Bermuda

Country Summary

Introduction

Background

Bermuda was first settled in 1609 by shipwrecked English colonists heading for Virginia. Self-governing since 1620, Bermuda is the oldest and most populous of the British overseas territories. Tourism continues to be important to the island's economy, although international business has overtaken it in recent years.

Geography

Area

total: 54 sq km
land: 54 sq km
water: 0 sq km

Climate

subtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in winter

Natural resources

limestone, pleasant climate fostering tourism

People and Society

Population

72,576 (2023 est.)

Ethnic groups

African descent 52%, White 31%, mixed 9%, Asian 4%, other 4% (2010 est.)

Languages

English (official), Portuguese

Religions

Protestant 46.2% (includes Anglican 15.8%, African Methodist Episcopal 8.6%, Seventh Day Adventist 6.7, Pentecostal 3.5%, Methodist 2.7%, Presbyterian 2.0%, Church of God 1.6%, Baptist 1.2%, Salvation Army 1.1%, Brethren 1.0%, other Protestant 2.0%), Roman Catholic 14.5%, Jehovah's Witness 1.3%, other Christian 9.1%, Muslim 1%, other 3.9%, none 17.8%, unspecified 6.2% (2010 est.)

Population growth rate

0.32% (2023 est.)

Government

Government type

Overseas Territory of the UK with limited self-government; parliamentary democracy

Capital

name: Hamilton

Executive branch

chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor Rena LALGIE (since 14 December 2020)
head of government: Premier David BURT (since 19 July 2017)

Legislative branch

description: bicameral Parliament consists of:
Senate (11 seats; 3 members appointed by the governor, 5 by the premier, and 3 by the opposition party; members serve 5-year terms) 
House of Assembly (36 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve up to 5-year terms)

Economy

Economic overview

small, tourism- and construction-based, territorial-island economy; American import and tourist destination; known offshore banking hub; increasing inflation; major re-exportation and re-importation area

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$5.127 billion (2021 est.)
$4.863 billion (2020 est.)
$5.22 billion (2019 est.)

Real GDP per capita

$80,300 (2021 est.)
$76,100 (2020 est.)
$81,700 (2019 est.)

Agricultural products

bananas, vegetables, citrus, flowers; dairy products, honey

Industries

international business, tourism, light manufacturing

Remittances

22.86% of GDP (2020 est.)
20.84% of GDP (2019 est.)
20.02% of GDP (2018 est.)

Exports

$1.123 billion (2021 est.)
$1.027 billion (2020 est.)
$1.605 billion (2019 est.)

Exports - partners

Jamaica 49.1%, Luxembourg 36.1%, US 4.9% (2017)

Exports - commodities

recreational boats, ships, trailers, aircraft, fertilizers (2021)

Imports

$1.925 billion (2021 est.)
$1.723 billion (2020 est.)
$2.224 billion (2019 est.)

Imports - partners

United States 44%, South Korea 17%, Germany 10%, Canada 8% (2019)

Imports - commodities

ships, refined petroleum, postage stamps, recreational boats, aircraft (2019)

Exchange rates

Bermudian dollars (BMD) per US dollar -
Exchange rates:
1 (2021 est.)
1 (2020 est.)
1 (2019 est.)
1 (2018 est.)
1 (2017 est.)


Page last updated: Wednesday, December 06, 2023