Broadband - fixed subscriptions [time series]

total: 6,738 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 22 (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: 24,087 (2021 est.) percent of population: 77.7% (2021 est.)

Telecommunication systems [time series]

general assessment: the telecom sector has seen a decline in subscriber numbers (particularly for prepaid mobile services the mainstay of short term visitors) and revenue; fixed and mobile broadband services are two areas that have benefited from the crisis as employees and students have resorted to working from home; one major casualty may be the region s second largest telco operator, Digicel; the company filed for bankruptcy in the US in April 2020; it continues to operate in all of its Caribbean markets as it seeks to refinance billions of dollars of debt; the other major telco, regional incumbent Cable Wireless Communications (CWC), is experiencing similar drops in subscriber numbers and revenue; CWC is expanding and enhancing its fixed and mobile networks in many of the countries it serves around the Caribbean, despite many locations being small islands with very small populations; one area of the telecom market that is not prepared for growth is 5G mobile; governments, regulators, and even the mobile network operators have shown that they have not been investing in 5G opportunities at the present time; network expansion and enhancements remain concentrated around improving LTE coverage. (2021) domestic: fixed-line connections exceed 22 per 100 persons and mobile cellular subscribership is roughly 110 per 100 persons (2021) 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)

Telephones - fixed lines [time series]

total subscriptions: 23,000 (2021 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 73 (2021 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

total subscriptions: 38,000 (2021 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 121 (2021 est.)

Agricultural products [time series]

fruits, vegetables; livestock, poultry; fish

Budget [time series]

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

Economic overview [time series]

British Caribbean island territorial economy; strong tourism and services industries; vulnerable to hurricanes; navigating public debt insolvency since 2008 Crisis; considered a tax haven; high electrification costs; major rum exporter

Exchange rates [time series]

the US dollar is used

Exports [time series]

$23 million (2017 est.) $23 million (2015 est.) note: Data are in current year dollars and do not include illicit exports or re-exports.

Exports - commodities [time series]

aircraft, recreational boats, ships, hydrogen, halogens (2021)

Exports - partners [time series]

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

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$1.38 billion (2018 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.)

Imports [time series]

$300 million (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]

4.2% (2022 est.) 2.8% (2021 est.) 0.4% (2020 est.)

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.)

Carbon dioxide emissions [time series]

191,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 191,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

Coal [time series]

imports: 20 metric tons (2022 est.)

Electricity [time series]

installed generating capacity: 47,000 kW (2022 est.) consumption: 161.368 million kWh (2022 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 10.179 million kWh (2022 est.)

Electricity access [time series]

electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)

Electricity generation sources [time series]

fossil fuels: 99.1% of total installed capacity (2022 est.) solar: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2022 est.) wind: 0.7% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

Energy consumption per capita [time series]

87.47 million Btu/person (2022 est.)

Petroleum [time series]

refined petroleum consumption: 1,000 bbl/day (2022 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: 49.7% of total population (2023) 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 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: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor Daniel PRUCE (since 29 January 2024) head of government: Premier Dr. Natalio WHEATLEY (since 5 May 2022) 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 note; on 5 May 2022, Premier Andrew FAHIE was removed from office by a no confidence vote in House of Assembly following his arrest on drug trafficking and money laundering charges on 28 April 2022; Premier Dr. Natalio WHEATLEY sworn in as premier on 5 May 2022

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]

ACS (associate), Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, OECS, UNESCO (associate), 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 3 in the British Virgin Islands judge selection and term of office: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court chief justice appointed by His Majesty, King Charles III; 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 members in a single, nationwide constituency 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 24 April 2023 (next to be held in 2027) election results: percent of vote by party - VIP 39.6%, NDP 29.1, PVIM 15.7%, PU 5%, independent 10.6%; seats by party - VIP 6, NDP 3, PVIM 3, PU 1; composition - men NA, women NA, percentage women NA%; note - percentages reflect 9 elected single seat constituencies, seat total includes four nationwide at-large elected members

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

note: as an overseas territory of the United Kingdom, "God Save the King" 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 [time series]

National Democratic Party or NDP Progressive Virgin Islands Movement or PVIM Progressives United or PU Virgin Islands Party or VIP

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 (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, and the US dollar is the legal currency. In 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: 16.6% (male 3,298/female 3,351) 15-64 years: 71.3% (male 13,455/female 15,152) 65 years and over: 12.1% (2024 est.) (male 2,289/female 2,557)

Birth rate [time series]

10.9 births/1,000 population (2024 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]

46.6% (2023 est.)

Death rate [time series]

5.5 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Dependency ratios [time series]

total dependency ratio: 32.8 youth dependency ratio: 20.2 elderly dependency ratio: 12.6 potential support ratio: 8 (2021)

Drinking water source [time series]

improved: total: 99.9% of population unimproved: total: 0.1% of population (2020 est.)

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

2.6% of GDP (2020 est.)

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.)

Gross reproduction rate [time series]

0.67 (2024 est.)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 13.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.) male: 16 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.7 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages [time series]

English (official), Virgin Islands Creole

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 80.1 years (2024 est.) male: 78.6 years female: 81.7 years

Literacy [time series]

total population: NA male: NA female: NA

Major urban areas - population [time series]

15,000 ROAD TOWN (capital) (2018)

Median age [time series]

total: 38.5 years (2024 est.) male: 38.1 years female: 38.9 years

Nationality [time series]

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

Net migration rate [time series]

12.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Physician density [time series]

NA

Population [time series]

total: 40,102 male: 19,042 female: 21,060 (2024 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]

1.82% (2024 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: 0.98 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.89 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female total population: 0.9 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.38 children born/woman (2024 est.)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 49.7% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.73% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

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]

3 (2024)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix [time series]

VP-L

Heliports [time series]

1 (2024)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 29 (2023) by type: general cargo 3, other 26

Ports [time series]

total ports: 1 (2024) large: 0 medium: 1 small: 0 very small: 0 ports with oil terminals: 1 key ports: Road Harbor

Roadways [time series]

total: 200 km paved: 200 km (2007)