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Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

3 TV stations; cable and satellite TV subscription services are available; roughly 13 radio stations operating

Internet country code [time series]

.bm

Internet users [time series]

total: 70,016 | percent of population: 98.37% (July 2018 est.)

Telecommunication systems [time series]

general assessment: a good, fully automatic digital telephone system with fiber-optic trunk lines; telecom sector provides a relatively high contribution to overall GDP; numerous competitors licensed, but small and localized; telecom sector a growth area across the Caribbean (2020) | domestic: the system has a high fixed-line teledensity 35 per 100, coupled with a mobile-cellular teledensity of roughly 103 per 100 persons (2019) | international: country code - 1-441; landing points for the GlobeNet, Gemini Bermuda, CBUS, and the CB-1 submarine cables to the Caribbean, South America and the US; satellite earth stations - 3 (2019) | note: the COVID-19 outbreak is negatively impacting telecommunications production and supply chains globally; consumer spending on telecom devices and services has also slowed due to the pandemic's effect on economies worldwide; overall progress towards improvements in all facets of the telecom industry - mobile, fixed-line, broadband, submarine cable and satellite - has moderated

Telephones - fixed lines [time series]

total subscriptions: 24,808 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 34.71 (2019 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

total subscriptions: 73,680 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 103.09 (2019 est.)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

bananas, vegetables, citrus, flowers; dairy products, honey

Budget [time series]

revenues: 999.2 million (2017 est.) | expenditures: 1.176 billion (2017 est.)

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

-2.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Credit ratings [time series]

Fitch rating: N/A (2015) | Moody's rating: A2 (2016) | Standard & Poors rating: A+ (2015)

Current account balance [time series]

$818.6 million (2017 est.) | $763 million (2016 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$2.515 billion (2017 est.) | $2.435 billion (2015 est.)

Economic overview [time series]

International business, which consists primarily of insurance and other financial services, is the real bedrock of Bermuda's economy, consistently accounting for about 85% of the island's GDP. Tourism is the country’s second largest industry, accounting for about 5% of Bermuda's GDP but a much larger share of employment. Over 80% of visitors come from the US and the sector struggled in the wake of the global recession of 2008-09. Even the financial sector has lost roughly 5,000 high-paying expatriate jobs since 2008, weighing heavily on household consumption and retail sales. Bermuda must import almost everything. Agriculture and industry are limited due to the small size of the island. Bermuda's economy returned to negative growth in 2016, reporting a contraction of 0.1% GDP, after growing by 0.6% in 2015. Unemployment reached 7% in 2016 and 2017, public debt is growing and exceeds $2.4 billion, and the government continues to work on attracting foreign investment. Still, Bermuda enjoys one of the highest per capita incomes in the world.

Exchange rates [time series]

Bermudian dollars (BMD) per US dollar - | 1 (2020 est.) | 1 (2019 est.) | 1 (2018 est.) | 1 (2014 est.) | 1 (2013 est.)

Exports [time series]

$19 million (2017 est.) | $19 million (2016 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

reexports of pharmaceuticals

Exports - partners [time series]

Jamaica 49.1%, Luxembourg 36.1%, US 4.9% (2017)

Fiscal year [time series]

1 April - 31 March

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$6.127 billion (2016 est.)

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

$6.127 billion (2016 est.) | $6.133 billion (2015 est.) | $6.097 billion (2014 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use [time series]

household consumption: 51.3% (2017 est.) | government consumption: 15.7% (2017 est.) | investment in fixed capital: 13.7% (2017 est.) | investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.) | exports of goods and services: 49.8% (2017 est.) | imports of goods and services: -30.4% (2017 est.)

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

agriculture: 0.9% (2017 est.) | industry: 5.3% (2017 est.) | services: 93.8% (2017 est.)

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

$99,400 (2016 est.) | $95,500 (2015 est.) | $87,500 (2014 est.)

