Montserrat

Broadcast media

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

.ms

Internet users

total: 2,860 | percent of population: 54.6% (July 2016 est.)

Telephone system

general assessment: modern 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 (2018) | domestic: fixed-line 57 per 100 and mobile-cellular teledensity 95 per 100 persons (2018) | 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)

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 3,000 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 57 (July 2016 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 5,000 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 95 (July 2016 est.)

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

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

Central bank discount rate

10.99% (31 December 2010) | 6.5% (31 December 2009)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

6.95% (31 December 2017 est.) | 7.21% (31 December 2016 est.)

Current account balance

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

Debt - external

$8.9 million (1997)

Economy - overview

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

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

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

Exports - commodities

electronic components, plastic bags, apparel; hot peppers, limes, live plants; cattle

Exports - partners

US 29%, France 23%, Saint Kitts and Nevis 22.2% (2017)

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP (official exchange rate)

$167.4 million (2011 est.) (2011 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

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

GDP - composition, by end use

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

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

GDP - per capita (PPP)

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

GDP - real growth rate

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

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA | highest 10%: NA

Imports

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

Imports - commodities

machinery and transportation equipment, foodstuffs, manufactured goods, fuels, lubricants

Imports - partners

US 72.8%, Trinidad and Tobago 6%, UK 4.1% (2017)

Industrial production growth rate

-21% (2017 est.)

Industries

tourism, rum, textiles, electronic appliances

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

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

Labor force

4,521 (2012)

Labor force - by occupation

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

Population below poverty line

NA

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

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

Stock of broad money

$28.33 million (31 December 2017 est.) | $23.04 million (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$5.185 million (31 December 2017 est.) | $1.481 million (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$28.33 million (31 December 2017 est.) | $23.04 million (31 December 2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

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

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

57,180 Mt (2017 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2018 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)

Electricity - consumption

22.32 million kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

5,000 kW (2016 est.)

Electricity - production

24 million kWh (2016 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

400 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

406 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Area

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

Area - comparative

about 0.6 times the size of Washington, DC

Climate

tropical; little daily or seasonal temperature variation

Coastline

40 km

Elevation

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m | 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

Environment - current issues

land erosion occurs on slopes that have been cleared for cultivation

Geographic coordinates

16 45 N, 62 12 W

Geography - note

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

Irrigated land

0 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

agricultural land: 30% (2011 est.) | arable land: 20% (2011 est.) / permanent crops: 0% (2011 est.) / permanent pasture: 10% (2011 est.) | forest: 25% (2011 est.) | other: 45% (2011 est.)

Location

Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, southeast of Puerto Rico

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm | exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Natural hazards

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

NEGL

Population distribution

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

Terrain

volcanic island, mostly mountainous, with small coastal lowland

Administrative divisions

3 parishes; Saint Anthony, Saint Georges, Saint Peter

Capital

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 and note: 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

see United Kingdom

Constitution

history: previous 1960; latest effective 1 September 2010 (The Montserrat Constitution Order 2010) | amendments: amended 2011 (2018)

Country name

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

overseas territory of the UK

Diplomatic representation from the US

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Executive branch

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Andrew PEARCE (since 1 February 2018) | head of government: Premier Donaldson ROMERO (since 12 September 2014); note - effective with The Constitution Order 2010, effective 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 description

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

parliamentary democracy; self-governing overseas territory of the UK

Independence

none (overseas territory of the UK)

International organization participation

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

Judicial branch

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 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

English common law

Legislative branch

description: unicameral Legislative Assembly (11 seats; 9 members directly elected in a single constituency by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds to serve 5-year terms and 2 ex-officio members - the attorney general and financial secretary) | elections: last held on 11 September 2014 (next scheduled for 30 September 2019) | election results: percent of vote by party - PDM 50.0%, MCAP 35.4%, other 14.6%; seats by party - PDM 7, MCAP 2; composition - men 7, women 2, percent of women 22.2%

National anthem

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

National holiday

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

Political parties and leaders

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

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Background

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

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Military and security forces

no regular military forces; Royal Montserrat Defence Force (ceremonial, civil defense duties), Montserrat Police Force (2019)

Age structure

0-14 years: 15.99% (male 436 /female 414) | 15-24 years: 21.39% (male 588 /female 549) | 25-54 years: 47.58% (male 1,224 /female 1,305) | 55-64 years: 8.81% (male 214 /female 254) | 65 years and over: 6.23% (male 191 /female 140) (2018 est.) | population pyramid: The World Factbook Field Image Modal × Central America :: Montserrat Print Image Description This is the population pyramid for Montserrat. A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends. For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page under the References tab.

Birth rate

10.5 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Death rate

6.2 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Drinking water source

improved: urban: 99% of population | rural: 99% of population | total: 99% of population | unimproved: urban: 1% of population | rural: 1% of population | total: 1% of population (2015 est.)

Education expenditures

5.1% of GDP (2009)

Ethnic groups

African/black 88.4%, mixed 3.7%, hispanic/Spanish 3%, caucasian/white 2.7%, East Indian/Indian 1.5%, other 0.7% (2011 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Infant mortality rate

total: 11.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.) | male: 9.4 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 14.5 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

English

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 74.8 years (2018 est.) | male: 76.1 years | female: 73.5 years

Median age

total: 33.8 years (2018 est.) | male: 33.1 years | female: 34.4 years

Nationality

noun: Montserratian(s) | adjective: Montserratian

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Population

5,315 (July 2018 est.) | note: an estimated 8,000 refugees left the island following the resumption of volcanic activity in July 1995; some have returned

Population distribution

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

Population growth rate

0.43% (2018 est.)

Religions

Protestant 67.1% (includes Anglican 21.8%, Methodist 17%, Pentecostal 14.1%, Seventh Day Adventist 10.5%, and Church of God 3.7%), Roman Catholic 11.6%, Rastafarian 1.4%, other 6.5%, none 2.6%, unspecified 10.8% (2001 est.)

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban: 82.9% of population (2007 est.) | rural: 82.9% of population (2007 est.) | total: 82.9% of population (2007 est.) | unimproved: urban: 17.1% of population (2007 est.) | rural: 17.1% of population (2007 est.) | total: 17.1% of population (2007 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female | 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female | 15-24 years: 1.07 male(s)/female | 25-54 years: 0.94 male(s)/female | 55-64 years: 0.84 male(s)/female | 65 years and over: 1.36 male(s)/female | total population: 1 male(s)/female (2018 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.34 children born/woman (2018 est.)

Urbanization

urban population: 9.1% of total population (2019) | rate of urbanization: 0.64% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

Disputes - international

none

Illicit drugs

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

Airports

1 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

total: 1 (2017) | under 914 m: 1 (2017)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

VP-M (2016)

National air transport system

number of registered air carriers: 1 (2015) | inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 3 (2015)

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s): Little Bay, Plymouth

Roadways

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