Anguilla

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total: 5,000 (2018 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 35 (2018 est.)

Broadcast media

1 private TV station; multi-channel cable TV subscription services are available; about 10 radio stations, one of which is government-owned

Internet country code

.ai

Internet users

total: 12,489 (2019 est.) percent of population: 82% (2019 est.)

Telecommunication systems

general assessment: in the telecom sector, with declines seen 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 to a small extent as employees and students have resorted to working from home, but their contribution to the sector has been insufficient to offset steep falls in other areas of the market; one area of the telecom market that does not yet appear poised for growth is 5G mobile; governments, regulators, and even the mobile network operators have shown that they have little appetite for investing in 5G opportunities at the present time; network expansion and enhancements remain concentrated around improving LTE coverage; until the economies and markets stabilize, and overseas visitors return there is unlikely to be much momentum towards implementing 5G capabilities anywhere in the region (2021) domestic: fixed-line teledensity is about 42 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity is roughly 182 per 100 persons (2018) international: country code - 1-264; landing points for the SSCS, ECFS, GCN and Southern Caribbean Fiber with submarine cable links to Caribbean islands and to the US; microwave radio relay to island of Saint Martin/Sint Maarten (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

total subscriptions: 6,000 (2018 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 42 (2018 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 26,000 (2018 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 182 (2018 est.)

Agricultural products

small quantities of tobacco, vegetables; cattle raising

Budget

revenues: 81.92 million (2017 est.) expenditures: 80.32 million (2017 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

0.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Current account balance

-$23.2 million (2017 est.) -$25.3 million (2016 est.)

Debt - external

$41.04 million (31 December 2013) $8.8 million (1998)

Economic overview

Anguilla has few natural resources, is unsuited for agriculture, and the economy depends heavily on luxury tourism, offshore banking, lobster fishing, and remittances from emigrants. Increased activity in the tourism industry has spurred the growth of the construction sector contributing to economic growth. Anguillan officials have put substantial effort into developing the offshore financial sector, which is small but growing. In the medium term, prospects for the economy will depend largely on the recovery of the tourism sector and, therefore, on revived income growth in the industrialized nations as well as on favorable weather conditions.

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

$7.9 million (2017 est.) $3.9 million (2016 est.) note: Data are in current year dollars and do not include illicit exports or re-exports.

Exports - commodities

lobster, fish, livestock, salt, concrete blocks, rum

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP (official exchange rate)

$175.4 million (2009 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 74.1% (2017 est.) government consumption: 18.3% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 26.8% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 48.2% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -67.4% (2017 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 3% (2017 est.) industry: 10.5% (2017 est.) services: 86.4% (2017 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA

Imports

$186.2 million (2017 est.) $170.1 million (2016 est.)

Imports - commodities

fuels, foodstuffs, manufactures, chemicals, trucks, textiles

Industrial production growth rate

4% (2017 est.)

Industries

tourism, boat building, offshore financial services

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.3% (2017 est.) -0.6% (2016 est.)

Labor force

6,049 (2001)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 74.1% industry: 3% services: 18% agriculture/fishing/forestry/mining: 4% (2000 est.) manufacturing: 3% (2000 est.) construction: 18% (2000 est.) transportation and utilities: 10% (2000 est.) commerce: 36% (2000 est.)

Population below poverty line

23% (2002 est.)

Public debt

20.1% of GDP (2015 est.) 20.8% of GDP (2014 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$175.4 million (2009 est.) $191.7 million (2008 est.) $108.9 million (2004 est.)

Real GDP growth rate

-8.5% (2009 est.)

Real GDP per capita

$12,200 (2008 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$76.38 million (31 December 2017 est.) $48.14 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

46.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Unemployment rate

8% (2002)

Climate

tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds

Environment - current issues

supplies of potable water sometimes cannot meet increasing demand largely because of poor distribution system

Land use

agricultural land: 0% (2018 est.) arable land: 0% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.) forest: 61.1% (2018 est.) other: 38.9% (2018 est.)

Urbanization

urban population: 100% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.47% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Area

total: 91 sq km land: 91 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative

about one-half the size of Washington, DC

Climate

tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds

Coastline

61 km

Elevation

highest point: Crocus Hill 73 m lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

Geographic coordinates

18 15 N, 63 10 W

Geography - note

the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles

Irrigated land

0 sq km (2020)

Land boundaries

total: 0 km

Land use

agricultural land: 0% (2018 est.) arable land: 0% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.) forest: 61.1% (2018 est.) other: 38.9% (2018 est.)

