Statistical information Montserrat 1990
Montserrat in the World
Backgroundtop of pageLocationGeographic coordinatesMap referenceAreaLand boundaries: none
Coastline: 40 km
Maritime claimsClimate: tropical; little daily or seasonal temperature variation
Terrain: volcanic islands, mostly mountainous, with small coastal lowland
ElevationNatural resources: negligible
Land use: 20% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 10% meadows and pastures; 40% forest and woodland; 30% other
Irrigated landMajor riversMajor watersheds area km²Total water withdrawalTotal renewable water resourcesNatural hazardsGeographyNote: defense is the responsibility of the UK
top of pagePopulation: 12,467 (July 1990), growth rate 0.3% (1990)
Nationality: noun--Montserratian(s; adjective--Montserratian
Ethnic groups: mostly black with a few Europeans
Languages: English
Religions: Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Seventh-Day Adventist, other Christian denominations
Demographic profileAge structureDependency ratiosMedian agePopulation growth rateBirth rate: 16 births/1000 population (1990)
Death rate: 10 deaths/1000 population (1990)
Net migration rate: - 4 migrant/1000 population (1990)
Population distributionUrbanizationMajor urban areasEnvironmentCurrent issues: subject to severe hurricanes from June to November
Air pollutantsSex ratioMothers mean age at first birthMaternal mortality ratioInfant mortality rate: 9 deaths/1000 live births (1990)
Life expectancy at birth: 74 years male, 80 years female (1990)
Total fertility rate: 2.2 children born/woman (1990)
Contraceptive prevalence rateDrinking water sourceCurrent health expenditurePhysicians densityHospital bed densitySanitation facility accessHiv/AidsMajor infectious diseasesObesity adult prevalence rateAlcohol consumptionTobacco useChildren under the age of 5 years underweightEducation expendituresLiteracy: 77%
School life expectancy primary to tertiary educationYouth unemploymenttop of pageCountry name: conventional long form: none
Government type: dependent territory of the UK
Capital: Plymouth
Administrative divisions: 3 parishes; Saint Anthony, Saint Georges, Saint Peter
Dependent areasIndependence: none (colony of the UK)
National holiday: Celebration of the Birthday of the Queen (second Saturday of June)
Constitution: 1 January 1960
Legal system: English common law and statute law
International law organization participationCitizenshipSuffrage: universal at age 18
Executive branch: Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Christopher J. TURNER (since 1987; Head of Government--Chief Minister John A. OSBORNE (since 1978)
Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leadersInternational organization participationDiplomatic representationIn the us: none (colony of the UK)
Flag description: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Montserratian coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms features a woman standing beside a yellow harp with her arm around a black cross
National symbolsNational anthemNational heritagetop of pageEconomy overview: The economy is small and open with economic activity centered on tourism and construction. Tourism is the most important sector and accounted for 20% of GDP in 1986. Agriculture accounted for about 4% of GDP and industry 9%. The economy is heavily dependent on imports, making it vulnerable to fluctuations in world prices. Exports consist mainly of electronic parts sold to the US.
Real gdp purchasing power parityReal gdp growth rateReal gdp per capita pppGross national savingGdp composition by sector of origin
Gdp composition by end useGdp composition by sector of originAgriculture products: accounts for 4% of GDP; small-scale farming; food crops--tomatoes, onions, peppers; not self-sufficient in food, especially livestock products
Industries: tourism; light manufacturing--rum, textiles, electronic appliances
Industrial production growth rate: 8.1% (1986)
Labor force: 5,100; 40.5% community, social, and personal services, 13.5% construction, 12.3% trade, restaurants, and hotels, 10.5% manufacturing, 8.8% agriculture, forestry, and fishing, 14.4% other (1983 est.)
Unemployment rate: 3.0% (1987)
Youth unemploymentPopulation below poverty lineGini indexHousehold income or consumption by percentage shareDistribution of family income gini indexBudget: revenues $10.0 million; expenditures $9.4 million, including capital expenditures of $3.2 million (1987)
Public debtTaxes and other revenuesRevenueFiscal year: 1 April-31 March
Current account balanceInflation rate consumer pricesCentral bank discount rateCommercial bank prime lending rateStock of narrow moneyStock of broad moneyStock of domestic creditMarket value of publicly traded sharesCurrent account balanceExports: $3.0 million (f.o.b., 1987)
Commodities: plastic bags, electronic parts, apparel, hot peppers, live plants, cattle
Partners: NA
Imports: $25.3 million (c.i.f., 1987)
Commodities: machinery and transportation equipment, foodstuffs, manufactured goods, fuels, lubricants, and related materials
Partners: NA
Reserves of foreign exchange and goldDebt external: $3.7 million (1985)
Stock of direct foreign investment at homeStock of direct foreign investment abroadExchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1--2.70 (fixed rate since 1976)
top of pageElectricity accessElectricity productionElectricity consumptionElectricity exportsElectricity importsElectricity installed generating capacityElectricity transmission distribution lossesElectricity generation sourcesPetroleumRefined petroleumNatural gasCarbon dioxide emissionsEnergy consumption per capitatop of pageTelephones fixed linesTelephones mobile cellularTelephone systemBroadcast mediaInternet country codeInternet usersBroadband fixed subscriptionstop of pageMilitary expendituresMilitary and security forcesMilitary service age and obligationSpace programTerrorist groupstop of pageNational air transport systemCivil aircraft registration country code prefixAirports: 1 with permanent-surface runway 1,036 m
Airports with paved runwaysAirports with unpaved runwaysHeliportsPipelinesRailwaysRoadwaysWaterwaysMerchant marinePorts and terminalstop of pageDisputes internationalRefugees and internally displaced personsIllicit drugs