Anguilla

English settlers from Saint Kitts first colonized Anguilla in 1650. Great Britain administered the island until the early 19th century, when — against the wishes of the inhabitants — Anguilla was incorporated into a single British dependency along with Saint Kitts and Nevis. Several attempts at separation failed. In 1971, two years after a revolt, Anguilla was finally allowed to secede; this arrangement was formally recognized in 1980, when Anguilla became a separate British dependency. In 2017, Hurricane Irma caused extensive damage on the island, particularly to communications and residential and business infrastructure.TipVisit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.Definitions and Notes

Geography

Location

Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico

Geographic coordinates

18 15 N, 63 10 W

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Area

total : 91 sq km

land: 91 sq km

water: 0 sq km

comparison ranking: total 225

Area – comparative

about one-half the size of Washington, D.C.

Land boundaries

total: 0 km

Coastline

61 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Climate

tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds

Terrain

flat and low-lying island of coral and limestone

Elevation

highest point: Crocus Hill 73 m

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

Natural resources

salt, fish, lobster

Land use

agricultural land: 0% (2022 est.)

arable land: 0% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.)

forest: 61.1% (2022 est.)

other: 38.9% (2022 est.)

Irrigated land

0 sq km (2020)

Population distribution

most of the population is concentrated in The Valley in the center of the island; settlement is fairly uniform in the southwest, but rather sparse in the northeast

Natural hazards

frequent hurricanes and other tropical storms (July to October)

Geography – note

the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles

People and Society

Population

total: 19,416 (2024 est.)

male: 9,107

female: 10,309

comparison rankings: total 219; female 219; male 219

Nationality

noun: Anguillan(s)

adjective: Anguillan

Ethnic groups

African/Black 85.3%, Hispanic 4.9%, mixed 3.8%, White 3.2%, East Indian/Indian 1%, other 1.6%, unspecified 0.3% (2011 est.)

note: data represent population by ethnic origin

Languages

English (official)

Religions

Protestant 73.2% (includes Anglican 22.7%, Methodist 19.4%, Pentecostal 10.5%, Seventh Day Adventist 8.3%, Baptist 7.1%, Church of God 4.9%, Presbyterian 0.2%, Brethren 0.1%), Roman Catholic 6.8%, Jehovah’s Witness 1.1%, other Christian 10.9%, other 3.2%, unspecified 0.3%, none 4.5% (2011 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 20.8% (male 2,056/female 1,992)

15-64 years: 67.5% (male 5,958/female 7,147)

65 years and over: 11.7% (2024 est.) (male 1,093/female 1,170)

2024 population pyramid:

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 48.2 (2024 est.)

youth dependency ratio: 30.9 (2024 est.)

elderly dependency ratio: 17.3 (2024 est.)

potential support ratio: 5.8 (2024 est.)

Median age

total: 37.1 years (2024 est.)

male: 34.8 years

female: 39 years

comparison ranking: total 83

Population growth rate

1.74% (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 53

Birth rate

11.8 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 154

Death rate

4.7 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 204

Net migration rate

10.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 9

Population distribution

most of the population is concentrated in The Valley in the center of the island; settlement is fairly uniform in the southwest, but rather sparse in the northeast

Urbanization

urban population: 100% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 0.47% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Major urban areas – population

1,000 THE VALLEY (capital) (2018)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.83 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female

total population: 0.88 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Infant mortality rate

total: 3 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

male: 3.9 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 2.1 deaths/1,000 live births

comparison ranking: total 208

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 82.6 years (2024 est.)

male: 80 years

female: 85.3 years

comparison ranking: total population 26

Total fertility rate

1.72 children born/woman (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 157

Gross reproduction rate

0.85 (2024 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

Drinking water source

improved:

urban: 97.5% of population

total: 97.5% of population

unimproved:

urban: 2.5% of population

total: 2.5% of population (2017 est.)

Physician density

1.51 physicians/1,000 population (2018)

Sanitation facility access

improved:

urban: 99.1% of population

total: 99.1% of population

unimproved:

urban: 0.9% of population

total: 0.9% of population (2017 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

46.1% (2023 est.)

