2021 Edition

Background

Bermuda was first settled in 1609 by shipwrecked English colonists heading for Virginia. Self-governing since 1620, Bermuda is the oldest and most populous of the British overseas territories. Vacationing to the island to escape North American winters first developed in Victorian times. Tourism continues to be important to the island's economy, although international business has overtaken it in recent years. Bermuda has also developed into a highly successful offshore financial center. A referendum on independence from the UK was soundly defeated in 1995.

Area

land

54 sq km

total

54 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

about one-third the size of Washington, DC

Climate

subtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in winter

Coastline

103 km

Elevation

highest point

Town Hill 79 m

lowest point

Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Geographic coordinates

32 20 N, 64 45 W

Geography - note

consists of about 138 coral islands and islets with ample rainfall, but no rivers or freshwater lakes; some land was leased by the US Government from 1941 to 1995

Irrigated land

NA

Land boundaries

total

0 km

Land use

agricultural land

14.8% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 14.8% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.)

forest

20% (2018 est.)

other

65.2% (2018 est.)

Location

North America, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, east of South Carolina (US)

Map references

North America

Maritime claims

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

exclusive fishing zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

hurricanes (June to November)

Natural resources

limestone, pleasant climate fostering tourism

Population distribution

relatively even population distribution throughout

Terrain

low hills separated by fertile depressions

Age structure

0-14 years

16.7% (male 6,053/female 5,928)

15-24 years

11.88% (male 4,290/female 4,235)

25-54 years

35.31% (male 12,758/female 12,575)

55-64 years

16.37% (male 5,560/female 6,185)

65 years and over

19.74% (male 6,032/female 8,134) (2020 est.)

Birth rate

11.1 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

NA

Contraceptive prevalence rate

NA

Current Health Expenditure

NA

Death rate

9.03 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Dependency ratios

elderly dependency ratio

NA

potential support ratio

NA

total dependency ratio

NA

youth dependency ratio

NA

Drinking water source

improved: total

total: 100% of population

unimproved: total

total: 0% of population (2017 est.)

Education expenditures

1.3% of GDP (2017)

Ethnic groups

African descent 52%, White 31%, mixed 9%, Asian 4, other 4% (2010 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Infant mortality rate

female

1.88 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)

male

2.53 deaths/1,000 live births

total

2.21 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

English (official), Portuguese

Life expectancy at birth

female

85.09 years (2021 est.)

male

78.73 years

total population

81.83 years

Major urban areas - population

10,000 HAMILTON (capital) (2018)

Median age

female

45.7 years (2020 est.)

male

41.6 years

total

43.6 years

Nationality

adjective

Bermudian

noun

Bermudian(s)

Net migration rate

1.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Population

72,084 (July 2021 est.)

Population distribution

relatively even population distribution throughout

Population growth rate

0.36% (2021 est.)

Religions

Protestant 46.2% (includes Anglican 15.8%, African Methodist Episcopal 8.6%, Seventh Day Adventist 6.7, Pentecostal 3.5%, Methodist 2.7%, Presbyterian 2.0%, Church of God 1.6%, Baptist 1.2%, Salvation Army 1.1%, Brethren 1.0%, other Protestant 2.0%), Roman Catholic 14.5%, Jehovah's Witness 1.3%, other Christian 9.1%, Muslim 1%, other 3.9%, none 17.8%, unspecified 6.2% (2010 est.)

Sanitation facility access

improved: total

total: 100% of population

improved: urban

urban: 100% of population

unimproved: total

total: 0% of population (2017)

unimproved: urban

urban: 0% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

13 years (2015)

male

12 years

total

13 years

Sex ratio

0-14 years

1.02 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.01 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.01 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.9 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.74 male(s)/female

at birth

1.02 male(s)/female

total population

0.94 male(s)/female (2020 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.91 children born/woman (2021 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

female

29% (2014 est.)

male

29.7%

total

29.3%

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

-0.2% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

urban population

100% of total population (2021)

Administrative divisions

9 parishes and 2 municipalities*; Devonshire, Hamilton, Hamilton*, Paget, Pembroke, Saint George*, Saint George's, Sandys, Smith's, Southampton, Warwick

Capital

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November

etymology

named after Henry HAMILTON (ca. 1734-1796) who served as governor of Bermuda from 1788-1794

geographic coordinates

32 17 N, 64 47 W

name

Hamilton

time difference

UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

at least one parent must be a citizen of the UK

dual citizenship recognized

yes

residency requirement for naturalization

10 years

Constitution

amendments

proposal procedure - NA; passage by an Order in Council in the UK; amended several times, last in 2012

history

several previous (dating to 1684); latest entered into force 8 June 1968 (Bermuda Constitution Order 1968)

