Country exposure · VQ

Virgin Islands

Central America N Caribbean · Charlotte Amalie · unincorporated organized territory of the US with local self-government; republican form of territorial government with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches

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

Map showing the location of Virgin Islands

104K

Population

$4.7B

GDP

U.S. exposure

Minimal direct economic exposure

Virgin Islands 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

Central America N Caribbean · Geography, people, economy, and government — public-domain data from the CIA World Factbook.

The Danes secured control over the southern Virgin Islands of Saint Thomas, Saint John, and Saint Croix during the 17th and early 18th centuries. Sugarcane, produced by African slave labor, drove the islands' economy during the 18th and early 19th centuries. In 1917, the US purchased the Danish holdings, which had been in economic decline since the abolition of slavery in 1848. In 2017, Hurricane Irma passed over the northern Virgin Islands of Saint Thomas and Saint John and inflicted severe damage to structures, roads, the airport on Saint Thomas, communications, and electricity. Less than two weeks later, Hurricane Maria passed over the island of Saint Croix in the southern Virgin Islands, inflicting considerable damage with heavy winds and flooding rains.

Geography

Location: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico
Area: 1,910 sq km
Climate: subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season September to November
Terrain: mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little flat land
Natural resources: pleasant climate, beaches foster tourism
Coastline: 188 km
Natural hazards: several hurricanes in recent years; frequent and severe droughts and floods; occasional earthquakes

People & society

Population: 103,792 (2025 est.)
Nationality: Virgin Islander(s) (US citizens)
Ethnic groups: African-American or African descent 71.4%, White 13.3%, Indigenous 0.4%, Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander 0.1%, other 6.3%, mixed 7.5% (2020 est.)
Languages: English 71.6%, Spanish or Spanish Creole 17.2%, French or French Creole 8.6%, other 2.5% (2010 est.)
Religions: Protestant 65.5%, Roman Catholic 27.1%, other Christians 2.2%, other 1.5%, none 3.7% (2010 est.)
Median age: 43.4 years (2025 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: 80.7 years (2024 est.)

Economy

Economic overview: high-income, tourism-based American territorial economy; severe COVID-19 economic disruptions; major rum distillery; high public debt; sluggish reopening of large oil refinery; environmentally susceptible to hurricanes; many informal industries
Industries: tourism, watch assembly, rum distilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, electronics
Agricultural products: fruit, vegetables, sorghum; Senepol cattle
Exports - partners: Haiti 14%, Guadeloupe 7%, Malaysia 7%, Martinique 7%, Barbados 7%, British Virgin Islands 5% (2019)
Imports - partners: India 18%, Algeria 14%, South Korea 9%, Argentina 9%, Sweden 7%, Brazil 5% (2019)

Government

Government type: unincorporated organized territory of the US with local self-government; republican form of territorial government with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches
Capital: Charlotte Amalie
Independence: none (territory of the US)
Constitution: 22 July 1954 - the Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands functions as a constitution for this US territory
Executive branch: President Donald J. TRUMP (since 20 January 2025)
Legislative branch: note: the Virgin Islands delegate to the US House of Representatives can vote when serving on a committee and when the House meets as the Committee of the Whole House, but not when legislation is submitted for a “full floor” House vote

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

For the latest travel advisories for this country, please consult the U.S. State Department's website, available through the link below. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html

Passport/Visa Requirements

For the latest passport and visa requirements for this country, please consult the U.S. State Department’s “Learn About Your Destination” search tool, available through the link below. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages.html

US Embassy/Consulate

N/A

LGBTQIA+, Women, and Special Needs Travelers

Additional travel considerations can be found on the US State Department's International Travel page. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/travelers-with-special-considerations.html

Telephone Code

340

Local Emergency Phone

911 (USA)

Vaccinations

For the latest information on required or recommended vaccines, please visit the CDC's website, available through the link below. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list

Climate

Subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season September to November

Currency (Code)

Dollar (USD)

Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)

110 V / 60 Hz / plug types(s): A, B

Major Languages

English, Spanish or Spanish Creole, French or French Creole

Time Difference

UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Potable Water

Opt for bottled water

International Driving Permit

Suggested for non-US citizens.

