Country exposure · IM

Isle of Man

Europe · Douglas · parliamentary democracy (Tynwald)

What Isle of Man means for your money — the prices you pay, the tariffs in motion, and where U.S. policy could change both.

93K

Population

$7.4B

GDP

U.S. exposure

Minimal direct economic exposure

Isle of Man is not a significant U.S. goods-trade partner and has no tracked tariff actions. Policy changes here are unlikely to reach American prices directly.

Reference

The country itself

Europe · Geography, people, economy, and government — public-domain data from the CIA World Factbook.

The Isle of Man was part of the Norwegian Kingdom of the Hebrides until the 13th century, when it was ceded to Scotland. The isle came under English lordship in the 14th century before being purchased by the British Government in 1765. Current concerns include reviving the almost extinct Manx Gaelic language. The Isle of Man is a British Crown dependency, which makes it a self-governing possession of the British Crown that is not part of the UK. The UK Government, however, remains constitutionally responsible for its defense and international representation.

Geography

Location: Western Europe, island in the Irish Sea, between Great Britain and Ireland
Area: 572 sq km
Climate: temperate; cool summers and mild winters; overcast about a third of the time
Terrain: hills in north and south bisected by central valley
Natural resources: none
Coastline: 160 km
Natural hazards: occasional high winds and rough seas

People & society

Population: 92,666 (2025 est.)
Nationality: Manxman (men), Manxwoman (women)
Ethnic groups: White 94.7%, Asian 3.1%, Mixed 1%, Black 0.6%, other 0.4% (2021 est.)
Languages: English, Manx Gaelic (about 2% of the population has some knowledge)
Religions: Christian 54.7%, Muslim 0.5%, Buddhist 0.5%, Hindu 0.4%, Jewish 0.2%, none 43.8% (2021 est.)
Median age: 45.1 years (2025 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: 82.5 years (2024 est.)

Economy

Economic overview: high-income British island economy; known financial services and tourism industries; taxation incentives for technology and financial firms to operate; historic fishing and agriculture industries are declining; major online gambling and film industry locale
Industries: financial services, light manufacturing, tourism
Agricultural products: cereals, vegetables; cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry
Exports - partners: almost entirely United Kingdom (2022)
Imports - partners: almost entirely United Kingdom (2022)

Government

Government type: parliamentary democracy (Tynwald)
Capital: Douglas
Independence: none (British Crown dependency)
Constitution: development of the Isle of Man constitution dates to at least the 14th century
Executive branch: Lord of Mann King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Lieutenant Governor Sir John LORIMER (since 29 September 2021)
Legislative branch: Tynwald (High Court of Tynwald)

Full reference data

Every field, by section — CIA World Factbook. Open a topic to expand it.

Introduction

Background

Travel Facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory

The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise increased caution in to the United Kingdom due to COVID-19. Exercise increased caution due to terrorism. Consult its website daily via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws, and special circumstances about visiting the United Kingdom and British crown dependencies. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html

Passport/Visa Requirements

US citizens should make sure their passport is valid at the date of their entering the country and during the length of their entire visit. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is not required as long as you do not stay in the United Kingdom and Isle of Man more than 6 months.

US Embassy/Consulate

None (British crown dependency); +(44)(20) 7499-9000; US Embassy London, 33 Nine Elms Lane, London, SW11 7US, United Kingdom

Telephone Code

Local Emergency Phone

999

Vaccinations

See WHO recommendations http://www.who.int/

Climate

Temperate; cool summers and mild winters; overcast about a third of the time

Currency (Code)

Manx pounds (IMP)

Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)

230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, G

Major Languages

English, Manx Gaelic

Major Religions

Protestant (Anglican, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Society of Friends), Roman Catholic

Time Difference

UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time); daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

Potable Water

Yes

International Driving Permit

Suggested

Road Driving Side

Left

Tourist Destinations

Glen Helen; Road of the Gull; Manx Museum; Isle of Man steam railway; Peel Castle; Castletown Harbour; Cregneash Folk Village; Laxey Wheel

Major Sports

Cycling, rugby, cricket, soccer, gymnastics, field hockey, netball, taekwondo

Cultural Practices

It is considered rude to wave one's hand or to call when summoning a waiter at a restaurant.

Tipping Guidelines

In hotels, a service charge of 10-12% is frequently added to the bill. Tip as you would if you were in the United Kingdom.

