2017 Edition

Background

English and Irish colonists from St. Kitts first settled on Montserrat in 1632; the first African slaves arrived three decades later. The British and French fought for possession of the island for most of the 18th century, but it finally was confirmed as a British possession in 1783. The island's sugar plantation economy was converted to small farm landholdings in the mid-19th century. Much of this island was devastated and two-thirds of the population fled abroad because of the eruption of the Soufriere Hills Volcano that began on 18 July 1995. Montserrat has endured volcanic activity since, with the last eruption occurring in July 2003.

Area

102 sq km 102 sq km 0 sq km

land

102 sq km

total

102 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

about 0.6 times the size of Washington, DC

Climate

tropical; little daily or seasonal temperature variation

Coastline

40 km

Elevation

NA lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Soufriere Hills volcano pre-eruption height was 915 m; current lava dome is subject to periodic build up and collapse; estimated dome height was 1050 m in 2015

elevation extremes

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point

Soufriere Hills volcano pre-eruption height was 915 m; current lava dome is subject to periodic build up and collapse; estimated dome height was 1050 m in 2015

mean elevation

NA

Environment - current issues

land erosion occurs on slopes that have been cleared for cultivation

Geographic coordinates

16 45 N, 62 12 W

Geography - note

the island is entirely volcanic in origin and comprised of three major volcanic centers of differing ages

Irrigated land

0 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

30% arable land 20%; permanent crops 0%; permanent pasture 10% 25% 45% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

30%

forest

25%

other

45% (2011 est.)

Location

Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, southeast of Puerto Rico

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims

12 nm 200 nm

exclusive fishing zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

volcanic eruptions; severe hurricanes (June to November) Soufriere Hills volcano (915 m), has erupted continuously since 1995; a massive eruption in 1997 destroyed most of the capital, Plymouth, and resulted in approximately half of the island becoming uninhabitable; the island of Montserrat is part of the volcanic island arc of the Lesser Antilles that extends from Saba in the north to Grenada in the south

volcanism

Soufriere Hills volcano (915 m), has erupted continuously since 1995; a massive eruption in 1997 destroyed most of the capital, Plymouth, and resulted in approximately half of the island becoming uninhabitable; the island of Montserrat is part of the volcanic island arc of the Lesser Antilles that extends from Saba in the north to Grenada in the south

Natural resources

NEGL

Population - distribution

only the northern half of the island is populated, the southern portion is uninhabitable due to volcanic activity

Terrain

volcanic island, mostly mountainous, with small coastal lowland

Age structure

16.5% (male 449/female 424) 21.52% (male 599/female 540) 47.43% (male 1,201/female 1,309) 8.45% (male 194/female 253) 6.1% (male 199/female 124) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

16.5% (male 449/female 424)

15-24 years

21.52% (male 599/female 540)

25-54 years

47.43% (male 1,201/female 1,309)

55-64 years

8.45% (male 194/female 253)

65 years and over

6.1% (male 199/female 124) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

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

Death rate

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

Drinking water source

urban: 99% of population rural: 99% of population total: 99% of population urban: 1% of population rural: 1% of population total: 1% of population (2015 est.)

rural

1% of population

total

1% of population (2015 est.)

urban

1% of population

Education expenditures

5.1% of GDP (2009)

Ethnic groups

African/black 88.4%, mixed 3.7%, hispanic/Spanish 3%, caucasian/white 2.7%, East Indian/Indian 1.5%, other 0.7% (2011 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Infant mortality rate

12.3 deaths/1,000 live births 9.7 deaths/1,000 live births 15.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

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

male

9.7 deaths/1,000 live births

total

12.3 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

English

Life expectancy at birth

74.6 years 75.9 years 73.2 years (2017 est.)

female

73.2 years (2017 est.)

male

75.9 years

total population

74.6 years

Median age

33.2 years 32.6 years 33.7 years (2017 est.)

female

33.7 years (2017 est.)

male

32.6 years

total

33.2 years

Nationality

Montserratian(s) Montserratian

adjective

Montserratian

noun

Montserratian(s)

Net migration rate

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

Population

5,292 an estimated 8,000 refugees left the island following the resumption of volcanic activity in July 1995; some have returned (July 2017 est.)

note

an estimated 8,000 refugees left the island following the resumption of volcanic activity in July 1995; some have returned (July 2017 est.)

Population distribution

only the northern half of the island is populated, the southern portion is uninhabitable due to volcanic activity

Population growth rate

0.45% (2017 est.)

