Broadband - fixed subscriptions [time series]

total: 2,700 (2018 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 55 (2018 est.)

Broadcast media [time series]

Radio Montserrat, a public radio broadcaster, transmits on 1 station and has a repeater transmission to a second station; repeater transmissions from the GEM Radio Network of Trinidad and Tobago provide another 2 radio stations; cable and satellite TV available (2007)

Internet country code [time series]

.ms

Internet users [time series]

total: 2,744 (2019 est.) percent of population: 55% (2019 est.)

Telecommunication systems [time series]

general assessment: telecom market one of growth in Caribbean and fully digitalized; high dependency on tourism and offshore financial services; operators expand FttP (Fiber to Home) services; LTE launches and operators invest in mobile networks; effective competition in all sectors (2020) domestic: fixed-line roughly 60 per 100 and mobile-cellular teledensity nearly 101 per 100 persons (2019) international: country code - 1-664; landing point for the ECFS optic submarine cable with links to 14 other islands in the eastern Caribbean extending from the British Virgin Islands to Trinidad (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: 3,000 (2018 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 60 (2018 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

total subscriptions: 5,000 (2018 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 101 (2019 est.)

Agricultural products [time series]

cabbages, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, peppers; livestock products

Budget [time series]

revenues: 66.67 million (2017 est.) expenditures: 47.04 million (2017 est.)

Credit ratings [time series]

Standard & Poors rating: BBB- (2020) note: The year refers to the year in which the current credit rating was first obtained.

Current account balance [time series]

-$15.4 million (2017 est.) -$12.2 million (2016 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$8.9 million (1997)

Economic overview [time series]

Severe volcanic activity, which began in July 1995, has put a damper on this small, open economy. A catastrophic eruption in June 1997 closed the airport and seaports, causing further economic and social dislocation. Two-thirds of the 12,000 inhabitants fled the island. Some began to return in 1998 but lack of housing limited the number. The agriculture sector continued to be affected by the lack of suitable land for farming and the destruction of crops. Prospects for the economy depend largely on developments in relation to the volcanic activity and on public sector construction activity. Half of the island remains uninhabitable. In January 2013, the EU announced the disbursement of a $55.2 million aid package to Montserrat in order to boost the country's economic recovery, with a specific focus on public finance management, public sector reform, and prudent economic management. Montserrat is tied to the EU through the UK. Although the UK is leaving the EU, Montserrat s aid will not be affected as Montserrat maintains a direct agreement with the EU regarding aid.

Exchange rates [time series]

East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar - 2.7 (2017 est.) 2.7 (2016 est.) 2.7 (2015 est.) 2.7 (2014 est.) 2.7 (2013 est.)

Exports [time series]

$4.4 million (2017 est.) $5.2 million (2016 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

sand, iron products, seats, medical instruments, fish (2019)

Exports - partners [time series]

Antigua and Barbuda 19%, United States 18%, France 17%, Singapore 14%, Belgium 9%, Netherlands 5% (2019)

Fiscal year [time series]

1 April - 31 March

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$167.4 million (2011 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use [time series]

household consumption: 90.8% (2017 est.) government consumption: 50.4% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 17.9% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: -0.1% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 29.5% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -88.6% (2017 est.)

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

agriculture: 1.9% (2017 est.) industry: 7.8% (2017 est.) services: 90.3% (2017 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA

Imports [time series]

$39.44 million (2017 est.) $36.1 million (2016 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

refined petroleum, cars, oranges, electric motors, broadcasting equipment (2019)

Imports - partners [time series]

United States 70%, United Kingdom 6% (2019)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

-21% (2017 est.)

Industries [time series]

tourism, rum, textiles, electronic appliances

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

1.2% (2017 est.) -0.2% (2016 est.)

Labor force [time series]

4,521 (2012)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 1.4% industry: 12.7% services: 85.9% (2017 est.)

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) [time series]

$167.4 million (2011 est.) $155.9 million (2010 est.) $162.7 million (2009 est.)

Real GDP growth rate [time series]

7.4% (2011 est.) -4.2% (2010 est.)

Real GDP per capita [time series]

$34,000 (2011 est.) $31,100 (2010 est.) $32,300 (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$47.58 million (31 December 2017 est.) $51.47 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

5.6% (2017 est.) 6% (1998 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions [time series]

33,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 33,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

Coal [time series]

production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)

Electricity [time series]

installed generating capacity: 5,000 kW (2020 est.) consumption: 21.56 million kWh (2019 est.) exports: 0 kWh (2020 est.) imports: 0 kWh (2020 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 1 million kWh (2019 est.)

