British Virgin Islands
Introduction
Background
First inhabited by Arawak and later by Carib Indians, the Virgin Islands were settled by the Dutch in 1648 and then annexed by the English in 1672. The islands were part of the British colony of the Leeward Islands (1872-1960); they were granted autonomy in 1967. The economy is closely tied to the larger and more populous US Virgin Islands to the west, and the US dollar is the legal currency. In 2017, Hurricane Irma devastated the island of Tortola. An estimated 80% of residential and business structures were destroyed or damaged, communications disrupted, and local roads rendered impassable.
Geography
Location
Caribbean, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico
Geographic coordinates
18 30 N, 64 30 W
Map references
Central America and the Caribbean
Area
total
151 sq km
land
151 sq km
water
0 sq km
Area - comparative
about 0.9 times the size of Washington, D.C.
Land boundaries
total
0 km
Coastline
80 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea
12 nm
exclusive fishing zone
200 nm
Climate
subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds
Terrain
coral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep, hilly
Elevation
highest point
Mount Sage 521 m
lowest point
Caribbean Sea 0 m
Natural resources
NEGL; pleasant climate, beaches foster tourism
Land use
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.)
forest
66.5% (2023 est.)
other
0% (2023 est.)
Irrigated land
NA
Population distribution
a fairly even distribution throughout the inhabited islands, with the largest islands of Tortola, Anegada, Virgin Gorda, and Jost Van Dyke having the largest populations
Natural hazards
hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October)
Geography - note
strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico
People and Society
Population
total
40,102 (2024 est.)
male
19,042
female
21,060
Nationality
noun
British Virgin Islander(s)
adjective
British Virgin Islander
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 est.)
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.)
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)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
40.2 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio
23.2 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
16.9 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio
5.9 (2024 est.)
Median age
total
38.8 years (2025 est.)
male
38.1 years
female
38.9 years
Population growth rate
1.78% (2025 est.)
Birth rate
10.8 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
5.58 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Net migration rate
12.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Population distribution
a fairly even distribution throughout the inhabited islands, with the largest islands of Tortola, Anegada, Virgin Gorda, and Jost Van Dyke having the largest populations
Urbanization
urban population
49.7% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
1.73% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population
15,000 ROAD TOWN (capital) (2018)
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
65 years and over
0.9 male(s)/female
total population
0.9 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Infant mortality rate
total
13 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
male
16 deaths/1,000 live births
female
10.7 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth
total population
80.1 years (2024 est.)
male
78.6 years
female
81.7 years
Total fertility rate
1.39 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.68 (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.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total
11 years (2022 est.)
male
11 years (2022 est.)
female
11 years (2022 est.)
Environment
Environmental issues
limited natural freshwater resources; water pollution from sewage and mining/industry waste; coral reef preservation
Climate
subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds
Land use
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.)
forest
66.5% (2023 est.)
other
0% (2023 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
49.7% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
1.73% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
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.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually
21,100 tons (2024 est.)
Government
Country name
conventional long form
none
conventional short form
British Virgin Islands
abbreviation
BVI
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 over time was shortened to the Virgins (las Virgenes)
Government type
Overseas Territory of the UK with limited self-government; parliamentary democracy
Dependency status
overseas territory of the UK; internal self-governing
Capital
name
Road Town
geographic coordinates
18 25 N, 64 37 W
time difference
UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology
name refers to the nautical term "roadstead" or "roads," a body of water less sheltered than a harbor but where ships can still lie at anchor
Legal system
English common law
Constitution
history
several previous; latest effective 15 June 2007 (The Virgin Islands Constitution Order 2007)
amendment process
initiated by any elected member of the House of Assembly; passage requires simple majority vote by the elected members of the Assembly and assent by the governor on behalf of the monarch
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 Daniel PRUCE (since 29 January 2024)
head of government
Premier Dr. Natalio WHEATLEY (since 5 May 2022)
cabinet
Executive Council appointed by the governor from 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
15 (directly elected and appointed)
scope of elections
full renewal
term in office
4 years
most recent election date
4/24/2023
parties elected and seats per party
VIP (6); NDP (3); PVIM (3); PU (1)
expected date of next election
2027
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
Magistrates' Courts
Political parties
National Democratic Party or NDP<br>Progressive Virgin Islands Movement or PVIM<br>Progressives United or PU<br>Virgin Islands Party or VIP
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
Independence
none (overseas territory of the UK)
National holiday
Territory Day, 1 July (1956)
Flag
<strong>description:</strong> blue with the UK flag in the upper-left quadrant and the Virgin Islander coat of arms centered on the right half of the flag; the coat of arms depicts a woman between two columns of six oil lamps, above a scroll with the Latin word VIGILATE (Be Watchful)<br><br><strong>meaning:</strong> Christopher COLUMBUS named the islands in 1493 in honor of Saint Ursula and her virgin followers, and the figure holding a lamp represents the saint, with the other lamps symbolizing her followers
National symbol(s)
zenaida dove, white cedar flower
National color(s)
yellow, green, red, white, blue
National anthem(s)
title
"God Save the King"
lyrics/music
unknown
history
official anthem, as a UK overseas territory
Economy
Economic overview
British Caribbean island territorial economy; strong tourism and services industries; vulnerable to hurricanes; navigating public debt insolvency since 2008 Crisis; considered a tax haven; high electrification costs; major rum exporter
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$1.634 billion (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$1.579 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$1.537 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2024
$40,500 (2024 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023
$38,600 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2022
$38,400 (2022 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$1.598 billion (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
8.5% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2021
2.8% (2021 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2020
1.4% (2020 est.)
Agricultural products
fruits, vegetables; livestock, poultry; fish
Industries
tourism, light industry, construction, rum, concrete block, offshore banking center
Budget
revenues
$400 million (2017 est.)
expenditures
$400 million (2017 est.)
Exports - partners
Malta 33%, Guyana 22%, Greece 11%, Germany 7%, Indonesia 4% (2023)
Exports - commodities
ships, refined petroleum, aircraft, molasses, precious stones (2023)
Imports - partners
USA 34%, Italy 10%, France 9%, China 8%, Luxembourg 5% (2023)
Imports - commodities
ships, refined petroleum, aircraft, railway cargo containers, jewelry (2023)
Exchange rates
<p>the US dollar is used</p>
Energy
Electricity access
electrification - total population
100% (2022 est.)
Electricity
installed generating capacity
63,000 kW (2023 est.)
consumption
163.82 million kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses
10.18 million kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
fossil fuels
97.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar
1.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
wind
1.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Coal
imports
20 metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
refined petroleum consumption
1,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Total energy consumption per capita 2023
66.998 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Communications
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.)
Broadcast media
1 private TV station; multi-channel TV is available from cable and satellite subscription services; about a half-dozen private radio stations
Internet country code
.vg
Internet users
percent of population
78% (2017 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total
7,000 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
18 (2022 est.)
Transportation
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
VP-L
Airports
3 (2025)
Heliports
2 (2025)
Merchant marine
total
29 (2023)
by type
general cargo 3, other 26
Ports
total ports
1 (2024)
large
0
medium
1
small
0
very small
0
ports with oil terminals
1
key ports
Road Harbor
Military and Security
Military - note
defense is the responsibility of the UK
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees
41 (2024 est.)