Road Driving Side

Left

Souvenirs

Hand-painted or dyed clothing, pottery, conch jewelry, rum, teas, spices, land and seascape art, carved wooden items, straw work items

Traditional Cuisine

Fish and Fungi — cornmeal and okra cooked into a thick mash served with fried whole fish seasoned Creole-style and topped with a sweet onion gravy

CIA source last updated

Tuesday, July 02, 2024

Travel resources

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

CDC - 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: Tuesday, July 02, 2024

Geography

Location

Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico

Geographic coordinates

18 20 N, 64 50 W

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Area - total

1,910 sq km

Area - land

346 sq km

Area - water

1,564 sq km

Area - comparative

twice the size of Washington, D.C.

Land boundaries - total

0 km

Coastline

188 km

Maritime claims - territorial sea

12 nm

Maritime claims - exclusive economic zone

200 nm

Climate

subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season September to November

Terrain

mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little flat land

Elevation - highest point

Crown Mountain 474 m

Elevation - lowest point

Caribbean Sea 0 m

Natural resources

pleasant climate, beaches foster tourism

Land use - agricultural land

9.4% (2023 est.)

Land use - agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 2.6% (2023 est.)

Land use - agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 0.6% (2023 est.)

Land use - agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 6.3% (2023 est.)

Land use - forest

58.2% (2023 est.)

Land use - other

32.4% (2023 est.)

Irrigated land

1 sq km (2012)

Population distribution

overall population density throughout the islands is relatively low, but concentrations appear around Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas and Christiansted on St. Croix

Natural hazards

several hurricanes in recent years; frequent and severe droughts and floods; occasional earthquakes

Geography - note

important location along the Anegada Passage, a key shipping lane for the Panama Canal; Saint Thomas has one of the best natural deepwater harbors in the Caribbean

People and Society

Population - total

103,792 (2025 est.)

Population - male

49,195

Population - female

54,597

Nationality - noun

Virgin Islander(s) (US citizens)

Nationality - adjective

Virgin Islander

Ethnic groups

African-American or African descent 71.4%, White 13.3%, Indigenous 0.4%, Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander 0.1%, other 6.3%, mixed 7.5% (2020 est.)

Ethnic groups - note

note: 18.4% self-identify as Latino

Languages

English 71.6%, Spanish or Spanish Creole 17.2%, French or French Creole 8.6%, other 2.5% (2010 est.)

Religions

Protestant 65.5%, Roman Catholic 27.1%, other Christians 2.2%, other 1.5%, none 3.7% (2010 est.)

Age structure - 0-14 years

18.7% (male 9,983/female 9,547)

Age structure - 15-64 years

59.8% (male 29,519/female 32,899)

Age structure - 65 years and over

21.5% (2024 est.) (male 10,018/female 12,411)

Dependency ratios - total dependency ratio

68 (2025 est.)

Dependency ratios - youth dependency ratio

30.9 (2025 est.)

Dependency ratios - elderly dependency ratio

37.1 (2025 est.)

Dependency ratios - potential support ratio

2.7 (2025 est.)

Median age - total

43.4 years (2025 est.)

Median age - male

42.1 years

Median age - female

43.9 years

Population growth rate

-0.58% (2025 est.)

Birth rate

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

Death rate

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

Net migration rate

-7.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Population distribution

overall population density throughout the islands is relatively low, but concentrations appear around Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas and Christiansted on St. Croix

Urbanization - urban population

96.2% of total population (2023)

Urbanization - rate of urbanization

-0.11% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Major urban areas - population

52,000 CHARLOTTE AMALIE (capital) (2018)

Sex ratio - at birth

1.06 male(s)/female

Sex ratio - 0-14 years

1.05 male(s)/female

Sex ratio - 15-64 years

0.9 male(s)/female

Sex ratio - 65 years and over

0.81 male(s)/female

Sex ratio - total population

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

Infant mortality rate - total

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

Infant mortality rate - male

8.3 deaths/1,000 live births

Infant mortality rate - female

6.3 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth - total population

80.7 years (2024 est.)

Life expectancy at birth - male

77.6 years

Life expectancy at birth - female

84.1 years

Total fertility rate

1.95 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

0.95 (2025 est.)

Sanitation facility access - improved: total

total: 99.1% of population (2022 est.)

Sanitation facility access - unimproved: total

total: 0.9% of population (2022 est.)

