Anguilla
Introduction
Background
English settlers from Saint Kitts first colonized Anguilla in 1650. Great Britain administered the island until the early 19th century, when -- against the wishes of the inhabitants -- Anguilla was incorporated into a single British dependency along with Saint Kitts and Nevis. Several attempts at separation failed. In 1971, two years after a revolt, Anguilla was finally allowed to secede; this arrangement was formally recognized in 1980, when Anguilla became a separate British dependency. In 2017, Hurricane Irma caused extensive damage on the island, particularly to communications and residential and business infrastructure.
Geography
Location
Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico
Geographic coordinates
18 15 N, 63 10 W
Map references
Central America and the Caribbean
Area
total
91 sq km
land
91 sq km
water
0 sq km
Area - comparative
about one-half the size of Washington, D.C.
Land boundaries
total
0 km
Coastline
61 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea
12 nm
exclusive economic zone
200 nm
exclusive fishing zone
200 nm
Climate
tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds
Terrain
flat and low-lying island of coral and limestone
Elevation
highest point
Crocus Hill 73 m
lowest point
Caribbean Sea 0 m
Natural resources
salt, fish, lobster
Land use
agricultural land
0% (2022 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 0% (2018 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.)
forest
61.1% (2022 est.)
other
38.9% (2022 est.)
Irrigated land
0 sq km (2020)
Population distribution
most of the population is concentrated in The Valley in the center of the island; settlement is fairly uniform in the southwest, but rather sparse in the northeast
Natural hazards
frequent hurricanes and other tropical storms (July to October)
Geography - note
the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles
People and Society
Population
total
19,416 (2024 est.)
male
9,107
female
10,309
Nationality
noun
Anguillan(s)
adjective
Anguillan
Ethnic groups
African/Black 85.3%, Hispanic 4.9%, mixed 3.8%, White 3.2%, East Indian/Indian 1%, other 1.6%, unspecified 0.3% (2011 est.)
Languages
English (official)
Religions
Protestant 73.2% (includes Anglican 22.7%, Methodist 19.4%, Pentecostal 10.5%, Seventh Day Adventist 8.3%, Baptist 7.1%, Church of God 4.9%, Presbyterian 0.2%, Brethren 0.1%), Roman Catholic 6.8%, Jehovah's Witness 1.1%, other Christian 10.9%, other 3.2%, unspecified 0.3%, none 4.5% (2011 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years
20.8% (male 2,056/female 1,992)
15-64 years
67.5% (male 5,958/female 7,147)
65 years and over
11.7% (2024 est.) (male 1,093/female 1,170)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
48.2 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio
30.9 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
17.3 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio
5.8 (2024 est.)
Median age
total
37.5 years (2025 est.)
male
34.8 years
female
39 years
Population growth rate
1.71% (2025 est.)
Birth rate
11.69 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
4.76 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Net migration rate
10.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Population distribution
most of the population is concentrated in The Valley in the center of the island; settlement is fairly uniform in the southwest, but rather sparse in the northeast
Urbanization
urban population
100% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
0.47% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population
1,000 THE VALLEY (capital) (2018)
Sex ratio
at birth
1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years
1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years
0.83 male(s)/female
65 years and over
0.93 male(s)/female
total population
0.88 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Infant mortality rate
total
2.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
male
3.9 deaths/1,000 live births
female
2.1 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth
total population
82.6 years (2024 est.)
male
80 years
female
85.3 years
Total fertility rate
1.72 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.85 (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: total
total: 97.5% of population
Physician density
1.51 physicians/1,000 population (2018)
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% GDP)
2.5% of GDP (2022 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget)
10.3% national budget (2024 est.)
Environment
Environmental issues
inadequate potable water
Climate
tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds
Land use
agricultural land
0% (2022 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 0% (2018 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.)
forest
61.1% (2022 est.)
