ARCHIVE // GB // 2022
Guernsey
2022 Edition — crown_dependency
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Communications
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
[time series]
total: 25,336 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 40 (2020 est.)
Broadcast media
[time series]
multiple UK terrestrial TV broadcasts are received via a transmitter in Jersey with relays in Jersey, Guernsey, and Alderney; satellite packages are available; BBC Radio Guernsey and 1 other radio station operating
Internet country code
[time series]
.gg
Internet users
[time series]
total: 54,726 (2019 est.) percent of population: 84% (2019 est.)
Telecommunication systems
[time series]
general assessment: fixed network broadband services are those delivered over physical copper connections, fiber connections and fixed wireless communications links (e.g. WiMax); they do not include services delivered over 2G, 3G and 4G mobile networks (2021) domestic: fixed-line 47 per 100 and mobile-cellular 112 per 100 persons (2021) international: country code - 44; landing points for Guernsey-Jersey, HUGO, INGRID, Channel Islands -9 Liberty and UK-Channel Islands-7 submarine cable to UK and France (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 a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress toward 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
Telephones - fixed lines
[time series]
total subscriptions: 33,940 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 54 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
[time series]
total subscriptions: 43,824 (2009 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 79 (2009 est.)
Economy
Agricultural products
[time series]
tomatoes, greenhouse flowers, sweet peppers, eggplant, fruit; Guernsey cattle
Budget
[time series]
revenues: 563.6 million (2005) expenditures: 530.9 million (2005 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)
[time series]
1.2% (of GDP) (2005)
Debt - external
[time series]
NA
Economic overview
[time series]
Financial services accounted for about 21% of employment and about 32% of total income in 2016 in this tiny, prosperous Channel Island economy. Construction, manufacturing, and horticulture, mainly tomatoes and cut flowers, have been declining. Financial services, professional services, tourism, retail, and the public sector have been growing. Light tax and death duties make Guernsey a popular offshore financial center.
Exchange rates
[time series]
Guernsey pound per US dollar 0.7836 (2017 est.) 0.738 (2016 est.) 0.738 (2015) 0.6542 (2014) 0.607 (2013)
Exports
[time series]
NA
Exports - commodities
[time series]
tomatoes, flowers and ferns, sweet peppers, eggplant, other vegetables
Fiscal year
[time series]
calendar year
GDP (official exchange rate)
[time series]
$2.742 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
[time series]
agriculture: 3% (2000) industry: 10% (2000) services: 87% (2000)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
[time series]
lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA
Imports
[time series]
NA
Imports - commodities
[time series]
coal, gasoline, oil, machinery, and equipment
Industrial production growth rate
[time series]
NA
Industries
[time series]
tourism, banking
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
[time series]
3.4% (June 2006 est.)
Labor force
[time series]
31,470 (March 2006)
Population below poverty line
[time series]
NA
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
[time series]
$3.465 billion (2015 est.) $3.451 billion (2014 est.) $3.42 billion (2013 est.) note: data are in 2015 dollars
Real GDP growth rate
[time series]
0.4% (2015 est.) 1.2% (2014 est.) 4.2% (2012 est.)
Real GDP per capita
[time series]
$52,500 (2014 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
[time series]
20.6% (of GDP) (2005)
Unemployment rate
[time series]
1.2% (2016 est.)
Energy
Electricity access
[time series]
electrification - total population: 100% (2020)
Environment
Climate
[time series]
temperate with mild winters and cool summers; about 50% of days are overcast
Environment - current issues
[time series]
coastal erosion, coastal flooding; declining biodiversity due to land abandonment and succession to scrub or woodland
Urbanization
[time series]
urban population: 31.2% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.68% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) note: data include Guernsey and Jersey
Waste and recycling
[time series]
municipal solid waste generated annually: 178,933 tons (2016 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 50,871 tons (2016 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 28.4% (2016 est.) note: data include combined totals for Guernsey and Jersey.
