British Virgin Islands

Broadcast media

1 private TV station; multi-channel TV is available from cable and satellite subscription services; about a half-dozen private radio stations (2007)

Internet country code

.vg

Internet users

total: 14,600 | percent of population: 43.6% (July 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 207

Telephone system

general assessment: good overall telephone service | domestic: fixed-line connections exceed 35 per 100 persons and mobile cellular subscribership is roughly 125 per 100 persons | international: country code - 1-284; connected via submarine cable to Bermuda; the East Caribbean Fiber System (ECFS) submarine cable provides connectivity to 13 other islands in the eastern Caribbean (2015)

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 12,000 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 36 (July 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 197

Telephones - mobile cellular

total: 42,000 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 126 (July 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 202

Agriculture - products

fruits, vegetables; livestock, poultry; fish

Budget

revenues: $300 million | expenditures: $300 million (2015 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

0% of GDP (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 37

Current account balance

$362.6 million (2011 est.) | $279.8 million (2010 est.) | country comparison to the world: 46

Debt - external

$36.1 million (1997) | country comparison to the world: 197

Economy - overview

The economy, one of the most stable and prosperous in the Caribbean, is highly dependent on tourism generating an estimated 45% of the national income. More than 934,000 tourists, mainly from the US, visited the islands in 2008. Because of traditionally close links with the US Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands has used the US dollar as its currency since 1959. | Livestock raising is the most important agricultural activity; poor soils limit the islands' ability to meet domestic food requirements. | In the mid-1980s, the government began offering offshore registration to companies wishing to incorporate in the islands, and incorporation fees now generate substantial revenues. Roughly 400,000 companies were on the offshore registry by yearend 2000. The adoption of a comprehensive insurance law in late 1994, which provides a blanket of confidentiality with regulated statutory gateways for investigation of criminal offenses, made the British Virgin Islands even more attractive to international business.

Exchange rates

the US dollar is used

Exports

$23 million (2015 est.) | $25 million (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 210

Exports - commodities

rum, fresh fish, fruits, animals; gravel, sand

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP (official exchange rate)

$1.095 billion (2008)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$500 million (2010 est.) | country comparison to the world: 214

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 60.3% | government consumption: 8.7% | investment in fixed capital: 24.3% | investment in inventories: 0% | exports of goods and services: 97.4% | imports of goods and services: -90.7% (2015 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 1% | industry: 11.1% | services: 87.9% (2015 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$42,300 (2010 est.) | country comparison to the world: 38

GDP - real growth rate

1.3% (2010 est.) | -0.6% (2008 est.) | country comparison to the world: 155

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA% | highest 10%: NA%

Imports

$200 million (2015 est.) | $290 million (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 205

Imports - commodities

building materials, automobiles, foodstuffs, machinery

Industrial production growth rate

1.3% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 127

Industries

tourism, light industry, construction, rum, concrete block, offshore banking center

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

0.9% (2015 est.) | 1.9% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 79

Labor force

12,770 (2004) | country comparison to the world: 215

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 0.6% | industry: 40% | services: 59.4% (2005)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Taxes and other revenues

27.4% of GDP (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 103

Unemployment rate

8.7% (2010 est.) | country comparison to the world: 98

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

200,000 Mt (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 201

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 206

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 144

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 206

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2016 es) | country comparison to the world: 207

Electricity - consumption

100 million kWh (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 204

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 212

Electricity - from fossil fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 32

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 210

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 204

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 140

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 215

Electricity - installed generating capacity

44,000 kW (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 192

Electricity - production

100 million kWh (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 205

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 207

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 206

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 76

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 144

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 es) | country comparison to the world: 206

Refined petroleum products - consumption

1,200 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 205

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 145

Refined petroleum products - imports

1,209 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 202

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 144

Area

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 | country comparison to the world: 220

Area - comparative

about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC

Climate

subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds

Coastline

80 km

Elevation

mean elevation: NA | elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m | highest point: Mount Sage 521 m

Environment - current issues

limited natural freshwater resources except for a few seasonal streams and springs on Tortola; most of the islands' water supply comes from desalination plants

Geographic coordinates

18 30 N, 64 30 W

Geography - note

strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico

Irrigated land

NA

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

agricultural land: 46.7% | arable land 6.7%; permanent crops 6.7%; permanent pasture 33.3% | forest: 24.3% | other: 29% (2011 est.)

