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British Virgin Islands

2017 Edition — territory

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Communications
Broadcast media [time series]
1 private TV station; multi-channel TV is available from cable and satellite subscription services; about a half-dozen private radio stations (2007)
Internet country code [time series]
.vg
Internet users [time series]
total: 14,600 | percent of population: 43.6% (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 207
Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]
general assessment: good overall telephone service | domestic: fixed-line connections exceed 35 per 100 persons and mobile cellular subscribership is roughly 125 per 100 persons | international: country code - 1-284; connected via submarine cable to Bermuda; the East Caribbean Fiber System (ECFS) submarine cable provides connectivity to 13 other islands in the eastern Caribbean (2015)
Telephones - fixed lines [time series]
total subscriptions: 12,000 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 36 (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 197
Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]
total: 42,000 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 126 (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 202
Economy
Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]
fruits, vegetables; livestock, poultry; fish
Budget [time series]
revenues: $300 million | expenditures: $400 million (2016 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]
-9.1% of GDP (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 194
Current account balance [time series]
$362.6 million (2011 est.) | $279.8 million (2010 est.) | country comparison to the world: 48
Debt - external [time series]
$36.1 million (1997) | country comparison to the world: 198
Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]
The economy, one of the most stable and prosperous in the Caribbean, is highly dependent on tourism, which generates an estimated 45% of the national income. More than 934,000 tourists, mainly from the US, visited the islands in 2008. Because of traditionally close links with the US Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands has used the US dollar as its currency since 1959. | Livestock raising is the most important agricultural activity; poor soils limit the islands' ability to meet domestic food requirements. | In the mid-1980s, the government began offering offshore registration to companies wishing to incorporate in the islands, and incorporation fees now generate substantial revenues. Roughly 400,000 companies were on the offshore registry by yearend 2000. The adoption of a comprehensive insurance law in late 1994, which provides a blanket of confidentiality with regulated statutory gateways for investigation of criminal offenses, made the British Virgin Islands even more attractive to international business.
Exchange rates [time series]
the US dollar is used
Exports [time series]
$23 million (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 210
Exports - commodities [time series]
rum, fresh fish, fruits, animals; gravel, sand
Fiscal year [time series]
1 April - 31 March
GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]
$1.095 billion (2008)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]
$500 million (2010 est.) | country comparison to the world: 213
GDP - composition, by end use [time series]
household consumption: 68.9% | government consumption: 8.9% | investment in fixed capital: 25% | investment in inventories: 0% | exports of goods and services: 91.8% | imports of goods and services: -94.6% (2016 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin [time series]
agriculture: 1% | industry: 11.2% | services: 87.8% (2016 est.)
Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]
$42,300 (2010 est.) | country comparison to the world: 40
Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]
1.3% (2010 est.) | -0.6% (2008 est.) | country comparison to the world: 165
Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]
lowest 10%: NA% | highest 10%: NA%
Imports [time series]
$210 million (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 206
Imports - commodities [time series]
building materials, automobiles, foodstuffs, machinery
Industrial production growth rate [time series]
2.2% (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 101
Industries [time series]
tourism, light industry, construction, rum, concrete block, offshore banking center
Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]
1.1% (2016 est.) | 0.9% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 93
Labor force [time series]
12,770 (2004) | country comparison to the world: 216
Labor force - by occupation [time series]
agriculture: 0.6% | industry: 40% | services: 59.4% (2005)
Population below poverty line [time series]
NA%
Taxes and other revenues [time series]
27.4% of GDP (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 101
Unemployment rate [time series]
8.7% (2010 est.) | country comparison to the world: 110
Energy
Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]
200,000 Mt (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 204
Crude oil - exports [time series]
0 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 208
Crude oil - imports [time series]
0 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 207
Crude oil - production [time series]
0 bbl/day (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 209
Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]
0 bbl (1 January 2017 es) | country comparison to the world: 209
Electricity - consumption [time series]
631.5 million kWh (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 165
Electricity - exports [time series]
0 kWh (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 213
Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]
658.3% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 1
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 211
Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 205
Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 212
Electricity - imports [time series]
0 kWh (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 216
Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]
48,000 kW (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 193
Electricity - production [time series]
126 million kWh (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 197
Natural gas - consumption [time series]
0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 144
Natural gas - exports [time series]
0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 206
Natural gas - imports [time series]
0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 205
Natural gas - production [time series]
0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 209
Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]
0 cu m (1 January 2014 es) | country comparison to the world: 205
Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]
1,200 bbl/day (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 203
Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]
0 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 211
Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]
1,209 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 199
Refined petroleum products - production [time series]
0 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 210
Geography
Area [time series]
total: 151 sq km | land: 151 sq km | water: 0 sq km | note: comprised of 16 inhabited and more than 20 uninhabited islands; includes the islands of Tortola, Anegada, Virgin Gorda, Jost van Dyke | country comparison to the world: 220
Area - comparative [time series]
about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC
Climate [time series]
subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds
Coastline [time series]
80 km
Elevation [time series]
mean elevation: NA | elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m | highest point: Mount Sage 521 m
Environment - current issues [time series]
limited natural freshwater resources except for a few seasonal streams and springs on Tortola; most of the islands' water supply comes from desalination plants
Geographic coordinates [time series]
18 30 N, 64 30 W
Geography - note [time series]
strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico
Irrigated land [time series]
NA
Land boundaries [time series]
0 km
Land use [time series]
agricultural land: 46.7% | arable land 6.7%; permanent crops 6.7%; permanent pasture 33.3% | forest: 24.3% | other: 29% (2011 est.)
