British Virgin Islands

Central America and Caribbean Road Town

Population

40.1K

Area

151 km²

GDP

$1.60B

GDP Per Capita

$40,500

Pop. Density

266/km²

Quick Facts

Currency

$United States dollar(USD)

Calling Code

+1284

Timezone

UTC-04:00

Languages

English

Driving Side

left

Demonym

Virgin Islander

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.

Geography17

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

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 & Society23

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.)

Government21

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
Progressive Virgin Islands Movement or PVIM
Progressives United or PU
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

description: 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)

meaning: 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

Economy13

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

the US dollar is used

Energy6

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.)

Communications6

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.)