Religions

Protestant 67.1% (includes Anglican 21.8%, Methodist 17%, Pentecostal 14.1%, Seventh Day Adventist 10.5%, and Church of God 3.7%), Roman Catholic 11.6%, Rastafarian 1.4%, other 6.5%, none 2.6%, unspecified 10.8% (2001 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 82.9% of population rural: 82.9% of population total: 82.9% of population urban: 17.1% of population rural: 17.1% of population total: 17.1% of population (2007 est.)

rural

17.1% of population

total

17.1% of population (2007 est.)

urban

17.1% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

15 years 14 years 17 years (2007)

female

17 years (2007)

male

14 years

total

15 years

Sex ratio

1.03 male(s)/female 1.07 male(s)/female 1.08 male(s)/female 0.92 male(s)/female 0.83 male(s)/female 1.6 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.07 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.08 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.92 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.83 male(s)/female

65 years and over

1.6 male(s)/female

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

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

Total fertility rate

1.33 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Urbanization

9% of total population (2017) 0.7% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

0.7% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

9% of total population (2017)

Administrative divisions

3 parishes; Saint Anthony, Saint Georges, Saint Peter

Capital

Plymouth; note - Plymouth was abandoned in 1997 because of volcanic activity; interim government buildings have been built at Brades Estate, the de facto capital, in the Carr's Bay/Little Bay vicinity at the northwest end of Montserrat 16 42 N, 62 13 W UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

16 42 N, 62 13 W

name

Plymouth; note - Plymouth was abandoned in 1997 because of volcanic activity; interim government buildings have been built at Brades Estate, the de facto capital, in the Carr's Bay/Little Bay vicinity at the northwest end of Montserrat

time difference

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

Citizenship

see United Kingdom

Constitution

previous 1960; latest effective 1 September 2010; amended 2011 (2016)

Country name

none Montserrat island named by explorer Christopher COLUMBUS in 1493 after the Benedictine abbey Santa Maria de Montserrat, near Barcelona, Spain

conventional long form

none

conventional short form

Montserrat

etymology

island named by explorer Christopher COLUMBUS in 1493 after the Benedictine abbey Santa Maria de Montserrat, near Barcelona, Spain

Dependency status

overseas territory of the UK

Diplomatic representation from the US

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Executive branch

Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Elizabeth CARRIERE (since 5 August 2015) Premier Donaldson ROMERO (since 12 September 2014); note - effective with the new Constitution Order of October 2010, the office of premier replaced the office of chief minister Executive Council consists of the governor, the premier, 3 other ministers, the attorney general, and the finance secretary the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party usually becomes premier

cabinet

Executive Council consists of the governor, the premier, 3 other ministers, the attorney general, and the finance secretary

chief of state

Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Elizabeth CARRIERE (since 5 August 2015)

elections/appointments

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

head of government

Premier Donaldson ROMERO (since 12 September 2014); note - effective with the new Constitution Order of October 2010, the office of premier replaced the office of chief minister

Flag description

blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Montserratian coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the arms feature a woman in green dress, Erin, the female personification of Ireland, standing beside a yellow harp and embracing a large dark cross with her right arm; Erin and the harp are symbols of Ireland reflecting the territory's Irish ancestry; blue represents awareness, trustworthiness, determination, and righteousness

Government type

parliamentary democracy (Legislative Council); self-governing overseas territory of the UK

Independence

none (overseas territory of the UK)

International organization participation

Caricom, CDB, Interpol (subbureau), OECS, UPU

Judicial branch

the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) is the superior court of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States; the ECSC - headquartered on St. Lucia - 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 is itinerant, travelling to member states on a schedule to hear appeals from the High Court and subordinate courts; High Court judges reside at the member states with 1 assigned to Montserrat; Montserrat is also a member of the Caribbean Court of Justice chief justice of Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court appointed by the Her Majesty, Queen ELIZABETH II; other justices and judges appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, and independent body of judicial officials; 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 magistrate's court

highest court(s)

the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) is the superior court of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States; the ECSC - headquartered on St. Lucia - 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 is itinerant, travelling to member states on a schedule to hear appeals from the High Court and subordinate courts; High Court judges reside at the member states with 1 assigned to Montserrat; Montserrat is also a member of the Caribbean Court of Justice

judge selection and term of office

chief justice of Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court appointed by the Her Majesty, Queen ELIZABETH II; other justices and judges appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, and independent body of judicial officials; 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

magistrate's court

Legal system

English common law

Legislative branch

unicameral Legislative Assembly (11 seats; 9 members directly elected in a single constituency by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds to serve 5-year terms and 2 ex-officio members - the attorney general and financial secretary) last held on 11 September 2014 (next to be held by 2019) percent of vote by party - PDM 50.0%, MCAP 35.4%, other 14.6%; seats by party - PDM 7, MCAP 2

description

unicameral Legislative Assembly (11 seats; 9 members directly elected in a single constituency by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds to serve 5-year terms and 2 ex-officio members - the attorney general and financial secretary)

election results

percent of vote by party - PDM 50.0%, MCAP 35.4%, other 14.6%; seats by party - PDM 7, MCAP 2

elections

last held on 11 September 2014 (next to be held by 2019)

National anthem

as a territory of the UK, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)

note

as a territory of the UK, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)

National holiday

birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926)

Political parties and leaders

Movement for Change and Prosperity or MCAP [Reuben MEADE] People's Democratic Movement or PDM [Shirley OSBORNE]

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

cabbages, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, peppers; livestock products

Budget

$37.04 million $37.04 million (2016 est.)

expenditures

$37.04 million (2016 est.)

revenues

$37.04 million

Central bank discount rate

10.99% (31 December 2010) 6.5% (31 December 2009)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

7.26% (31 December 2016 est.) 7.82% (31 December 2015 est.)

