Country Profile: Virgin Islands

The Virgin Islands are a picturesque group of islands located in the Caribbean, positioned between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico. With a population of approximately 103,792 in 2025, the islands operate under a high-income, tourism-influenced economy and are an unincorporated organized territory of the United States. Governance is characterized by a republican form with local self-governance, while the islands face environmental challenges and are susceptible to hurricanes. The rich history includes Danish control in the 17th century until the U.S. acquisition in 1917.

Geography

The Virgin Islands consist of several islands, with a total area of 1,910 square kilometers, of which only 346 square kilometers is land. The terrain is mostly hilly and rugged, while the climate is subtropical, characterized by trade winds and low humidity, with a rainy season from September to November. The islands are strategically located along a key shipping lane for the Panama Canal, featuring one of the best natural deepwater harbors in the Caribbean.

• 1,910 sq km: Total area.
• 188 km: Coastline length.
• 12 nm: Territorial sea limit.
• 200 nm: Exclusive economic zone.
• 58.2%: Forest cover (2023 est.).

People and Society

The Virgin Islands have a diverse population of about 103,792 (2025 est.), predominantly of African descent. The islands showcase a rich cultural fabric, with 71.6% of the population speaking English and a significant portion practicing Christianity. The demographic structure signifies a median age of 43.4 years, indicating an aging population, and urbanization is high, with 96.2% living in urban areas.

• 80.7 years: Life expectancy at birth (2024 est.).
• 10.88 births/1,000: Birth rate (2025 est.).
• 12.1%: Unemployment rate (2024 est.).
• 96.2%: Urban population (2023).
• 68: Total dependency ratio (2025 est.).

Economy

As a tourism-oriented economy, the Virgin Islands have a real GDP of $4.9 billion (2022 est.), heavily influenced by tourism and the rum industry. The territory has faced significant economic challenges, particularly due to COVID-19 impacts and high public debt levels. The labor market suggests an unemployment rate of 12.1% (2024 est.), while agriculture remains a minor sector compared to tourism.

• $46,500: Real GDP per capita (2022 est.).
• $5.058 billion: Total imports (2022 est.).
• $4.549 billion: Total exports (2022 est.).
• 68.9%: Household consumption (2022 est.).
• 2.378 million metric tonnes: CO2 emissions (2023 est.).

Government

The Virgin Islands operate as an unincorporated organized territory of the United States, with a republican form of government that allows for local self-governance. The capital, Charlotte Amalie, is named after the wife of Danish King Christian V. The legal system follows US common law, and while residents are US citizens, they do not vote in presidential elections.

• $1.496 billion: Estimated revenues (2016).
• President: Donald J. Trump (since 2025).
• Governor: Albert Bryan, Jr. (since 2019).
• Next election: November 2026.
• National holiday: Transfer Day, celebrated on March 31.

Military and Security

Defense for the Virgin Islands falls under the jurisdiction of the United States, with local security managed primarily through the US Virgin Islands Police Department and the National Guard. The security framework is focused on maintaining public safety and order within the territory.

Energy

Electricity in the Virgin Islands is fully accessible to the population, with a total installed capacity of 326,000 kW (2023 est.). The energy generation heavily relies on fossil fuels, accounting for 97.2% of the installed capacity. The territory also faces challenges in managing electricity distribution losses, which amount to 50.181 million kWh (2023 est.).

• 100%: Electrification rate (2022 est.).
• 618.819 million kWh: Total electricity consumption (2023 est.).
• 16,000 bbl/day: Petroleum consumption (2023 est.).

Environment

The Virgin Islands experience several environmental challenges, including a lack of natural freshwater resources and the need for coral reef protection. Urbanization and coastal development further exacerbate these issues while impacting waste management and fishing practices.

• 58.2%: Forested area (2023 est.).
• 146,500 tons: Annual municipal solid waste generated (2024 est.).
• 2.6%: Arable land (2023 est.).

Transportation

The Virgin Islands have a modest transportation infrastructure with two airports and six ports, including those with oil terminals. The transportation system primarily supports tourism and local commerce, with Charlotte Amalie being a central hub.

• 2: Airports (2025).
• 6: Total ports (2024).
• 4: Heliports (2025).

Communications

Communications infrastructure in the Virgin Islands is well-developed with broad access to telephony and internet services. Approximately 64% of the population uses the internet, and the territory has several television and radio stations.

• 79,100: Mobile cellular subscriptions (2022 est.).
• 76,000: Fixed line subscriptions (2021 est.).
• 9,000: Fixed broadband subscriptions (2022 est.).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	103,792 (2025 est.)
Area	1,910 sq km	Total area
GDP	$4.9 billion (2022 est.)	Real GDP (PPP)
Unemployment Rate	12.1% (2024 est.)
Life Expectancy	80.7 years (2024 est.)
Birth Rate	10.88 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Urban Population	96.2% (2023)
CO2 Emissions	2.378 million metric tonnes (2023 est.)
Electricity Consumption	618.819 million kWh (2023 est.)
Total Ports	6 (2024)