Geography
Area
[time series]
total: 78 sq km land: 78 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Alderney, Guernsey, Herm, Sark, and some other smaller islands
Area - comparative
[time series]
about one-half the size of Washington, DC
Climate
[time series]
temperate with mild winters and cool summers; about 50% of days are overcast
Coastline
[time series]
50 km
Elevation
[time series]
highest point: Le Moulin on Sark 114 m lowest point: English Channel 0 m
Geographic coordinates
[time series]
49 28 N, 2 35 W
Geography - note
[time series]
large, deepwater harbor at Saint Peter Port
Irrigated land
[time series]
NA
Land boundaries
[time series]
total: 0 km
Location
[time series]
Western Europe, islands in the English Channel, northwest of France
Map references
[time series]
Europe
Maritime claims
[time series]
territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm
Natural hazards
[time series]
very large tidal variation and fast currents can make local waters dangerous
Natural resources
[time series]
cropland
Terrain
[time series]
mostly flat with low hills in southwest
Government
Administrative divisions
[time series]
none (British Crown dependency); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 10 parishes: Castel, Forest, Saint Andrew, Saint Martin, Saint Peter Port, Saint Pierre du Bois, Saint Sampson, Saint Saviour, Torteval, Vale note: two additional parishes for Guernsey are sometimes listed - Saint Anne on the island of Alderney and Saint Peter on the island of Sark - but they are generally not included in the enumeration of parishes
Capital
[time series]
name: Saint Peter Port geographic coordinates: 49 27 N, 2 32 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: Saint Peter Port is the name of the town and its surrounding parish; the "port" distinguishes this parish from that of Saint Peter on the other side of the island
Citizenship
[time series]
see United Kingdom
Constitution
[time series]
history: unwritten; includes royal charters, statutes, and common law and practice amendments: new laws or changes to existing laws are initiated by the States of Deliberation; passage requires majority vote; many laws have been passed; in 2019, 60 laws were passed
Country name
[time series]
conventional long form: Bailiwick of Guernsey conventional short form: Guernsey former: Norman Isles etymology: the name is of Old Norse origin, but the meaning of the root "Guern(s)" is uncertain; the "-ey" ending means "island"
Dependency status
[time series]
British crown dependency
Diplomatic representation from the US
[time series]
embassy: none (British crown dependency)
Diplomatic representation in the US
[time series]
none (British crown dependency)
Executive branch
[time series]
chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Lieutenant-Governor Vice Admiral Ian CORDER (since 14 March 2016) head of government: Chief Minister Peter FERBRACHE (since 16 October 2020); Bailiff Richard McMAHON (since 11 May 2020); note - the chief minister is the president of the Policy and Resources Committee and is the de facto head of government; the Policy and Resources Committee, elected by the States of Deliberation, functions as the executive; the 5 members all have equal voting rights cabinet: none elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; lieutenant governor and bailiff appointed by the monarch; chief minister, who is the president of the Policy and Resources Committee indirectly elected by the States of Deliberation for a 4-year term; last held on 7 October 2020 (next to be held in 2024) election results: 2020: Peter FERBRACHE (independent) elected president of the Policy and Resources Committee and chief minister: percent of States of Guernsey vote - 57.5% 2016: Gavin ST. PIER (independent) elected president of the Policy and Resources Committee and chief minister
Flag
(Flag description)
[time series]
white with the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of England) extending to the edges of the flag and a yellow equal-armed cross of William the Conqueror superimposed on the Saint George cross; the red cross represents the old ties with England and the fact that Guernsey is a British Crown dependency; the gold cross is a replica of the one used by William the Conqueror at the Battle of Hastings in 1066
Government type
[time series]
parliamentary democracy (States of Deliberation)
Independence
[time series]
none (British Crown dependency)
International organization participation
[time series]
UPU
Judicial branch
[time series]
highest court(s): Guernsey Court of Appeal (consists of the Bailiff of Guernsey, who is the ex-officio president of the Guernsey Court of Appeal, and at least 12 judges); Royal Court (organized into 3 divisions - Full Court sits with 1 judge and 7 to 12 jurats acting as judges of fact, Ordinary Court sits with 1 judge and normally 3 jurats, and Matrimonial Causes Division sits with 1 judge and 4 jurats); note - appeals beyond Guernsey courts are heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) judge selection and term of office: Royal Court Bailiff, Deputy Bailiff, and Court of Appeal justices appointed by the British Crown and hold office at Her Majesty's pleasure; jurats elected by the States of Election, a body chaired by the Bailiff and a number of jurats subordinate courts: Court of Alderney; Court of the Seneschal of Sark; Magistrates' Court (includes Juvenile Court); Contracts Court; Ecclesiastical Court; Court of Chief Pleas
