Virgin Islands

The Danes secured control over the southern Virgin Islands of Saint Thomas, Saint John, and Saint Croix during the 17th and early 18th centuries. Sugarcane, produced by African slave labor, drove the islands’ economy during the 18th and early 19th centuries. In 1917, the US purchased the Danish holdings, which had been in economic decline since the abolition of slavery in 1848. In 2017, Hurricane Irma passed over the northern Virgin Islands of Saint Thomas and Saint John and inflicted severe damage to structures, roads, the airport on Saint Thomas, communications, and electricity. Less than two weeks later, Hurricane Maria passed over the island of Saint Croix in the southern Virgin Islands, inflicting considerable damage with heavy winds and flooding rains.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 the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico

Geographic coordinates

18 20 N, 64 50 W

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Area

total : 1,910 sq km

land: 346 sq km

water: 1,564 sq km

comparison ranking: total 181

Area – comparative

twice the size of Washington, D.C.

Land boundaries

total: 0 km

Coastline

188 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate

subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season September to November

Terrain

mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little flat land

Elevation

highest point: Crown Mountain 474 m

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

Natural resources

pleasant climate, beaches foster tourism

Land use

agricultural land: 9.4% (2022 est.)

arable land: 2.6% (2022 est.)

permanent crops: 0.6% (2022 est.)

permanent pasture: 6.3% (2022 est.)

forest: 57.7% (2022 est.)

other: 32.8% (2022 est.)

Irrigated land

1 sq km (2012)

Population distribution

overall population density throughout the islands is relatively low, but concentrations appear around Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas and Christiansted on St. Croix

Natural hazards

several hurricanes in recent years; frequent and severe droughts and floods; occasional earthquakes

Geography – note

important location along the Anegada Passage, a key shipping lane for the Panama Canal; Saint Thomas has one of the best natural deepwater harbors in the Caribbean

People and Society

Population

total: 104,377 (2024 est.)

male: 49,520

female: 54,857

comparison rankings: total 192; female 191; male 195

Nationality

noun: Virgin Islander(s) (US citizens)

adjective: Virgin Islander

Ethnic groups

African-American or African descent 71.4%, White 13.3%, Indigenous 0.4%, Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander 0.1%, other 6.3%, mixed 7.5% (2020 est.)

note: 18.4% self-identify as Latino

Languages

English 71.6%, Spanish or Spanish Creole 17.2%, French or French Creole 8.6%, other 2.5% (2010 est.)

Religions

Protestant 65.5%, Roman Catholic 27.1%, other Christians 2.2%, other 1.5%, none 3.7% (2010 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 18.7% (male 9,983/female 9,547)

15-64 years: 59.8% (male 29,519/female 32,899)

65 years and over: 21.5% (2024 est.) (male 10,018/female 12,411)

2024 population pyramid:

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 67.2 (2024 est.)

youth dependency ratio: 31.3 (2024 est.)

elderly dependency ratio: 35.9 (2024 est.)

potential support ratio: 2.8 (2024 est.)

Median age

total: 43 years (2024 est.)

male: 42.1 years

female: 43.9 years

comparison ranking: total 37

Population growth rate

-0.54% (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 223

Birth rate

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

comparison ranking: 162

Death rate

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

comparison ranking: 52

Net migration rate

-7.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 218

Population distribution

overall population density throughout the islands is relatively low, but concentrations appear around Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas and Christiansted on St. Croix

Urbanization

urban population: 96.2% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: -0.11% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Major urban areas – population

52,000 CHARLOTTE AMALIE (capital) (2018)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female

total population: 0.9 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Infant mortality rate

total: 7.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

male: 8.3 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 6.3 deaths/1,000 live births

comparison ranking: total 153

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 80.7 years (2024 est.)

male: 77.6 years

female: 84.1 years

comparison ranking: total population 51

Total fertility rate

1.97 children born/woman (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 108

Gross reproduction rate

0.95 (2024 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

Drinking water source

improved:

urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 98.7% of population

unimproved:

urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 1.3% of population (2020 est.)