Country name

conventional long form

none

conventional short form

Bermuda

etymology

the islands making up Bermuda are named after Juan de BERMUDEZ, an early 16th century Spanish sea captain and the first European explorer of the archipelago

former

Somers Islands

Dependency status

overseas territory of the UK

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Consul General Karen GRISSETTE (since 6 July 2021)

consulate(s) general

16 Middle Road, Devonshire DV O3

email address and website

HamiltonConsulate@state.govhttps://bm.usconsulate.gov/

embassy

US Consulate Bermuda, 16 Middle Road, Devonshire, DV 03, Bermuda

FAX

(441) 295-1592

mailing address

5300 Hamilton Place, Washington, DC 20520-5300

telephone

(441) 295-1342

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Executive branch

cabinet

Cabinet nominated by the premier, appointed by the governor

chief of state

Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Rena LALGIE (since 14 December 2020)

elections/appointments

the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed premier by the governor

head of government

Premier David BURT (since 19 July 2017)

Flag description

red, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Bermudian coat of arms (a white shield with a red lion standing on a green grassy field holding a scrolled shield showing the sinking of the ship Sea Venture off Bermuda in 1609) centered on the outer half of the flag; it was the shipwreck of the vessel, filled with English colonists originally bound for Virginia, that led to the settling of Bermuda

note

note: the flag is unusual in that it is only British overseas territory that uses a red ensign, all others use blue

Government type

Overseas Territory of the UK with limited self-government; parliamentary democracy

Independence

none (Overseas Territory of the UK)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

Caricom (associate), ICC (NGOs), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, ITUC (NGOs), UPU, WCO

Judicial branch

highest courts

Court of Appeal (consists of the court president and at least 2 justices); Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice, 4 puisne judges, and 1 associate justice); note - the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) is the court of final appeal

judge selection and term of office

Court of Appeal justice appointed by the governor; justice tenure by individual appointment; Supreme Court judges nominated by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission and appointed by the governor; judge tenure based on terms of appointment

subordinate courts

commercial court (began in 2006); magistrates' courts

Legal system

English common law

Legislative branch

description

bicameral Parliament consists of:Senate (11 seats; 3 members appointed by the governor, 5 by the premier, and 3 by the opposition party; members serve 5-year terms) and the House of Assembly (36 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve up to 5-year terms)House of Assembly (36 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve up to 5-year terms)

election results

Senate - composition - men 7, women 4, percent of women 36.4%House of Assembly - percent of vote by party - PLP 62.1%, OBA 32.3%, other 5.4%, independent 0.2%; seats by party - PLP 30, OBA 6; composition - NA

elections

Senate - last appointments in August 2017 (next appointments in 2022)House of Assembly - last held on 1 October 2020 (next to be held not later than 2025)

National anthem

lyrics/music

Bette JOHNS

name

Hail to Bermuda

note

note: serves as a local anthem; as a territory of the United Kingdom, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)

National holiday

Bermuda Day, 24 May; note - formerly known as Victoria Day, Empire Day, and Commonwealth Day

National symbol(s)

red lion

Political parties and leaders

Free Democratic Movement or FDM (Marc BEAN)One Bermuda Alliance or OBA (Craig CANNONIER)Progressive Labor Party or PLP [Edward D. BURT]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agricultural products

bananas, vegetables, citrus, flowers; dairy products, honey

Budget

expenditures

1.176 billion (2017 est.)

revenues

999.2 million (2017 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-2.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Credit ratings

Fitch rating

N/A (2015)

Moody's rating

A2 (2016)

Standard & Poors rating

A+ (2015)

Current account balance

Current account balance 2016

$763 million (2016 est.)

Current account balance 2017

$818.6 million (2017 est.)

Debt - external

Debt - external 2015

$2.435 billion (2015 est.)

Debt - external 2017

$2.515 billion (2017 est.)

Economic overview

International business, which consists primarily of insurance and other financial services, is the real bedrock of Bermuda's economy, consistently accounting for about 85% of the island's GDP. Tourism is the country’s second largest industry, accounting for about 5% of Bermuda's GDP but a much larger share of employment. Over 80% of visitors come from the US and the sector struggled in the wake of the global recession of 2008-09. Even the financial sector has lost roughly 5,000 high-paying expatriate jobs since 2008, weighing heavily on household consumption and retail sales. Bermuda must import almost everything. Agriculture and industry are limited due to the small size of the island.Bermuda's economy returned to negative growth in 2016, reporting a contraction of 0.1% GDP, after growing by 0.6% in 2015. Unemployment reached 7% in 2016 and 2017, public debt is growing and exceeds $2.4 billion, and the government continues to work on attracting foreign investment. Still, Bermuda enjoys one of the highest per capita incomes in the world.

Exchange rates

currency

Bermudian dollars (BMD) per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2013

1 (2013 est.)

Exchange rates 2014

1 (2014 est.)

Exchange rates 2018

1 (2018 est.)

Exchange rates 2019

1 (2019 est.)

Exchange rates 2020

1 (2020 est.)

Exports

Exports 2018

$1.59 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2018 est.)

Exports 2019

$1.59 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2019 est.)

