British Virgin Islands

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total: 6,738 (2020) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 22.29 (2020 est.)

Broadcast media

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

.vg

Internet users

total: 23,600 (2021 est.) percent of population: 77.7% (2019 est.)

Telecommunication systems

general assessment: good overall telephone service; major expansion sectors include the mobile telephony and data segments, which continue to appeal to operator investment; several operators licensed to provide services within individual markets, most of them are small and localized; telecommunication contributes to overall GDP (2020) domestic: fixed-line connections exceed 21 per 100 persons and mobile cellular subscribership is roughly 198 per 100 persons (2019) 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) 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 downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 7,311 (2019) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 24.35 (2019 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 35,163 (2020) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 116.3 (2020 est.)

Agricultural products

fruits, vegetables; livestock, poultry; fish

Budget

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

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

0% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Current account balance

$362.6 million (2011 est.) $279.8 million (2010 est.)

Debt - external

$36.1 million (1997)

Economic overview

The economy, one of the most stable and prosperous in the Caribbean, is highly dependent on tourism, which generates 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 (2017 est.) $23 million (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities

recreational boats, aircraft, diamonds, paintings, precious stones (2019)

Exports - partners

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

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP (official exchange rate)

$1.028 billion (2017 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use

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

agriculture: 0.2% (2017 est.) industry: 6.8% (2017 est.) services: 93.1% (2017 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA

Imports

$300 million NA (2017 est.) $210 million (2016 est.)

Imports - commodities

recreational boats, aircraft, refined petroleum, cars, furniture (2019)

Imports - partners

Germany 32%, United States 22%%, Italy 9%, France 7%, Seychelles 7% (2019)

Industrial production growth rate

1.1% (2017 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.1% (2017 est.) 1.1% (2016 est.)

Labor force

12,770 (2004)

Labor force - by occupation

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

Population below poverty line

NA

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$500 million (2017 est.) $490.2 million (2016 est.) $481.1 million (2015 est.)

Real GDP growth rate

2% (2017 est.) 1.9% (2016 est.) 1.8% (2015 est.)

Real GDP per capita

$34,200 (2017 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

38.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Unemployment rate

2.9% (2015 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

117.5 million kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

97% 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

3% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

45,200 kW (2016 est.)

Electricity - production

126.3 million kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity access

electrification - total population: 100% (2020)

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

20,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

1,227 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Air pollutants

carbon dioxide emissions: 0.21 megatons (2016 est.)

Climate

subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds

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; sewage and mining/industry waste contribute to water pollution, threatening coral reefs

Land use

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

urban population: 48.9% of total population (2021) rate of urbanization: 1.73% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually: 21,099 tons (2000 est.)

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

Area - comparative

about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC

Climate

subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds

Coastline

80 km

Elevation

highest point: Mount Sage 521 m lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

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

total: 0 km

Land use

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

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: 12 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) etymology: name refers to the nautical term "roadstead" or "roads," a body of water less sheltered than a harbor but where where ships can lie reasonably safely at anchor sheltered from rip currents, spring tides, or ocean swells

Citizenship

see United Kingdom

Constitution

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

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

embassy: 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 J. RANKIN (since 29 January 2021) head of government: Premier Andrew FAHIE (since 26 February 2019) 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

Overseas Territory of the UK with limited self-government; parliamentary democracy

Independence

none (Overseas Territory of the UK)

International organization participation

Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, OECS, UNESCO (associate), 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 3 in 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 (15 seats; 13 members - 9 in single-seat constituencies and 4 at-large seats 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 25 February 2019 (next to be held in 2023) election results: percent of vote by party - VIP 46.5%, NDP 28.2%, PVIM 17.4%, PU 8%; seats by party - VIP 8, NDP 3, PVIM 1, PU 1; composition - men 12, women 3, percent of women 20%

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 [Myron WALWYN] People's Empowerment Party or PEP [Alvin CHRISTOPHER] Progressive Virgin Islands Movement or PVIM [Ronnie SKELTON] Progressives United or PU [Julian FRASER] Virgin Islands Party or VIP [Andrew FAHIE]

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. On 6 September 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

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Age structure

0-14 years: 16.48% (male 3,088/female 3,156) 15-24 years: 12.22% (male 2,212/female 2,418) 25-54 years: 47.84% (male 8,476/female 9,652) 55-64 years: 12.83% (male 2,242/female 2,521) 65 years and over: 10.63% (male 1,921/female 2,105) (2021 est.)

Birth rate

10.98 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

NA

Contraceptive prevalence rate

NA

Current Health Expenditure

NA

Death rate

5.3 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA

Drinking water source

improved: total: 100% of population unimproved: total: 0% of population (2017 est.)

Education expenditures

2.9% of GDP (2019)

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: 14.56 deaths/1,000 live births male: 17.39 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)

Languages

English (official)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 79.44 years male: 77.94 years female: 81.03 years (2021 est.)

Major urban areas - population

15,000 ROAD TOWN (capital) (2018)

Median age

total: 37.2 years male: 37 years female: 37.5 years (2020 est.)

Nationality

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

Net migration rate

13.93 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Population

37,891 (July 2021 est.)

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

1.96% (2021 est.)

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

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)

total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 12 years (2018)

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: 0.88 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.92 male(s)/female total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2020 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.34 children born/woman (2021 est.)

Urbanization

urban population: 48.9% of total population (2021) rate of urbanization: 1.73% annual rate of change (2020-25 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

total: 4 (2020)

Airports - with paved runways

total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2019)

Airports - with unpaved runways

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

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

VP-L

Merchant marine

total: 30 by type: general cargo 3, other 27 (2021)

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s): Road Harbor

Roadways

total: 200 km (2007) paved: 200 km (2007)