Location [time series]
Caribbean, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico
Map references [time series]
Central America and the Caribbean
Maritime claims [time series]
territorial sea: 3 nm | exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Natural hazards [time series]
hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October)
Natural resources [time series]
NEGL; pleasant climate, beaches foster tourism
Population distribution (Population - distribution) [time series]
a fairly even distribution throughout the inhabited islands, with the largest islands of Tortola, Anegada, Virgin Gorda, and Jost Van Dyke having the largest populations
Terrain [time series]
coral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep, hilly
Government
Administrative divisions [time series]
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Capital [time series]
name: Road Town | geographic coordinates: 18 25 N, 64 37 W | time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Citizenship [time series]
see United Kingdom
Constitution [time series]
several previous; latest effective 15 June 2007 (2016)
Country name [time series]
conventional long form: none | conventional short form: British Virgin Islands | abbreviation: BVI | etymology: the myriad islets, cays, and rocks surrounding the major islands reminded explorer Christopher COLUMBUS in 1493 of Saint Ursula and her 11,000 virgin followers (Santa Ursula y las Once Mil Virgenes), which over time shortened to the Virgins (las Virgenes)
Dependency status [time series]
overseas territory of the UK; internal self-governing
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 Gus JASPERT (since 22 August 2017) | head of government: Premier Orlando SMITH (since 9 November 2011) | cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor from members of the House of Assembly | elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed premier by the governor
Flag (Flag description) [time series]
blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Virgin Islander coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms depicts a woman flanked on either side by a vertical column of six oil lamps above a scroll bearing the Latin word VIGILATE (Be Watchful); the islands were named by COLUMBUS in 1493 in honor of Saint Ursula and her 11 virgin followers (some sources say 11,000) who reputedly were martyred by the Huns in the 4th or 5th century; the figure on the banner holding a lamp represents the saint; the other lamps symbolize her followers
Government type [time series]
parliamentary democracy (House of Assembly); self-governing overseas territory of the UK
Independence [time series]
none (overseas territory of the UK)
International organization participation [time series]
Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, OECS, UNESCO (associate), UPU
Judicial branch [time series]
highest court(s): the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) is the superior court of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States; the ECSC - headquartered on St. Lucia - consists of the Court of Appeal - headed by the chief justice and 4 judges - and the High Court with 18 judges; the Court of Appeal is itinerant, travelling to member states on a schedule to hear appeals from the High Court and subordinate courts; High Court judges reside at the member states with 3 on the British Virgin Islands | judge selection and term of office: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court chief justice appointed by Her Majesty, Queen ELIZABETH II; other justices and judges appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission; Court of Appeal justices appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 65; High Court judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 62 | subordinate courts: Magistrates' Courts
Legal system [time series]
English common law
Legislative branch [time series]
description: unicameral House of Assembly (13 seats; 9 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies and 4 at-large seats by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms); note - the Assembly includes the attorney general, a non-voting ex officio member | elections: last held on 8 June 2015 (next to be held in 2019) | election results: percent of vote by party - NDP 60.2%, VIP 30.2%, other 9.6%; seats by party - NDP 11, VIP 2
National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]
note: as a territory of the United Kingdom, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)
National holiday [time series]
Territory Day, 1 July (1956)
National symbol(s) [time series]
zenaida dove, white cedar flower; national colors: yellow, green, red, white, blue
Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]
National Democratic Party or NDP [Orlando SMITH] | Virgin Islands Party or VIP [Julian FRASER]
Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]
Family Support Network or FSN | Office of Gender Affairs or ODA (formerly Woman's Desk) | other: environmentalists
Suffrage [time series]
18 years of age; universal
Introduction
Background [time series]
First inhabited by Arawak and later by Carib Indians, the Virgin Islands were settled by the Dutch in 1648 and then annexed by the English in 1672. The islands were part of the British colony of the Leeward Islands from 1872-1960; they were granted autonomy in 1967. The economy is closely tied to the larger and more populous US Virgin Islands to the west; the US dollar is the legal currency. On 6 September 2017, Hurricane Irma devastated the island of Tortola. An estimated 80% of residential and business structures were destroyed or damaged, communications disrupted, and local roads rendered impassable.
