CapitalRoad Town
Population40,102
Area151 km²
GDP per capita$40,500
LanguagesEnglish , Virgin Islands Creole
Life Expectancy80.1 yr
Governmentan Overseas Territory of the UK with limited self-governance; operates under a parliamentary democracy.
Introduction
Background
Originally populated by Arawak and subsequently by Carib Indians, the Virgin Islands were established by the Dutch in 1648 and subsequently taken over by the English in 1672. These islands formed a part of the British colony known as the Leeward Islands from 1872 until 1960, after which they received autonomy in 1967. The economy is significantly linked to the more populous and larger US Virgin Islands located to the west, with the US dollar serving as the official currency. In 2017, Hurricane Irma caused extensive damage to the island of Tortola, with approximately 80% of residential and commercial buildings either destroyed or harmed, communication systems disrupted, and local roads made impassable.
Geography
Area
land
151 sq km
water
0 sq km
total
151 sq km
Climate
subtropical; humid; temperatures are moderated by trade winds
Terrain
coral islands are generally flat; volcanic islands are steep and hilly
Land use
other
0% (2023 est.)
forest
66.5% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
46.7% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 6.7% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 6.7% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 33.3% (2023 est.)
Location
located in the Caribbean, positioned between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, to the east of Puerto Rico
Coastline
80 km
Elevation
lowest point
Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point
Mount Sage 521 m
Irrigated land
NA
Map references
Central America and the Caribbean
Land boundaries
total
0 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea
12 nm
exclusive fishing zone
200 nm
Natural hazards
experiences hurricanes and tropical storms from July to October
Geography - note
maintains strong connections with the adjacent US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico
Natural resources
NEGL; a pleasant climate and beaches promote tourism
Area - comparative
approximately 0.9 times the area of Washington, D.C.
Geographic coordinates
18 30 N, 64 30 W
Population distribution
there is a relatively even population distribution across the inhabited islands, with Tortola, Anegada, Virgin Gorda, and Jost Van Dyke being the most populated
People & Society
Languages
English (official), Virgin Islands Creole
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.)
Sex ratio
at birth
1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years
0.98 male(s)/female
15-64 years
0.89 male(s)/female
total population
0.9 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over
0.9 male(s)/female
Birth rate
10.8 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
5.58 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age
male
38.1 years
total
38.8 years (2025 est.)
female
38.9 years
Population
male
19,042
total
40,102 (2024 est.)
female
21,060
Nationality
noun
British Virgin Islander(s)
adjective
British Virgin Islander
Urbanization
urban population
49.7% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
1.73% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Age structure
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)
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 estimate)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
40.2 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio
23.2 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio
5.9 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
16.9 (2024 est.)
Net migration rate
12.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Total fertility rate
1.39 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: total
total: 99.9% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 0.1% of population (2022 est.)
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% GDP)
3.2% of GDP (2023 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget)
13.6% national budget (2025 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male
16 deaths/1,000 live births
total
13 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female
10.7 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate
1.78% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.68 (2025 est.)
Population distribution
a relatively uniform population spread across the populated islands, with the most populous being Tortola, Anegada, Virgin Gorda, and Jost Van Dyke.
Life expectancy at birth
male
78.6 years
female
81.7 years
total population
80.1 years (2024 est.)
Major urban areas - population
15,000 ROAD TOWN (capital) (2018)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
male
11 years (2022 est.)
total
11 years (2022 est.)
female
11 years (2022 est.)
Environment
Climate
subtropical; humid; temperatures tempered by trade winds
Land use
other
0% (2023 est.)
forest
66.5% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
46.7% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 6.7% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 6.7% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 33.3% (2023 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
49.7% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
1.73% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually
21,100 tons (2024 est.)
Environmental issues
restricted natural freshwater supplies; contamination of water due to sewage and industrial/mining waste; conservation of coral reefs
Carbon dioxide emissions
total emissions
188,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids
188,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Government
Flag
description: blue featuring the UK flag in the upper-left quadrant and the coat of arms of the Virgin Islands prominently displayed on the right side; the coat of arms illustrates a woman positioned between two columns of six oil lamps, with a scroll above bearing the Latin term VIGILATE (Be Watchful)
meaning: The islands were named by Christopher COLUMBUS in 1493 in tribute to Saint Ursula and her virgin companions, with the figure holding a lamp representing the saint, while the additional lamps symbolize her followers.