other
38.9% (2022 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
100% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
0.47% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Government
Country name
conventional long form
none
conventional short form
Anguilla
etymology
in 1493, Christopher COLUMBUS named the island Anguilla, meaning "eel" in Spanish, because of the island's elongated shape
Government type
parliamentary democracy (House of Assembly); self-governing overseas territory of the UK
Dependency status
overseas territory of the UK
Capital
name
The Valley
geographic coordinates
18 13 N, 63 03 W
time difference
UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology
name may derive from the capital's location among several hills
Legal system
common law based on the English model
Constitution
history
several previous; latest 1 April 1982
Citizenship
see United Kingdom
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch
chief of state
King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor Julia CROUCH (since 11 September 2023)
head of government
Premier Cora RICHARDSON-HODGE (since 27 February 2025)
cabinet
Executive Council appointed by the governor from among elected members of the House of Assembly
election/appointment process
the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the governor usually appoints the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as premier
Legislative branch
legislature name
House of Assembly
legislative structure
unicameral
number of seats
11 (7 directly elected, 2 appointed, 2 ex-officio members)
electoral system
plurality/majority
scope of elections
full renewal
term in office
5 years
most recent election date
6/29/2020
parties elected and seats per party
APM (7); AUF (4)
percentage of women in chamber
27.3%
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) is the superior court of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States; the ECSC is headquartered on St. Lucia and 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 travels to member states on a schedule to hear appeals from the High Court and subordinate courts
judge selection and term of office
Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the British monarch; 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
Magistrate's Court; Juvenile Court
Political parties
Anguilla Progressive Movement or APM; (formerly Anguilla United Movement or AUM)<br>Anguilla United Front or AUF
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy
none (overseas territory of the UK); alternate contact is the US Embassy in Barbados [1] (246) 227-4000
International organization participation
Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), OECS, UNESCO (associate), UPU
Independence
none (overseas territory of the UK)
National holiday
Anguilla Day, 30 May (1967)
Flag
<strong>description:</strong> blue, with the UK flag in the upper-left quadrant and the Anguillan coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms shows three orange dolphins in an interlocking circular design on a white background, with a turquoise-blue field below<br><br><strong>meaning:</strong> the white on the coat of arms stands for peace; the blue base for the sea, faith, youth, and hope; and the three dolphins for endurance, unity, and strength
National symbol(s)
dolphin
National coat of arms
the Anguillan coat of arms features three interlocking dolphins jumping out of seawater; they represent endurance, unity, and strength, and their circular motion stands for continuity; the white background symbolizes peace and tranquility, and the turquoise-blue base represents the sea, as well as faith, youth, and hope
National anthem(s)
title
"God Save the King"
lyrics/music
unknown
history
official anthem, as an overseas UK territory
Economy
Economic overview
small, tourism-dependent, territorial-island economy; very high public debt; COVID-19 crippled economic activity; partial recovery underway via tourism, benefitting from its high amount of timeshare residences; considering reopening oil refinery
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$362.499 million (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$345.238 million (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$336.924 million (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2024
$31,000 (2024 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023
$28,900 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2022
$27,400 (2022 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$452.73 million (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
3% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2021
1.8% (2021 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2020
-0.5% (2020 est.)
Agricultural products
small quantities of tobacco, vegetables; cattle raising
Industries
tourism, boat building, offshore financial services
Budget
revenues
$81.925 million (2017 est.)
expenditures
$72.352 million (2017 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2014
20.8% of GDP (2014 est.)
Exports
Exports 2017
$7.9 million (2017 est.)
Exports 2016
$3.9 million (2016 est.)
Exports - partners
Chile 60%, Netherlands 8%, Brazil 5%, Hungary 4%, USA 4% (2023)
Exports - commodities
packaged medicine, garments, vehicle parts/accessories, vaccines, cars (2023)
Imports - partners
Chile 50%, USA 27%, Botswana 15%, Japan 1%, Dominican Republic 1% (2023)
Imports - commodities
poultry, copper ore, natural gas, refined petroleum, fish (2023)
Exchange rates
Currency
East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2024
2.7 (2024 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
2.7 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
2.7 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
2.7 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2020
2.7 (2020 est.)
Energy
Electricity access
electrification - total population
100% (2020)
Communications
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
6,000 (2021 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
38 (2021 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions
25,870 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
163 (2022 est.)
Broadcast media
1 private TV station; multi-channel cable TV subscription services are available; about 10 radio stations, one of which is government-owned (2024)
Internet country code
.ai
Internet users
percent of population
81.6% (2021 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total
5,000 (2018 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
35 (2018 est.)
Transportation
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
VP-A
Airports
1 (2025)
Merchant marine
total
2 (2023)
by type
other 2
Military and Security
Military - note
defense is the responsibility of the UK