Souvenirs

Hand knit sweaters and other clothing, tartan items, silver jewelry, traditional dolls, liquor, Manx cat and racing-bike-themed items; iron, steel, and woodworking items including furniture

Traditional Cuisine

Isle of Man Queenies — medium-sized queen scallops

CIA source last updated

Wednesday, July 20, 2022

Travel resources

Please visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination.

World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination.

US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens.

To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs: American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA)

How to get help in an emergency? Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers: from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444

Page last updated: Wednesday, July 20, 2022

Geography

Location

Western Europe, island in the Irish Sea, between Great Britain and Ireland

Geographic coordinates

54 15 N, 4 30 W

Map references

Europe

Area - total

572 sq km

Area - land

572 sq km

Area - water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly more than three times the size of Washington, D.C.

Land boundaries - total

0 km

Coastline

160 km

Maritime claims - territorial sea

12 nm

Maritime claims - exclusive fishing zone

12 nm

Climate

temperate; cool summers and mild winters; overcast about a third of the time

Terrain

hills in north and south bisected by central valley

Elevation - highest point

Snaefell 621 m

Elevation - lowest point

Irish Sea 0 m

Natural resources

none

Land use - agricultural land

69.1% (2023 est.)

Land use - agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 41.1% (2023 est.)

Land use - agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.)

Land use - agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 28% (2023 est.)

Land use - forest

6.4% (2023 est.)

Land use - other

24.5% (2023 est.)

Irrigated land

0 sq km (2022)

Population distribution

most people concentrated in cities and large towns; Douglas, in the southeast, is the largest

Natural hazards

occasional high winds and rough seas

Geography - note

one small islet, the Calf of Man, lies to the southwest and is a bird sanctuary

People and Society

Population - total

92,666 (2025 est.)

Population - male

46,543

Population - female

46,123

Nationality - noun

Manxman (men), Manxwoman (women)

Nationality - adjective

Manx

Ethnic groups

White 94.7%, Asian 3.1%, Mixed 1%, Black 0.6%, other 0.4% (2021 est.)

Ethnic groups - note

note: data represent population by nationality

Languages

English, Manx Gaelic (about 2% of the population has some knowledge)

Religions

Christian 54.7%, Muslim 0.5%, Buddhist 0.5%, Hindu 0.4%, Jewish 0.2%, none 43.8% (2021 est.)

Age structure - 0-14 years

16% (male 7,701/female 7,100)

Age structure - 15-64 years

61.9% (male 29,035/female 28,044)

Age structure - 65 years and over

22.1% (2024 est.) (male 9,595/female 10,794)

Dependency ratios - total dependency ratio

62.4 (2025 est.)

Dependency ratios - youth dependency ratio

25.9 (2025 est.)

Dependency ratios - elderly dependency ratio

36.5 (2025 est.)

Dependency ratios - potential support ratio

2.7 (2025 est.)

Median age - total

45.1 years (2025 est.)

Median age - male

43.7 years

Median age - female

46.1 years

Population growth rate

0.41% (2025 est.)

Birth rate

10.25 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Death rate

10.2 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Net migration rate

4.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Population distribution

most people concentrated in cities and large towns; Douglas, in the southeast, is the largest

Urbanization - urban population

53.5% of total population (2023)

Urbanization - rate of urbanization

0.97% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Major urban areas - population

27,000 DOUGLAS (capital) (2018)

Sex ratio - at birth

1.08 male(s)/female

Sex ratio - 0-14 years

1.08 male(s)/female

Sex ratio - 15-64 years

1.04 male(s)/female

Sex ratio - 65 years and over

0.89 male(s)/female

Sex ratio - total population

1.01 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Infant mortality rate - total

4 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)

Infant mortality rate - male

4.4 deaths/1,000 live births

Infant mortality rate - female

3.7 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth - total population

82.5 years (2024 est.)

Life expectancy at birth - male

80.7 years

Life expectancy at birth - female

84.4 years

Total fertility rate

1.87 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

0.9 (2025 est.)

Drinking water source - improved: total

total: 99.9% of population (2022 est.)

Drinking water source - unimproved: total

total: 0.1% of population (2022 est.)

Sanitation facility access - improved: total

total: 100% of population (2022 est.)

Sanitation facility access - unimproved: urban

urban: NA

Sanitation facility access - unimproved: rural

rural: NA

Sanitation facility access - unimproved: total

total: 0% of population (2022 est.) NA

Government

Country name - conventional long form

none

Country name - conventional short form

Isle of Man

Country name - local long form

Ellan Vannin

Country name - abbreviation

I.O.M.

