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Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

about a dozen TV broadcast stations including 1 public TV station; multi-channel cable and satellite TV services are available; 24 radio stations (2009)

Internet country code [time series]

.vi

Internet users [time series]

total: 57,000 (July 2016 est.) | percent of population: 54.8% (July 2016 est.)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: modern system with total digital switching, uses fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relay (2016) | domestic: full range of services available (2016) | international: country code - 1-340; submarine cable connections to US, the Caribbean, Central and South America; satellite earth stations - NA (2016)

Telephones - fixed lines [time series]

total subscriptions: 76,000 (July 2016 est.) | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 73 (July 2016 est.)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

fruit, vegetables, sorghum; Senepol cattle

Budget [time series]

revenues: 1.496 billion (2016 est.) | expenditures: 1.518 billion (2016 est.)

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

-0.4% (of GDP) (2016 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Tourism, trade, other services, and rum production are the primary economic activities of the US Virgin Islands (USVI), accounting for most of its GDP and employment. The USVI receives between 2.5 and 3 million tourists a year, mostly from visiting cruise ships. The islands are vulnerable to damage from storms, as evidenced by the destruction from two major hurricanes in 2017. Recovery and rebuilding have continued, but full recovery from these back-to-back hurricanes is years away. The USVI government estimates it will need $7.5 billion, almost twice the territory’s GDP, to rebuild the territory. The agriculture sector is small and most food is imported. In 2016, government spending (both federal and territorial together) accounted for about 27% of GDP while exports of goods and services, including spending by tourists, accounted for nearly 47%. Federal programs and grants, including rum tax cover-over totaling $482.3 million in 2016, contributed 32.2% of the territory’s total revenues. The economy picked up 0.9% in 2016 and had appeared to be progressing before the 2017 hurricanes severely damaged the territory’s infrastructure and the economy.

Exchange rates [time series]

the US dollar is used

Exports [time series]

$1.81 billion (2016 est.) | $1.537 billion (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

rum

Fiscal year [time series]

1 October - 30 September

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$5.182 billion (2016 est.) (2016 est.)

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

$3.872 billion (2016 est.) | $3.759 billion (2015 est.) | $3.622 billion (2014 est.) | note: data are in 2013 dollars

GDP - composition, by end use [time series]

household consumption: 68.2% (2016 est.) | government consumption: 26.8% (2016 est.) | investment in fixed capital: 7.5% (2016 est.) | investment in inventories: 15% NA (2016 est.) | exports of goods and services: 46.7% (2016 est.) | imports of goods and services: -64.3% (2016 est.)

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

agriculture: 2% (2012 est.) | industry: 20% (2012 est.) | services: 78% (2012 est.)

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

$37,000 (2016 est.) | $35,800 (2015 est.) | $34,500 (2014 est.)

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

0.9% (2016 est.) | 0.3% (2015 est.) | -1% (2014 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA | highest 10%: NA

Imports [time series]

$2.489 billion (2016 est.) | $1.549 billion (2015 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

foodstuffs, consumer goods, building materials

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

Industries [time series]

tourism, watch assembly, rum distilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, electronics

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

1% (2016 est.) | 2.6% (2015 est.)

Labor force [time series]

48,550 (2016 est.)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 1% | industry: 19% | services: 80% (2003 est.)

Population below poverty line [time series]

28.9% (2002 est.)

Public debt [time series]

53.3% of GDP (2016 est.) | 45.9% of GDP (2014 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home [time series]

(31 December 2009 est.)

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

28.9% (of GDP) (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

10.4% (2017 est.) | 11% (2016 est.)

Energy

Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]

2.764 million Mt (2017 est.)

Crude oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - imports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)

Electricity - consumption [time series]

654.7 million kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]

98% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]

2% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]

325,000 kW (2016 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

704 million kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity access [time series]

population without electricity: 10,295 (2012) | electrification - total population: 91% (2012) | electrification - urban areas: 91% (2012) | electrification - rural areas: 80% (2012)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]

1,240 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

3,285 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

23,480 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 1,910 sq km | land: 346 sq km | water: 1,564 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

twice the size of Washington, DC

Climate [time series]

subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season September to November

Coastline [time series]

188 km

Elevation [time series]

0 m lowest point: Caribbean Sea | 474 highest point: Crown Mountain

Environment - current issues [time series]

lack of natural freshwater resources; protection of coral reefs; solid waste management; coastal development; increased boating and overfishing

Geographic coordinates [time series]

18 20 N, 64 50 W

Geography - note [time series]

important location along the Anegada Passage - a key shipping lane for the Panama Canal; Saint Thomas has one of the best natural deepwater harbors in the Caribbean

Irrigated land [time series]

1 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries [time series]

0 km

Land use [time series]

agricultural land: 11.5% (2011 est.) | arable land: 2.9% (2011 est.) / permanent crops: 2.9% (2011 est.) / permanent pasture: 5.7% (2011 est.) | forest: 57.4% (2011 est.) | other: 31.1% (2011 est.)

