CapitalSaint Peter Port
Population67,923
Area78 km²
LanguagesEnglish, French, and a Norman-French dialect are utilized in rural areas.
CurrencyGuernsey pound
Life Expectancy83.6 yr
Governmentparliamentary democracy (States of Deliberation)
Introduction
Background
Guernsey, along with the other Channel Islands, constitutes the final remnants of the medieval Duchy of Normandy, which exerted control over both England and France. During World War II, these islands were the sole British territory occupied by Germany. The Bailiwick of Guernsey includes the principal island of Guernsey and several smaller isles such as Alderney, Sark, Herm, Jethou, Brecqhou, and Lihou. This Bailiwick operates as a self-governing dependency of the British Crown and is not incorporated into the United Kingdom. Nevertheless, the UK Government holds constitutional obligations for its defense and international representation.
Geography
Area
land
78 sq km
water
0 sq km
total
78 sq km
Climate
characterized by a temperate climate featuring mild winters and cool summers; approximately 50% of the days are cloudy
Terrain
predominantly flat with gentle hills located in the southwest
Land use
other
51.6% (2022 est.)
forest
5.2% (2022 est.)
agricultural land
43.3% (2022 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 18.3% (2022 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 24.9% (2022 est.)
Location
situated in Western Europe, these islands are found in the English Channel, to the northwest of France
Coastline
50 km
Elevation
lowest point
English Channel 0 m
highest point
Le Moulin on Sark 114 m
Irrigated land
NA
Map references
Europe
Land boundaries
total
0 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea
12 nm
exclusive fishing zone
12 nm
Natural hazards
significant tidal fluctuations and swift currents can render local waters hazardous
Geography - note
home to a large, deep-water harbor located at Saint Peter Port
Natural resources
cropland
Area - comparative
approximately half the area of Washington, D.C.
Geographic coordinates
49 28 N, 2 35 W
People & Society
Languages
English, French, and a Norman-French dialect are utilized in rural areas.
Religions
Protestant (Anglican, Presbyterian, Baptist, Congregational, Methodist) and Roman Catholic.
Sex ratio
at birth
1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years
1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years
1.02 male(s)/female
total population
0.99 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over
0.87 male(s)/female
Birth rate
9.64 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
9.19 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age
male
43.8 years
total
45.1 years (2025 est.)
female
46.2 years
Population
male
33,760
total
67,923 (2025 est.)
female
34,163
Nationality
noun
Channel Islander(s)
adjective
Channel Islander
Urbanization
urban population
31.2% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
0.68% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years
14.3% (male 4,999/female 4,717)
15-64 years
64.1% (male 21,937/female 21,547)
65 years and over
21.5% (2024 est.) (male 6,776/female 7,811)
Ethnic groups
Guernsey 53.5%, UK and Ireland 23.8%, Portugal 2.1%, Latvia 1.4%, other Europe 2.7%, other Crown Dependencies 0.7%, other 5.3%, unspecified 10.5% (estimates for 2022)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
56.8 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio
22.4 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio
2.9 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
34.4 (2025 est.)
Net migration rate
1.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Total fertility rate
1.59 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male
3.7 deaths/1,000 live births
total
3.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female
2.7 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate
0.19% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.78 (2025 est.)
Life expectancy at birth
male
80.9 years
female
86.4 years
total population
83.6 years (2024 est.)
Major urban areas - population
16,000 SAINT PETER PORT (capital) (2018)
Environment
Climate
characterized by temperate conditions featuring mild winters and cool summers; approximately half of the days experience overcast skies
Land use
other
51.6% (2022 est.)
forest
5.2% (2022 est.)
agricultural land
43.3% (2022 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 18.3% (2022 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 24.9% (2022 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
31.2% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
0.68% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually
178,900 tons (2024 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled
28.4% (2016 est.)