Education expenditure

2.5% of GDP (2022 est.)

10.3% national budget (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: Education expenditure (% GDP) 174

Environment

Environment – current issues

inadequate potable water

Climate

tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds

Land use

agricultural land: 0% (2022 est.)

arable land: 0% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.)

forest: 61.1% (2022 est.)

other: 38.9% (2022 est.)

Urbanization

urban population: 100% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 0.47% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Government

Country name

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Anguilla

etymology: in 1493, Christopher COLUMBUS named the island Anguilla, meaning “eel” in Spanish, because of the island’s elongated shape

Government type

parliamentary democracy (House of Assembly); self-governing overseas territory of the UK

Dependency status

overseas territory of the UK

Capital

name: The Valley

geographic coordinates: 18 13 N, 63 03 W

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

etymology: name may derive from the capital’s location among several hills

Administrative divisions

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Legal system

common law based on the English model

Constitution

history: several previous; latest 1 April 1982

Citizenship

see United Kingdom

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor Julia CROUCH (since 11 September 2023)

head of government: Premier Cora RICHARDSON-HODGE (since 27 February 2025)

cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor from among elected members of the House of Assembly

election/appointment process: the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the governor usually appoints the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as premier

Legislative branch

legislature name: House of Assembly

legislative structure: unicameral

number of seats: 11 (7 directly elected, 2 appointed, 2 ex-officio members)

electoral system: plurality/majority

scope of elections: full renewal

term in office: 5 years

most recent election date: 6/29/2020

parties elected and seats per party: APM (7); AUF (4)

percentage of women in chamber: 27.3%

Judicial branch

highest court(s): the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) is the superior court of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States; the ECSC is headquartered on St. Lucia and 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 travels to member states on a schedule to hear appeals from the High Court and subordinate courts

judge selection and term of office: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the British monarch; other justices and judges appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission; 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; Juvenile Court

Political parties

Anguilla Progressive Movement or APM; (formerly Anguilla United Movement or AUM)
Anguilla United Front or AUF

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Diplomatic representation from the US

embassy: none (overseas territory of the UK); alternate contact is the US Embassy in Barbados [1] (246) 227-4000

International organization participation

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

Independence

none (overseas territory of the UK)

National holiday

Anguilla Day, 30 May (1967)

Flag description

blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Anguillan coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms depicts three orange dolphins in an interlocking circular design on a white background with a turquoise-blue field below; the white in the background represents peace, the blue base symbolizes the sea, faith, youth, and hope, and the three dolphins stand for endurance, unity, and strength

National symbol(s)

dolphin

National coat of arms

the Anguillan coat of arms features three interlocking dolphins jumping out of seawater; they represent endurance, unity, and strength, and their circular motion stands for continuity; the white background symbolizes peace and tranquility, and the turquoise-blue base represents the sea, as well as faith, youth, and hope

National anthem

name: “God Bless Anguilla”

lyrics/music: Alex RICHARDSON

note: local anthem adopted 1981; as an overseas territory of the United Kingdom, “God Save the King” is official (see United Kingdom)

Economy

Economic overview

small, tourism-dependent, territorial-island economy; very high public debt; COVID-19 crippled economic activity; partial recovery underway via tourism, benefitting from its high amount of timeshare residences; considering reopening oil refinery

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.3% (2017 est.)
-0.6% (2016 est.)

comparison ranking: 35

GDP – composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 3% (2017 est.)

industry: 10.5% (2017 est.)

services: 86.4% (2017 est.)

comparison rankings: services 12; industry 191; agriculture 139

GDP – composition, by end use

household consumption: 74.1% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 18.3% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 26.8% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 48.2% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -67.4% (2017 est.)

Agricultural products

small quantities of tobacco, vegetables; cattle raising

Industries

tourism, boat building, offshore financial services

Industrial production growth rate

4% (2017 est.)

comparison ranking: 79

Budget

revenues: $81.925 million (2017 est.)

expenditures: $72.352 million (2017 est.)

note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated