ARCHIVE // GI // 2023
Gibraltar
2023 Edition — territory
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2023
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2025
Communications
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
[time series]
total: 21,009 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 62 (2020 est.)
Broadcast media
[time series]
Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) provides TV and radio broadcasting services via 1 TV station and 4 radio stations; British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) operates 1 radio station; broadcasts from Spanish radio and TV stations are accessible
Internet country code
[time series]
.gi
Internet users
[time series]
total: 31,152 (2021 est.) percent of population: 94.4% (2021 est.)
Telecommunication systems
[time series]
general assessment: Gibraltar s population is urban-based, served by a digital telephone exchange supported by a fiber optic and copper infrastructure; near universal mobile and Internet use (2019) domestic: 53 per 100 fixed-line and 100 per 100 mobile-cellular (2021) international: country code - 350; landing point for the EIG to Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East via submarine cables; radiotelephone; microwave radio relay; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)
Telephones - fixed lines
[time series]
total subscriptions: 17,000 (2021 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 53 (2021 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
[time series]
total subscriptions: 34,000 (2021 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 100 (2021 est.)
Economy
Agricultural products
[time series]
none
Budget
[time series]
revenues: $475.8 million (2008 est.) expenditures: $452.3 million (2008 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)
[time series]
1.1% (of GDP) (2008 est.)
Debt - external
[time series]
NA
Economic overview
[time series]
British territorial high-income economy; Brexit caused significant economic disruption to longstanding financial services, shipping, and tourism industries; ongoing negotiations to rejoin EU Schengen Area; independent taxation authority
Exchange rates
[time series]
Gibraltar pounds (GIP) per US dollar - 0.727 (2021 est.) 0.78 (2020 est.) 0.783 (2019 est.) 0.75 (2018 est.) 0.777 (2017 est.)
Exports
[time series]
$202.3 million (2014 est.) $271 million (2004 est.)
Exports - commodities
[time series]
cars and vehicle parts, ships, refined petroleum, recreational boats, designer watches (2021)
Exports - partners
[time series]
Poland 31%, Netherlands 27%, France 11%, Germany 8%, United States 6% (2019)
Fiscal year
[time series]
1 July - 30 June
GDP (official exchange rate)
[time series]
$2.044 billion (2014 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
[time series]
agriculture: 0% (2016 est.) industry: 0% (2008 est.) services: 100% (2016 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
[time series]
lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA
Imports
[time series]
$2.967 billion (2004 est.)
Imports - commodities
[time series]
refined petroleum, recreational boats, cars, coal tar oil, crude petroleum (2019)
Imports - partners
[time series]
Spain 19%, US 12%, India 12%, Italy 12%, Netherlands 11%, United Kingdom 7%, Greece 6% (2019)
Industrial production growth rate
[time series]
NA
Industries
[time series]
tourism, banking and finance, ship repairing, tobacco
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
[time series]
2.5% (2013 est.) 2.2% (2012 est.)
Labor force
[time series]
24,420 (2014 est.)
Labor force - by occupation
[time series]
agriculture: NEGL industry: 1.8% services: 98.2% (2014 est.)
Population below poverty line
[time series]
NA
Public debt
[time series]
7.5% of GDP (2008 est.) 8.4% of GDP (2006 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
[time series]
$2.044 billion (2014 est.) $1.85 billion (2013 est.) $2 billion (2012 est.) note: data are in 2014 dollars
Real GDP per capita
[time series]
$61,700 (2014 est.) $43,000 (2008 est.) $41,200 (2007 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
[time series]
23.3% (of GDP) (2008 est.)
Unemployment rate
[time series]
1% (2016 est.)
Energy
Carbon dioxide emissions
[time series]
14.256 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 14.146 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 111,000 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: 43,000 kW (2020 est.) consumption: 198.86 million kWh (2019 est.) exports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) imports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 7 million kWh (2019 est.)