Location [time series]

Caribbean, islands 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: 12 nm | exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Natural hazards [time series]

several hurricanes in recent years; frequent and severe droughts and floods; occasional earthquakes

Natural resources [time series]

pleasant climate, beaches foster tourism

Population distribution [time series]

while overall population density throughout the islands is relatively low, concentrations appear around Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas and Christiansted on St. Croix

Terrain [time series]

mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little flat land

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

none (territory of the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 3 islands at the second order; Saint Croix, Saint John, Saint Thomas

Capital [time series]

name: Charlotte Amalie | geographic coordinates: 18 21 N, 64 56 W | time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship [time series]

see United States

Constitution [time series]

history: 22 July 1954 - the Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands functions as a constitution for this territory of the US (2018) | amendments: revised 1962, 2000 (2018)

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: none | conventional short form: Virgin Islands | former: Danish West Indies | abbreviation: VI | etymology: the myriad islets, cays, and rocks surrounding the major islands reminded 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]

unincorporated organized territory of the US with policy relations between the Virgin Islands and the US under the jurisdiction of the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

none (territory of the US)

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

none (territory of the US)

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Donald J. TRUMP (since 20 January 2017); Vice President Michael R. PENCE (since 20 January 2017) | head of government: Governor Kenneth MAPP (since 5 January 2015), Lieutenant Governor Osbert POTTER (since 5 January 2015) | cabinet: Territorial Cabinet appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate | elections/appointments: president and vice president indirectly elected on the same ballot by an Electoral College of 'electors' chosen from each state; president and vice president serve a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); under the US Constitution, residents of the Virgin Islands do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; however, they may vote in the Democratic and Republican presidential primary elections; governor and lieutenant governor directly elected on the same ballot by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 6 November 2018 (next to be held in November 2022) | election results: Albert BRYAN (Democratic Party) 37.9%, incumbent Kenneth MAPP (independent) 33.7%, Adlah Donastorg, Jr. (independent) 16.4%; a runoff will be held 20 November 2018

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

white field with a modified US coat of arms in the center between the large blue initials V and I; the coat of arms shows a yellow eagle holding an olive branch in its right talon and three arrows in the left with a superimposed shield of seven red and six white vertical stripes below a blue panel; white is a symbol of purity, the letters stand for the Virgin Islands

Government type [time series]

presidential democracy; a self-governing territory of the US

Independence [time series]

none (territory of the US)

International organization participation [time series]

AOSIS (observer), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UPU, WFTU (NGOs)

Judicial branch [time series]

highest courts: Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands (consists of the chief justice and 2 associate justices); note - court established by the US Congress in 2004 and assumed appellate jurisdiction in 2007 | judge selection and term of office: justices appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Virgin Islands Senate; justices serve initial 10-year terms and upon reconfirmation, during the extent of good behavior; chief justice elected to position by peers for a 3-year term | subordinate courts: Superior Court (Territorial Court renamed in 2004); US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit (has appellate jurisdiction over the District Court of the Virgin Islands; it is a territorial court and is not associated with a US federal judicial district); District Court of the Virgin Islands

Legal system [time series]

US common law

Legislative branch [time series]

description: unicameral Senate (15 seats; members directly elected in single- and multi-seat constituencies by simple majority popular vote to serve 2-year terms) | elections: last held on 6 November 2018 (next to be held in November 2020) | election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 13, independent 2 | note: the Virgin Islands directly elects 1 member by simple majority vote to serve a 2-year term as a delegate to the US House of Representatives; the delegate can vote when serving on a committee and when the House meets as the Committee of the Whole House, but not when legislation is submitted for a “full floor” House vote; election of delegate last held on 6 November 2018 (next to be held in November 2020)