Country name - etymology

the name "man" may be derived from the Gaelic word for "mountain;" the local name is from the words ellan , or "island," and Vannin, a form of the name Mannan

Government type

parliamentary democracy (Tynwald)

Dependency status

British crown dependency

Capital - name

Douglas

Capital - geographic coordinates

54 09 N, 4 29 W

Capital - time difference

UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Capital - daylight saving time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

Capital - etymology

the name comes from the Gaelic name Dubhghlais , or "black stream," referring to a nearby river; a second river was called Fionnghlais , or "white stream;" both river names were later shortened to Dhoo and Glass, respectively, which coincidentally comprised the elements of the town's name

Administrative divisions

no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US government, but 24 local authorities each hold elections

Legal system

UK laws apply, as well as Manx statutes

Constitution - history

development of the Isle of Man constitution dates to at least the 14th century

Constitution - amendment process

proposed as a bill in the House of Keys, by the "Government," by a "Member of the House," or through petition to the House or Legislative Council; passage normally requires three separate readings and approval of at least 13 House members; following both House and Council agreement, assent is required by the lieutenant governor on behalf of the Crown

Citizenship

see United Kingdom

Suffrage

16 years of age; universal

Executive branch - chief of state

Lord of Mann King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Lieutenant Governor Sir John LORIMER (since 29 September 2021)

Executive branch - head of government

Chief Minister Alfred CANNAN (since 12 October 2021)

Executive branch - cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the lieutenant governor

Executive branch - election/appointment process

the monarchy is hereditary; lieutenant governor appointed by the monarch; chief minister indirectly elected by the Tynwald for a 5-year term (eligible for second term)

Executive branch - most recent election date

23 September 2021

Executive branch - election results

2021: Alfred CANNAN (independent) elected chief minister; Tynwald House of Keys vote - 21 of 24 2016: Howard QUAYLE elected chief minister; Tynwald House of Keys vote - 21 of 33

Executive branch - expected date of next election

2026

Legislative branch - legislature name

Tynwald (High Court of Tynwald)

Legislative branch - legislative structure

bicameral

Legislative branch - note

note: Legislative Council includes the President of Tynwald, 2 non-voting members (the Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man and the attorney general), and 8 members indirectly elected by the House of Keys

Legislative branch - lower chamber - chamber name

House of Keys

Legislative branch - lower chamber - number of seats

24 (directly elected)

Legislative branch - lower chamber - electoral system

plurality/majority

Legislative branch - lower chamber - scope of elections

full renewal

Legislative branch - lower chamber - term in office

5 years

Legislative branch - lower chamber - most recent election date

9/23/2021

Legislative branch - lower chamber - parties elected and seats per party

independent (21); Manx Labour Party (2); Liberal Vannin (1)

Legislative branch - lower chamber - percentage of women in chamber

40%

Legislative branch - lower chamber - expected date of next election

September 2026

Legislative branch - upper chamber - chamber name

Legislative Council

Legislative branch - upper chamber - number of seats

11 (3 appointed, 8 indirectly elected)

Legislative branch - upper chamber - scope of elections

partial renewal

Legislative branch - upper chamber - term in office

4 years

Legislative branch - upper chamber - most recent election date

3/14/2023

Legislative branch - upper chamber - percentage of women in chamber

36.4%

Legislative branch - upper chamber - expected date of next election

March 2028

Judicial branch - highest court(s)

Isle of Man High Court of Justice (consists of 3 permanent judges or "deemsters" and 1 judge of appeal; organized into the Staff of Government Division or Court of Appeal and the Civil Division); the Court of General Gaol Delivery (not formally part of the High Court but is administered as such) deals with serious criminal cases

Judicial branch - judge selection and term of office

deemsters appointed by the Lord Chancellor of England on the nomination of the lieutenant governor; deemsters can serve until age 70

Judicial branch - subordinate courts

High Court; Court of Summary Gaol Delivery; Summary Courts; Magistrate's Court; specialized courts

Judicial branch - note

note: appeals beyond the Court of Appeal are referred to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London)

Political parties

Green Party Liberal Vannin Party or LVP Manx Labor Party

Political parties - note

note: most members sit as independents

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (British crown dependency)

Diplomatic representation from the US - embassy

none (British crown dependency)

International organization participation

UPU

Independence

none (British Crown dependency)