Electricity access
[time series]
electrification - total population: 100% (2021)
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: 74.756 million cubic meters (2020 est.) exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) imports: 56.719 million cubic meters (2019 est.) proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
Petroleum
[time series]
total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 83,700 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]
74,200 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production
[time series]
0 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Environment
Air pollutants
[time series]
carbon dioxide emissions: 0.63 megatons (2016 est.)
Climate
[time series]
Mediterranean with mild winters and warm summers
Environment - current issues
[time series]
limited natural freshwater resources: more than 90% of drinking water supplied by desalination, the remainder from stored rainwater; a separate supply of saltwater used for sanitary services
Land use
[time series]
agricultural land: 0% (2011 est.) other: 100% (2018 est.)
Urbanization
[time series]
urban population: 100% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.45% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
Waste and recycling
[time series]
municipal solid waste generated annually: 16,954 tons (2012 est.)
Geography
Area
[time series]
total: 7 sq km land: 6.5 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative
[time series]
more than 10 times the size of The National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Climate
[time series]
Mediterranean with mild winters and warm summers
Coastline
[time series]
12 km
Elevation
[time series]
highest point: Rock of Gibraltar 426 m lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
Geographic coordinates
[time series]
36 08 N, 5 21 W
Geography - note
[time series]
note 1: strategic location on Strait of Gibraltar that links the North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea note 2: one of only two British territories where traffic drives on the right, the other being the island of Diego Garcia in the British Indian Ocean Territory
Irrigated land
[time series]
NA
Land boundaries
[time series]
total: 1.2 km border countries (1): Spain 1.2 km
Land use
[time series]
agricultural land: 0% (2011 est.) other: 100% (2018 est.)
Location
[time series]
Southwestern Europe, bordering the Strait of Gibraltar, which links the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, on the southern coast of Spain
Map references
[time series]
Europe
Maritime claims
[time series]
territorial sea: 3 nm
Natural hazards
[time series]
occasional droughts; no streams or large bodies of water on the peninsula (all potable water comes from desalination)
Natural resources
[time series]
none
Terrain
[time series]
a narrow coastal lowland borders the Rock of Gibraltar
Government
Administrative divisions
[time series]
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Capital
[time series]
name: Gibraltar geographic coordinates: 36 08 N, 5 21 W time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October etymology: from the Spanish derivation of the Arabic "Jabal Tariq," which means "Mountain of Tariq" and which refers to the Rock of Gibraltar
Citizenship
[time series]
see United Kingdom
Constitution
[time series]
history: previous 1969; latest passed by referendum 30 November 2006, entered into effect 14 December 2006, entered into force 2 January 2007 amendments: proposed by Parliament and requires prior consent of the British monarch (through the Secretary of State); passage requires at least three-fourths majority vote in Parliament followed by simple majority vote in a referendum; note only sections 1 through 15 in Chapter 1 (Protection of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms) can be amended by Parliament
Country name
[time series]
conventional long form: none conventional short form: Gibraltar etymology: from the Spanish derivation of the Arabic "Jabal Tariq," which means "Mountain of Tariq" and which refers to the Rock of Gibraltar
Dependency status
[time series]
overseas territory of the UK
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: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor Sir David STEEL (since 11 June 2020) head of government: Chief Minister Fabian PICARDO (since 9 December 2011) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed from among the 17 elected members of Parliament by the governor in consultation with the chief minister 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 chief minister by the governor
Flag
(Flag description)
[time series]
two horizontal bands of white (top, double width) and red with a three-towered red castle in the center of the white band; hanging from the castle gate is a gold key centered in the red band; the design is that of Gibraltar's coat of arms granted on 10 July 1502 by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain; the castle symbolizes Gibraltar as a fortress, while the key represents Gibraltar's strategic importance - the key to the Mediterranean
