Broadband - fixed subscriptions [time series]

total: 6,738 (2020) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 22.29 (2020 est.)

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

Internet country code [time series]

.vg

Internet users [time series]

total: 23,600 (2021 est.) percent of population: 77.7% (2019 est.)

Telecommunication systems [time series]

general assessment: good overall telephone service; major expansion sectors include the mobile telephony and data segments, which continue to appeal to operator investment; several operators licensed to provide services within individual markets, most of them are small and localized; telecommunication contributes to overall GDP (2020) domestic: fixed-line connections exceed 21 per 100 persons and mobile cellular subscribership is roughly 198 per 100 persons (2019) international: country code - 1-284; landing points for PCCS, ECFS, CBUS, Deep Blue Cable, East-West, PAN-AM, Americas-1, Southern Caribbean Fiber, Columbus- IIb, St Thomas - St Croix System, Taino-Carib, and Americas I- North via submarine cable to Caribbean, Central and South America, and US (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: 7,311 (2019) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 24.35 (2019 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

total subscriptions: 35,163 (2020) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 116.3 (2020 est.)

Agricultural products [time series]

fruits, vegetables; livestock, poultry; fish

Budget [time series]

revenues: 400 million (2017 est.) expenditures: 400 million (2017 est.)

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

0% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Current account balance [time series]

$362.6 million (2011 est.) $279.8 million (2010 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$36.1 million (1997)

Economic 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 (2017 est.) $23 million (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

recreational boats, aircraft, diamonds, paintings, precious stones (2019)

Exports - partners [time series]

Malta 30%, Seychelles 29%, Switzerland 14% (2019)

Fiscal year [time series]

1 April - 31 March

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$1.028 billion (2017 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use [time series]

household consumption: 25.1% (2017 est.) government consumption: 7.5% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 21.7% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 20.4% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 94.7% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -69.4% (2017 est.)

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

agriculture: 0.2% (2017 est.) industry: 6.8% (2017 est.) services: 93.1% (2017 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA

Imports [time series]

$300 million NA (2017 est.) $210 million (2016 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

recreational boats, aircraft, refined petroleum, cars, furniture (2019)

Imports - partners [time series]

Germany 32%, United States 22%%, Italy 9%, France 7%, Seychelles 7% (2019)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

1.1% (2017 est.)

Industries [time series]

tourism, light industry, construction, rum, concrete block, offshore banking center

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

1.1% (2017 est.) 1.1% (2016 est.)

Labor force [time series]

12,770 (2004)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 0.6% industry: 40% services: 59.4% (2005)

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) [time series]

$500 million (2017 est.) $490.2 million (2016 est.) $481.1 million (2015 est.)

Real GDP growth rate [time series]

2% (2017 est.) 1.9% (2016 est.) 1.8% (2015 est.)

Real GDP per capita [time series]

$34,200 (2017 est.)

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

38.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

2.9% (2015 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]

117.5 million kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]

97% 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]

3% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]

45,200 kW (2016 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

126.3 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]

20,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

1,227 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Air pollutants [time series]

carbon dioxide emissions: 0.21 megatons (2016 est.)

Climate [time series]

subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds

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; sewage and mining/industry waste contribute to water pollution, threatening coral reefs

Land use [time series]

agricultural land: 46.7% (2018 est.) arable land: 6.7% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 6.7% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 33.3% (2018 est.) forest: 24.3% (2018 est.) other: 29% (2018 est.)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 48.9% of total population (2021) rate of urbanization: 1.73% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Waste and recycling [time series]

municipal solid waste generated annually: 21,099 tons (2000 est.)

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

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]

highest point: Mount Sage 521 m lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

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]

total: 0 km

Land use [time series]

agricultural land: 46.7% (2018 est.) arable land: 6.7% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 6.7% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 33.3% (2018 est.) forest: 24.3% (2018 est.) other: 29% (2018 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: 12 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 [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

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) etymology: name refers to the nautical term "roadstead" or "roads," a body of water less sheltered than a harbor but where where ships can lie reasonably safely at anchor sheltered from rip currents, spring tides, or ocean swells

Citizenship [time series]

see United Kingdom

Constitution [time series]

history: several previous; latest effective 15 June 2007 (The Virgin Islands Constitution Order 2007) amendments: initiated by any elected member of the House of Assembly; passage requires simple majority vote by the elected members of the Assembly and assent by the governor on behalf of the monarch; amended 2015

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]

embassy: 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 John J. RANKIN (since 29 January 2021) head of government: Premier Andrew FAHIE (since 26 February 2019) 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]

Overseas Territory of the UK with limited self-government; parliamentary democracy

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 courts: 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, traveling to member states on a schedule to hear appeals from the High Court and subordinate courts; High Court judges reside in the member states, with 3 in 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 (15 seats; 13 members - 9 in single-seat constituencies and 4 at-large seats directly elected by simple majority vote and 2 ex-officio members - the attorney general and the speaker - chosen from outside the House; members serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 25 February 2019 (next to be held in 2023) election results: percent of vote by party - VIP 46.5%, NDP 28.2%, PVIM 17.4%, PU 8%; seats by party - VIP 8, NDP 3, PVIM 1, PU 1; composition - men 12, women 3, percent of women 20%

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 [Myron WALWYN] People's Empowerment Party or PEP [Alvin CHRISTOPHER] Progressive Virgin Islands Movement or PVIM [Ronnie SKELTON] Progressives United or PU [Julian FRASER] Virgin Islands Party or VIP [Andrew FAHIE]

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

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 - note [time series]

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 16.48% (male 3,088/female 3,156) 15-24 years: 12.22% (male 2,212/female 2,418) 25-54 years: 47.84% (male 8,476/female 9,652) 55-64 years: 12.83% (male 2,242/female 2,521) 65 years and over: 10.63% (male 1,921/female 2,105) (2021 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

10.98 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]

5.3 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]

2.9% of GDP (2019)

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: 14.56 deaths/1,000 live births male: 17.39 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)

Languages [time series]

English (official)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 79.44 years male: 77.94 years female: 81.03 years (2021 est.)

Major urban areas - population [time series]

15,000 ROAD TOWN (capital) (2018)

Median age [time series]

total: 37.2 years male: 37 years female: 37.5 years (2020 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: British Virgin Islander(s) adjective: British Virgin Islander

Net migration rate [time series]

13.93 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Population [time series]

37,891 (July 2021 est.)

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]

1.96% (2021 est.)

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]

improved: urban: 97.5% of population rural: 97.5% of population total: 97.5% of population unimproved: 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: 12 years male: 12 years female: 12 years (2018)

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: 0.88 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.92 male(s)/female total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2020 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.34 children born/woman (2021 est.)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 48.9% of total population (2021) rate of urbanization: 1.73% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

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

Airports [time series]

total: 4 (2020)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2019)

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

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 30 by type: general cargo 3, other 27 (2021)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

major seaport(s): Road Harbor

Roadways [time series]

total: 200 km (2007) paved: 200 km (2007)