National holiday

Tynwald Day, 5 July (1417); date Tynwald Day was first recorded

Flag

description: red with the Three Legs of Man emblem (triskelion) in the center; the three legs are joined at the thigh and bent at the knee; a two-sided emblem is used to allow the toes to point clockwise on both sides of the flag history: the flag is based on the coat of arms of the last recognized Norse King of Mann, MAGNUS III (r. 1252-65); the triskelion has its roots in an early Celtic sun symbol

National symbol(s)

triskelion (a motif of three legs)

National color(s)

red, white

National coat of arms

Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom granted the Isle of Man’s coat of arms on July 12, 1996; the triskelion (three conjoined legs) on the shield represents resilience, resourcefulness, and hope; the Latin motto means “Wherever you throw it, it will stand,” a reference to the islanders’ ability to stand strong; the peregrine falcon represents the two falcons that the Isle of Man has paid to the UK monarch on Coronation Day since 1406, and the raven symbolizes the island’s former status as a Viking colony; the crown represents the UK monarch’s status as the Lord of Mann, although the island is self-governing

National anthem(s) - title

"God Save the King"

National anthem(s) - lyrics/music

unknown

National anthem(s) - history

official anthem, as a British Crown dependency; played when the sovereign, members of the royal family, or the lieutenant governor are present

Economy

Economic overview

high-income British island economy; known financial services and tourism industries; taxation incentives for technology and financial firms to operate; historic fishing and agriculture industries are declining; major online gambling and film industry locale

Real GDP growth rate - Real GDP growth rate 2022

-4.2% (2022 est.)

Real GDP growth rate - Real GDP growth rate 2021

3.8% (2021 est.)

Real GDP growth rate - Real GDP growth rate 2020

-8.8% (2020 est.)

Real GDP growth rate - note

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

GDP (official exchange rate)

$7.431 billion (2022 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate) - note

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

GDP - composition, by sector of origin - agriculture

0.4% (2022 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin - industry

6.9% (2022 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin - services

95.1% (2022 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin - note

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

Agricultural products

cereals, vegetables; cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry

Industries

financial services, light manufacturing, tourism

Industrial production growth rate

-29.5% (2022 est.)

Industrial production growth rate - note

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Exports - partners

almost entirely United Kingdom (2022)

Exports - commodities

crude petroleum, artwork, vegetables, fruits, whiskies (2022)

Exports - commodities - note

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Imports - partners

almost entirely United Kingdom (2022)

Imports - commodities

ships, delivery trucks (2022)

Exchange rates - Currency

Manx pounds (IMP) per US dollar -

Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2024

0.782 (2024 est.)

Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2023

0.805 (2023 est.)

Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2022

0.811 (2022 est.)

Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2021

0.727 (2021 est.)

Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2020

0.78 (2020 est.)

Energy

Electricity access - electrification - total population

100% (2022 est.)

Communications

Broadcast media

national public radio has 3 FM stations and 1 AM station; 2 commercial radio broadcasters; receives radio and TV services via relays from British TV and radio broadcasters

Internet country code

.im

Transportation

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

Airports

4 (2025)

Heliports

1 (2025)

Railways - total

63 km (2008)

Railways - narrow gauge

6 km (2008) 1.076-m gauge (6 km electrified)

Railways - note

57 0.914-mm gauge (29 km electrified) note: primarily summer tourist attractions

Merchant marine - total

269 (2023)

Merchant marine - by type

bulk carrier 102, container ship 6, general cargo 27, oil tanker 56, other 78

Ports - total ports

2 (2024)

Ports - large

Ports - medium

Ports - small

Ports - very small

Ports - ports with oil terminals

Ports - key ports

Douglas, Ramsey

Military and Security

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Environment

Environmental issues

air pollution, marine pollution; waste disposal (both household and industrial)

Climate

temperate; cool summers and mild winters; overcast about a third of the time

Land use - agricultural land

69.1% (2023 est.)

Land use - agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 41.1% (2023 est.)

Land use - agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.)

Land use - agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 28% (2023 est.)

Land use - forest

6.4% (2023 est.)

Land use - other

24.5% (2023 est.)

Urbanization - urban population

53.5% of total population (2023)

Urbanization - rate of urbanization

0.97% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Waste and recycling - municipal solid waste generated annually

50,600 tons (2024 est.)

Waste and recycling - percent of municipal solid waste recycled

50% (2011 est.)

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