Military and Security
Military - note [time series]
defense is the responsibility of the UK
People and Society
Age structure [time series]
0-14 years: 16.7% (male 2,877/female 2,971) | 15-24 years: 13.37% (male 2,243/female 2,437) | 25-54 years: 49.37% (male 8,116/female 9,170) | 55-64 years: 11.6% (male 1,975/female 2,086) | 65 years and over: 8.97% (male 1,522/female 1,618) (2017 est.)
Birth rate [time series]
11.1 births/1,000 population (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 177
Death rate [time series]
5.1 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 190
Drinking water source [time series]
urban: 98% of population | rural: 98% of population | total: 98% of population | urban: 2% of population | rural: 2% of population | total: 2% of population (2010 est.)
Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]
4.4% of GDP (2010) | country comparison to the world: 96
Ethnic groups [time series]
African/black 76.3%, Latino 5.5%, white 5.4%, mixed 5.3%, Indian 2.1%, East Indian 1.6%, other 3%, unspecified 0.8% (2010 est.)
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: 12.1 deaths/1,000 live births | male: 13.8 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 10.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 120
Languages [time series]
English (official)
Life expectancy at birth [time series]
total population: 78.8 years | male: 77.4 years | female: 80.3 years (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 53
Major urban areas - population [time series]
ROAD TOWN (capital) 13,000 (2014)
Median age [time series]
total: 36.5 years | male: 36.3 years | female: 36.6 years (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 72
Nationality [time series]
noun: British Virgin Islander(s) | adjective: British Virgin Islander
Net migration rate [time series]
16.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 2
Population [time series]
35,015 (July 2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 214
Population distribution [time series]
a fairly even distribution throughout the inhabited islands, with the largest islands of Tortola, Anegada, Virgin Gorda, and Jost Van Dyke having the largest populations
Population growth rate [time series]
2.25% (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 36
Religions [time series]
Protestant 70.2% (Methodist 17.6%, Church of God 10.4%, Anglican 9.5%, Seventh Day Adventist 9.0%, Pentecostal 8.2%, Baptist 7.4%, New Testament Church of God 6.9%, other Protestant 1.2%), Roman Catholic 8.9%, Jehovah's Witness 2.5%, Hindu 1.9%, other 6.2%, none 7.9%, unspecified 2.4% (2010 est.)
Sanitation facility access [time series]
urban: 97.5% of population | rural: 97.5% of population | total: 97.5% of population | urban: 2.5% of population | rural: 2.5% of population | total: 2.5% of population (2015 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]
total: 14 years | male: NA | female: NA (2015)
Sex ratio [time series]
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female | 0-14 years: 0.97 male(s)/female | 15-24 years: 0.92 male(s)/female | 25-54 years: 0.89 male(s)/female | 55-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female | 65 years and over: 0.95 male(s)/female | total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2016 est.)
Total fertility rate [time series]
1.29 children born/woman (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 218
Urbanization [time series]
urban population: 46.8% of total population (2017) | rate of urbanization: 1.63% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international [time series]
none
Illicit drugs [time series]
transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe; large offshore financial center makes it vulnerable to money laundering
Transportation
Airports [time series]
4 (2013) | country comparison to the world: 185
Airports - with paved runways [time series]
total: 2 | 914 to 1,523 m: 1 | under 914 m: 1 (2017)
Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]
total: 2 | 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2013)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix [time series]
VP-L (2016)
National air transport system [time series]
number of registered air carriers: 1 | inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 3 (2015)
Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]
major seaport(s): Road Harbor
Roadways [time series]
total: 200 km | paved: 200 km (2007) | country comparison to the world: 209