ARCHIVE // BM // 2021
Bermuda
2021 Edition — territory
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Communications
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
[time series]
total: 21,883 (2018) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 36.18 (2017 est.)
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: 61,200 (2021 est.) percent of population: 98.37% (2019 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 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments
Telephones - fixed lines
[time series]
total subscriptions: 21,883 (2018) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 34.71 (2018 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
[time series]
total subscriptions: 64,997 (2018) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 103.1 (2019 est.)
Economy
Agricultural 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]
$1.59 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2019 est.) $1.59 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2018 est.)
Exports - commodities
[time series]
re-exports 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.)
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.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
[time series]
lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA
Imports
[time series]
$2.23 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2019 est.) $2.2 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2018 est.)
Imports - commodities
[time series]
ships, refined petroleum, postage stamps, recreational boats, aircraft (2019)
Imports - partners
[time series]
United States 44%, South Korea 17%, Germany 10%, Canada 8% (2019)
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)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
[time series]
$5.23 billion note: data are in 2017 dollars (2019 est.) $5.2 billion note: data are in 2017 dollars (2018 est.) $5.227 billion (2017 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
[time series]
-0.1% (2016 est.) 0.6% (2015 est.) -0.3% (2014 est.)
Real GDP per capita
[time series]
$81,800 note: data are in 2017 dollars (2019 est.) $81,400 note: data are in 2017 dollars (2018 est.) $81,835 (2017 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
[time series]
16.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Unemployment rate
[time series]
7% (2017 est.) 7% (2016 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
(Unemployment, youth ages 15-24)
[time series]
total: 29.3% male: 29.7% female: 29% (2014 est.)
Energy
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.)
Environment
Air pollutants
[time series]
carbon dioxide emissions: 0.61 megatons (2016 est.)
Climate
[time series]
subtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in winter
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
Land use
[time series]
agricultural land: 14.8% (2018 est.) arable land: 14.8% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.) forest: 20% (2018 est.) other: 65.2% (2018 est.)
Urbanization
[time series]
urban population: 100% of total population (2021) rate of urbanization: -0.2% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Waste and recycling
[time series]
municipal solid waste generated annually: 82,000 tons (2012 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 1,640 tons (2012 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 2% (2012 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]
highest point: Town Hill 79 m lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
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]
NA
Land boundaries
[time series]
total: 0 km
Land use
[time series]
agricultural land: 14.8% (2018 est.) arable land: 14.8% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.) forest: 20% (2018 est.) other: 65.2% (2018 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 economic zone: 200 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 Karen GRISSETTE (since 6 July 2021) embassy: US Consulate Bermuda, 16 Middle Road, Devonshire, DV 03, Bermuda mailing address: 5300 Hamilton Place, Washington, DC 20520-5300 telephone: (441) 295-1342 FAX: (441) 295-1592 email address and website: HamiltonConsulate@state.gov https://bm.usconsulate.gov/ consulate(s) general: 16 Middle Road, Devonshire DV O3
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]
Overseas Territory of the UK with limited self-government; parliamentary democracy
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; Bermuda Police Service (2021) note - t he Royal Bermuda Regiment is a reserve multi-role battalion that carries out two primary functions providing military aid to civil authorities and humanitarian and disaster relief
Military and security service personnel strengths
[time series]
the Royal Bermuda Regiment has about 350 troops (2021)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
[time series]
the Regiment is equipped with small arms (2021)
Military service age and obligation
[time series]
females and males who are Commonwealth citizens and 18-45 years of age for voluntary enlistment in the Bermuda Regiment; service is for a minimum period of three years and two months from the date of enlistment; service can be extended only by volunteering or an executive order from the Governor; annual training commitment is about 30 days a year, which includes a two-week camp, weekends, and drill nights (2021)
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.)
Birth rate
[time series]
11.1 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
[time series]
NA
Contraceptive prevalence rate
[time series]
NA
Current health expenditure
(Current Health Expenditure)
[time series]
NA
Death rate
[time series]
9.03 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Dependency ratios
[time series]
total dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA
Drinking water source
[time series]
improved: total: 100% of population unimproved: total: 0% of population (2017 est.)
Education expenditure
(Education expenditures)
[time series]
1.3% of GDP (2017)
Ethnic groups
[time series]
African descent 52%, White 31%, mixed 9%, Asian 4, other 4% (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: 2.21 deaths/1,000 live births male: 2.53 deaths/1,000 live births female: 1.88 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)
Languages
[time series]
English (official), Portuguese
Life expectancy at birth
[time series]
total population: 81.83 years male: 78.73 years female: 85.09 years (2021 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]
1.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Population
[time series]
72,084 (July 2021 est.)
Population distribution
[time series]
relatively even population distribution throughout
Population growth rate
[time series]
0.36% (2021 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: 13 years (2015)
Sex ratio
[time series]
at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2020 est.)
Total fertility rate
[time series]
1.91 children born/woman (2021 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 (2021) rate of urbanization: -0.2% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international
[time series]
none
Transportation
Airports
[time series]
total: 1 (2020)
Airports - with paved runways
[time series]
total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2019)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
[time series]
VP-B
Merchant marine
[time series]
total: 147 by type: container ship 12, oil tanker 18, other 117 (2021)
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