Government

Country name - conventional long form

none

Country name - conventional short form

Virgin Islands

Country name - former

Danish West Indies

Country name - abbreviation

Country name - etymology

in 1493, the islets, cays, and rocks around the major islands in the chain reminded explorer Christopher COLUMBUS of Saint Ursula and her 11,000 virgin followers (Santa Ursula y las Once Mil Virgenes), which over time was shortened to the Virgins (las Virgenes)

Government type

unincorporated organized territory of the US with local self-government; republican form of territorial government with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches

Dependency status

unincorporated, organized territory of the US, with policy relations with the US federal government under the jurisdiction of the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior

Capital - name

Charlotte Amalie

Capital - geographic coordinates

18 21 N, 64 56 W

Capital - time difference

UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Capital - etymology

named in honor of Danish King CHRISTIAN V’s wife, Charlotte AMALIE of Hesse-Kassel, after the colony was established in 1672

Administrative divisions

no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US government, but 3 islands are considered second-order: Saint Croix, Saint John, Saint Thomas

Legal system

US common law

Constitution - history

22 July 1954 - the Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands functions as a constitution for this US territory

Citizenship

see United States

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Suffrage - note

note: island residents are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections

Executive branch - chief of state

President Donald J. TRUMP (since 20 January 2025)

Executive branch - head of government

Governor Albert BRYAN, Jr. (since 7 January 2019)

Executive branch - cabinet

Territorial Cabinet appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate

Executive branch - election/appointment process

president and vice president indirectly elected on the same ballot by an Electoral College of electors chosen from each state; president and vice president serve a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); under the US Constitution, residents of the Virgin Islands do not vote in elections for US president and vice president, but they can vote in the Democratic and Republican party presidential primary elections; governor and lieutenant governor directly elected on the same ballot by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term)

Executive branch - most recent election date

8 November 2022

Executive branch - election results

2022: Albert BRYAN, Jr. reelected governor; percent of vote - Albert BRYAN, Jr. (Democratic Party) 56%, Kurt VIALET (independent) 38% 2018: Albert BRYAN, Jr. elected governor in the second round; percent of vote in first round - Albert BRYAN, Jr. (Democratic Party) 38.1%, Kenneth MAPP (independent) 33.5%, Adlah "Foncie" DONASTORG, Jr. (independent) 16.5%, other 11.9%; percent of vote in second round- Albert BRYAN, Jr. (Democratic Party) 54.5%, Kenneth MAPP (independent) 45.2%, other 0.3%

Executive branch - expected date of next election

November 2026

Legislative branch - note

note: the Virgin Islands delegate to the US House of Representatives can vote when serving on a committee and when the House meets as the Committee of the Whole House, but not when legislation is submitted for a “full floor” House vote

Judicial branch - highest court(s)

Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands (consists of the chief justice and 2 associate justices)

Judicial branch - judge selection and term of office

justices appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Virgin Islands Senate; justices serve initial 10-year terms and upon reconfirmation, during the extent of good behavior; chief justice elected to position by peers for a 3-year term

Judicial branch - subordinate courts

Superior Court (Territorial Court renamed in 2004); US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit (has appellate jurisdiction over the District Court of the Virgin Islands; it is a territorial court and is not associated with a US federal judicial district); District Court of the Virgin Islands

Political parties

Democratic Party Independent Citizens' Movement or ICM Republican Party

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (territory of the US)

Diplomatic representation from the US

none (territory of the US)

International organization participation

AOSIS (observer), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UPU, WFTU (NGOs)

Independence

none (territory of the US)

National holiday

Transfer Day (from Denmark to the US), 31 March (1917)

Flag

description: white field with a modified US coat of arms in the center between the large blue initials "V" and "I"; the coat of arms shows a yellow eagle holding an olive branch in its right talon and three arrows in its left, with a shield of seven red and six white vertical stripes below a blue panel meaning: white is a symbol of purity, and the letters stand for the Virgin Islands

National anthem(s) - title

"The Star-Spangled Banner"

National anthem(s) - lyrics/music

Francis Scott KEY/John Stafford SMITH

National anthem(s) - history

official anthem, as a US territory

Economy

Economic overview

high-income, tourism-based American territorial economy; severe COVID-19 economic disruptions; major rum distillery; high public debt; sluggish reopening of large oil refinery; environmentally susceptible to hurricanes; many informal industries

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022

$4.9 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2021

$4.965 billion (2021 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2020

$4.789 billion (2020 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - note

note: data in 2021 dollars

Real GDP growth rate - Real GDP growth rate 2022

-1.3% (2022 est.)

Real GDP growth rate - Real GDP growth rate 2021

3.7% (2021 est.)

Real GDP growth rate - Real GDP growth rate 2020

-1.6% (2020 est.)

Real GDP growth rate - note

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Real GDP per capita - Real GDP per capita 2022

$46,500 (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita - Real GDP per capita 2021

$46,900 (2021 est.)

Real GDP per capita - Real GDP per capita 2020

$45,100 (2020 est.)

