Country Profile: Isle of Man
The Isle of Man, a self-governing British Crown dependency located in the Irish Sea between Great Britain and Ireland, boasts a temperate climate and diverse geographical features, including hills and valleys. With an estimated population of 92,269 in 2024, it has a rich cultural heritage, with most residents identifying as Manx and primarily speaking English, with a small percentage familiar with the Manx Gaelic language. The economy is predominantly driven by the services sector, especially financial services and tourism, while the government operates as a parliamentary democracy under the oversight of the British Crown.
Geography
The Isle of Man is situated in Western Europe, between Great Britain and Ireland, covering an area of 572 sq km. The island features a coastline that stretches 160 km and is devoid of land boundaries, as it is surrounded by water. Its terrain is characterized by hills to the north and south, bisected by a central valley, with the highest point being Snaefell at 621 m above sea level.
- 0 km land boundaries
- 12 nm territorial sea
- 12 nm exclusive fishing zone
- 69.1% of land used for agriculture (2023 estimate)
- 6.4% forested land (2023 estimate)
- 24.5% other land use (2023 estimate)
- Few natural hazards, mainly high winds and rough seas
People and Society
As of 2024, the Isle of Man has a population of 92,269 with a nearly equal gender distribution. The majority of residents are ethnically White (94.7%), and the predominant religion is Christianity (54.7%). The island has a relatively high life expectancy of 82.5 years and faces a low infant mortality rate of 4.1 deaths/1,000 live births.
- 44.9 years median age (2024 estimate)
- 10.4 births/1,000 population birth rate (2024 estimate)
- 0.45% population growth rate (2024 estimate)
- 4.3 migrants/1,000 population net migration rate (2024 estimate)
- 100% of the population has access to improved sanitation (2022 estimate)
- 99.9% have access to improved drinking water (2022 estimate)
Economy
The Isle of Man nurtures a high-income economy, primarily driven by the services sector, with 95.1% of GDP attributed to services in 2022. Traditional industries such as agriculture and fishing are declining, while tourism and finance flourish, bolstered by favorable tax policies. In 2022, the GDP was approximately $7.431 billion.
- -4.2% real GDP growth rate (2022 estimate)
- 0.4% of GDP from agriculture (2022 estimate)
- 6.9% of GDP from industry (2022 estimate)
- Exports are largely directed to the United Kingdom (2022)
- Major export commodities include crude petroleum and whiskies
- 100% of the population has electricity access (2022 estimate)
Government
The Isle of Man operates as a parliamentary democracy, known as Tynwald, with Douglas as its capital. The head of state is the Lord of Mann, currently King Charles III, represented by the Lieutenant Governor. The governance structure includes a bicameral legislature consisting of the House of Keys and the Legislative Council, with universal suffrage starting at age 16.
- 24 members in the House of Keys
- 11 members in the Legislative Council
- Most recent election for Chief Minister was held on September 23, 2021
- 40% of House of Keys members are women
- National holiday: Tynwald Day, celebrated on July 5
Military and Security
Defense responsibilities for the Isle of Man lie with the United Kingdom, which ensures the island's security. There are no standing military forces on the Isle itself.
Energy
The Isle of Man enjoys full electricity access for its population, with 100% electrification reported in 2022. This reflects the island's commitment to ensuring reliable energy distribution across its territories.
Environment
The Isle of Man faces environmental challenges such as air and marine pollution, alongside issues related to waste disposal. Approximately 69.1% of land is used for agriculture, indicating the island's focus on land-based economic activities.
- 50% of municipal solid waste was recycled (2011 estimate)
- 50,600 tons of municipal solid waste generated annually (2024 estimate)
Transportation
The Isle of Man has a network of transportation that includes four airports and a small rail network primarily used for tourism. The merchant marine comprises 269 vessels as of 2023, supporting both commercial and recreational seafaring.
- 4 airports
- 63 km of railway (2008 estimate)
- 269 merchant marine vessels (2023)
- Key ports: Douglas, Ramsey
Communications
The Isle of Man has a robust media landscape, with national public radio operating several stations. The internet country code for the Isle is .im, facilitating online identification.
- National radio includes 3 FM stations and 1 AM station
- Receives British TV and radio broadcasts via relays
Key Metrics
| Metric | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,269 (2024 est.) | |
| Area | 572 sq km | |
| GDP | $7.431 billion (2022 est.) | |
| Electricity Access | 100% (2022 est.) | |
| Birth Rate | 10.4 births/1,000 population (2024 est.) | |
| Life Expectancy | 82.5 years (2024 est.) | |
| Infant Mortality Rate | 4.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.) | |
| Urban Population | 53.5% | (2023 est.) |
| Unemployment Rate | Data not specified |
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