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

-0.1% (2016 est.) | 0.6% (2015 est.) | -0.3% (2014 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA | highest 10%: NA

Imports [time series]

$1.094 billion (2017 est.) | $980 million (2016 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

clothing, fuels, machinery and transport equipment, construction materials, chemicals, food and live animals

Imports - partners [time series]

US 72.1%, South Korea 9.7%, Canada 4.2% (2017)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

2% (2017 est.)

Industries [time series]

international business, tourism, light manufacturing

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

1.9% (2017 est.) | 1.4% (2016 est.)

Labor force [time series]

33,480 (2016 est.)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 2% | industry: 13% | services: 85% (2016 est.)

Population below poverty line [time series]

11% (2008 est.)

Public debt [time series]

43% of GDP (FY14/15)

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

16.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

7% (2017 est.) | 7% (2016 est.)

Energy

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

793,700 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 (2018 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)

Electricity - consumption [time series]

604.5 million kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]

100% 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]

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) | note: the Tynes Bay Waste Treatment Facility turns waste to electric energy

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]

171,000 kW (2016 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

650 million kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity access [time series]

electrification - total population: 100% (2020)

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]

5,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

3,939 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 54 sq km | 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 [time series]

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m | highest point: Town Hill 79 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

dense population and heavy vehicle traffic create serious congestion and air pollution problems; water resources scarce (most obtained as rainwater or from wells); solid waste disposal; hazardous waste disposal; sewage disposal; overfishing; oil spills

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]

Land boundaries [time series]

0 km

Land use [time series]

agricultural land: 14.8% (2011 est.) | arable land: 14.8% (2011 est.) / permanent crops: 0% (2011 est.) / permanent pasture: 0% (2011 est.) | forest: 20% (2011 est.) | other: 65.2% (2011 est.)

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

Population distribution [time series]

relatively even population distribution throughout

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 | etymology: named after Henry HAMILTON (ca. 1734-1796) who served as governor of Bermuda from 1788-1794

Citizenship [time series]

citizenship by birth: no | citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of the UK | dual citizenship recognized: yes | residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years

Constitution [time series]

history: several previous (dating to 1684); latest entered into force 8 June 1968 (Bermuda Constitution Order 1968) | amendments: proposal procedure - NA; passage by an Order in Council in the UK; amended several times, last in 2012

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: none | conventional short form: Bermuda | former: Somers Islands | etymology: the islands making up Bermuda are named after Juan de BERMUDEZ, an early 16th century Spanish sea captain and the first European explorer of the archipelago

Dependency status [time series]

overseas territory of the UK

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Consul General Mary Ellen KOENIG (since 28 November 2015) | telephone: (441) 295-1342 | embassy: 16 Middle Road Devonshire, DV 03 | mailing address: P. O. Box HM325, Hamilton HMBX; American Consulate General Hamilton, US Department of State, 5300 Hamilton Place, Washington, DC 20520-5300 | FAX: [1] (441) 295-1592, 296-9233 | consulate(s) general: Crown Hill, 16 Middle Road, Devonshire DVO3

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 Rena LALGIE (since 14 December 2020) | head of government: Premier David BURT (since 19 July 2017) | cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the premier, appointed by the governor | 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]

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 the 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 democracy; self-governing overseas territory of the UK

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]

highest courts: Court of Appeal (consists of the court president and at least 2 justices); Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice, 4 puisne judges, and 1 associate justice); note - the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) is the court of final appeal | judge selection and term of office: Court of Appeal justice appointed by the governor; justice tenure by individual appointment; Supreme Court judges nominated by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission and appointed by the governor; judge tenure based on terms of appointment | subordinate courts: commercial court (began in 2006); magistrates' courts

Legal system [time series]

English common law

Legislative branch [time series]

description: bicameral Parliament consists of: Senate (11 seats; 3 members appointed by the governor, 5 by the premier, and 3 by the opposition party; members serve 5-year terms) and the House of Assembly (36 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve up to 5-year terms) House of Assembly (36 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve up to 5-year terms) | elections: Senate - last appointments in August 2017 (next appointments in 2022) House of Assembly - last held on 1 October 2020 (next to be held not later than 2025) | election results: Senate - composition - men 7, women 4, percent of women 36.4% House of Assembly - percent of vote by party - PLP 62.1%, OBA 32.3%, other 5.4%, independent 0.2%; seats by party - PLP 30, OBA 6; composition - NA