Exports - commodities

re-exports of pharmaceuticals

Exports - partners

Jamaica 49.1%, Luxembourg 36.1%, US 4.9% (2017)

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP - composition, by end use

exports of goods and services

49.8% (2017 est.)

government consumption

15.7% (2017 est.)

household consumption

51.3% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services

-30.4% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital

13.7% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories

0% (2017 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

0.9% (2017 est.)

industry

5.3% (2017 est.)

services

93.8% (2017 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$6.127 billion (2016 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

NA

lowest 10%

NA

Imports

Imports 2018

$2.2 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2018 est.)

Imports 2019

$2.23 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2019 est.)

Imports - commodities

ships, refined petroleum, postage stamps, recreational boats, aircraft (2019)

Imports - partners

United States 44%, South Korea 17%, Germany 10%, Canada 8% (2019)

Industrial production growth rate

2% (2017 est.)

Industries

international business, tourism, light manufacturing

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2016

1.4% (2016 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2017

1.9% (2017 est.)

Labor force

33,480 (2016 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

2%

industry

13%

services

85% (2016 est.)

Population below poverty line

11% (2008 est.)

Public debt

Public debt FY14/15

43% of GDP (FY14/15)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2017

$5.227 billion (2017 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2018

$5.2 billion note: data are in 2017 dollars (2018 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2019

$5.23 billion note: data are in 2017 dollars (2019 est.)

Real GDP growth rate

Real GDP growth rate 2014

-0.3% (2014 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2015

0.6% (2015 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2016

-0.1% (2016 est.)

Real GDP per capita

Real GDP per capita 2017

$81,835 (2017 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2018

$81,400 note: data are in 2017 dollars (2018 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2019

$81,800 note: data are in 2017 dollars (2019 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

16.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Unemployment rate

Unemployment rate 2016

7% (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate 2017

7% (2017 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

female

29% (2014 est.)

male

29.7%

total

29.3%

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2018 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)

Electricity - consumption

604.5 million kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

note

note: the Tynes Bay Waste Treatment Facility turns waste to electric energy

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

171,000 kW (2016 est.)

Electricity - production

650 million kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity access

electrification - total population

100% (2020)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

5,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

3,939 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

36.18 (2017 est.)

total

21,883 (2018)

Broadcast media

3 TV stations; cable and satellite TV subscription services are available; roughly 13 radio stations operating

Internet country code

.bm

Internet users

percent of population

98.37% (2019 est.)

total

61,200 (2021 est.)

Telecommunication systems

domestic

the system has a high fixed-line teledensity 35 per 100, coupled with a mobile-cellular teledensity of roughly 103 per 100 persons (2019)

general assessment

a good, fully automatic digital telephone system with fiber-optic trunk lines; telecom sector provides a relatively high contribution to overall GDP; numerous competitors licensed, but small and localized; telecom sector a growth area across the Caribbean (2020)

international

country code - 1-441; landing points for the GlobeNet, Gemini Bermuda, CBUS, and the CB-1 submarine cables to the Caribbean, South America and the US; satellite earth stations - 3 (2019)

note

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments

Telephones - fixed lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

34.71 (2018 est.)

total subscriptions

21,883 (2018)

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

103.1 (2019 est.)

total subscriptions

64,997 (2018)

Airports

total

1 (2020)

Airports - with paved runways

2,438 to 3,047 m

1 (2019)

total

1

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

VP-B

Merchant marine

by type

container ship 12, oil tanker 18, other 117 (2021)

total

147

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s)

Hamilton, Ireland Island, Saint George

Roadways

note

note: 225 km public roads; 222 km private roads

paved

447 km (2010)

total

447 km (2010)

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Military and security forces

Royal Bermuda Regiment; Bermuda Police Service (2021)

note

note - the Royal Bermuda Regiment is a reserve multi-role battalion that carries out two primary functions – providing military aid to civil authorities and humanitarian and disaster relief

Military and security service personnel strengths

the Royal Bermuda Regiment has about 350 troops (2021)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the Regiment is equipped with small arms (2021)

Military service age and obligation

females and males who are Commonwealth citizens and 18-45 years of age for voluntary enlistment in the Bermuda Regiment; service is for a minimum period of three years and two months from the date of enlistment; service can be extended only by volunteering or an executive order from the Governor; annual training commitment is about 30 days a year, which includes a two-week camp, weekends, and drill nights (2021)

Disputes - international

none

Air pollutants

carbon dioxide emissions

0.61 megatons (2016 est.)

Climate

subtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in winter

Environment - current issues

dense population and heavy vehicle traffic create serious congestion and air pollution problems; water resources scarce (most obtained as rainwater or from wells); solid waste disposal; hazardous waste disposal; sewage disposal; overfishing; oil spills

Land use

agricultural land

14.8% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 14.8% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.)

forest

20% (2018 est.)

other

65.2% (2018 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

-0.2% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

urban population

100% of total population (2021)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually

82,000 tons (2012 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually

1,640 tons (2012 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled

2% (2012 est.)