Debt - external

$8.9 million (1997)

Economy - overview

Severe volcanic activity, which began in July 1995, has put a damper on this small, open economy. A catastrophic eruption in June 1997 closed the airport and seaports, causing further economic and social dislocation. Two-thirds of the 12,000 inhabitants fled the island. Some began to return in 1998 but lack of housing limited the number. The agriculture sector continued to be affected by the lack of suitable land for farming and the destruction of crops. Prospects for the economy depend largely on developments in relation to the volcanic activity and on public sector construction activity. Half of the island remains uninhabitable. In January 2013, the EU announced the disbursement of a $55.2 million aid package to Montserrat in order to boost the country's economic recovery, with a specific focus on public finance management, public sector reform, and prudent economic management.

Exchange rates

East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar - 2.7 (2016 est.) 2.7 (2015 est.) 2.7 (2014 est.) 2.7 (2013 est.) 2.7 (2012 est.)

Exports

$5.2 million (2016 est.) $5.4 million (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities

electronic components, plastic bags, apparel; hot peppers, limes, live plants; cattle

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP - composition, by end use

86.9% 52.4% 21.2% -0.1% 24% -84.4% (2016 est.)

exports of goods and services

24%

government consumption

52.4%

household consumption

86.9%

imports of goods and services

-84.4% (2016 est.)

investment in fixed capital

21.2%

investment in inventories

-0.1%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

1.6% 21.8% 76.6% (2016 est.)

agriculture

1.6%

industry

21.8%

services

76.6% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$8,500 (2006 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

3.5% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$NA

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$43.78 million (2006 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$31.02 million (2016 est.) $31.29 million (2015 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and transportation equipment, foodstuffs, manufactured goods, fuels, lubricants

Industrial production growth rate

2% (2016 est.)

Industries

tourism, rum, textiles, electronic appliances

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

-0.2% (2016 est.) -1.1% (2015 est.)

Labor force

4,521 (2012)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$49.36 million (31 December 2016 est.) $51.47 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of broad money

$91.6 million (31 December 2016 est.) $90.69 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$1.481 million (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$23.04 million (31 December 2016 est.) $17.64 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Unemployment rate

6% (1998 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

88,010 Mt (2012 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2017 es)

Electricity - consumption

22.32 million kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

5,000 kW (2015 est.)

Electricity - production

24 million kWh (2015 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

570 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

416.4 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Broadcast media

Radio Montserrat, a public radio broadcaster, transmits on 1 station and has a repeater transmission to a second station; repeater transmissions from the GEM Radio Network of Trinidad and Tobago provide another 2 radio stations; cable and satellite TV available (2007)

Internet country code

.ms

Internet users

2,860 54.6% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

54.6% (July 2016 est.)

total

2,860

Telephone system

modern and fully digitalized combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity exceeds 150 per 100 persons country code - 1-664; landing point for the East Caribbean Fiber System (ECFS) optic submarine cable with links to 13 other islands in the eastern Caribbean extending from the British Virgin Islands to Trinidad (2016)

domestic

combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity exceeds 150 per 100 persons

general assessment

modern and fully digitalized

international

country code - 1-664; landing point for the East Caribbean Fiber System (ECFS) optic submarine cable with links to 13 other islands in the eastern Caribbean extending from the British Virgin Islands to Trinidad (2016)

Telephones - fixed lines

3,000 57 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

57 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

3,000

Telephones - mobile cellular

5,000 95 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

95 (July 2016 est.)

total

5,000

Airports

1 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2017)

total

1

under 914 m

1 (2017)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

VP-M (2016)

National air transport system

3 (2015)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

3 (2015)

number of registered air carriers

1

Ports and terminals

Little Bay, Plymouth

major seaport(s)

Little Bay, Plymouth

Roadways

volcanic eruptions that began in 1995 destroyed most of the 227 km road system; a new road infrastructure has been built on the north end of the island (2017)

note

volcanic eruptions that began in 1995 destroyed most of the 227 km road system; a new road infrastructure has been built on the north end of the island (2017)

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Military branches

no regular military forces; Royal Montserrat Police Force (2011)

Disputes - international

none

Illicit drugs

transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe