Guernsey

Guernsey and the other Channel Islands represent the last remnants of the medieval Duchy of Normandy, which held sway in both France and England. The islands were the only British soil that Germany occupied in World War II. The Bailiwick of Guernsey consists of the main island of Guernsey and a number of smaller islands, including Alderney, Sark, Herm, Jethou, Brecqhou, and Lihou. The Bailiwick is a self-governing British Crown dependency that is not part of the UK. However, the UK Government is constitutionally responsible for its defense and international representation.TipVisit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.Definitions and Notes

Geography

Location

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

Geographic coordinates

49 28 N, 2 35 W

Map references

Europe

Area

total : 78 sq km

land: 78 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes Alderney, Guernsey, Herm, Sark, and some other smaller islands

comparison ranking: total 226

Area – comparative

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

Land boundaries

total: 0 km

Coastline

50 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm

Climate

temperate with mild winters and cool summers; about 50% of days are overcast

Terrain

mostly flat with low hills in southwest

Elevation

highest point: Le Moulin on Sark 114 m

lowest point: English Channel 0 m

Natural resources

cropland

Land use

agricultural land: 43.3% (2022 est.)

arable land: 18.3% (2022 est.)

permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.)

permanent pasture: 24.9% (2022 est.)

forest: 5.2% (2022 est.)

other: 51.6% (2022 est.)

Irrigated land

Natural hazards

very large tidal variation and fast currents can make local waters dangerous

Geography – note

large, deepwater harbor at Saint Peter Port

People and Society

Population

total: 67,787 (2024 est.)

male: 33,712

female: 34,075

comparison rankings: total 203; female 204; male 203

Nationality

noun: Channel Islander(s)

adjective: Channel Islander

Ethnic groups

Guernsey 53.5%, UK and Ireland 23.8%, Portugal 2.1%, Latvia 1.4%, other Europe 2.7%, other Crown Dependencies 0.7%, other 5.3%, unspecified 10.5% (2022 est.)

note: data represent population by country of birth; the native population is of British and Norman-French descent

Languages

English, French, Norman-French dialect spoken in country districts

Religions

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

Age structure

0-14 years: 14.3% (male 4,999/female 4,717)

15-64 years: 64.1% (male 21,937/female 21,547)

65 years and over: 21.5% (2024 est.) (male 6,776/female 7,811)

2024 population pyramid:

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 55.9 (2024 est.)

youth dependency ratio: 22.3 (2024 est.)

elderly dependency ratio: 33.5 (2024 est.)

potential support ratio: 3 (2024 est.)

Median age

total: 45 years (2024 est.)

male: 43.8 years

female: 46.2 years

comparison ranking: total 23

Population growth rate

0.21% (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 176

Birth rate

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

comparison ranking: 192

Death rate

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

comparison ranking: 54

Net migration rate

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

comparison ranking: 55

Urbanization

urban population: 31.2% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 0.68% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

note: data include Guernsey and Jersey

Major urban areas – population

16,000 SAINT PETER PORT (capital) (2018)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Infant mortality rate

total: 3.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

male: 3.7 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 2.7 deaths/1,000 live births

comparison ranking: total 197

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 83.6 years (2024 est.)

male: 80.9 years

female: 86.4 years

comparison ranking: total population 11

Total fertility rate

1.59 children born/woman (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 188

Gross reproduction rate

0.77 (2024 est.)

Environment

Environmental issues

coastal erosion, coastal flooding; declining biodiversity

Climate

temperate with mild winters and cool summers; about 50% of days are overcast

Land use

Urbanization

urban population: 31.2% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 0.68% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

note: data include Guernsey and Jersey

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually: 178,933 tons (2016 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 50,871 tons (2016 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 28.4% (2016 est.)

note: data include combined totals for Guernsey and Jersey.

Government

Country name

conventional long form: Bailiwick of Guernsey

conventional short form: Guernsey

former: Norman Isles

etymology: the name is of Old Norse origin; the meaning of the root “Guern(s)” is unclear but may refer to a person’s name, Grani, or to the color green; the “-ey” ending means “island”

Government type

parliamentary democracy (States of Deliberation)

Dependency status

British crown dependency

Capital

name: Saint Peter Port

geographic coordinates: 49 27 N, 2 32 W

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

daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

etymology: named for the patron saint of fishermen; “port” distinguishes it from the Saint Peter (sometimes called Saint Peter in the Wood) on the other side of the island

