Communications
Broadcast media [time series]
national public radio broadcasts over 3 FM stations and 1 AM station; 2 commercial broadcasters operating with 1 having multiple FM stations; receives radio and TV services via relays from British TV and radio broadcasters
Internet country code [time series]
.im
Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]
domestic: landline, telefax, mobile cellular telephone system | international: country code - 44; fiber-optic cable, microwave radio relay, satellite earth station, submarine cable
Economy
Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]
cereals, vegetables; cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry
Budget [time series]
revenues: 965 million (FY05/06 est.) | expenditures: 943 million (FY05/06 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]
0.3% (of GDP) (FY05/06 est.)
Debt - external [time series]
NA
Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]
Financial services, manufacturing, and tourism are key sectors of the economy. The government offers low taxes and other incentives to high-technology companies and financial institutions to locate on the island; this has paid off in expanding employment opportunities in high-income industries. As a result, agriculture and fishing, once the mainstays of the economy, have declined in their contributions to GDP. The Isle of Man also attracts online gambling sites and the film industry. Online gambling sites provided about 10% of the islands income in 2014. The Isle of Man currently enjoys free access to EU markets and trade is mostly with the UK. The Isle of Man’s trade relationship with the EU derives from the United Kingdom’s EU membership and will need to be renegotiated in light of the United Kingdom’s decision to withdraw from the bloc. A transition period is expected to allow the free movement of goods and agricultural products to the EU until the end of 2020 or until a new settlement is negotiated.
Exchange rates [time series]
Manx pounds (IMP) per US dollar - | 0.7836 (2017 est.) | 0.738 (2016 est.) | 0.738 (2015) | 0.6542 (2014) | 0.6472 (2013 est.)
Exports [time series]
NA
Exports - commodities [time series]
tweeds, herring, processed shellfish, beef, lamb
Fiscal year [time series]
1 April - 31 March
GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]
$6.792 billion (2015 est.) (2015 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]
$6.792 billion (2015 est.) | $7.428 billion (2014 est.) | $6.298 billion (2013 est.) | note: data are in 2014 US dollars
GDP - composition, by sector of origin [time series]
agriculture: 1% (FY12/13 est.) | industry: 13% (FY12/13 est.) | services: 86% (FY12/13 est.)
Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]
$84,600 (2014 est.) | $86,200 (2013 est.) | $73,700 (2012 est.)
Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]
-8.6% (2015 est.) | 17.9% (2014 est.) | 2.1% (2010 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]
lowest 10%: NA | highest 10%: NA
Imports [time series]
NA
Imports - commodities [time series]
timber, fertilizers, fish
Industries [time series]
financial services, light manufacturing, tourism
Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]
4.1% (2017 est.) | 1% (2016 est.)
Labor force [time series]
41,790 (2006)
Labor force - by occupation [time series]
manufacturing: 5% (2006 est.) | construction: 8% (2006 est.) | tourism: 1% (2006 est.) | transport and communications: 9% (2006 est.) | agriculture, forestry, and fishing: 2% (2006 est.) | gas, electricity, and water: 1% (2006 est.) | wholesale and retail distribution: 11% (2006 est.) | professional and scientific services: 20% (2006 est.) | public administration: 7% (2006 est.) | banking and finance: 23% (2006 est.) | entertainment and catering: 5% (2006 est.) | miscellaneous services: 8% (2006 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]
NA
Population below poverty line [time series]
NA
Taxes and other revenues [time series]
14.2% (of GDP) (FY05/06 est.)
Unemployment rate [time series]
1.1% (2017 est.) | 2% (April 2011 est.)
Energy
Electricity access [time series]
electrification - total population: 100% (2016)
Geography
total: 572 sq km | land: 572 sq km | water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative [time series]
slightly more than three times the size of Washington, DC
Climate [time series]
temperate; cool summers and mild winters; overcast about a third of the time
Coastline [time series]
160 km
Elevation [time series]
lowest point: Irish Sea 0 m | highest point: Snaefell 621 m
Environment - current issues [time series]
air pollution, marine pollution; waste disposal (both household and industrial)
Geographic coordinates [time series]
54 15 N, 4 30 W
Geography - note [time series]
one small islet, the Calf of Man, lies to the southwest and is a bird sanctuary
Irrigated land [time series]
0 sq km (2012)
Land boundaries [time series]
0 km
Land use [time series]
agricultural land: 74.7% (2011 est.) | arable land: 43.8% (2011 est.) / permanent crops: 0% (2011 est.) / permanent pasture: 30.9% (2011 est.) | forest: 6.1% (2011 est.) | other: 19.2% (2011 est.)
