2017 Edition

Background

Part of the Norwegian Kingdom of the Hebrides until the 13th century when it was ceded to Scotland, the isle came under the British Crown in 1765. Current concerns include reviving the almost extinct Manx Gaelic language. Isle of Man is a British Crown dependency but is not part of the UK or of the EU. However, the UK Government remains constitutionally responsible for its defense and international representation.

Area

572 sq km 572 sq km 0 sq km

land

572 sq km

total

572 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly more than three times the size of Washington, DC

Climate

temperate; cool summers and mild winters; overcast about a third of the time

Coastline

160 km

Elevation

NA lowest point: Irish Sea 0 m highest point: Snaefell 621 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Irish Sea 0 m

highest point

Snaefell 621 m

mean elevation

NA

Environment - current issues

waste disposal (both household and industrial); transboundary air pollution

Geographic coordinates

54 15 N, 4 30 W

Geography - note

one small islet, the Calf of Man, lies to the southwest and is a bird sanctuary

Irrigated land

0 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

74.7% arable land 43.8%; permanent crops 0%; permanent pasture 30.9% 6.1% 19.2% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

74.7%

forest

6.1%

other

19.2% (2011 est.)

Location

Western Europe, island in the Irish Sea, between Great Britain and Ireland

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

12 nm 12 nm

exclusive fishing zone

12 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

occasional high winds and rough seas

Natural resources

none

Population - distribution

most people concentrated in cities and large towns of which Douglas, in the southeast, is the largest

Terrain

hills in north and south bisected by central valley

Age structure

16.28% (male 7,547/female 6,916) 11.43% (male 5,355/female 4,800) 38.79% (male 17,215/female 17,234) 13.13% (male 5,891/female 5,772) 20.36% (male 8,469/female 9,616) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

16.28% (male 7,547/female 6,916)

15-24 years

11.43% (male 5,355/female 4,800)

25-54 years

38.79% (male 17,215/female 17,234)

55-64 years

13.13% (male 5,891/female 5,772)

65 years and over

20.36% (male 8,469/female 9,616) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

11 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Death rate

10.2 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Ethnic groups

white 96.5%, Asian/Asian British 1.9%, other 1.5% (2011 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Infant mortality rate

4 deaths/1,000 live births 4 deaths/1,000 live births 4.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

4.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

4 deaths/1,000 live births

total

4 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

English, Manx Gaelic (about 2% of the population has some knowledge)

Life expectancy at birth

81.3 years 79.6 years 83.2 years (2017 est.)

female

83.2 years (2017 est.)

male

79.6 years

total population

81.3 years

Major urban areas - population

DOUGLAS (capital) 29,000 (2014)

Median age

44.2 years 43.3 years 44.9 years (2017 est.)

female

44.9 years (2017 est.)

male

43.3 years

total

44.2 years

Nationality

Manxman(men), Manxwoman(women) Manx

adjective

Manx

noun

Manxman(men), Manxwoman(women)

Net migration rate

6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Population

88,815 (July 2017 est.)

Population distribution

most people concentrated in cities and large towns of which Douglas, in the southeast, is the largest

Population growth rate

0.68% (2017 est.)

Religions

Protestant (Anglican, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Society of Friends), Roman Catholic

Sex ratio

1.08 male(s)/female 1.1 male(s)/female 1.1 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.87 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.1 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.1 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1 male(s)/female

55-64 years

1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.87 male(s)/female

at birth

1.08 male(s)/female

total population

1 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.92 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

10.1% 11.8% 8.2% (2011 est.)

female

8.2% (2011 est.)

male

11.8%

total

10.1%

Urbanization

52.4% of total population (2017) 0.81% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

0.81% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

52.4% of total population (2017)

Administrative divisions

none; there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 24 local authorities each with its own elections

Capital

Douglas 54 09 N, 4 29 W UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

geographic coordinates

54 09 N, 4 29 W

name

Douglas

time difference

UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

see United Kingdom

Constitution

development of the Isle of Man constitution dates to at least the 14th century proposed as a bill in the House of Keys, by the “Government,” by a “Member of the House,” or through petition to the House or Legislative Council; passage normally requires three separate readings and approval of at least 13 House members; following both House and Council agreement, assent is required by the lieutenant governor on behalf of the Crown; the constitution has been expanded and amended many times, last in 2015 (2016)

amendments

proposed as a bill in the House of Keys, by the “Government,” by a “Member of the House,” or through petition to the House or Legislative Council; passage normally requires three separate readings and approval of at least 13 House members; following both House and Council agreement, assent is required by the lieutenant governor on behalf of the Crown; the constitution has been expanded and amended many times, last in 2015 (2016)

history

development of the Isle of Man constitution dates to at least the 14th century

Country name

none Isle of Man I.O.M. the name "man" may be derived from the Celtic word for "mountain"

abbreviation

I.O.M.

conventional long form

none

conventional short form

Isle of Man

etymology

the name "man" may be derived from the Celtic word for "mountain"

