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]
NA
Infant mortality rate [time series]
total: 6.55 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 165 male: 7.29 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.76 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)
Languages [time series]
English (used in schools and for official purposes), Spanish, Italian, Portuguese
Life expectancy at birth [time series]
total population: 78.83 years country comparison to the world: 47 male: 75.99 years female: 81.87 years (2012 est.)
Literacy [time series]
definition: NA total population: above 80% male: NA female: NA
Median age [time series]
total: 33.6 years male: 32.7 years female: 34.6 years (2012 est.)
Nationality [time series]
noun: Gibraltarian(s) adjective: Gibraltar
Net migration rate [time series]
-3.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 178
Population [time series]
29,034 (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 218
Population growth rate [time series]
0.265% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 170
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)
Sex ratio [time series]
at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.95 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
Total fertility rate [time series]
1.94 children born/woman (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 136
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 (2012) country comparison to the world: 226
Airports - with paved runways [time series]
total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2012)
Merchant marine [time series]
total: 267 country comparison to the world: 32 by type: bulk carrier 3, cargo 146, chemical tanker 64, container 28, liquefied gas 2, petroleum tanker 14, roll on/roll off 2, vehicle carrier 8 foreign-owned: 254 (Belgium 1, Cyprus 1, Denmark 7, Finland 2, Germany 123, Greece 8, Iceland 1, Italy 4, Jersey 1, Morocco 4, Netherlands 34, Norway 46, Sweden 11, UAE 5, UK 6) 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: 219 paved: 29 km (2007)