Location

Caribbean, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 3 nm | exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Natural hazards

hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October)

Natural resources

NEGL; pleasant climate, beaches foster tourism

Population - distribution

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

coral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep, hilly

Administrative divisions

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Capital

name: Road Town | geographic coordinates: 18 25 N, 64 37 W | time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

see United Kingdom

Constitution

several previous; latest effective 15 June 2007 (2016)

Country name

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

overseas territory of the UK; internal self-governing

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 John DUNCAN (since 15 August 2014) | head of government: Premier Orlando SMITH (since 9 November 2011) | 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

Flag description

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

parliamentary democracy (House of Assembly); self-governing overseas territory of the UK

Independence

none (overseas territory of the UK)

International organization participation

Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, OECS, UNESCO (associate), UPU

Judicial branch

highest court(s): the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) is the itinerant superior court of record for the 9-member Organization of Eastern Caribbean States to include the British Virgin Islands; the ECSC - with its headquarters on St. Lucia - is headed by the chief justice and is comprised of the Court of Appeal with 3 justices and the High Court with 16 judges; sittings of the Court of Appeal and High Court rotate among the 9 member states; 3 High Court judges reside in member states; 3 High Court judges reside on the British Virgin Islands | judge selection and term of office: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court chief justice appointed by Her Majesty, Queen ELIZABETH II; 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

English common law

Legislative branch

description: unicameral House of Assembly (13 seats; 9 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies and 4 at-large seats by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms); note - the Assembly includes the attorney general, a non-voting ex officio member | elections: last held on 8 June 2015 (next to be held in 2019) | election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NDP 9, VIP 3, PEP 1

National anthem

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

National holiday

Territory Day, 1 July (1956)

National symbol(s)

zenaida dove, white cedar flower; national colors: yellow, green, red, white, blue

Political parties and leaders

National Democratic Party or NDP [Orlando SMITH];; Virgin Islands Party or VIP [Julian FRASER]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Family Support Network | Woman's Desk | other: environmentalists

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Background

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 from 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; the US dollar is the legal currency.

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Age structure

0-14 years: 16.79% (male 2,826/female 2,920) | 15-24 years: 13.77% (male 2,257/female 2,456) | 25-54 years: 49.57% (male 7,987/female 8,983) | 55-64 years: 11.27% (male 1,881/female 1,977) | 65 years and over: 8.6% (male 1,431/female 1,514) (2016 est.)

Birth rate

11 births/1,000 population (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 178

Death rate

5.1 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 188

Drinking water source

urban: 98% of population | rural: 98% of population | total: 98% of population | urban: 2% of population | rural: 2% of population | total: 2% of population (2010 est.)

Education expenditures

4.4% of GDP (2010) | country comparison to the world: 96

Ethnic groups

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.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Infant mortality rate

total: 12.6 deaths/1,000 live births | male: 14.3 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 10.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 115

Languages

English (official)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 78.6 years | male: 77.2 years | female: 80.1 years (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 59

Major urban areas - population

ROAD TOWN (capital) 13,000 (2014)

Median age

total: 36.2 years | male: 36 years | female: 36.3 years (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 72

Nationality

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

Net migration rate

16.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 2

Population

34,232 (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 215

Population distribution

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

2.28% (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 35

Religions

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

urban: 97.5% of population | rural: 97.5% of population | total: 97.5% of population | urban: 2.5% of population | rural: 2.5% of population | total: 2.5% of population (2015 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 14 years | male: NA | female: NA (2009)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female | 0-14 years: 0.97 male(s)/female | 15-24 years: 0.92 male(s)/female | 25-54 years: 0.89 male(s)/female | 55-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female | 65 years and over: 0.95 male(s)/female | total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.28 children born/woman (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 218

Urbanization

urban population: 46.2% of total population (2015) | rate of urbanization: 1.8% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Disputes - international

none

Illicit drugs

transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe; large offshore financial center makes it vulnerable to money laundering

Airports

4 (2013) | country comparison to the world: 185

Airports - with paved runways

total: 2 | 914 to 1,523 m: 1 | under 914 m: 1 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 2 | 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

VP-L (2016)

National air transport system

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

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s): Road Harbor

Roadways

total: 200 km | paved: 200 km (2007) | country comparison to the world: 209