Country Profile: Gibraltar

Gibraltar is a strategically located British overseas territory at the southern tip of Spain, bordering the Strait of Gibraltar, which connects the Mediterranean Sea to the North Atlantic Ocean. With a population of approximately 29,733, Gibraltarians enjoy a high standard of living within a parliamentary democracy. The economy is primarily driven by tourism, banking, and finance, while Gibraltar has a governance structure that remains part of the United Kingdom's realm, maintaining autonomy in local matters since 2007.

Geography

Gibraltar is situated in Southwestern Europe, strategically positioned at the entrance to the Mediterranean. It covers an area of 7 square kilometers, with a coastline stretching 12 kilometers. The terrain consists of a narrow coastal lowland adjacent to the famous Rock of Gibraltar, which rises to an elevation of 426 meters.

7 sq km - Total area of Gibraltar
1.2 km - Land border with Spain
12 km - Coastline length
426 m - Height of the Rock of Gibraltar

People and Society

The population of Gibraltar stands at about 29,733, comprising a mix of ethnic groups with Gibraltarians making up 79%. The official language is English, although Spanish is also widely spoken. The society is characterized by a diverse cultural fabric, predominantly Roman Catholic, with a life expectancy of 80.9 years.

100% - Urban population as of 2023
80.9 years - Life expectancy at birth (2024 est.)
13.55 - Birth rate (births per 1,000 population in 2025)
5.9 deaths/1,000 - Infant mortality rate (2025 est.)

Economy

Gibraltar has a high-income economy largely influenced by its status as a British territory. Key sectors include tourism, shipping, and financial services. The recent impacts of Brexit have prompted negotiations aimed at future economic integration with the EU.

$2.044 billion - Estimated GDP (2014)
0% - Agricultural land usage
38% - Share of exports to the Netherlands (2023)
26% - Share of exports to France (2023)

Government

Gibraltar operates as a self-governing parliamentary democracy and is a dependency of the UK. The government comprises a Chief Minister, currently Fabian Picardo, and a unicameral Parliament. The judicial framework is based on British law.

18 - Total seats in Parliament
4 years - Term length for parliamentary officials
10 September - National Day, commemorating the referendum of 1967

Military and Security

Defense in Gibraltar is managed by the United Kingdom, with the Royal Gibraltar Regiment serving as the local military force. The territory leverages its strategic position for defense purposes.

Royal Gibraltar Regiment - Local military unit (2025)

Energy

The energy sector in Gibraltar is fully reliant on fossil fuels, with an electricity generation capacity of 50,000 kW. Electricity access is universal, and the territory consumes notable amounts of refined petroleum.

100% - Electrification rate (2022)
213.744 million kWh - Total electricity consumption (2023)
91,000 bbl/day - Refined petroleum consumption (2023)

Environment

Gibraltar faces environmental concerns, particularly regarding its limited natural freshwater resources and reliance on desalination for its water supply.

15.608 million metric tonnes - Total CO2 emissions (2023)
100% - Urban population reliant on improved sanitation (2022)

Transportation

Gibraltar boasts one airport and a single medium-sized port, Europa Point, contributing to its connectivity and trade capabilities.

1 - Total airport as of 2025
129 - Merchant marine vessels (2023)

Communications

The territory has a high level of connectivity, with a significant proportion of the population using mobile phones and internet services.

94% - Internet usage rate (2016)
36,700 - Mobile cellular subscriptions (2022)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	29,733 (2025 est.)
Area	7 sq km
GDP	$2.044 billion (2014)
Birth Rate	13.55 births/1,000	(2025 est.)
Life Expectancy	80.9 years	(2024 est.)
Infant Mortality Rate	5.9 deaths/1,000	(2025 est.)
Unemployment Rate	Not specified
Electricity Access	100%	(2022 est.)
Carbon Dioxide Emissions	15.608 million metric tonnes	(2023 est.)
Total Fertility Rate	1.88 children born/woman	(2025 est.)