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

name: Virgin Islands March | lyrics/music: multiple/Alton Augustus ADAMS, Sr. | note: adopted 1963; serves as a local anthem; as a territory of the US, "The Star-Spangled Banner" is official (see United States)

National holiday [time series]

Transfer Day (from Denmark to the US), 31 March (1917)

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

Democratic Party [Donna M. CHRISTENSEN] Independent Citizens' Movement or ICM [Dale BLYDEN] Republican Party [John CANEGATA]

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal; note - island residents are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections

Introduction

Background [time series]

The Danes secured control over the southern Virgin Islands of Saint Thomas, Saint John, and Saint Croix during the 17th and early 18th centuries. Sugarcane, produced by African slave labor, drove the islands' economy during the 18th and early 19th centuries. In 1917, the US purchased the Danish holdings, which had been in economic decline since the abolition of slavery in 1848. On 6 September 2017, Hurricane Irma passed over the northern Virgin Islands of Saint Thomas and Saint John and inflicted severe damage to structures, roads, the airport on Saint Thomas, communications, and electricity. Less than two weeks later, Hurricane Maria passed over the island of Saint Croix in the southern Virgin Islands, inflicting considerable damage with heavy winds and flooding rains.

Military and Security

Military - note [time series]

defense is the responsibility of the US

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 20.26% (male 11,102 /female 10,570) | 15-24 years: 10.87% (male 5,665 /female 5,965) | 25-54 years: 36.87% (male 18,454 /female 20,987) | 55-64 years: 13.92% (male 7,039 /female 7,851) | 65 years and over: 18.08% (male 8,802 /female 10,542) (2018 est.) | population pyramid: The World Factbook Field Image Modal × Central America :: Virgin Islands Print Image Description This is the population pyramid for Virgin Islands. A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends. For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page under the References tab.

Birth rate [time series]

12.5 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Death rate [time series]

8.1 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Dependency ratios [time series]

total dependency ratio: 60.8 (2015 est.) | youth dependency ratio: 32.8 (2015 est.) | elderly dependency ratio: 28 (2015 est.) | potential support ratio: 3.6 (2015 est.)

Drinking water source [time series]

Ethnic groups [time series]

black 76%, white 15.6%, Asian 1.4%, other 4.9%, mixed 2.1% (2010 est.) | note: 17.4% self-identify as latino

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: 7.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.) | male: 8.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.) | female: 6.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)

Languages [time series]

English 71.6%, Spanish or Spanish Creole 17.2%, French or French Creole 8.6%, other 2.5% (2010 est.)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 79.5 years (2018 est.) | male: 76.3 years (2018 est.) | female: 83 years (2018 est.)

Major infectious diseases [time series]

note: active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus

Major urban areas - population [time series]

52,000 CHARLOTTE AMALIE (capital) (2018)

Median age [time series]

total: 41.3 years | male: 40.1 years | female: 42.2 years (2018 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Virgin Islander(s) (US citizens) | adjective: Virgin Islander

Net migration rate [time series]

-7.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Population [time series]

106,977 (July 2018 est.)

Population distribution [time series]

while overall population density throughout the islands is relatively low, concentrations appear around Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas and Christiansted on St. Croix

Population growth rate [time series]

-0.3% (2018 est.)

Religions [time series]

Protestant 59% (Baptist 42%, Episcopalian 17%), Roman Catholic 34%, other 7%

Sanitation facility access [time series]

improved: urban: 96.4% of population (2015 est.) | rural: 96.4% of population (2015 est.) | total: 96.4% of population (2015 est.) | unimproved: urban: 3.6% of population (2015 est.) | rural: 3.6% of population (2015 est.) | total: 3.6% of population (2015 est.)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female (2017 est.) | 0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female (2017 est.) | 15-24 years: 0.82 male(s)/female (2017 est.) | 25-54 years: 0.82 male(s)/female (2017 est.) | 55-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female (2017 est.) | 65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female (2017 est.) | total population: 0.87 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

2.06 children born/woman (2018 est.)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 95.7% of total population (2018) | rate of urbanization: 0.1% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

none

Transportation

Airports [time series]

2 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 2 (2013) | over 3,047 m: 1 (2013) | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2013)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

major seaport(s): Charlotte Amalie, Christiansted, Cruz Bay, Frederiksted, Limetree Bay

Roadways [time series]

total: 1,260 km (2008)