Location [time series]
Western Europe, island in the Irish Sea, between Great Britain and Ireland
Map references [time series]
Europe
Maritime claims [time series]
territorial sea: 12 nm | exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm
Natural hazards [time series]
occasional high winds and rough seas
Natural resources [time series]
none
Population distribution [time series]
most people concentrated in cities and large towns of which Douglas, in the southeast, is the largest
Terrain [time series]
hills in north and south bisected by central valley
Government
Administrative divisions [time series]
none; there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 24 local authorities each with its own elections
Capital [time series]
name: Douglas | geographic coordinates: 54 09 N, 4 29 W | time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) | daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October | etymology: name derives from the Dhoo and Glass Rivers, which flow through the valley in which the town is located and which in Manx mean the "dark" and the "light" rivers respectively
Citizenship [time series]
see United Kingdom
Constitution [time series]
history: development of the Isle of Man constitution dates to at least the 14th century | amendments: proposed as a bill in the House of Keys, by the "Government," by a "Member of the House," or through petition to the House or Legislative Council; passage normally requires three separate readings and approval of at least 13 House members; following both House and Council agreement, assent is required by the lieutenant governor on behalf of the Crown; the constitution has been expanded and amended many times, last in 2015 (2016)
Country name [time series]
conventional long form: none | conventional short form: Isle of Man | abbreviation: I.O.M. | etymology: the name "man" may be derived from the Celtic word for "mountain"
Dependency status [time series]
British crown dependency
Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]
none (British crown dependency)
Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]
none (British crown dependency)
Executive branch [time series]
chief of state: Lord of Mann Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Lieutenant Governor Sir Richard GOZNEY (since 27 May 2016) | head of government: Chief Minister Howard QUAYLE (since 4 October 2016) | cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the lieutenant governor | elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; lieutenant governor appointed by the monarch; chief minister indirectly elected by the Tynwald for a 5-year term (eligible for second term); election last held on 4 October 2016 (next to be held in 2021) | election results: Howard QUAYLE (independent) elected chief minister; Tynwald vote - 21 of 33
Flag (Flag description) [time series]
red with the Three Legs of Man emblem (triskelion), in the center; the three legs are joined at the thigh and bent at the knee; in order to have the toes pointing clockwise on both sides of the flag, a two-sided emblem is used; the flag is based on the coat of arms of the last recognized Norse King of Mann, Magnus III (r. 1252-65); the triskelion has its roots in an early Celtic sun symbol
Government type [time series]
parliamentary democracy (Tynwald); a crown dependency of the UK
Independence [time series]
none (British Crown dependency)
International organization participation [time series]
UPU
Judicial branch [time series]
highest courts: Isle of Man High Court of Justice (consists of 3 permanent judges or "deemsters" and 1 judge of appeal; organized into the Staff of Government Division or Court of Appeal and the Civil Division); the Court of General Gaol Delivery is not formally part of the High Court but is administered as though part of the High Court and deals with serious criminal cases; note - appeals beyond the Court of Appeal are referred to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) | judge selection and term of office: deemsters appointed by the Lord Chancellor of England on the nomination of the lieutenant governor; deemsters can serve until age 70 | subordinate courts: High Court; Court of Summary Gaol Delivery; Summary Courts; Magistrate's Court; specialized courts
Legal system [time series]
the laws of the UK apply where applicable and include Manx statutes
Legislative branch [time series]
description: bicameral Tynwald or the High Court of Tynwald consists of: Legislative Council (11 seats; includes the President of Tynwald, 2 ex-officio members - the Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man and the attorney general (non-voting) - and 8 members indirectly elected by the House of Keys with renewal of 4 members every 2 years; elected members serve 4-year terms) House of Keys (24 seats; 2 members directly elected by simple majority vote from 12 constituencies to serve 5-year terms) | elections: Legislative Council - last held 28 February 2018 (next to be held NA) House of Keys - last held on 22 September 2016 (next to be held in September 2021) | election results: Legislative Council - composition - men 6, women 5, percent of women 45.5% House of Keys - percent of vote by party - Liberal Vannin 6.4%, independent 92.3%, other 1.3%; seats by party - Liberal Vannin 3, independent 21; composition - men 19, women 5, percent of women 20.8%; note - total Tynwald percent of women 28.6% | note: as of January 2019, seats by party - Liberal Vannin 2, independent 22
