CapitalDouglas
Population92,666
Area572 km²
LanguagesEnglish, Manx Gaelic
CurrencyManx pounds
Life Expectancy82.5 yr
Governmentparliamentary democracy (Tynwald)
Introduction
Background
Until the 13th century, the Isle of Man was incorporated within the Norwegian Kingdom of the Hebrides, at which point it was transferred to Scotland. In the 14th century, the island fell under the control of English lordship, and it was acquired by the British Government in 1765. Present-day issues include efforts to revive the nearly extinct Manx Gaelic language. The Isle of Man is classified as a British Crown dependency, which designates it as a self-governing territory of the British Crown that is not integrated into the UK. Nevertheless, the UK Government retains constitutional obligations regarding its defense and international representation.
Geography
Area
land
572 sq km
water
0 sq km
total
572 sq km
Climate
temperate climate with cool summers and mild winters; experiences overcast conditions approximately one-third of the time
Terrain
hills situated in the north and south, separated by a central valley
Land use
other
24.5% (2023 est.)
forest
6.4% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
69.1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 41.1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 28% (2023 est.)
Location
Located in Western Europe, this island resides in the Irish Sea, positioned between Great Britain and Ireland
Coastline
160 km
Elevation
lowest point
Irish Sea 0 m
highest point
Snaefell 621 m
Irrigated land
0 sq km (2022)
Map references
Europe
Land boundaries
total
0 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea
12 nm
exclusive fishing zone
12 nm
Natural hazards
periodic high winds and turbulent seas
Geography - note
to the southwest lies a small islet known as the Calf of Man, which serves as a bird sanctuary
Natural resources
none
Area - comparative
slightly more than three times larger than Washington, D.C.
Geographic coordinates
54 15 N, 4 30 W
Population distribution
the majority of the population is found in urban areas and large towns, with Douglas, located in the southeast, being the largest
People & Society
Languages
English, Manx Gaelic (approximately 2% of the population possesses some familiarity)
Religions
Christian 54.7%, Muslim 0.5%, Buddhist 0.5%, Hindu 0.4%, Jewish 0.2%, none 43.8% (2021 estimate)
Sex ratio
at birth
1.08 male(s)/female
0-14 years
1.08 male(s)/female
15-64 years
1.04 male(s)/female
total population
1.01 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over
0.89 male(s)/female
Birth rate
10.25 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
10.2 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age
male
43.7 years
total
45.1 years (2025 est.)
female
46.1 years
Population
male
46,543
total
92,666 (2025 est.)
female
46,123
Nationality
noun
Manxman (men), Manxwoman (women)
adjective
Manx
Urbanization
urban population
53.5% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
0.97% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years
16% (male 7,701/female 7,100)
15-64 years
61.9% (male 29,035/female 28,044)
65 years and over
22.1% (2024 est.) (male 9,595/female 10,794)
Ethnic groups
White 94.7%, Asian 3.1%, Mixed 1%, Black 0.6%, other 0.4% (2021 estimate)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
62.4 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio
25.9 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio
2.7 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
36.5 (2025 est.)
Net migration rate
4.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Total fertility rate
1.87 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.)
Infant mortality rate
male
4.4 deaths/1,000 live births
total
4 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female
3.7 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate
0.41% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.9 (2025 est.)
Population distribution
the majority of the population is located in urban areas and major towns; Douglas, situated in the southeast, is the most populous
Life expectancy at birth
male
80.7 years
female
84.4 years
total population
82.5 years (2024 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: total
total: 100% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: NA
unimproved: total
total: 0% of population (2022 est.) NA
unimproved: urban
urban: NA
Major urban areas - population
27,000 DOUGLAS (capital) (2018)
Environment
Climate
characterized by a temperate climate; featuring cool summers and mild winters; experiencing overcast conditions approximately one-third of the time
Land use
other
24.5% (2023 est.)
forest
6.4% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
69.1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 41.1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 28% (2023 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
53.5% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
0.97% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually
50,600 tons (2024 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled
50% (2011 est.)
Environmental issues
issues related to air pollution, marine pollution; challenges in waste disposal (encompassing both household and industrial waste)
Government
Flag
description: red background featuring the Three Legs of Man symbol (triskelion) centrally located; the three legs are interconnected at the thigh and flexed at the knee; a double-sided design is utilized to ensure that the toes point in a clockwise direction on both sides of the flag
history: this flag draws inspiration from the heraldic emblem of the last recognized Norse ruler of Mann, MAGNUS III (reigned 1252-1265); the triskelion has origins as an ancient Celtic sun emblem
Capital
name
Douglas
etymology
the term is derived from the Gaelic word Dubhghlais, meaning "black stream," which pertains to a river in the vicinity; another river was named Fionnghlais, or "white stream;" both river names were subsequently abbreviated to Dhoo and Glass, respectively, which interestingly formed the components of the town's name
time difference
UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time
+1hr, commencing on the last Sunday in March and concluding on the last Sunday in October
geographic coordinates
54 09 N, 4 29 W
Suffrage
16 years of age; universal
Citizenship
see United Kingdom
Constitution
history
development of the Isle of Man constitution dates to at least the 14th century
amendment process
introduced as a bill within the House of Keys, either by the "Government," a "Member of the House," or via a petition to the House or Legislative Council; typically, passage necessitates three distinct readings and approval from at least 13 members of the House; after both House and Council consent, assent from the lieutenant governor on behalf of the Crown is required
Country name
etymology
the term "man" may originate from the Gaelic word for "mountain;" the local designation derives from the terms ellan, meaning "island," and Vannin, a variation of Mannan's name
abbreviation
I.O.M.
