2017 Edition

Background

Jersey and the other Channel Islands represent the last remnants of the medieval Dukedom of Normandy that held sway in both France and England. These islands were the only British soil occupied by German troops in World War II. The Bailiwick of Jersey is a British Crown dependency but is not part of the UK or of the EU. However, the UK Government is constitutionally responsible for its defense and international representation.

Area

116 sq km 116 sq km 0 sq km

land

116 sq km

total

116 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

about two-thirds the size of Washington, DC

Climate

temperate; mild winters and cool summers

Coastline

70 km

Elevation

NA lowest point: English Channel 0 m highest point: Les Platons 136 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: English Channel 0 m

highest point

Les Platons 136 m

mean elevation

NA

Environment - current issues

habitat and species depletion due to human encroachment; water pollution; improper solid waste disposal

Geographic coordinates

49 15 N, 2 10 W

Geography - note

largest and southernmost of Channel Islands; about 30% of population concentrated in Saint Helier

Irrigated land

NA

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

66% arable land 66%; permanent crops 0%; permanent pasture 0% 0% 34% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

66%

forest

0%

other

34% (2011 est.)

Location

Western Europe, island in the English Channel, northwest of France

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

12 nm 12 nm

exclusive fishing zone

12 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

very large tidal variation can be hazardous to navigation

Natural resources

arable land

Population - distribution

fairly even distribution; no notable trends

Terrain

gently rolling plain with low, rugged hills along north coast

Age structure

16.23% (male 8,300/female 7,740) 13.91% (male 7,094/female 6,658) 40.99% (male 20,318/female 20,200) 12.53% (male 6,042/female 6,339) 16.34% (male 6,879/female 9,270) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

16.23% (male 8,300/female 7,740)

15-24 years

13.91% (male 7,094/female 6,658)

25-54 years

40.99% (male 20,318/female 20,200)

55-64 years

12.53% (male 6,042/female 6,339)

65 years and over

16.34% (male 6,879/female 9,270) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

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

Death rate

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

Dependency ratios

47.1 21.6 25.4 3.9 data represent the Guernsey and Jersey (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

25.4

note

data represent the Guernsey and Jersey (2015 est.)

potential support ratio

3.9

total dependency ratio

47.1

youth dependency ratio

21.6

Ethnic groups

Jersey 46.4%, British 32.7%, Portuguese/Madeiran 8.2%, Polish 3.3%, Irish, French, and other white 7.1%, other 2.4% (2011 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Infant mortality rate

3.8 deaths/1,000 live births 4 deaths/1,000 live births 3.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

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

male

4 deaths/1,000 live births

total

3.8 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

English 94.5% (official), Portuguese 4.6%, other 0.9% (2001 census)

Life expectancy at birth

81.9 years 79.5 years 84.6 years (2017 est.)

female

84.6 years (2017 est.)

male

79.5 years

total population

81.9 years

Median age

38 years 36 years 40.7 years (2017 est.)

female

40.7 years (2017 est.)

male

36 years

total

38 years

Nationality

Channel Islander(s) Channel Islander

adjective

Channel Islander

noun

Channel Islander(s)

Net migration rate

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

Population

98,840 (July 2017 est.)

Population distribution

fairly even distribution; no notable trends

Population growth rate

0.78% (2017 est.)

Religions

Protestant (Anglican, Baptist, Congregational New Church, Methodist, Presbyterian), Roman Catholic

Sex ratio

1.06 male(s)/female 1.07 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female 0.74 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.07 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.06 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.96 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.74 male(s)/female

at birth

1.06 male(s)/female

total population

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

Total fertility rate

1.66 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Urbanization

31.7% of total population (2017) 0.86% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.) data are for Guernsey and Jersey

note

data are for Guernsey and Jersey

rate of urbanization

0.86% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

31.7% of total population (2017)

Administrative divisions

none (British crown dependency); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 12 parishes; Grouville, Saint Brelade, Saint Clement, Saint Helier, Saint John, Saint Lawrence, Saint Martin, Saint Mary, Saint Ouen, Saint Peter, Saint Saviour, and Trinity

Capital

Saint Helier 49 11 N, 2 06 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

49 11 N, 2 06 W

name

Saint Helier

time difference

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

Citizenship

see United Kingdom

Constitution

unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice proposed by a government minister to the Assembly of the States of Jersey, by an Assembly member, or by an elected parish head; passage requires several Assembly readings, a majority vote by the Assembly, review by the UK Ministry of Justice, and approval by the British monarch (Royal Assent) (2016)

amendments

proposed by a government minister to the Assembly of the States of Jersey, by an Assembly member, or by an elected parish head; passage requires several Assembly readings, a majority vote by the Assembly, review by the UK Ministry of Justice, and approval by the British monarch (Royal Assent) (2016)

history

unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice

Country name

Bailiwick of Jersey Jersey the name is of Old Norse origin, but the meaning of the root "Jer(s)" is uncertain; the "-ey" ending means "island"

conventional long form

Bailiwick of Jersey

conventional short form

Jersey

etymology

the name is of Old Norse origin, but the meaning of the root "Jer(s)" is uncertain; the "-ey" ending means "island"