National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]
name: "Arrane Ashoonagh dy Vannin" (O Land of Our Birth) | lyrics/music: William Henry GILL [English], John J. KNEEN [Manx]/traditional | note: adopted 2003, in use since 1907; serves as a local anthem; as a British Crown dependency, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom) and is played when the sovereign, members of the royal family, or the lieutenant governor are present
National holiday [time series]
Tynwald Day, 5 July (1417); date Tynwald Day was first recorded
National symbol(s) [time series]
triskelion (a motif of three legs); national colors: red, white
Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]
Liberal Vannin Party [Kate BEECROFT] Manx Labor Party Mec Vannin [Mark KERMODE] (sometimes referred to as the Manx Nationalist Party) | note: most members sit as independents
Suffrage [time series]
16 years of age; universal
Introduction
Background [time series]
Part of the Norwegian Kingdom of the Hebrides until the 13th century when it was ceded to Scotland, the isle came under the British crown in 1765. Current concerns include reviving the almost extinct Manx Gaelic language. The Isle of Man is a crown dependency, which makes it a self-governing possession of the British crown that is not part of the UK. The UK Government, however, remains constitutionally responsible for its defense and international representation.
Military and Security
Military - note [time series]
defense is the responsibility of the UK
People and Society
Age structure [time series]
0-14 years: 16.27% (male 7,587 /female 6,960) | 15-24 years: 11.3% (male 5,354 /female 4,750) | 25-54 years: 38.48% (male 17,191 /female 17,217) | 55-64 years: 13.34% (male 6,012 /female 5,919) | 65 years and over: 20.6% (male 8,661 /female 9,756) (2018 est.) | population pyramid: The World Factbook Field Image Modal × Europe :: Isle of Man Print Image Description This is the population pyramid for the Isle of Man. 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]
10.9 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)
Death rate [time series]
10.2 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)
Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]
NA
Ethnic groups [time series]
white 96.5%, Asian/Asian British 1.9%, other 1.5% (2011 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: 4 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.) | male: 4 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 4 deaths/1,000 live births
Languages [time series]
English, Manx Gaelic (about 2% of the population has some knowledge)
Life expectancy at birth [time series]
total population: 81.4 years (2018 est.) | male: 79.6 years | female: 83.3 years
Major urban areas - population [time series]
27,000 DOUGLAS (capital) (2018)
Median age [time series]
total: 44.4 years (2018 est.) | male: 43.4 years | female: 45.2 years
Nationality [time series]
noun: Manxman(men), Manxwoman(women) | adjective: Manx
Net migration rate [time series]
5.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2018 est.)
Population [time series]
89,407 (July 2018 est.)
Population distribution [time series]
most people concentrated in cities and large towns of which Douglas, in the southeast, is the largest
Population growth rate [time series]
0.65% (2018 est.)
Religions [time series]
Protestant (Anglican, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Society of Friends), Roman Catholic
Sex ratio [time series]
at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female | 0-14 years: 1.09 male(s)/female | 15-24 years: 1.13 male(s)/female | 25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female | 55-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female | 65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female | total population: 1 male(s)/female (2018 est.)
Total fertility rate [time series]
1.92 children born/woman (2018 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) (Unemployment, youth ages 15-24) [time series]
total: 10.1% | male: 11.8% | female: 8.2% (2011 est.)
Urbanization [time series]
urban population: 52.7% of total population (2019) | rate of urbanization: 0.89% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international [time series]
none
Transportation
Airports [time series]
1 (2013)
Airports - with paved runways [time series]
total: 1 (2017) | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2017)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix [time series]
M (2016)
Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]
major seaport(s): Douglas, Ramsey
Railways [time series]
total: 63 km (2008) | narrow gauge: 6 km 1.076-m gauge (6 km electrified) (2008) | 57 0.914-m gauge (29 km electrified) note: primarily summer tourist attractions
Roadways [time series]
total: 500 km (2008)