Administrative divisions

none (British Crown dependency); no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US government, but 10 parishes: Castel, Forest, Saint Andrew, Saint Martin, Saint Peter Port, Saint Pierre du Bois, Saint Sampson, Saint Saviour, Torteval, Vale

note: two additional parishes for Guernsey are sometimes listed — Saint Anne on the island of Alderney and Saint Peter on the island of Sark

Legal system

customary system based on Norman customary law; includes elements of the French civil code and English common law

Constitution

history: unwritten; includes royal charters, statutes, and common law and practice

amendment process: new laws or changes to existing laws are initiated by the States of Deliberation; passage requires majority vote

Citizenship

see United Kingdom

Suffrage

16 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Lieutenant-Governor Richard CRIPWELL (since 15 February 2022)

head of government: Chief Minister Lindsay de SAUSMAREZ (since 1 July 2025)

cabinet: none

election/appointment process: the monarchy is hereditary; lieutenant governor and bailiff appointed by the monarch; chief minister, who is the president of the Policy and Resources Committee, indirectly elected by the States of Deliberation for a 4-year term

most recent election date: 7/1/2025

election results: 2025: Lindsay de SAUSMAREZ (independent) elected president of the Policy and Resources Committee and chief minister

2020: Peter FERBRACHE (independent) elected president of the Policy and Resources Committee and chief minister: percent of States of Guernsey vote – 57.5%

2016: Gavin ST. PIER (independent) elected president of the Policy and Resources Committee and chief minister

expected date of next election: 2029

note: the chief minister is the president of the Policy and Resources Committee and is the de facto head of government; the Policy and Resources Committee, elected by the States of Deliberation, functions as the executive; the 5 members all have equal voting rights

Legislative branch

legislature name: States of Deliberation

legislative structure: unicameral

number of seats: 38 (directly elected)

electoral system: plurality/majority

scope of elections: full renewal

term in office: 4 years

most recent election date: 7/1/2025

parties elected and seats per party: independent (35); Forward Guernsey (3)

percentage of women in chamber: 20%

expected date of next election: 2030

note: non-voting members include the bailiff (presiding officer), attorney-general, and solicitor-general

Judicial branch

highest court(s): Guernsey Court of Appeal (consists of the Bailiff of Guernsey, who is the ex-officio president of the Guernsey Court of Appeal, and at least 12 judges); Royal Court (organized into 3 divisions – Full Court sits with 1 judge and 7 to 12 jurats acting as judges of fact, Ordinary Court sits with 1 judge and normally 3 jurats, and Matrimonial Causes Division sits with 1 judge and 4 jurats)

judge selection and term of office: Royal Court Bailiff, Deputy Bailiff, and Court of Appeal justices appointed by the British Crown and hold office at Her Majesty’s pleasure; jurats elected by the States of Election, a body chaired by the Bailiff and a number of jurats

subordinate courts: Court of Alderney; Court of the Seneschal of Sark; Magistrates’ Court (includes Juvenile Court); Contracts Court; Ecclesiastical Court; Court of Chief Pleas

note: appeals beyond Guernsey courts are heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London)

Political parties

Forward Guernsey

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (British crown dependency)

Diplomatic representation from the US

embassy: none (British crown dependency)

International organization participation

UPU

Independence

none (British Crown dependency)

National holiday

Liberation Day, 9 May (1945)

Flag description

white with the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of England) extending to the edges of the flag and a yellow equal-armed cross of William the Conqueror superimposed on the Saint George cross; the red cross represents Guernsey’s status as a British Crown dependency; the gold cross is a replica of the one William the Conqueror carried at the Battle of Hastings in 1066

National symbol(s)

Guernsey cow, donkey

National color(s)

red, white, yellow

National anthem(s)

title: “Sarnia Cherie” (Guernsey Dear)

lyrics/music: George DEIGHTON/Domencio SANTANGELO

history: adopted 1911; serves as a local anthem
_____

title: “God Save the King”

lyrics/music: unknown

history: official anthem, as a British crown dependency

Economy

Economic overview

high-income English Channel island economy; strong financial sector but stressed due to COVID-19 disruptions; manufacturing, tourism, and construction industries suffered but expected to recover; stable inflation; maintains independent taxation authority

Real GDP growth rate

3.7% (2023 est.)
5.3% (2022 est.)
9.9% (2021 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency; entry includes Jersey and Guernsey

comparison ranking: 86

GDP (official exchange rate)

$12.508 billion (2023 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate; entry includes Jersey and Guernsey

GDP – composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 0.6% (2023 est.)

industry: 8.2% (2023 est.)

services: 91.2% (2023 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

comparison rankings: services 6; industry 196; agriculture 187