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

Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Lieutenant Governor Sir Stephen DALTON (since 13 March 2017) 2017 Chief Minister Ian GORST (since 18 November 2011); Bailiff William BAILHACHE (since 29 January 2015) Council of Ministers appointed individually by the states the monarchy is hereditary; Council of Ministers, including the chief minister, indirectly elected by the Assembly of States; lieutenant governor and bailiff appointed by the monarch

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed individually by the states

chief of state

Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Lieutenant Governor Sir Stephen DALTON (since 13 March 2017) 2017

elections/appointments

the monarchy is hereditary; Council of Ministers, including the chief minister, indirectly elected by the Assembly of States; lieutenant governor and bailiff appointed by the monarch

head of government

Chief Minister Ian GORST (since 18 November 2011); Bailiff William BAILHACHE (since 29 January 2015)

Flag description

white with a diagonal red cross extending to the corners of the flag; in the upper quadrant, surmounted by a yellow crown, a red shield with three lions in yellow; according to tradition, the ships of Jersey - in an attempt to differentiate themselves from English ships flying the horizontal cross of St. George - rotated the cross to the "X" (saltire) configuration; because this arrangement still resembled the Irish cross of St. Patrick, the yellow Plantagenet crown and Jersey coat of arms were added

Government type

parliamentary democracy (Assembly of the States of Jersey); a Crown dependency of the UK

Independence

none (British crown dependency)

Judicial branch

Jersey Court of Appeal (consists of the bailiff, deputy bailiff, and 12 judges); Royal Court (consists of the bailiff, deputy bailiff, 6 commissioners and lay people referred to as jurats, and is organized into Heritage, Family, Probate, and Samedi Divisions); appeals beyond the Court of Appeal are heard by the Judicial Committe of the Priviy Council in London Jersey Court of Appeal bailiffs and judges appointed by the Crown upon the advice of the Secretary of State for Justice; bailiffs and judges appointed for extent of good behavior; Royal Court bailiffs appointed by the Crown upon the advice of the Secretary of State for Justice; commissioners appointed by the bailiff; jurats appointed by the Electoral College; bailiffs and commissioners appointed for extent of good behavior; jurats appointed until retirement at age 72 Magistrate's Court; Youth Court; Petty Debts Court; Parish Hall Enquires (a process of preliminary investigation into youth and minor adult offenses to determine need for presentation before a court)

highest court(s)

Jersey Court of Appeal (consists of the bailiff, deputy bailiff, and 12 judges); Royal Court (consists of the bailiff, deputy bailiff, 6 commissioners and lay people referred to as jurats, and is organized into Heritage, Family, Probate, and Samedi Divisions); appeals beyond the Court of Appeal are heard by the Judicial Committe of the Priviy Council in London

judge selection and term of office

Jersey Court of Appeal bailiffs and judges appointed by the Crown upon the advice of the Secretary of State for Justice; bailiffs and judges appointed for extent of good behavior; Royal Court bailiffs appointed by the Crown upon the advice of the Secretary of State for Justice; commissioners appointed by the bailiff; jurats appointed by the Electoral College; bailiffs and commissioners appointed for extent of good behavior; jurats appointed until retirement at age 72

subordinate courts

Magistrate's Court; Youth Court; Petty Debts Court; Parish Hall Enquires (a process of preliminary investigation into youth and minor adult offenses to determine need for presentation before a court)

Legal system

the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply; local statutes

Legislative branch

unicameral Assembly of the States of Jersey (49 elected members; 8 senators to serve 6-year terms, and 29 deputies and 12 connetables, or heads of parishes, to serve 3-year terms; 5 non-voting members appointed by the monarch include the bailiff, lieutenant governor, dean of Jersey, attorney general, and the solicitor general) last held on 15 October 2014 (next to be held in 2017) percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 49

description

unicameral Assembly of the States of Jersey (49 elected members; 8 senators to serve 6-year terms, and 29 deputies and 12 connetables, or heads of parishes, to serve 3-year terms; 5 non-voting members appointed by the monarch include the bailiff, lieutenant governor, dean of Jersey, attorney general, and the solicitor general)

election results

percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 49

elections

last held on 15 October 2014 (next to be held in 2017)