Sanitation facility access

improved:

urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 99.4% of population

unimproved:

urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 0.6% of population (2020 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

27.4% (2023)

Literacy

total population: NA

male: NA

female: NA

Environment

Environment – current issues

lack of natural freshwater resources; protection of coral reefs; solid waste management; coastal development; increased boating and overfishing

Climate

subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season September to November

Land use

Urbanization

urban population: 96.2% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: -0.11% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually: 146,500 tons (2012 est.)

Government

Country name

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Virgin Islands

former: Danish West Indies

abbreviation: VI

etymology: in 1493, the islets, cays, and rocks around the major islands in the chain reminded explorer Christopher COLUMBUS of Saint Ursula and her 11,000 virgin followers (Santa Ursula y las Once Mil Virgenes), which over time was shortened to the Virgins (las Virgenes)

Government type

unincorporated organized territory of the US with local self-government; republican form of territorial government with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches

Dependency status

unincorporated, organized territory of the US, with policy relations with the US federal government under the jurisdiction of the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior

Capital

name: Charlotte Amalie

geographic coordinates: 18 21 N, 64 56 W

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

etymology: named in honor of Danish King CHRISTIAN V’s wife, Charlotte AMALIE of Hesse-Kassel, after the colony was established in 1672

Administrative divisions

none (territory of the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US government, but 3 islands are considered second-order: Saint Croix, Saint John, Saint Thomas

Legal system

US common law

Constitution

history: 22 July 1954 – the Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands functions as a constitution for this US territory

Citizenship

see United States

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal; note – island residents are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections

Executive branch

chief of state: President Donald J. TRUMP (since 20 January 2025)

head of government: Governor Albert BRYAN, Jr. (since 7 January 2019)

cabinet: Territorial Cabinet appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate

election/appointment process: president and vice president indirectly elected on the same ballot by an Electoral College of electors chosen from each state; president and vice president serve a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); under the US Constitution, residents of the Virgin Islands do not vote in elections for US president and vice president, but they can vote in the Democratic and Republican party presidential primary elections; governor and lieutenant governor directly elected on the same ballot by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term)

most recent election date: 8 November 2022

election results:
2022: Albert BRYAN, Jr. reelected governor; percent of vote – Albert BRYAN, Jr. (Democratic Party) 56%, Kurt VIALET (independent) 38%

2018: Albert BRYAN, Jr. elected governor in the second round; percent of vote in first round – Albert BRYAN, Jr. (Democratic Party) 38.1%, Kenneth MAPP (independent) 33.5%, Adlah “Foncie” DONASTORG, Jr. (independent) 16.5%, other 11.9%; percent of vote in second round- Albert BRYAN, Jr. (Democratic Party) 54.5%, Kenneth MAPP (independent) 45.2%, other 0.3%

expected date of next election: November 2026

Legislative branch

note: the Virgin Islands delegate to the US House of Representatives can vote when serving on a committee and when the House meets as the Committee of the Whole House, but not when legislation is submitted for a “full floor” House vote

Judicial branch

highest court(s): Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands (consists of the chief justice and 2 associate justices)

judge selection and term of office: justices appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Virgin Islands Senate; justices serve initial 10-year terms and upon reconfirmation, during the extent of good behavior; chief justice elected to position by peers for a 3-year term

subordinate courts: Superior Court (Territorial Court renamed in 2004); US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit (has appellate jurisdiction over the District Court of the Virgin Islands; it is a territorial court and is not associated with a US federal judicial district); District Court of the Virgin Islands

Political parties

Democratic Party
Independent Citizens’ Movement or ICM
Republican Party

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (territory of the US)

Diplomatic representation from the US

none (territory of the US)

International organization participation

AOSIS (observer), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UPU, WFTU (NGOs)