Real GDP per capita - note

note: data in 2021 dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

$4.672 billion (2022 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate) - note

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

GDP - composition, by end use - household consumption

68.9% (2022 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use - government consumption

34.4% (2022 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use - investment in fixed capital

7.5% (2016 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use - investment in inventories

15% (2016 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use - exports of goods and services

97.4% (2022 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use - imports of goods and services

-108.3% (2022 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use - note

note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

Agricultural products

fruit, vegetables, sorghum; Senepol cattle

Industries

tourism, watch assembly, rum distilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, electronics

Labor force

47,200 (2024 est.)

Labor force - note

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

Unemployment rate - Unemployment rate 2024

12.1% (2024 est.)

Unemployment rate - Unemployment rate 2023

12.4% (2023 est.)

Unemployment rate - Unemployment rate 2022

13.1% (2022 est.)

Unemployment rate - note

note: % of labor force seeking employment

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - total

25.3% (2024 est.)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - male

22% (2024 est.)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - female

28.9% (2024 est.)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - note

note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

Budget - revenues

$1.496 billion (2016 est.)

Budget - expenditures

$1.518 billion (2016 est.)

Public debt - Public debt 2014

45.9% of GDP (2014 est.)

Exports - Exports 2022

$4.549 billion (2022 est.)

Exports - Exports 2021

$4.069 billion (2021 est.)

Exports - Exports 2020

$1.62 billion (2020 est.)

Exports - note

note: GDP expenditure basis - exports of goods and services in current dollars

Exports - partners

Haiti 14%, Guadeloupe 7%, Malaysia 7%, Martinique 7%, Barbados 7%, British Virgin Islands 5% (2019)

Exports - commodities

refined petroleum, jewelry, recreational boats, watches, rum (2019)

Exports - commodities - note

top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Imports - Imports 2022

$5.058 billion (2022 est.)

Imports - Imports 2021

$4.057 billion (2021 est.)

Imports - Imports 2020

$3.184 billion (2020 est.)

Imports - note

note: GDP expenditure basis - imports of goods and services in current dollars

Imports - partners

India 18%, Algeria 14%, South Korea 9%, Argentina 9%, Sweden 7%, Brazil 5% (2019)

Imports - commodities

refined petroleum, crude petroleum, rubber piping, jewelry, beer (2019)

Exchange rates

the US dollar is used

Energy

Electricity access - electrification - total population

100% (2022 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

326,000 kW (2023 est.)

Electricity - consumption

618.819 million kWh (2023 est.)

Electricity - transmission/distribution losses

50.181 million kWh (2023 est.)

Electricity generation sources - fossil fuels

97.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Electricity generation sources - solar

2.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Coal - exports

4 metric tons (2023 est.)

Petroleum - refined petroleum consumption

16,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Communications

Telephones - fixed lines - total subscriptions

76,000 (2021 est.)

Telephones - fixed lines - subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

88 (2022 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular - total subscriptions

79,100 (2022 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular - subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

92 (2022 est.)

Broadcast media

about a dozen TV stations, including 1 public TV station; multi-channel cable and satellite TV available; 24 radio stations

Internet country code

.vi

Internet users - percent of population

64% (2017 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions - total

9,000 (2022 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions - subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

10 (2022 est.)

Transportation

Airports

2 (2025)

Heliports

4 (2025)

Merchant marine - total

2 (2023)

Merchant marine - by type

general cargo 1, other 1

Ports - total ports

6 (2024)

Ports - large

Ports - medium

Ports - small

Ports - very small

Ports - ports with oil terminals

Ports - key ports

Charlotte Amalie, Christiansted, Cruz Bay, Frederiksted, Limetree Bay, Port Alucroix

Military and Security

Military and security forces

US Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD); US Virgin Islands National Guard (VING)

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of the US

Environment

Environmental issues

lack of natural freshwater resources; protection of coral reefs; solid waste management; coastal development; increased boating and overfishing

Climate

subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season September to November

Land use - agricultural land

9.4% (2023 est.)

Land use - agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 2.6% (2023 est.)

Land use - agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 0.6% (2023 est.)

Land use - agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 6.3% (2023 est.)

Land use - forest

58.2% (2023 est.)

Land use - other

32.4% (2023 est.)

Urbanization - urban population

96.2% of total population (2023)

Urbanization - rate of urbanization

-0.11% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions - total emissions

2.378 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions - from petroleum and other liquids

2.378 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Waste and recycling - municipal solid waste generated annually

146,500 tons (2024 est.)

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