Legal system
[time series]
customary legal system based on Norman customary law; includes elements of the French civil code and English common law
Legislative branch
[time series]
description: unicameral States of Deliberation (40 seats; 38 People's Deputies and 2 representatives of the States of Alderney; members directly elected by majority vote to serve 4-year terms); note - non-voting members include the bailiff (presiding officer), attorney-general, and solicitor-general elections: last held on 7 October 2020 (next to be held in June 2025) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independent 38; composition - men 32, women 8, percent of women 20%
National anthem(s)
(National anthem)
[time series]
name: "Sarnia Cherie" (Guernsey Dear) lyrics/music: George DEIGHTON/Domencio SANTANGELO note: adopted 1911; serves as a local anthem; as a British crown dependency, "God Save the King" is official (see United Kingdom)
National holiday
[time series]
Liberation Day, 9 May (1945)
National symbol(s)
[time series]
Guernsey cow, donkey; national colors: red, white, yellow
Political parties
(Political parties and leaders)
[time series]
none; all independents
Suffrage
[time series]
16 years of age; universal
Introduction
Background
[time series]
Guernsey and the other Channel Islands represent the last remnants of the medieval Duchy of Normandy, which held sway in both France and England. The islands were the only British soil occupied by German troops in World War II. The Bailiwick of Guernsey consists of the main island of Guernsey and a number of smaller islands including Alderney, Sark, Herm, Jethou, Brecqhou, and Lihou. The Bailiwick is a self-governing British Crown dependency that is not part of the UK. However, the UK Government is 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: 14.5% (male 5,008/female 4,712) 15-24 years: 10.58% (male 3,616/female 3,476) 25-54 years: 40.73% (male 13,821/female 13,492) 55-64 years: 13.96% (male 4,635/female 4,728) 65 years and over: 20.23% (male 6,229/female 7,335) (2020 est.)
Birth rate
[time series]
9.75 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
[time series]
NA
Contraceptive prevalence rate
[time series]
NA
Current health expenditure
[time series]
NA
Death rate
[time series]
9.17 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Dependency ratios
[time series]
total dependency ratio: 48.6 youth dependency ratio: 23.9 elderly dependency ratio: 24.6 potential support ratio: 4.1 (2021 est.) note: data represent Guernsey and Jersey
Drinking water source
[time series]
improved: total: 94.2% of population unimproved: total: 5.9% of population (2017 est.) note : includes data for Jersey
Education expenditure
(Education expenditures)
[time series]
NA
Ethnic groups
[time series]
Guernsey 53.1%, UK and Ireland 23.9%, Portugal 2.2%, Latvia 1.5%, other Europe 2.8%, other 4.4%, unspecified 11.4% (2020 est.) note: data represent population by country of birth; the native population is of British and Norman-French descent
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate
[time series]
NA
Infant mortality rate
[time series]
total: 3.36 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.85 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Languages
[time series]
English, French, Norman-French dialect spoken in country districts
Life expectancy at birth
[time series]
total population: 83.23 years male: 80.52 years female: 86.07 years (2022 est.)
Literacy
[time series]
total population: NA male: NA female: NA
Major urban areas - population
[time series]
16,000 SAINT PETER PORT (capital) (2018)
Median age
[time series]
total: 44.3 years male: 43 years female: 45.6 years (2020 est.)
Nationality
[time series]
noun: Channel Islander(s) adjective: Channel Islander
Net migration rate
[time series]
1.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population
[time series]
67,491 (2022 est.)
Population growth rate
[time series]
0.23% (2022 est.)
Religions
[time series]
Protestant (Anglican, Presbyterian, Baptist, Congregational, Methodist), Roman Catholic
Sanitation facility access
[time series]
improved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 98% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 1.2% of population (2017) note: data represent Guernsey and Jersey
Sex ratio
[time series]
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate
[time series]
1.58 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Urbanization
[time series]
urban population: 31.2% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.68% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) note: data include Guernsey and Jersey
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international
[time series]
none
Illicit drugs
[time series]
NA
Transportation
Airports
[time series]
total: 2 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways
[time series]
total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2021)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
[time series]
2
National air transport system
[time series]
number of registered air carriers: 1 (2020) (registered in UK) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 9 (registered in UK)
Ports
(Ports and terminals)
[time series]
major seaport(s): Braye Bay, Saint Peter Port
Roadways
[time series]
total: 260 km (2017)