Statistical information Bermuda 1999
Bermuda in the World
top of pageBackground: Bermuda was first settled in 1609 by shipwrecked English colonists headed for Virginia. Tourism to the island to escape North American winters first developed in Victorian times. Bermuda has developed into highly successful offshore financial center. A referendum on independence was soundly defeated in 1995.
top of pageLocation: North America, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, east of North Carolina (US)
Geographic coordinates: 32 20 N, 64 45 W
Map reference:
North AmericaAreaTotal: 50 km²
Land: 50 km²
Water: 0 km²
Comparative: about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 103 km
Maritime claimsExclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: subtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in winter
Terrain: low hills separated by fertile depressions
ElevationExtremes lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
Extremes highest point: Town Hill 76 m
Natural resources: limestone, pleasant climate fostering tourism
Land useArable land: 6%
Permanent crops: 0%
Permanent pastures: 0%
Forests and woodland: 0%
Other: 94% (1997 est.)
Note: developed (55%) and rural/open space (39%) comprise 94% of Bermudian land area
Irrigated land: NA km²
Major riversMajor watersheds area km²Total water withdrawalTotal renewable water resourcesNatural hazards: hurricanes (June to November)
GeographyNote: consists of about 360 small coral islands with ample rainfall, but no rivers or freshwater lakes; some land, reclaimed and otherwise, was leased by US Government from 1941 to 1995
top of pagePopulation: 62,472 (July 1999 est.)
Growth rate: 0.72% (1999 est.)
Below poverty line: NA%
NationalityNoun: Bermudian(s)
Adjective: Bermudian
Ethnic groups: black 61%, white and other 39%
Languages: English (official), Portuguese
Religions: Anglican 28%, Roman Catholic 15%, African Methodist Episcopal (Zion) 12%, Seventh-Day Adventist 6%, Methodist 5%, other 34% (1991)
Demographic profileAge structure0-14 years: 20% (male 6,174; female 6,023)
15-64 years: 70% (male 21,479; female 22,041)
65 years and over: 10% (male 2,897; female 3,858) (1999 est.)
Dependency ratiosMedian agePopulation growth rate: 0.72% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 11.83 births/1000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 7.27 deaths/1000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: 2.67 migrant(s)/1000 population (1999 est.)
Population distributionUrbanizationMajor urban areasEnvironmentCurrent issues: asbestos disposal; water pollution; preservation of open space
International agreements party to: NA
International agreements signed but not ratified: NA
Air pollutantsSex ratioAt birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
Under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female
Total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Mothers mean age at first birthMaternal mortality ratioInfant mortality rate: 9.27 deaths/1000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birthTotal population: 76.97 years
Male: 75.19 years
Female: 78.83 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.71 children born/woman (1999 est.)
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 expendituresLiteracyDefinition: age 15 and over can read and write
Total population: 98%
Male: 98%
Female: 99% (1970 est.)
School life expectancy primary to tertiary educationYouth unemploymenttop of pageCountry nameConventional long form: none
Conventional short form: Bermuda
Government type: NA
Capital: Hamilton
Administrative divisions: 9 parishes and 2 municipalities*; Devonshire, Hamilton, Hamilton*, Paget, Pembroke, Saint George*, Saint Georges, Sandys, Smiths, Southampton, Warwick
Dependent areasIndependence: none (overseas territory of the UK)
National holiday: Bermuda Day, 24 May
Constitution: 8 June 1968
Legal system: English law
International law organization participationCitizenshipSuffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branchChief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Thorold MASEFIELD (since NA June 1997)
Head of government: Premier Jennifer SMITH (since 10 November 1998)
Cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the premier, appointed by the governor
Elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; premier appointed by the governor
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (an 11-member body appointed by the governor) and the House of Assembly (40 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
Elections: last held 9 November 1998 (next to be held NA November 2003)
Election results: percent of vote by party_PLP 54%, UBP 44%, NLP 1%, independents 1%; seats by party_PLP 26, UBP 14
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leadersInternational organization participation: Caricom (observer), CCC, ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau), IOC
Diplomatic representationIn the us: none (overseas territory of the UK)
From the us chief of mission: Consul General Robert A. FARMER
From the us consulates general: Crown Hill, 16 Middle Road, Devonshire, Hamilton
From the us mailing address: P.O. Box HM325, Hamilton HMBX; American Consulate General Hamilton, Department of State, Washington, DC 20,520-5,300
From the us telephone: [1] (441) 295-1342
From the us FAX: [1] (441) 295-1592
Flag description: red, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Bermudian coat of arms (white and blue shield with a red lion holding a scrolled shield showing the sinking of the ship Sea Venture off Bermuda in 1609) centered on the outer half of the flag
National symbolsNational anthemNational heritagetop of pageEconomy overview: Bermuda enjoys one of the highest per capita incomes in the world, having successfully exploited its location by providing financial services for international firms and luxury tourist facilities for 360,000 visitors annually. The tourist industry, which accounts for an estimated 28% of GDP, attracts 84% of its business from North America. The industrial sector is small, and agriculture is severely limited by a lack of suitable land. About 80% of food needs are imported. International business contributes over 60% of Bermuda's economic output; a failed independence vote in late 1995 can be partially attributed to Bermudian fears of scaring away foreign firms.