Capital
name
Road Town
etymology
the name is derived from the nautical term "roadstead" or "roads," referring to a body of water that offers less shelter than a harbor but still allows ships to anchor.
time difference
UTC-4 (one hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
18 25 N, 64 37 W
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
see United Kingdom
Constitution
history
multiple previous versions; the most recent became effective on 15 June 2007 (The Virgin Islands Constitution Order 2007)
amendment process
can be initiated by any elected member of the House of Assembly; for passage, a simple majority vote from the elected Assembly members is required, along with the governor's assent on behalf of the monarch.
Country name
etymology
the 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 was eventually abbreviated to the Virgins (las Virgenes).
abbreviation
BVI
conventional long form
none
conventional short form
British Virgin Islands
Independence
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Legal system
English common law
Government type
an Overseas Territory of the UK with limited self-governance; operates under a parliamentary democracy.
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) serves as the superior court for the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States; headquartered in St. Lucia, the ECSC includes the Court of Appeal, headed by the chief justice and four judges, and the High Court, which comprises 18 judges; the Court of Appeal visits member states on a set schedule to hear appeals from the High Court and lower courts.
subordinate courts
Magistrates' Courts
judge selection and term of office
the chief justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court is appointed by the British monarch; other justices and judges are appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission; justices of the Court of Appeal serve for life, with mandatory retirement at age 65, while High Court judges are also appointed for life but have mandatory retirement at age 62.
Executive branch
cabinet
Executive Council appointed by the governor from members of the House of Assembly
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)
election/appointment process
the monarchy follows a hereditary system; the governor is appointed by the monarch; typically, after legislative elections, the governor appoints the leader of the majority party or coalition as premier
National holiday
Territory Day, 1 July (1956)
Dependency status
an overseas territory of the UK with internal self-governance.
National color(s)
yellow, green, red, white, blue
Political parties
National Democratic Party or NDP
Progressive Virgin Islands Movement or PVIM
Progressives United or PU
Virgin Islands Party or VIP
Legislative branch
term in office
4 years
number of seats
15 (directly elected and appointed)
legislature name
House of Assembly
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
4/24/2023
expected date of next election
2027
parties elected and seats per party
VIP (6); NDP (3); PVIM (3); PU (1)
National anthem(s)
title
"God Save the King"
history
official anthem, as a UK overseas territory
lyrics/music
unknown
National symbol(s)
zenaida dove, white cedar flower
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy
none (overseas territory of the UK)
International organization participation
ACS (associate), Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, OECS, UNESCO (associate), UPU
Economy
Budget
revenues
$400 million (2017 est.)
expenditures
$400 million (2017 est.)
Industries
tourism, light manufacturing, construction, rum production, concrete blocks, offshore banking services
Exchange rates
the US dollar serves as the currency
Economic overview
Economy of the British Caribbean island territory; robust tourism and service sectors; susceptible to hurricanes; dealing with public debt insolvency since the 2008 financial crisis; recognized as a tax haven; elevated costs of electrification; significant rum exporter
Exports - partners
Malta 33%, Guyana 22%, Greece 11%, Germany 7%, Indonesia 4% (2023)
Imports - partners
USA 34%, Italy 10%, France 9%, China 8%, Luxembourg 5% (2023)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2022
$38,400 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023
$38,600 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2024
$40,500 (2024 est.)
Agricultural products
fruits, vegetables; livestock, poultry; fish
Exports - commodities
ships, refined petroleum products, aircraft, molasses, precious gems (2023)
Imports - commodities
ships, refined petroleum products, aircraft, railway shipping containers, jewelry (2023)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$1.598 billion (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2020
1.4% (2020 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2021
2.8% (2021 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
8.5% (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$1.537 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$1.579 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$1.634 billion (2024 est.)
Energy
Coal
imports
20 metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
refined petroleum consumption
1,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Electricity
consumption
163.82 million kWh (2023 est.)
installed generating capacity
63,000 kW (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses
10.18 million kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity access
electrification - total population
100% (2022 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Total energy consumption per capita 2023
66.998 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
wind
1.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar
1.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
fossil fuels
97.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
78% (2017 est.)
Broadcast media
One privately owned television station; multi-channel television services can be accessed through cable and satellite subscriptions; approximately six private radio stations are operational.
Internet country code
.vg
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
23,000 (2021 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
17 (2022 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions
35,595 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
93 (2024 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total
7,000 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
18 (2022 est.)
Transportation
Ports
large
0
small
0
medium
1
key ports
Road Harbor
very small
0
total ports
1 (2024)
ports with oil terminals
1
Airports
3 (2025)
Heliports
2 (2025)
Merchant marine
total
29 (2023)
by type
general cargo 3, other 26
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
VP-L
Military & Security
Military - note
The responsibility for defense lies with the United Kingdom.
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees
41 (2024 est.)