Independence

none (territory of the US)

National holiday

Transfer Day (from Denmark to the US), 31 March (1917)

Flag description

white field with a modified US coat of arms in the center between the large blue initials V and I; the coat of arms shows a yellow eagle holding an olive branch in its right talon and three arrows in the left, with a shield of seven red and six white vertical stripes below a blue panel; white is a symbol of purity, and the letters stand for the Virgin Islands

National anthem

name: “Virgin Islands March”

lyrics/music: multiple/Alton Augustus ADAMS, Sr.

note: adopted 1963; serves as a local anthem; as a territory of the US, “The Star-Spangled Banner” is official (see United States)

Economy

Economic overview

high-income, tourism-based American territorial economy; severe COVID-19 economic disruptions; major rum distillery; high public debt; sluggish reopening of large oil refinery; environmentally susceptible to hurricanes; many informal industries

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$4.9 billion (2022 est.)
$4.965 billion (2021 est.)
$4.789 billion (2020 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

comparison ranking: 187

Real GDP growth rate

-1.31% (2022 est.)
2.85% (2021 est.)
-1.92% (2020 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

comparison ranking: 203

Real GDP per capita

$46,500 (2022 est.)
$46,900 (2021 est.)
$45,100 (2020 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

comparison ranking: 50

GDP (official exchange rate)

$4.672 billion (2022 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1% (2016 est.)
2.6% (2015 est.)

comparison ranking: 27

GDP – composition, by end use

household consumption: 68.9% (2022 est.)

government consumption: 34.4% (2022 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 7.5% (2016 est.)

investment in inventories: 15% (2016 est.)

exports of goods and services: 97.4% (2022 est.)

imports of goods and services: -108.3% (2022 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

Agricultural products

fruit, vegetables, sorghum; Senepol cattle

Industries

tourism, watch assembly, rum distilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, electronics

Industrial production growth rate

4.3% (2014 est.)

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

comparison ranking: 63

Labor force

47,100 (2024 est.)

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

comparison ranking: 191

Unemployment rate

12% (2024 est.)
12.3% (2023 est.)
13% (2022 est.)

note: % of labor force seeking employment

comparison ranking: 174

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

total: 25.3% (2024 est.)

male: 22% (2024 est.)

female: 28.9% (2024 est.)

note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

comparison ranking: total 38

Budget

revenues: $1.496 billion (2016 est.)

expenditures: $1.518 billion (2016 est.)

Public debt

53.3% of GDP (2016 est.)

comparison ranking: 94

Taxes and other revenues

28.9% (of GDP) (2016 est.)

comparison ranking: 25

Exports

$4.549 billion (2022 est.)
$4.069 billion (2021 est.)
$1.62 billion (2020 est.)

note: GDP expenditure basis – exports of goods and services in current dollars

comparison ranking: 142

Exports – partners

Haiti 14%, Guadeloupe 7%, Malaysia 7%, Martinique 7%, Barbados 7%, British Virgin Islands 5% (2019)

Exports – commodities

refined petroleum, jewelry, recreational boats, watches, rum (2019)

top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Imports

$5.058 billion (2022 est.)
$4.057 billion (2021 est.)
$3.184 billion (2020 est.)

note: GDP expenditure basis – imports of goods and services in current dollars

comparison ranking: 152

Imports – partners

India 18%, Algeria 14%, South Korea 9%, Argentina 9%, Sweden 7%, Brazil 5% (2019)

Imports – commodities

refined petroleum, crude petroleum, rubber piping, jewelry, beer (2019)

Exchange rates

the US dollar is used

Energy

Electricity access

electrification – total population: 100% (2022 est.)

Electricity

installed generating capacity: 326,000 kW (2023 est.)

consumption: 618.819 million kWh (2023 est.)

transmission/distribution losses: 50.181 million kWh (2023 est.)

comparison rankings: transmission/distribution losses 38; consumption 169; installed generating capacity 161