Real gdp purchasing power parityReal gdp growth rate: 3% (1997 est.)
Real gdp per capita pppGross national savingGdp composition by sector of origin
Gdp composition by end useGdp composition by sector of originAgriculture: NA%
Industry: NA%
Services: NA%
Agriculture products: bananas, vegetables, citrus, flowers; dairy products
Industries: tourism, finance, insurance, structural concrete products, paints, perfumes, pharmaceuticals, ship repairing
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Labor force: 35,296 (1997)
By occupation clerical: 23%
By occupation services: 22%
By occupation laborers: 17%
By occupation professionalandtechnical: 17%
By occupation administrativeandmanagerial: 12%
By occupation sales: 7%
By occupation agriculture and fishing: 2% (1996)
Unemployment rate: NEGL% (1995)
Youth unemploymentPopulation below poverty line: NA%
Gini indexHousehold income or consumption by percentage shareDistribution of family income gini indexBudgetRevenues: $504.6 million
Expenditures: $537 million, including capital expenditures of $75 million (FY97/98)
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: $57 million (1997)
Commodities: reexports of pharmaceuticals
Partners: Netherlands 50%, Brazil 13%, Canada 6% (1996)
Imports: $617 million (1997)
Commodities: miscellaneous manufactured articles, machinery and transport equipment, food and live animals, chemicals
Partners: US 73%, UK 5%, Canada 4% (1996 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and goldDebt external: $NA
Stock of direct foreign investment at homeStock of direct foreign investment abroadExchange rates: Bermudian dollar (Bd$) per US$1: 1.0000 (fixed rate)
top of pageElectricity accessElectricity production: 480 million kWh (1996)
By source fossil fuel: 100%
By source hydro: 0%
By source nuclear: 0%
By source other: 0% (1996)
Electricity consumption: 480 million kWh (1996)
Electricity exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity imports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity installed generating capacityElectricity transmission distribution lossesElectricity generation sourcesPetroleumRefined petroleumNatural gasCarbon dioxide emissionsEnergy consumption per capitatop of pageTelephones fixed linesTelephones mobile cellularTelephone systemDomestic: modern, fully automatic telephone system
International: 3 submarine cables; satellite earth stations_3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Broadcast mediaInternet country codeInternet usersBroadband fixed subscriptionstop of pageMilitary expendituresDollar figure: $NA
Percent of gdp: NA%
Military and security forcesMilitary service age and obligationSpace programTerrorist groupstop of pageNational air transport systemCivil aircraft registration country code prefixAirports: 1 (1998 est.)
With paved runways total: 1
With paved runways 2438 to 3047 m: 1 (1998 est.)
Airports with paved runwaysTotal: 1
2438 to 3047 m: 1 (1998 est.)
Airports with unpaved runwaysHeliportsPipelinesRailways: 0 km
RoadwaysWaterwaysMerchant marineTotal: 97 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,647,576 GRT/7,612,686 DWT
Ships by type: bulk 18, cargo 3, chemical tanker 1, container 20, liquefied gas tanker 7, oil tanker 27, refrigerated cargo 15, roll-on/roll-off cargo 4, short-sea passenger 2
Note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 11 countries among which are UK 24, Canada 12, Hong Kong 11, US 11, Nigeria 4, Sweden 4, Norway 3, and Switzerland 2 (1998 est.)
Ports and terminalsBermuda - Transnational issues 1999
top of pageDisputes international: none
Refugees and internally displaced personsIllicit drugs