CapitalGibraltar
Population29,733
Area7 km²
LanguagesEnglish , Spanish, Italian, Portuguese
CurrencyGibraltar pounds
Life Expectancy80.9 yr
Governmentparliamentary democracy (Parliament); an autonomous overseas territory of the United Kingdom
Introduction
Background
In the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht, Spain ceded Gibraltar, a territory of strategic significance, to Great Britain, with the British garrison being officially designated as a colony in 1830. During a referendum in 1967, the people of Gibraltar expressed a strong preference to remain a dependency of Britain. Following the grant of autonomy to Gibraltar by the UK in 1969, Spain responded by closing the border and cutting off all communication channels. Between 1997 and 2002, discussions took place between the UK and Spain regarding the possibility of temporary joint sovereignty over Gibraltar. In light of these discussions, the Government of Gibraltar organized a referendum in 2002, in which a significant majority of voters opposed the notion of sharing sovereignty with Spain. Since 2004, Spain, the UK, and Gibraltar have engaged in trilateral discussions aimed at addressing local issues, with ongoing efforts to establish cooperation agreements in various sectors, including taxation, financial services, communications, maritime security, legal and customs services, environmental protection, and education along with visa services. A new constitution that does not reflect colonial status was enacted in 2007, and in 2008, the European Court of First Instance affirmed Gibraltar's authority to manage its own tax system. The UK continues to hold responsibilities for defense, foreign relations, internal security, and financial stability.
The territorial dispute between Spain and the UK persists. For instance, in 2009, a conflict arose regarding Gibraltar's assertion of territorial waters extending three miles out, leading to occasional non-violent maritime encounters between Spanish and UK naval forces. After the UK's 2016 referendum to exit the EU, Spain reiterated its claims for the eventual return of Gibraltar to its control; however, London has rejected any link between this vote and Gibraltar's sovereignty.
Geography
Area
land
6.5 sq km
water
0 sq km
total
7 sq km
Climate
Mediterranean climate characterized by mild winters and warm summers
Terrain
a slender coastal lowland adjacent to the Rock of Gibraltar
Land use
other
100% (2022 est.)
forest
0% (2022 est.)
agricultural land
0% (2022 est.)
Location
Located in Southwestern Europe, adjacent to the Strait of Gibraltar, which connects the Mediterranean Sea with the North Atlantic Ocean, on the southern coastline of Spain
Coastline
12 km
Elevation
lowest point
Mediterranean Sea 0 m
highest point
Rock of Gibraltar 426 m
Irrigated land
NA
Map references
Europe
Land boundaries
total
1.2 km
border countries
Spain 1.2 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea
3 nm
Natural hazards
intermittent droughts; the peninsula lacks streams or significant bodies of water (all drinking water is sourced from desalination)
Geography - note
a strategically significant position on the Strait of Gibraltar that connects the North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea
Natural resources
none
Area - comparative
over 10 times larger than the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Geographic coordinates
36 08 N, 5 21 W
People & Society
Languages
English (utilized in educational institutions and for governmental functions), Spanish, Italian, Portuguese
Religions
Roman Catholic 72.1%, Church of England 7.7%, other Christian 3.8%, Muslim 3.6%, Jewish 2.4%, Hindu 2%, other 1.1%, none 7.1%, unspecified 0.1% (2012 estimate)
Sex ratio
at birth
1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years
1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years
1.02 male(s)/female
total population
1.01 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over
0.93 male(s)/female
Birth rate
13.55 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
8.71 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age
male
36.2 years
total
37.1 years (2025 est.)
female
37.5 years
Population
male
14,923
total
29,733 (2025 est.)
female
14,810
Nationality
noun
Gibraltarian(s)
adjective
Gibraltar
Urbanization
urban population
100% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
0.45% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years
20% (male 3,045/female 2,895)
15-64 years
62.5% (male 9,383/female 9,179)
65 years and over
17.5% (2024 est.) (male 2,491/female 2,690)
Ethnic groups
Gibraltarian 79%, other British 13.2%, Spanish 2.1%, Moroccan 1.6%, other EU 2.4%, other 1.6% (2012 estimate)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
60 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio
32.1 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio
3.6 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
28 (2025 est.)
Net migration rate
-3.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Total fertility rate
1.88 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: total
total: 100% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 0% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Education expenditure
8.6% national budget (2025 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male
6.8 deaths/1,000 live births
total
5.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female
5.2 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate
0.16% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.92 (2025 est.)
Life expectancy at birth
male
78.1 years
female
83.8 years
total population
80.9 years (2024 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: total
total: 100% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 0% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Major urban areas - population
35,000 GIBRALTAR (capital) (2018)
Environment
Climate
Mediterranean climate characterized by mild winters and hot summers
Land use
other
100% (2022 est.)
forest
0% (2022 est.)
agricultural land
0% (2022 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
100% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
0.45% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually
17,000 tons (2024 est.)
Environmental issues
restricted natural freshwater supplies
Carbon dioxide emissions
total emissions
15.608 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from consumed natural gas
150,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids
15.458 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Government
Flag
description: two horizontal stripes of white (top, double-width) and red featuring a central three-towered red castle on the white stripe; from the castle gate hangs a gold key, positioned centrally within the red stripe
meaning: the castle signifies Gibraltar as a stronghold, while the key denotes Gibraltar's critical significance as the gateway to the Mediterranean
history: this design is derived from the coat of arms of Gibraltar, which was bestowed by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain on 10 July 1502
Capital
name
Gibraltar
etymology
originating from the Spanish adaptation of the Arabic jabal tariq, translating to "Mountain of Tariq" and alluding to the Berber leader who seized the peninsula in A.D. 711
time difference
UTC+1 (6 hours in advance of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time
+1hr, commencing on the last Sunday of March; concluding on the last Sunday of October
geographic coordinates
36 08 N, 5 21 W
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal; applicable to British citizens with a residency of six months or more
Citizenship
see United Kingdom
Constitution
history
replacing the previous constitution from 1969; the most recent was approved by referendum on 30 November 2006, taking effect on 14 December 2006, and becoming operational on 2 January 2007
amendment process
initiated by Parliament and necessitates prior approval from the British monarch (via the Secretary of State); to pass, it requires a minimum of a three-fourths majority in Parliament followed by a simple majority in a referendum; note – only sections 1 through 15 of Chapter 1 (Protection of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms) are amendable by Parliament
Country name
etymology
originating from the Spanish adaptation of the Arabic jabal tariq, translating to "Mountain of Tariq" and alluding to the Berber leader who seized the peninsula in A.D. 711
conventional long form
none
conventional short form
Gibraltar
Independence
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Legal system
the laws of the United Kingdom are applicable
Government type
parliamentary democracy (Parliament); an autonomous overseas territory of the United Kingdom
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Court of Appeal (composed of at least 3 judges, including the president of the court); Supreme Court of Gibraltar (includes the chief justice and 3 judges)
subordinate courts
Court of First Instance; Magistrates' Court; specialized courts for matters concerning social security, taxation, and employment
judge selection and term of office
Judges of the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court are appointed by the governor based on recommendations from the Judicial Service Commission, consisting of 7 members including judges and governor appointees; the president of the Court of Appeal serves based on terms of appointment; justices of the Supreme Court are typically appointed until the age of 67, with the possibility of a 3-year extension for tenure
Executive branch
cabinet
Council of Ministers selected from the 17 elected Parliament members by the governor, in collaboration with the chief minister
chief of state
King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor Sir David STEEL (since 11 June 2020)
head of government
Chief Minister Fabian PICARDO (since 9 December 2011)
election/appointment process
the monarchy operates on a hereditary basis; the governor is appointed by the monarch; traditionally, after legislative elections, the governor appoints the leader of the majority party or coalition as chief minister
National holiday
National Day, 10 September (1967)
Dependency status
an overseas territory of the United Kingdom
National color(s)
red, white, yellow
Political parties
Gibraltar Liberal Party or Liberal Party of Gibraltar or LPG
Gibraltar Social Democrats or GSD
Gibraltar Socialist Labor Party or GSLP
GSLP-Liberal Alliance
Together Gibraltar or TG
Legislative branch
term in office
4 years
number of seats
18 (17 directly elected, 1 appointed)
electoral system
plurality/majority
legislature name
Parliament
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
10/12/2023
expected date of next election
October 2027
percentage of women in chamber
38.5%
parties elected and seats per party
GSLP-Liberal Alliance (9) (GSLP 7, LPG 2); GSD (8)
National anthem(s)
title
"God Save the King"
history
official anthem, as an overseas UK territory
lyrics/music
unknown
National symbol(s)
Barbary partridge
National coat of arms
In 1502, this coat of arms was granted to Gibraltar by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain; the castle at the center of the shield symbolizes Gibraltar as a fortress, while the gold key denotes its strategic role as the entrance to the Mediterranean; beneath the shield lies the national motto, Montis Insignia Calpe (“Badge of the Rock of Gibraltar”); the coat of arms features the national colors of red, white, and yellow
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
ICC (NGOs), Interpol (subbureau), UPU
Economy
Industries
banking and finance, tourism, ship repair, tobacco
Exchange rates
Currency
Gibraltar pounds (GIP) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2020
0.78 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
0.727 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
0.811 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
0.805 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2024
0.782 (2024 est.)
Economic overview
A high-income economy under British territory; Brexit has led to considerable economic upheaval impacting established financial services, shipping, and tourism sectors; current discussions are underway to potentially re-enter the EU Schengen Area; possesses an independent taxation authority
Exports - partners
Netherlands 38%, France 26%, Cyprus 7%, Poland 7%, Sweden 6% (2023)
Imports - partners
Italy 26%, Greece 12%, Spain 10%, Netherlands 9%, India 9% (2023)
Agricultural products
none
Exports - commodities
refined petroleum, natural gas, ships, automobiles, scrap iron (2023)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, crude oil, coal tar oil, natural gas, ships (2023)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$2.044 billion (2014 est.)
Energy
Petroleum
refined petroleum consumption
91,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Electricity
consumption
213.744 million kWh (2023 est.)
installed generating capacity
50,000 kW (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses
6.256 million kWh (2023 est.)
Natural gas
imports
77.196 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
consumption
77.196 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
Electricity access
electrification - total population
100% (2022 est.)
Electricity generation sources
fossil fuels
100% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
94% (2016 est.)
Broadcast media
The Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) offers television and radio services through 1 television station and 4 radio stations; the British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) runs 1 radio station; broadcasts from Spanish radio and television channels are available.
Internet country code
.gi
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
17,200 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
46 (2022 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions
36,700 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
98 (2022 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total
23,000 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
61 (2022 est.)
Transportation
Ports
large
0
small
0
medium
1
key ports
Europa Point
very small
0
total ports
1 (2024)
ports with oil terminals
1
Airports
1 (2025)
Merchant marine
total
129 (2023)
by type
8 bulk carriers, 5 container ships, 31 general cargo vessels, 16 oil tankers, and 69 others
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
VP-G
Military & Security
Military - note
It is the duty of the UK to ensure defense.
Military and security forces
Royal Gibraltar Regiment (UK) (2025)