Dependency status

British Crown dependency

Diplomatic representation from the US

none (British Crown dependency)

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (British Crown dependency)

Executive branch

Lord of Mann Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Lieutenant Governor Sir Richard GOZNEY (since 27 May 2016) Chief Minister Howard QUAYLE (since 4 October 2016) Council of Ministers appointed by the lieutenant governor the monarchy is hereditary; lieutenant governor appointed by the monarch; chief minister indirectly elected by the Tynwald for a 5-year term (eligible for second term); election last held on 4 October 2016 (next to be held in 2021) Howard QUAYLE (independent) elected chief minister; Tynwald vote - 21 of 33

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the lieutenant governor

chief of state

Lord of Mann Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Lieutenant Governor Sir Richard GOZNEY (since 27 May 2016)

election results

Howard QUAYLE (independent) elected chief minister; Tynwald vote - 21 of 33

elections/appointments

the monarchy is hereditary; lieutenant governor appointed by the monarch; chief minister indirectly elected by the Tynwald for a 5-year term (eligible for second term); election last held on 4 October 2016 (next to be held in 2021)

head of government

Chief Minister Howard QUAYLE (since 4 October 2016)

Flag description

red with the Three Legs of Man emblem (triskelion), in the center; the three legs are joined at the thigh and bent at the knee; in order to have the toes pointing clockwise on both sides of the flag, a two-sided emblem is used; the flag is based on the coat-of-arms of the last recognized Norse King of Mann, Magnus III (r. 1252-65); the triskelion has its roots in an early Celtic sun symbol

Government type

parliamentary democracy (Tynwald); a Crown dependency of the UK

Independence

none (British crown dependency)

International organization participation

UPU

Judicial branch

Isle of Man High Court of Justice (consists of 3 permanent judges or "deemsters" and 1 judge of appeal; organized into the Staff of Government Division or Court of Appeal and the Civil Division); the Court of General Gaol Delivery is not formally part of the High Court but is administered as though part of the High Court and deals with serious criminal cases; note - appeals beyond the Court of Appeal are referred to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) deemsters appointed by the Lord Chancellor of England on the nomination of the lieutenant governor; deemsters can serve until age 70 High Court; Court of Summary Gaol Delivery; Summary Courts; Magistrate's Court; specialized courts

highest resident court(s)

Isle of Man High Court of Justice (consists of 3 permanent judges or "deemsters" and 1 judge of appeal; organized into the Staff of Government Division or Court of Appeal and the Civil Division); the Court of General Gaol Delivery is not formally part of the High Court but is administered as though part of the High Court and deals with serious criminal cases; note - appeals beyond the Court of Appeal are referred to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London)

judge selection and term of office

deemsters appointed by the Lord Chancellor of England on the nomination of the lieutenant governor; deemsters can serve until age 70

subordinate courts

High Court; Court of Summary Gaol Delivery; Summary Courts; Magistrate's Court; specialized courts

Legal system

the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply and include Manx statutes

Legislative branch

bicameral Tynwald or the High Court of Tynwald consists of the Legislative Council (11 seats; includes the President of Tynwald, 2 ex-officio members - the Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man and the attorney general (non-voting) - and 8 members indirectly elected by the House of Keys with renewal of 4 members every 2 years; elected members serve 4-year terms) and the House of Keys (24 seats; 2 members directly elected by simple majority vote from 12 constituencies to serve 5-year terms) House of Keys - last held on 22 September 2016 (next to be held in September 2021) House of Keys - percent of vote by party - Liberal Vannin 6.4%, independent 92.3%; seats by party - Liberal Vannin 3, other 1.3% independent 21

description

bicameral Tynwald or the High Court of Tynwald consists of the Legislative Council (11 seats; includes the President of Tynwald, 2 ex-officio members - the Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man and the attorney general (non-voting) - and 8 members indirectly elected by the House of Keys with renewal of 4 members every 2 years; elected members serve 4-year terms) and the House of Keys (24 seats; 2 members directly elected by simple majority vote from 12 constituencies to serve 5-year terms)

election results

House of Keys - percent of vote by party - Liberal Vannin 6.4%, independent 92.3%; seats by party - Liberal Vannin 3, other 1.3% independent 21

elections

House of Keys - last held on 22 September 2016 (next to be held in September 2021)

National anthem

"Arrane Ashoonagh dy Vannin" (O Land of Our Birth) William Henry GILL [English], John J. KNEEN [Manx]/traditional adopted 2003, in use since 1907; serves as a local anthem; as a British Crown dependency, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom) and is played when the sovereign, members of the royal family, or the lieutenant governor are present

lyrics/music

William Henry GILL [English], John J. KNEEN [Manx]/traditional

name

"Arrane Ashoonagh dy Vannin" (O Land of Our Birth)

note

adopted 2003, in use since 1907; serves as a local anthem; as a British Crown dependency, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom) and is played when the sovereign, members of the royal family, or the lieutenant governor are present