Environmental issues
issues include coastal erosion, flooding along coastlines; diminishing biodiversity
Government
Flag
description: a white field featuring the red cross of Saint George (the patron saint of England) reaching the flag's edges, with a yellow equal-armed cross of William the Conqueror superimposed on the Saint George cross
meaning: the red cross symbolizes Guernsey's position as a British Crown dependency
history: the golden cross imitates the one carried by William the Conqueror during the Battle of Hastings in 1066
Capital
name
Saint Peter Port
etymology
named after the patron saint of fishermen; "port" differentiates it from the Saint Peter (sometimes referred to as Saint Peter in the Wood) located on the opposite side of the island
time difference
UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, in Standard Time)
daylight saving time
+1hr, commencing on the last Sunday of March and concluding on the last Sunday of October
geographic coordinates
49 27 N, 2 32 W
Suffrage
16 years of age; universal
Citizenship
see United Kingdom
Constitution
history
unwritten; encompasses royal charters, statutes, and established laws and practices
amendment process
the States of Deliberation propose new laws or modifications to current laws; approval necessitates a majority vote
Country name
former
Norman Isles
etymology
the name has Old Norse roots; the exact meaning of the root "Guern(s)" is uncertain but may allude to a personal name, Grani, or the color green; the suffix "-ey" translates to "island"
conventional long form
Bailiwick of Guernsey
conventional short form
Guernsey
Independence
none (British Crown dependency)
Legal system
a customary system founded on Norman customary law; integrates aspects of the French civil code and English common law
Government type
parliamentary democracy (States of Deliberation)
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Guernsey Court of Appeal (comprises the Bailiff of Guernsey, who serves as the ex-officio president, and no fewer than 12 judges); Royal Court (divided into 3 sections - Full Court operates with 1 judge and 7 to 12 jurats serving as fact judges, Ordinary Court operates with 1 judge and typically 3 jurats, and Matrimonial Causes Division operates with 1 judge and 4 jurats)
subordinate courts
Court of Alderney; Court of the Seneschal of Sark; Magistrates' Court (which includes Juvenile Court); Contracts Court; Ecclesiastical Court; Court of Chief Pleas
judge selection and term of office
Royal Court Bailiff, Deputy Bailiff, and justices of the Court of Appeal appointed by the British Crown who serve at Her Majesty's discretion; jurats are elected by the States of Election, a body presided over by the Bailiff and several jurats
Executive branch
cabinet
none
chief of state
King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Lieutenant-Governor Richard CRIPWELL (since 15 February 2022)
election results
2025: Lindsay de SAUSMAREZ (independent) chosen as president of the Policy and Resources Committee and chief minister
2020: Peter FERBRACHE (independent) selected as president of the Policy and Resources Committee and chief minister: percentage of States of Guernsey vote - 57.5%
2016: Gavin ST. PIER (independent) elected as president of the Policy and Resources Committee and chief minister
head of government
Chief Minister Lindsay de SAUSMAREZ (since 1 July 2025)
most recent election date
7/1/2025
election/appointment process
the monarchy operates on a hereditary basis; the lieutenant governor and bailiff are appointed by the monarch; the chief minister, who serves as the president of the Policy and Resources Committee, is indirectly chosen by the States of Deliberation for a term of 4 years
expected date of next election
2029
National holiday
Liberation Day, 9 May (1945)
Dependency status
British crown dependency
National color(s)
red, white, yellow
Political parties
Forward Guernsey
Legislative branch
term in office
4 years
number of seats
38 (directly elected)
electoral system
plurality/majority
legislature name
States of Deliberation
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
7/1/2025
expected date of next election
2030
percentage of women in chamber
20%
parties elected and seats per party
independent (35); Forward Guernsey (3)
National anthem(s)
title
"God Save the King"
history
official anthem, as a British crown dependency
lyrics/music
unknown
National symbol(s)
Guernsey cow, donkey
Administrative divisions
there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US government, but there are 10 parishes: Castel, Forest, Saint Andrew, Saint Martin, Saint Peter Port, Saint Pierre du Bois, Saint Sampson, Saint Saviour, Torteval, Vale
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (British crown dependency)
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy
none (British crown dependency)
International organization participation
UPU
Economy
Industries
banking, tourism
Labor force
82,400 (2024 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency
Guernsey pound 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
affluent economy of the English Channel islands; robust financial sector facing challenges due to disruptions from COVID-19; sectors such as manufacturing, tourism, and construction have been impacted but are projected to rebound; inflation remains stable; possesses an independent taxation authority
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2022
6.2% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023
6.2% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2024
6.3% (2024 est.)
Exports - partners
almost entirely United Kingdom (2022)
Imports - partners
almost entirely United Kingdom (2022)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2021
9.9% (2021 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2022
5.3% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023
3.7% (2023 est.)
Agricultural products
greenhouse flowers, tomatoes, sweet peppers, eggplant, fruit; Guernsey cattle
Exports - commodities
clocks, aircraft, photo lab equipment, paintings, ships (2022)
Imports - commodities
beverages, mineral manufactures, refined petroleum, aircraft, ships (2022)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$12.508 billion (2023 est.)
Industrial production growth rate
1.3% (2023 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male
14.2% (2024 est.)
total
14.1% (2024 est.)
female
13.9% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry
8.2% (2023 est.)
services
91.2% (2023 est.)
agriculture
0.6% (2023 est.)
Energy
Electricity access
electrification - total population
100% (2022 est.)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
86.6% (2021 est.)
Broadcast media
Various terrestrial television broadcasts from the UK are transmitted through a facility in Jersey, with relay stations located in Jersey, Guernsey, and Alderney; satellite service options are also accessible; BBC Radio Guernsey along with one additional radio station.
Internet country code
.gg
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
32,637 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
51 (2023 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions
75,126 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
117 (2023 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total
25,336 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
40 (2020 est.)
Transportation
Ports
large
0
small
1
medium
0
key ports
Alderney Harbour, Saint Peter Port, Saint Sampson
very small
2
total ports
3 (2024)
ports with oil terminals
2
Airports
2 (2025)
Heliports
1 (2025)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
2
Military & Security
Military - note
The obligation for defense lies with the United Kingdom.