National anthem

"Isle de Siez Nous" (Island Home) Gerard LE FEUVRE adopted 2008; serves as a local anthem; as a British Crown dependency, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)

lyrics/music

Gerard LE FEUVRE

name

"Isle de Siez Nous" (Island Home)

note

adopted 2008; serves as a local anthem; as a British Crown dependency, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)

National holiday

Liberation Day, 9 May (1945)

National symbol(s)

Jersey cow; national colors: red, white

Jersey cow; national colors

red, white

Political parties and leaders

Reform Jersey [Sam MEZEC] most senators and deputies sit as independents

note

most senators and deputies sit as independents

one registered party

Reform Jersey [Sam MEZEC]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Institute of Directors, Jersey branch (provides business support) Jersey Hospitality Association or JHa [FIONA KERLEY] (trade association) Jersey Rights Association [David ROTHERHAM] (human rights) La Societe Jersiaise (education and conservation group) Progress Jersey [Daren O'TOOLE, Gino RISOLI] (human rights) Royal Jersey Agriculture and Horticultural Society or RJA&HS (development and management of the Jersey breed of cattle) Save Jersey's Heritage (protects heritage through building preservation)

Suffrage

16 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

potatoes, cauliflower, tomatoes; beef, dairy products

Budget

$829 million $851 million (2005)

expenditures

$851 million (2005)

revenues

$829 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-0.5% of GDP (2005)

Debt - external

$NA

Economy - overview

Jersey's economy is based on international financial services, agriculture, and tourism. In 2010, the financial services sector accounted for about 50% of the island's output. Potatoes, cauliflower, tomatoes, and especially flowers are important export crops, shipped mostly to the UK. The Jersey breed of dairy cattle is known worldwide and represents an important export income earner. Tourism accounts for one-quarter of GDP. Living standards come close to those of the UK. In recent years, the government has encouraged light industry to locate in Jersey with the result that an electronics industry has developed, displacing more traditional industries. All raw material and energy requirements are imported as well as a large share of Jersey's food needs. Light taxes and death duties make the island a popular tax haven. In October 2014, Jersey signed an OECD agreement to automatically exchange some financial account information to limit tax avoidance and evasion.

Exchange rates

Jersey pounds (JEP) per US dollar 0.738 (2016) 0.738 (2015) 0.6542 (2012) 0.6391 (2011 est.)

Exports

$NA

Exports - commodities

light industrial and electrical goods, dairy cattle, foodstuffs, textiles, flowers

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

2% 2% 96% (2010)

agriculture

2%

industry

2%

services

96% (2010)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$49,500 (2015 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

2% (2015 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$4.796 billion (FY12/13 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$5.08 billion (2015 est.) $4.98 billion (2014) data are in 2015 US dollars

note

data are in 2015 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$NA

Imports - commodities

machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, foodstuffs, mineral fuels, chemicals

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Industries

tourism, banking and finance, dairy, electronics

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

3.7% (2006)

Labor force

53,380 (June 2012)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

NA%

Taxes and other revenues

17.3% of GDP (2005)

Unemployment rate

4% (2015 est.) 1.7% (2012 est.)

Electricity - consumption

630.1 million kWh (2004 est.)

Electricity access

100% (2016)

electrification - total population

100% (2016)

Broadcast media

multiple UK terrestrial TV broadcasts are received via a transmitter in Jersey; satellite packages available; BBC Radio Jersey and 1 other radio station operating (2009)

Internet country code

.je

Internet users

58,000 59.6% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

59.6% (July 2016 est.)

total

58,000

Telephone system

modern system with broadband access fixed-line and mobile-cellular services widely available country code - 44; submarine cable connectivity to Guernsey, the UK, and France (2015)

domestic

fixed-line and mobile-cellular services widely available

general assessment

modern system with broadband access

international

country code - 44; submarine cable connectivity to Guernsey, the UK, and France (2015)

Telephones - fixed lines

55,938 58 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

58 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

55,938

Telephones - mobile cellular

122,668 119 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

119 (July 2016 est.)

total

122,668

Airports

1 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2017)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1 (2017)

total

1

Merchant marine

14 (Gibraltar 1, India 2, Marshall Islands 11) (2010)

registered in other countries

14 (Gibraltar 1, India 2, Marshall Islands 11) (2010)

National air transport system

2 (registered in UK) 11 (registered in UK) (2015)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

11 (registered in UK) (2015)

number of registered air carriers

2 (registered in UK)

Ports and terminals

Gorey, Saint Aubin, Saint Helier

major seaport(s)

Gorey, Saint Aubin, Saint Helier

Roadways

576 km (2010)

total

576 km (2010)

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Disputes - international

none