National holiday

Tynwald Day, 5 July (1417); date Tynwald Day was first recorded

National symbol(s)

triskelion (a motif of three legs); national colors: red, white

triskelion (a motif of three legs); national colors

red, white

Political parties and leaders

Liberal Vannin Party [Kate BEECROFT] Manx Labor Party Mec Vannin [Bernard MOFFATT]; (sometimes referred to as the Manx Nationalist Party) most members sit as independents

note

most members sit as independents

Political pressure groups and leaders

Alliance for Progressive Government or APG (a government watchdog)

Suffrage

16 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

cereals, vegetables; cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry

Budget

$965 million $943 million (FY05/06 est.)

expenditures

$943 million (FY05/06 est.)

revenues

$965 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

0.3% of GDP (FY05/06 est.)

Debt - external

$NA

Economy - overview

Financial services, manufacturing, and tourism are key sectors of the economy. The government offers low taxes and other incentives to high-technology companies and financial institutions to locate on the island; this has paid off in expanding employment opportunities in high-income industries. As a result, agriculture and fishing, once the mainstays of the economy, have declined in their contributions to GDP. The Isle of Man also attracts online gambling sites and the film industry. Online gambling sites provided about 10% of the islands income in 2014. The Isle of Man enjoys free access to EU markets and trade is mostly with the UK. In October 2014, the Isle of Man signed an OECD agreement to automatically exchange some financial account information to limit tax avoidance and evasion.

Exchange rates

Manx pounds (IMP) per US dollar - 0.738 (2016) 0.738 (2015) 0.6542 (2014) 0.6472 (2013 est.) 0.6241 (2012 est.)

Exports

$NA

Exports - commodities

tweeds, herring, processed shellfish, beef, lamb

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

1% 13% 86% (FY12/13 est.)

agriculture

1%

industry

13%

services

86% (FY12/13 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$84,600 (2014 est.) $73,100 (2013 est.) $68,500 (2012 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

2.2% (2012) 3.4% (2011) 2.1% (2010)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$7.013 billion (2007 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$7.428 billion (2014 est.) $6.298 billion (2013 est.) $5.85 billion (2012 est.) data are in 2014 US dollars

note

data are in 2014 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$NA

Imports - commodities

timber, fertilizers, fish

Industries

financial services, light manufacturing, tourism

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

5% (2010 est.) 3.1% (2006)

Labor force

41,790 (2006)

Labor force - by occupation

2% 5% 8% 1% 9% 11% 20% 7% 23% 1% 5% 8% (2006)

agriculture, forestry, and fishing

2%

banking and finance

23%

construction

8%

entertainment and catering

5%

gas, electricity, and water

1%

manufacturing

5%

miscellaneous services

8% (2006)

professional and scientific services

20%

public administration

7%

tourism

1%

transport and communication

9%

wholesale and retail distribution

11%

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

NA%

Taxes and other revenues

13.8% of GDP (FY05/06 est.)

Unemployment rate

2.7% (2013 est.) 2% (April 2011 est.)

Electricity access

100% (2016)

electrification - total population

100% (2016)

Broadcast media

national public radio broadcasts over 3 FM stations and 1 AM station; 2 commercial broadcasters operating with 1 having multiple FM stations; receives radio and TV services via relays from British TV and radio broadcasters (2008)

Internet country code

.im

Telephone system

landline, telefax, mobile cellular telephone system country code - 44; fiber-optic cable, microwave radio relay, satellite earth station, submarine cable

domestic

landline, telefax, mobile cellular telephone system

international

country code - 44; fiber-optic cable, microwave radio relay, satellite earth station, submarine cable

Airports

1 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2017)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1 (2017)

total

1

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

M (2016)

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 59, cargo 55, chemical tanker 52, container 7, liquefied gas 43, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 93, roll on/roll off 5, vehicle carrier 5 223 (Bermuda 7, Chile 9, Denmark 30, Germany 56, Greece 62, Ireland 1, Japan 19, Malaysia 6, Norway 30, South Africa 2, US 1) (2010)

by type

bulk carrier 59, cargo 55, chemical tanker 52, container 7, liquefied gas 43, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 93, roll on/roll off 5, vehicle carrier 5

foreign-owned

223 (Bermuda 7, Chile 9, Denmark 30, Germany 56, Greece 62, Ireland 1, Japan 19, Malaysia 6, Norway 30, South Africa 2, US 1) (2010)

total

321

Ports and terminals

Douglas, Ramsey

major seaport(s)

Douglas, Ramsey

Railways

63 km 6 km 1.076-m gauge (6 km electrified); 57 km 0.914-m gauge (29 km electrified) primarily summer tourist attractions (2008)

narrow gauge

6 km 1.076-m gauge (6 km electrified); 57 km 0.914-m gauge (29 km electrified)

note

primarily summer tourist attractions (2008)

total

63 km

Roadways

500 km (2008)

total

500 km (2008)

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Disputes - international

none