local long form
Ellan Vannin
conventional long form
none
conventional short form
Isle of Man
Independence
none (British Crown dependency)
Legal system
UK laws are applicable, alongside Manx statutes
Government type
parliamentary democracy (Tynwald)
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Isle of Man High Court of Justice (comprises 3 permanent judges, known as "deemsters," along with 1 judge of appeal; divided into the Staff of Government Division or Court of Appeal and the Civil Division); the Court of General Gaol Delivery (not officially part of the High Court, but managed as such) addresses serious criminal matters
subordinate courts
High Court; Court of Summary Gaol Delivery; Summary Courts; Magistrate's Court; specialized courts
judge selection and term of office
deemsters are appointed by the Lord Chancellor of England upon the lieutenant governor's nomination; they may serve until the age of 70
Executive branch
cabinet
Council of Ministers appointed by the lieutenant governor
chief of state
Lord of Mann King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Lieutenant Governor Sir John LORIMER (since 29 September 2021)
election results
2021: Alfred CANNAN (independent) was elected as chief minister; Tynwald House of Keys vote - 21 out of 24
2016: Howard QUAYLE was elected as chief minister; Tynwald House of Keys vote - 21 out of 33
head of government
Chief Minister Alfred CANNAN (since 12 October 2021)
most recent election date
23 September 2021
election/appointment process
the monarchy follows hereditary principles; the lieutenant governor is appointed by the monarch; the chief minister is indirectly elected by the Tynwald for a five-year term (eligible for a second term)
expected date of next election
2026
National holiday
Tynwald Day, celebrated on 5 July (1417); this is the date when Tynwald Day was first documented
Dependency status
British crown dependency
National color(s)
red, white
Political parties
Green Party
Liberal Vannin Party or LVP
Manx Labor Party
Legislative branch
legislature name
Tynwald (High Court of Tynwald)
legislative structure
bicameral
National anthem(s)
title
"God Save the King"
history
official anthem, as a British Crown dependency; performed in the presence of the sovereign, members of the royal family, or the lieutenant governor
lyrics/music
unknown
National symbol(s)
triskelion (a motif of three legs)
National coat of arms
Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom bestowed the Isle of Man’s coat of arms on July 12, 1996; the triskelion (three interlinked legs) depicted on the shield symbolizes resilience, resourcefulness, and hope; the Latin motto translates to "Wherever you throw it, it will stand," signifying the islanders’ strength; the peregrine falcon represents the two falcons that the Isle of Man has presented to the UK monarch on Coronation Day since 1406, while the raven signifies the island’s historical role as a Viking colony; the crown reflects the UK monarch’s position as the Lord of Mann, although the island operates with self-governance
Administrative divisions
there are no first-order administrative divisions as recognized by the US government, but there are 24 local authorities, each conducting elections
Legislative branch - lower chamber
chamber name
House of Keys
term in office
5 years
number of seats
24 (directly elected)
electoral system
plurality/majority
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
9/23/2021
expected date of next election
September 2026
percentage of women in chamber
40%
parties elected and seats per party
independent (21); Manx Labour Party (2); Liberal Vannin (1)
Legislative branch - upper chamber
chamber name
Legislative Council
term in office
4 years
number of seats
11 (3 appointed, 8 indirectly elected)
scope of elections
partial renewal
most recent election date
3/14/2023
expected date of next election
March 2028
percentage of women in chamber
36.4%
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
financial services, light manufacturing, tourism
Exchange rates
Currency
Manx pounds (IMP) 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 British island economy; recognized for its financial services and tourism sectors; offers tax incentives for technology and financial enterprises; traditional fishing and agriculture sectors are in decline; significant location for online gambling and film industries
Exports - partners
almost entirely United Kingdom (2022)
Imports - partners
almost entirely United Kingdom (2022)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2020
-8.8% (2020 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2021
3.8% (2021 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2022
-4.2% (2022 est.)
Agricultural products
cereals, vegetables; cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry
Exports - commodities
crude oil, artwork, vegetables, fruits, whiskies (2022)
Imports - commodities
ships, delivery trucks (2022)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$7.431 billion (2022 est.)
Industrial production growth rate
-29.5% (2022 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry
6.9% (2022 est.)
services
95.1% (2022 est.)
agriculture
0.4% (2022 est.)
Energy
Electricity access
electrification - total population
100% (2022 est.)
Communications
Broadcast media
National Public Radio operates 3 FM stations and 1 AM station; 2 commercial radio broadcasters; obtains radio and television services through relays from British television and radio broadcasters.
Internet country code
.im
Transportation
Ports
large
0
small
2
medium
0
key ports
Douglas, Ramsey
very small
0
total ports
2 (2024)
ports with oil terminals
1
Airports
4 (2025)
Railways
total
63 km (2008)
narrow gauge
6 km (2008) 1.076-m gauge (6 km electrified)
Heliports
1 (2025)
Merchant marine
total
269 (2023)
by type
bulk carrier 102, container ship 6, general cargo 27, oil tanker 56, others 78
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
M
Military & Security
Military - note
The obligation of defense lies with the United Kingdom.
