Country Profile: Gibraltar

Gibraltar, a British Overseas Territory located at the southern tip of Spain, boasts a unique blend of strategic geography, diverse culture, and a high-income economy. With a population of approximately 29,683, it is characterized by a Mediterranean climate and a rocky terrain dominated by the iconic Rock of Gibraltar. The territory operates as a parliamentary democracy, maintaining autonomy in most areas while the UK oversees defense and foreign relations. Its economy is largely driven by tourism, financial services, and shipping, although recent political challenges surrounding Brexit have posed significant disruptions.

Geography

Gibraltar is situated at the entrance of the Mediterranean Sea, sharing a land border of just 1.2 km with Spain. The total area of Gibraltar measures 7 square kilometers, making it more than ten times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The region has a Mediterranean climate, featuring mild winters and warm summers, while its elevation reaches a peak of 426 meters at the Rock of Gibraltar.

1.2 km: Length of land boundary with Spain.
12 km: Length of coastline.
3 nautical miles: Claims of territorial sea.

People and Society

Gibraltar has a population of approximately 29,683, with a fairly balanced gender ratio. The community is largely Gibraltarian (79%), with notable minority groups including British and Spanish residents. English is the official language, while Spanish and other languages are also prevalent. The society reflects a mix of religions, with Roman Catholics constituting the largest group.

36.8 years: Median age of the population (2024 est.).
100%: Urban population, demonstrating complete urbanization.
13.7 births/1,000 population: Birth rate (2024 est.).

Economy

Gibraltar’s economy is characterized as a high-income British territory with a focus on tourism, banking, finance, and ship repairing. The region experienced significant economic disruptions due to Brexit, impacting its longstanding financial services and tourism sectors. Gibraltar has an independent tax authority and notable trade relationships with various European countries.

$2.044 billion: Estimated GDP (2014).
38%: Exports to the Netherlands as of 2023.
91,000 bbl/day: Refined petroleum consumption (2023 est.).

Government

Gibraltar operates as a self-governing parliamentary democracy. The chief of state is King Charles III, represented locally by the Governor of Gibraltar. The territory maintains its own legislative body known as Parliament, which consists of 18 members. The legal framework follows that of the UK, with a constitution that was amended in 2007.

18 years: Minimum voting age.
9: Seats held by the GSLP-Liberal Alliance in the latest election.
October 2027: Expected date of next election.

Military and Security

The defense of Gibraltar is primarily the responsibility of the UK, though the territory maintains its own military unit, the Royal Gibraltar Regiment. This local military force plays a significant role in the broader security operations of Gibraltar.

2025: Year the Royal Gibraltar Regiment is set to operate.

Energy

Gibraltar has achieved 100% electrification of its population and relies entirely on fossil fuels for its energy generation. The territory's electricity consumption reached approximately 213.744 million kWh in 2023, with a significant portion of emissions arising from petroleum use.

50,000 kW: Installed electricity generation capacity (2023 est.).
0.63 megatons: Carbon dioxide emissions (2016 est.).

Environment

Gibraltar faces environmental challenges due to limited freshwater resources, relying on desalination for potable water. The urbanized area shows no agricultural land or forests, highlighting the heavy human development on the territory.

0%: Agricultural land (2022 est.).
100%: Urban population in 2023.

Transportation

Gibraltar has one airport and a small but effective merchant marine fleet. The territory's port, Europa Point, is crucial for its maritime activities, supporting tourism and trade.

1: Total airport expected by 2025.
129: Merchant marine vessels (2023).

Communications

The territory boasts a well-developed telecommunications infrastructure, with high mobile and broadband subscription rates. The Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation offers local media services, enhancing connectivity.

94%: Internet user penetration (2016 est.).
37,000: Mobile cellular subscriptions (2022 est.).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	29,683 (2024 est.)
Area	7 sq km
GDP	$2.044 billion (2014)
Electricity access	100%	Total population
Birth rate	13.7 births/1,000	(2024 est.)
Life expectancy	80.9 years (2024 est.)
Unemployment	Data not provided