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Bermuda
Bermuda (North America)
Introduction
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 on the island to escape North American winters first developed in Victorian times. Tourism continues to be important for the island's economy, although international business has overtaken it in recent years as Bermuda has developed into a highly successful offshore financial center. A referendum on independence from the UK was soundly defeated in 1995.
Geography ::Bermuda
Definitions and Notes
Geography
Location
North America, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, east of South Carolina (US)
Geographic coordinates
32 20 N, 64 45 W
Map references
North America
Area
total : 54 sq km
land: 54 sq km
water: 0 sq km
comparison ranking: total 229
Area - comparative
about one-third the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries
total: 0 km
Coastline
103 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate
subtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in winter
Terrain
low hills separated by fertile depressions
Elevation
highest point: Town Hill 79 m
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
Natural resources
limestone, pleasant climate fostering tourism
Land use
agricultural land: 14.8% (2018 est.)
arable land: 14.8% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.)
forest: 20% (2018 est.)
other: 65.2% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land
NA
Population distribution
relatively even population distribution throughout
Natural hazards
hurricanes (June to November)
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
People and Society
Population
total: 72,800
male: 35,401
female: 37,399 (2024 est.)
comparison rankings: female 201; male 202; total 202
Nationality
noun: Bermudian(s)
adjective: Bermudian
Ethnic groups
African descent 52%, White 31%, mixed 9%, Asian 4%, other 4% (2010 est.)
Languages
English (official), Portuguese
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.)
Age structure
0-14 years: 16.4% (male 6,133/female 5,817)
15-64 years: 60.9% (male 22,247/female 22,113)
65 years and over: 22.7% (2024 est.) (male 7,021/female 9,469)
2023 population pyramid:
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 52.9
youth dependency ratio: 22.8
elderly dependency ratio: 30.1
potential support ratio: 3.3 (2021)
Median age
total: 43.8 years (2024 est.)
male: 41.5 years
female: 46.3 years
comparison ranking: total 34
Population growth rate
0.3% (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 165
Birth rate
10.9 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 167
Death rate
9.3 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 50
Net migration rate
1.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 59
Population distribution
relatively even population distribution throughout
Urbanization
urban population: 100% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: -0.2% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
total population growth rate v. urban population growth rate, 2000-2030
Major urban areas - population
10,000 HAMILTON (capital) (2018)
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female
total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Infant mortality rate
total: 2.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
male: 2.5 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 1.8 deaths/1,000 live births
comparison ranking: total 220
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 82.5 years (2024 est.)
male: 79.4 years
female: 85.7 years
comparison ranking: total population 29
Total fertility rate
1.88 children born/woman (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 125
Gross reproduction rate
0.92 (2024 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate
NA
Drinking water source
improved: urban: 99.9% of population
rural: NA
total: 99.9% of population
unimproved: urban: 0.1% of population
rural: NA
total: 0.1% of population (2020)
Current health expenditure
NA
Physician density
NA
Sanitation facility access
improved: urban: 99.9% of population
rural: NA
total: 99.9% of population
unimproved: urban: 0.1% of population
rural: NA
total: 0.1% of population (2020)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
NA
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
47.6% (2023 est.)
Education expenditures
1.9% of GDP (2021 est.)
comparison ranking: 188
Literacy
total population: NA
male: NA
female: NA
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total: 13 years
male: 12 years
female: 13 years (2015)
Environment
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
Climate
subtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in winter
Land use
agricultural land: 14.8% (2018 est.)
arable land: 14.8% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.)
forest: 20% (2018 est.)
other: 65.2% (2018 est.)
Urbanization
urban population: 100% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: -0.2% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
total population growth rate v. urban population growth rate, 2000-2030
Air pollutants
carbon dioxide emissions: 0.61 megatons (2016 est.)
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.)