Electricity generation sources [time series]

fossil fuels: 100% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

Energy consumption per capita [time series]

0 Btu/person (2019 est.)

Natural gas [time series]

production: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) consumption: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

Petroleum [time series]

total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 200 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 bbl/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 bbl/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

406 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Climate [time series]

tropical; little daily or seasonal temperature variation

Environment - current issues [time series]

land erosion occurs on slopes that have been cleared for cultivation

Land use [time series]

agricultural land: 30% (2018 est.) arable land: 20% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 10% (2018 est.) forest: 25% (2018 est.) other: 45% (2018 est.)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 9.3% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.94% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Area [time series]

total: 102 sq km land: 102 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

about 0.6 times the size of Washington, DC

Climate [time series]

tropical; little daily or seasonal temperature variation

Coastline [time series]

40 km

Elevation [time series]

highest point: Soufriere Hills volcano pre-eruption height was 915 m; current lava dome is subject to periodic build up and collapse; estimated dome height was 1,050 m in 2015 lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

Geographic coordinates [time series]

16 45 N, 62 12 W

Geography - note [time series]

the island is entirely volcanic in origin and comprised of three major volcanic centers of differing ages

Irrigated land [time series]

0 sq km (2022)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 0 km

Land use [time series]

agricultural land: 30% (2018 est.) arable land: 20% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 10% (2018 est.) forest: 25% (2018 est.) other: 45% (2018 est.)

Location [time series]

Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, southeast 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]

volcanic eruptions; severe hurricanes (June to November) volcanism: Soufriere Hills volcano (915 m), has erupted continuously since 1995; a massive eruption in 1997 destroyed most of the capital, Plymouth, and resulted in approximately half of the island becoming uninhabitable; the island of Montserrat is part of the volcanic island arc of the Lesser Antilles that extends from Saba in the north to Grenada in the south

Natural resources [time series]

NEGL

Population distribution [time series]

only the northern half of the island is populated, the southern portion is uninhabitable due to volcanic activity

Terrain [time series]

volcanic island, mostly mountainous, with small coastal lowland

Administrative divisions [time series]

3 parishes; Saint Anthony, Saint Georges, Saint Peter

Capital [time series]

name: Plymouth; note - Plymouth was abandoned in 1997 because of volcanic activity; interim government buildings have been built at Brades Estate, the de facto capital, in the Carr's Bay/Little Bay vicinity at the northwest end of Montserrat geographic coordinates: 16 42 N, 62 13 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: now entirely deserted because of volcanic activity, the city was originally named after Plymouth, England; de jure , Plymouth remains the capital city of Montserrat; it is therefore the only ghost town that serves as the capital of a political entity

Citizenship [time series]

see United Kingdom

Constitution [time series]

history: previous 1960; latest put into force 20 October 2010 (The Montserrat Constitution Order 2010) amendments: amended 2011, 2020

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: none conventional short form: Montserrat etymology: island named by explorer Christopher COLUMBUS in 1493 after the Benedictine abbey Santa Maria de Montserrat, near Barcelona, Spain

Dependency status [time series]

overseas territory of the UK

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

embassy: none (overseas territory of the UK); alternate contact is the US Embassy in Barbados [1] (246) 227-4000; US Embassy Bridgetown, Wildey Business Park, St. Michael BB 14006, Barbados, WI

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor Andrew PEARCE (since 1 February 2018) head of government: Premier Easton TAYLOR-FARRELL (since 19 November 2019); note - effective with the Constitution Order 2010, October 2010, the office of premier replaced the office of chief minister cabinet: Executive Council consists of the governor, the premier, 3 other ministers, the attorney general, and the finance secretary elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party usually becomes premier

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Montserratian coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the arms feature a woman in green dress, Erin, the female personification of Ireland, standing beside a yellow harp and embracing a large dark cross with her right arm; Erin and the harp are symbols of Ireland reflecting the territory's Irish ancestry; blue represents awareness, trustworthiness, determination, and righteousness

Government type [time series]

parliamentary democracy; self-governing overseas territory of the UK

Independence [time series]

none (overseas territory of the UK)

International organization participation [time series]

Caricom, CDB, Interpol (subbureau), OECS, UPU

Judicial branch [time series]

highest court(s): 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 1 assigned to Montserrat; Montserrat is also a member of the Caribbean Court of Justice judge selection and term of office: chief justice of Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court appointed by the Her Majesty, Queen ELIZABETH II; other justices and judges appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, and independent body of judicial officials; 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: magistrate's court

Legal system [time series]

English common law

Legislative branch [time series]

description: unicameral Legislative Assembly (12 seats; 9 members directly elected in a single constituency by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds to serve 5-year terms; the speaker, normally elected from the outside by the Assembly for a 5-year term, and 2 ex-officio members - the attorney general and financial secretary) elections: last held on 18 November 2019 (next scheduled for 2024) election results: percent of vote by party - MCAP 42.7%, PDM 29.9%, other 17.1%; seats by party - MCAP 5, PDM 3, independent 1; composition, including the speaker and 2 ex-officio members - men 8, women 4, percent of women 33.3%

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

note: as a territory of the UK, "God Save the King" is official (see United Kingdom)

National holiday [time series]

Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, usually celebrated the Monday after the second Saturday in June (1926)

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

Movement for Change and Prosperity or MCAP [Easton Taylor FARRELL] People's Democratic Movement or PDM [Paul LEWIS]

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Background [time series]

English and Irish colonists from St. Kitts first settled on Montserrat in 1632; the first African slaves arrived three decades later. The British and French fought for possession of the island for most of the 18th century, but it finally was confirmed as a British possession in 1783. The island's sugar plantation economy was converted to small farm landholdings in the mid-19th century. Much of this island was devastated and two thirds of the population fled abroad because of the eruption of the Soufriere Hills Volcano that began on 18 July 1995. Montserrat has endured volcanic activity since, with the last eruption occurring in 2013.

Military - note [time series]

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Military and security forces [time series]

no regular military forces; Royal Montserrat Defense Force (ceremonial, civil defense duties), Montserrat Police Force

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 15.87% (male 442/female 417) 15-24 years: 19.67% (male 556/female 509) 25-54 years: 47.09% (male 1,217/female 1,313) 55-64 years: 10.47% (male 258/female 309) 65 years and over: 7.15% (male 209/female 178) (2022 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

10.9 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]

5.91 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Dependency ratios [time series]

total dependency ratio: 43.9 youth dependency ratio: 19.2 elderly dependency ratio: 24.7 potential support ratio: 4 (2021)

Drinking water source [time series]

improved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 98.1% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 1.9% of population (2020 est.)

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

5.4% of GDP (2020 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

African/Black 86.2%, mixed 4.8%, Hispanic/Spanish 3%, Caucasian/White 2.7%, East Indian/Indian 1.6%, other 1.8% (2018 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

NA

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 10.36 deaths/1,000 live births male: 8.37 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)

Languages [time series]

English

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 75.7 years male: 76.66 years female: 74.7 years (2022 est.)

Literacy [time series]

total population: NA male: NA female: NA

Median age [time series]

total: 34.8 years male: 34.1 years female: 35.6 years (2020 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Montserratian(s) adjective: Montserratian

Net migration rate [time series]

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

NA

Population [time series]

5,414 (2022 est.) note: an estimated 8,000 refugees left the island following the resumption of volcanic activity in July 1995; some have returned

Population distribution [time series]

only the northern half of the island is populated, the southern portion is uninhabitable due to volcanic activity

Population growth rate [time series]

0.5% (2022 est.)

Religions [time series]

Protestant 71.4% (includes Anglican 17.7%, Pentecostal/Full Gospel 16.1%, Seventh Day Adventist 15%, Methodist 13.9%, Church of God 6.7%, other Protestant 2%), Roman Catholic 11.4%, Rastafarian 1.4%, Hindu 1.2%, Jehovah's Witness 1%, Muslim 0.4%, other/not stated 5.1%, none 7.9% (2018 est.)

Sanitation facility access [time series]

improved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA

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

total: 14 years male: 13 years female: 15 years (2019)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.92 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2022 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.32 children born/woman (2022 est.)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 9.3% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.94% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Disputes - international [time series]

none identified

Illicit drugs [time series]

transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe

Airports [time series]

total: 1 (2021)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2021)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix [time series]

VP-M

National air transport system [time series]

number of registered air carriers: 1 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 3

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

major seaport(s): Little Bay, Plymouth

Roadways [time series]

note: volcanic eruptions that began in 1995 destroyed most of the 227 km road system; a new road infrastructure has been built on the north end of the island