Location

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

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims

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

Natural hazards

frequent hurricanes and other tropical storms (July to October)

Natural resources

salt, fish, lobster

Population distribution

most of the population is concentrated in The Valley in the center of the island; settlmement is fairly uniform in the southwest, but rather sparce in the northeast

Terrain

flat and low-lying island of coral and limestone

Administrative divisions

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Capital

name: The Valley geographic coordinates: 18 13 N, 63 03 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: name derives from the capital's location between several hills

Citizenship

see United Kingdom

Constitution

history: several previous; latest 1 April 1982 amendments: amended 1990, 2012, 2017, 2019

Country name

conventional long form: none conventional short form: Anguilla etymology: the name Anguilla means "eel" in various Romance languages (Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, French) and likely derives from the island's lengthy shape

Dependency status

overseas territory of the UK

Diplomatic representation from the US

embassy: none (overseas territory of the UK); alternate contact is the US Embassy in Barbados [1] (246) 227-4000

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Executive branch

chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor Dileeni DANIEL-SELVARATNAM (since 18 January 2021) head of government: Premier Dr. Ellis WEBSTER (since 30 June 2020); note - starting in 2019, the title of head of government was changed to premier from chief minister of Anguilla cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor from among elected 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 Anguillan coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms depicts three orange dolphins in an interlocking circular design on a white background with a turquoise-blue field below; the white in the background represents peace; the blue base symbolizes the surrounding sea, as well as faith, youth, and hope; the three dolphins stand for endurance, unity, and strength

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), OECS, UNESCO (associate), UPU

Judicial branch

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, travelling to member states on a schedule to hear appeals from the High Court and subordinate courts; High Court judges reside in the member states, though none on Anguilla 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: Magistrate's Court; Juvenile Court

Legal system

common law based on the English model

Legislative branch

description: unicameral House of Assembly (11 seats; 7 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 2 appointed by the governor, and 2 ex officio members - the attorney general and deputy governor; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 29 June 2020 (next to be held in 2025) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - APM 7, AUF 4; composition - men 8, women 3, percent of women 27.3%

National anthem

name: "God Bless Anguilla" lyrics/music: Alex RICHARDSON note: local anthem adopted 1981; as an overseas territory of the United Kingdom, "God Save the King" is official (see United Kingdom)

National holiday

Anguilla Day, 30 May (1967)

National symbol(s)

dolphin

Political parties and leaders

Anguilla Progressive Movement or APM [Dr. Ellis WEBSTER]; (formerly Anguilla United Movement or AUM) Anguilla United Front or AUF [Cora RICHARDSON-HODGE]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Background

Colonized by English settlers from Saint Kitts in 1650, Anguilla was administered by Great Britain until the early 19th century, when the island - against the wishes of the inhabitants - was incorporated into a single British dependency along with Saint Kitts and Nevis. Several attempts at separation failed. In 1971, two years after a revolt, Anguilla was finally allowed to secede; this arrangement was formally recognized in 1980, with Anguilla becoming a separate British dependency. On 7 September 2017, the island suffered extensive damage from Hurricane Irma, particularly to communications and residential and business infrastructure.

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Age structure

0-14 years: 21.63% (male 1,991/female 1,922) 15-24 years: 13.9% (male 1,269/female 1,246) 25-54 years: 42.27% (male 3,428/female 4,218) 55-64 years: 12.42% (male 993/female 1,254) 65 years and over: 9.78% (male 874/female 895) (2020 est.)

Birth rate

12.01 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

NA

Contraceptive prevalence rate

NA

Current health expenditure

NA

Death rate

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

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 38.6 youth dependency ratio: 24.4 elderly dependency ratio: 14.1 potential support ratio: 7.1 (2021)

Drinking water source

improved: urban: 97.5% of population total: 97.5% of population unimproved: urban: 2.5% of population total: 2.5% of population (2017 est.)

Education expenditures

4% of GDP (2020 est.)

Ethnic groups

African/Black 85.3%, Hispanic 4.9%, mixed 3.8%, White 3.2%, East Indian/Indian 1%, other 1.6%, unspecified 0.3% (2011 est.) note: data represent population by ethnic origin

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

Infant mortality rate

total: 3.07 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.01 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)

Languages

English (official)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 82.2 years male: 79.59 years female: 84.89 years (2022 est.)

Literacy

total population: NA male: NA female: NA

Major urban areas - population

1,000 THE VALLEY (capital) (2018)

Median age

total: 35.7 years male: 33.7 years female: 37.6 years (2020 est.)

Nationality

noun: Anguillan(s) adjective: Anguillan

Net migration rate

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

Physicians density

NA

Population

18,741 (2022 est.)

Population distribution

most of the population is concentrated in The Valley in the center of the island; settlmement is fairly uniform in the southwest, but rather sparce in the northeast

Population growth rate

1.8% (2022 est.)

Religions

Protestant 73.2% (includes Anglican 22.7%, Methodist 19.4%, Pentecostal 10.5%, Seventh Day Adventist 8.3%, Baptist 7.1%, Church of God 4.9%, Presbyterian 0.2%, Brethren 0.1%), Roman Catholic 6.8%, Jehovah's Witness 1.1%, other Christian 10.9%, other 3.2%, unspecified 0.3%, none 4.5% (2011 est.)

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban: 99.1% of population total: 99.1% of population unimproved: urban: 0.9% of population total: 0.9% of population (2017 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.82 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.77 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female total population: 0.89 male(s)/female (2022 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.72 children born/woman (2022 est.)

Urbanization

urban population: 100% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.47% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Disputes - international

none identified

Illicit drugs

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

Airports

total: 1 (2021)

Airports - with paved runways

total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2021)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

VP-A

Merchant marine

total: 2 by type: other 2 (2021)

National air transport system

number of registered air carriers: 2 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 4

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s): Blowing Point, Road Bay

Roadways

total: 175 km (2004) paved: 82 km (2004) unpaved: 93 km (2004)