Government
Country name
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Bermuda
former: Somers Islands
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
Government type
Overseas Territory of the UK with limited self-government; parliamentary democracy
Dependency status
overseas territory of the UK
Capital
name: Hamilton
geographic coordinates: 32 17 N, 64 47 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
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
Administrative divisions
9 parishes and 2 municipalities*; Devonshire, Hamilton, Hamilton*, Paget, Pembroke, Saint George*, Saint George's, Sandys, Smith's, Southampton, Warwick
Independence
none (overseas territory of the UK)
National holiday
Bermuda Day, 24 May; note - formerly known as Victoria Day, Empire Day, and Commonwealth Day
Legal system
English common law
Constitution
history: several previous (dating to 1684); latest entered into force 8 June 1968 (Bermuda Constitution Order 1968)
amendments: proposal procedure - NA; passage by an Order in Council in the UK; amended several times, last in 2012
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
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
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch
chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor Rena LALGIE (since 14 December 2020)
head of government: Premier David BURT (since 19 July 2017)
cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the premier, appointed by the governor
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
Legislative branch
legislature name: Parliament
legislative structure: bicameral
Legislative branch - lower chamber
chamber name: House of Assembly
number of seats: 36 (directly elected)
electoral system: plurality/majority
scope of elections: full renewal
term in office: 5 years
most recent election date: 10/1/2020
parties elected and seats per party: PLP (30); OBA (6)
percentage of women in chamber: 20%
expected date of next election: 2025
Legislative branch - upper chamber
chamber name: Senate
number of seats: 11 (appointed)
term in office: 5 years
most recent election date: 2022
percentage of women in chamber: 63.6%
expected date of next election: 2027
Judicial branch
highest court(s): 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
Political parties
Free Democratic Movement or FDM
One Bermuda Alliance or OBA
Progressive Labor Party or PLP
International organization participation
Caricom (associate), ICC (NGOs), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, ITUC (NGOs), UPU, WCO
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Acting Consul General Vanja VUKOTA (since December 2024)
embassy: US Consulate Bermuda, 16 Middle Road, Devonshire, DV 03, Bermuda
mailing address: 5300 Hamilton Place, Washington, DC 20520-5300
telephone: (441) 295-1342
FAX: (441) 295-1592
email address and website:
HamiltonConsulate@state.gov
https://bm.usconsulate.gov/
consulate(s) general: 16 Middle Road, Devonshire DV O3
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: the flag is unusual in that it is only British overseas territory that uses a red ensign, all others use blue
National symbol(s)
red lion
Coat of arms of Bermuda:
Coat of arms of Bermuda
National anthem
name: Hail to Bermuda
lyrics/music: Bette JOHNS
note: serves as a local anthem; as a territory of the United Kingdom, "God Save the King" is official (see United Kingdom)
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural); note - excerpted from the UK entry
selected World Heritage Site locales: Historic Town of St George and Related Fortifications
Economy
Economic overview
small, tourism- and construction-based, territorial-island economy; American import and tourist destination; known offshore banking hub; increasing inflation; major re-exportation and re-importation area
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$6.343 billion (2023 est.)
$6.349 billion (2022 est.)
$5.965 billion (2021 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 174
Real GDP growth rate
-0.09% (2023 est.)
6.43% (2022 est.)
5.42% (2021 est.)
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 192
Real GDP per capita
$98,000 (2023 est.)
$98,100 (2022 est.)
$92,300 (2021 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 7
GDP (official exchange rate)
$8.142 billion (2023 est.)
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
1.9% (2017 est.)
1.4% (2016 est.)
comparison ranking: 34
Credit ratings
Fitch rating: N/A (2015)
Moody's rating: A2 (2016)
Standard & Poors rating: A+ (2015)
note: The year refers to the year in which the current credit rating was first obtained.
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 0.2% (2022 est.)
industry: 5.4% (2022 est.)
services: 90.5% (2022 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
comparison rankings: services 7; industry 211; agriculture 206
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption: 47.9% (2023 est.)
government consumption: 12% (2023 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 11.8% (2023 est.)
investment in inventories: 0% (2023 est.)
exports of goods and services: 52.9% (2023 est.)
imports of goods and services: -24.6% (2023 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
Agricultural products
bananas, vegetables, citrus, flowers; dairy products, honey
Industries
international business, tourism, light manufacturing
Industrial production growth rate
5.57% (2022 est.)
note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 42
Labor force
33,480 (2016 est.)
comparison ranking: 197
Unemployment rate
7% (2017 est.)
7% (2016 est.)
comparison ranking: 137
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
total: 29.3% (2014 est.)
male: 29.7%
female: 29%
comparison ranking: total 25
Remittances
21.49% of GDP (2023 est.)
22.36% of GDP (2022 est.)
22.72% of GDP (2021 est.)
note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Budget
revenues: $999.2 million (2017 est.)
expenditures: $1.176 billion (2017 est.)
Public debt
43% of GDP (FY14/15)
comparison ranking: 124
Taxes and other revenues
16.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
comparison ranking: 124
Current account balance
$962.258 million (2021 est.)
$853.85 million (2020 est.)
$838.701 million (2019 est.)
note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
comparison ranking: 57
Exports
$1.136 billion (2021 est.)
$1.027 billion (2020 est.)
$1.605 billion (2019 est.)
note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 179
Exports - partners
Zambia 26%, US 16%, Angola 10%, France 10%, Tanzania 8% (2022)
note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Exports - commodities
fertilizers, ships, liquor, vaccines, railway cargo containers (2022)
note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Imports
$1.925 billion (2021 est.)
$1.723 billion (2020 est.)
$2.224 billion (2019 est.)
note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 180
Imports - partners
US 34%, Norway 19%, South Korea 19%, China 5%, Canada 5% (2022)
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Imports - commodities
ships, refined petroleum, railway cargo containers, packaged medicine, cars (2022)
note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Exchange rates
Bermudian dollars (BMD) per US dollar -
Exchange rates:
1 (2023 est.)
1 (2022 est.)
1 (2021 est.)
1 (2020 est.)
1 (2019 est.)
Energy
Electricity access
electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)
Electricity
installed generating capacity: 173,000 kW (2022 est.)
consumption: 581.097 million kWh (2022 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 42.493 million kWh (2022 est.)
comparison rankings: transmission/distribution losses 35; consumption 171; installed generating capacity 177
Electricity generation sources
fossil fuels: 99% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)
biomass and waste: 1% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)
Coal
imports: 54.3 metric tons (2022 est.)
Petroleum
refined petroleum consumption: 4,000 bbl/day (2022 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
582,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 582,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: total emissions 187
Energy consumption per capita
124.882 million Btu/person (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: 32
Communications
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions: 25,000 (2021 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 39 (2021 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 171
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 68,000 (2021 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 106 (2021 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 200
Telecommunication systems
general assessment: the telecom sector has seen a decline in subscriber numbers (particularly for prepaid mobile services the mainstay of short term visitors) and revenue; fixed and mobile broadband services are two areas that have benefited from the crisis as employees and students have resorted to working from home; one area of the telecom market that is not prepared for growth is 5G mobile; governments, regulators, and even the mobile network operators have shown that they have not been investing in 5G opportunities at the present time; network expansion and enhancements remain concentrated around improving LTE coverage (2021)
domestic: the system has a fixed-line teledensity of 39 per 100, coupled with a mobile-cellular teledensity of roughly 110 per 100 persons (2021)
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)
Broadcast media
3 TV stations; cable and satellite TV subscription services are available; roughly 13 radio stations operating
Internet country code
.bm
Internet users
total: 64,000 (2021 est.)
percent of population: 100% (2021 est.)
comparison ranking: total 197
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total: 23,000 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 37 (2020 est.)
comparison ranking: total 163
Transportation
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
VP-B
Airports
1 (2024)
comparison ranking: 231
Roadways
total: 447 km
paved: 447 km (2010)
note: 225 km public roads; 222 km private roads
comparison ranking: total 197
Merchant marine
total: 122 (2023)
by type: container ship 15, oil tanker 8, other 99
comparison ranking: total 81
Ports
total ports: 4 (2024)
large: 0
medium: 1
small: 2
very small: 0
size unknown: 1
ports with oil terminals: 3
key ports: Freeport, Hamilton, Ireland Island, St. George
Military and Security
Military and security forces
Royal Bermuda Regiment; Bermuda Police Service (2024)
note: the Royal Bermuda Regiment (aka "The Regiment") includes the Royal Bermuda Regiment Coast Guard
Military and security service personnel strengths
the Royal Bermuda Regiment has about 350 troops (2024)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the Regiment is equipped with small arms (2024)
Military service age and obligation
men and women who are Commonwealth citizens and 18-45 years of age can volunteer for 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 (2024)
Military - note
defense is the responsibility of the UK; the Royal Bermuda Regiment’s responsibilities include maritime security of Bermuda’s inshore waters, search and rescue, ceremonial duties, humanitarian/disaster assistance, security of key installations, and assisting the Bermuda Police with maintaining public order; it includes explosive ordnance disposal, diver, maritime, security police, and support units (2024)