Government type
[time series]
parliamentary democracy (Parliament); self-governing overseas territory of the UK
Independence
[time series]
none (overseas territory of the UK)
International organization participation
[time series]
ICC (NGOs), Interpol (subbureau), UPU
Judicial branch
[time series]
highest court(s): Court of Appeal (consists of at least 3 judges, including the court president); Supreme Court of Gibraltar (consists of the chief justice and 3 judges); note - appeals beyond the Court of Appeal are heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) judge selection and term of office: Court of Appeal and Supreme Court judges appointed by the governor upon the advice of the Judicial Service Commission, a 7-member body of judges and appointees of the governor; tenure of the Court of Appeal president based on terms of appointment; Supreme Court chief justice and judges normally appointed until retirement at age 67 but tenure can be extended 3 years subordinate courts: Court of First Instance; Magistrates' Court; specialized tribunals for issues relating to social security, taxes, and employment
Legal system
[time series]
the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply
Legislative branch
[time series]
description: unicameral Parliament (18 seats; 17 members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by majority vote and 1 appointed by Parliament as speaker; members serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 17 October 2019 (next to be held by February 2024) election results: percent of vote by party - GSLP-Liberal Alliance 58.8% (GSLP 41.2%, LPG 17.6%), GSD 35.3%, TG 5.8%, independent 1.4%; seats by party - GSLP-Liberal Alliance 10 (GSLP 7, LPG 3), GSD 6, TG 1; composition including Parliament speaker - men 16, women 2, percent of women 11.1%
National anthem(s)
(National anthem)
[time series]
name: "Gibraltar Anthem" lyrics/music: Peter EMBERLEY note: adopted 1994; serves as a local anthem; as an overseas territory of the United Kingdom, "God Save the King" is official (see United Kingdom)
National holiday
[time series]
National Day, 10 September (1967); note - day of the national referendum to decide whether to remain with the UK or join Spain
National symbol(s)
[time series]
Barbary macaque; national colors: red, white, yellow
Political parties
(Political parties and leaders)
[time series]
Gibraltar Liberal Party or Liberal Party of Gibraltar or LPG [Joseph GARCIA] Gibraltar Social Democrats or GSD [Keith AZOPARDI] Gibraltar Socialist Labor Party or GSLP [Fabian PICARDO] Together Gibraltar or TG [Marlene HASSAN-NAHON]
Suffrage
[time series]
18 years of age; universal; and British citizens with six months residence or more
Introduction
Background
[time series]
Strategically important, Gibraltar was reluctantly ceded to Great Britain by Spain in the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht; the British garrison was formally declared a colony in 1830. In a referendum held in 1967, Gibraltarians voted overwhelmingly to remain a British dependency. The subsequent granting of autonomy in 1969 by the UK led Spain to close the border and sever all communication links. Between 1997 and 2002, the UK and Spain held a series of talks on establishing temporary joint sovereignty over Gibraltar. In response to these talks, the Gibraltar Government called a referendum in late 2002 in which the majority of citizens voted overwhelmingly against any sharing of sovereignty with Spain. Since late 2004, Spain, the UK, and Gibraltar have held tripartite talks with the aim of cooperatively resolving problems that affect the local population, and work continues on cooperation agreements in areas such as taxation and financial services; communications and maritime security; policy; legal and customs services; environmental protection; and education and visa services. A new noncolonial constitution came into force in 2007, and the European Court of First Instance recognized Gibraltar's right to regulate its own tax regime in December 2008. The UK retains responsibility for defense, foreign relations, internal security, and financial stability. Spain and the UK continue to spar over the territory. Throughout 2009, a dispute over Gibraltar's claim to territorial waters extending out three miles gave rise to periodic non-violent maritime confrontations between Spanish and UK naval patrols, and in 2013, the British reported a record number of entries by Spanish vessels into waters claimed by Gibraltar following a dispute over Gibraltar's creation of an artificial reef in those waters. Spain renewed its demands for an eventual return of Gibraltar to Spanish control after the UK s June 2016 vote to leave the EU, but London has dismissed any connection between the vote and its continued sovereignty over Gibraltar.
Military and Security
Military - note
[time series]
defense is the responsibility of the UK
Military and security forces
[time series]
Royal Gibraltar Regiment (2023)
Military and security service personnel strengths
[time series]
the Royal Gibraltar Regiment has more than 400 personnel (2023)
People and Society
Age structure
[time series]
0-14 years: 19.99% (male 3,034/female 2,888) 15-64 years: 62.62% (male 9,357/female 9,197) 65 years and over: 17.39% (2023 est.) (male 2,523/female 2,630)
Birth rate
[time series]
13.8 births/1,000 population (2023 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
[time series]
NA
Contraceptive prevalence rate
[time series]
NA
Current health expenditure
[time series]
NA
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
[time series]
40.7% (2023 est.)
Death rate
[time series]
8.7 deaths/1,000 population (2023 est.)
Dependency ratios
[time series]
total dependency ratio: 60.1 youth dependency ratio: 27.4 elderly dependency ratio: 32.7 potential support ratio: 3.1 (2021)
Drinking water source
[time series]
improved: urban: 100% of population rural: NA total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: NA total: 0% of population (2020)
Education expenditure
(Education expenditures)
[time series]
NA
Ethnic groups
[time series]
Gibraltarian 79%, other British 13.2%, Spanish 2.1%, Moroccan 1.6%, other EU 2.4%, other 1.6% (2012 est.) note: data represent population by nationality
Gross reproduction rate
[time series]
0.93 (2023 est.)
Infant mortality rate
[time series]
total: 6.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2023 est.) male: 6.9 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.3 deaths/1,000 live births
Languages
[time series]
English (used in schools and for official purposes), Spanish, Italian, Portuguese
Life expectancy at birth
[time series]
total population: 80.7 years (2023 est.) male: 77.8 years female: 83.6 years
Literacy
[time series]
total population: NA male: NA female: NA
Major urban areas - population
[time series]
35,000 GIBRALTAR (capital) (2018)
Median age
[time series]
total: 36.6 years (2023 est.) male: 36 years female: 37.2 years
Nationality
[time series]
noun: Gibraltarian(s) adjective: Gibraltar
Net migration rate
[time series]
-3.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2023 est.)
Physician density
(Physicians density)
[time series]
NA
Population
[time series]
29,629 (2023 est.)
Population growth rate
[time series]
0.19% (2023 est.)
Religions
[time series]
Roman Catholic 72.1%, Church of England 7.7%, other Christian 3.8%, Muslim 3.6%, Jewish 2.4%, Hindu 2%, other 1.1%, none 7.1%, unspecified 0.1% (2012 est.)
Sanitation facility access
[time series]
improved: urban: 100% of population rural: NA total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: NA total: 0% of population (2020)
Sex ratio
[time series]
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.96 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2023 est.)
Total fertility rate
[time series]
1.9 children born/woman (2023 est.)
Urbanization
[time series]
urban population: 100% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.45% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international
[time series]
the status of Gibraltar and how to police the border with Spain has been a point of contention since the UK's 2016 vote to leave the EU; the peninsula was excluded from the exit deal reached between Britain and the EU; informal arrangements are in place while the two sides negotiate over Gibraltar, which overwhelmingly backed remaining in the EU in the Brexit referendum
Transportation
Airports
[time series]
1 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways
[time series]
1 note: paved runways have a concrete or asphalt surface but not all have facilities for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control; the length of a runway required for aircraft to safely operate depends on a number of factors including the type of aircraft, the takeoff weight (including passengers, cargo, and fuel), engine types, flap settings, landing speed, elevation of the airport, and average maximum daily air temperature; paved runways can reach a length of 5,000 m (16,000 ft.), but the typical length of a commercial airline runway is between 2,500-4,000 m (8,000-13,000 ft.)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
[time series]
VP-G
Merchant marine
[time series]
total: 155 (2022) by type: bulk carrier 8, container ship 12, general cargo 36, oil tanker 16, other 83
Ports
(Ports and terminals)
[time series]
major seaport(s): Gibraltar
Roadways
[time series]
total: 29 km (2007) paved: 29 km (2007)