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; note - formerly known as Victoria Day, Empire Day, and Commonwealth Day

National symbol(s) [time series]

red lion

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

Free Democratic Movement or FDM (Marc BEAN) One Bermuda Alliance or OBA (Craig CANNONIER) Progressive Labor Party or PLP [Edward D. BURT]

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

Bermuda was first settled in 1609 by shipwrecked English colonists heading for Virginia. Self-governing since 1620, Bermuda is the oldest and most populous of the British overseas territories. Vacationing 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 and Security

Military - note [time series]

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Military and security forces [time series]

Royal Bermuda Regiment (2019)

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 subject to conscription; term of service is 38 months for volunteers or conscripts (2012)

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 16.7% (male 6,053/female 5,928) | 15-24 years: 11.88% (male 4,290/female 4,235) | 25-54 years: 35.31% (male 12,758/female 12,575) | 55-64 years: 16.37% (male 5,560/female 6,185) | 65 years and over: 19.74% (male 6,032/female 8,134) (2020 est.) | population pyramid: The World Factbook Field Image Modal × North America :: Bermuda Print Image Description This is the population pyramid for Bermuda. 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]

11.2 births/1,000 population (2020 est.)

Death rate [time series]

9.1 deaths/1,000 population (2020 est.)

Drinking water source [time series]

improved: total: 100% of population | unimproved: total: 0% of population (2017 est.)

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

1.5% of GDP (2017)

Ethnic groups [time series]

African descent 53.8%, White 31%, mixed 7.5%, other 7.1%, unspecified 0.6% (2010 est.)

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: 2.5 deaths/1,000 live births | male: 2.6 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 2.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2020 est.)

Languages [time series]

English (official), Portuguese

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 81.7 years | male: 78.5 years | female: 84.9 years (2020 est.)

Major urban areas - population [time series]

10,000 HAMILTON (capital) (2018)

Median age [time series]

total: 43.6 years | male: 41.6 years | female: 45.7 years (2020 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Bermudian(s) | adjective: Bermudian

Net migration rate [time series]

1.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2020 est.)

Population [time series]

71,750 (July 2020 est.)

Population distribution [time series]

relatively even population distribution throughout

Population growth rate [time series]

0.39% (2020 est.)

Religions [time series]

Protestant 46.2% (includes Anglican 15.8%, African Methodist Episcopal 8.6%, Seventh Day Adventist 6.7, Pentecostal 3.5%, Methodist 2.7%, Presbyterian 2.0%, Church of God 1.6%, Baptist 1.2%, Salvation Army 1.1%, Brethren 1.0%, other Protestant 2.0%), Roman Catholic 14.5%, Jehovah's Witness 1.3%, other Christian 9.1%, Muslim 1%, other 3.9%, none 17.8%, unspecified 6.2% (2010 est.)

Sanitation facility access [time series]

improved: urban: 100% of population | total: 100% of population | unimproved: urban: 0% of population | total: 0% of population (2017)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 13 years | male: 12 years | female: 14 years (2015)

Sex ratio [time series]

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.91 children born/woman (2020 est.)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) (Unemployment, youth ages 15-24) [time series]

total: 29.3% | male: 29.7% | female: 29% (2014 est.)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 100% of total population (2020) | rate of urbanization: -0.44% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.) | total population growth rate v. urban population growth rate, 2000-2030: PDF

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

none

Transportation

Airports [time series]

1 (2020)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 1 (2019) | 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix [time series]

VP-B (2016)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 148 | by type: bulk carrier 2, container ship 11, oil tanker 18, other 117 (2019)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

major seaport(s): Hamilton, Ireland Island, Saint George

Roadways [time series]

total: 447 km (2010) | paved: 447 km (2010) | note: 225 km public roads; 222 km private roads