Country Profile: Guernsey

Guernsey is a self-governing British Crown dependency located in the English Channel, off the northwest coast of France. The Bailiwick includes the main island of Guernsey and several smaller islands, boasting a mild temperate climate and primarily flat terrain with low hills. With an estimated population of around 67,923 in 2025, Guernsey has a high-income economy heavily reliant on its financial services, although the tourism and agricultural sectors are also significant. The governance structure is a parliamentary democracy, with the UK responsible for defense and international representation.

Geography

Guernsey lies in Western Europe, composed of the main island and smaller neighboring islands, making it a strategically located territory in the English Channel. The terrain is mainly flat, with the highest elevation reaching 114 meters at Le Moulin on Sark. The island is known for its large harbor at Saint Peter Port, which facilitates maritime activities.

Area: 78 sq km (about half the size of Washington, D.C.)
Coastline: 50 km
Climate: Temperate with mild winters and cool summers; about 50% of days are overcast.
Natural Hazards: Very large tidal variations and fast currents can make local waters dangerous.

People and Society

Guernsey's population, estimated at 67,923 in 2025, is predominantly of British and Norman-French descent. The island's residents are known as Channel Islanders, and the primary languages spoken are English and French. The society is diverse in terms of ethnicity, with significant communities from the UK, Ireland, and Portugal.

Median Age: 45.1 years (2025 est.)
Life Expectancy: 83.6 years (2024 est.)
Population Growth Rate: 0.19% (2025 est.)
Urban Population: 31.2% (2023)
Infant Mortality Rate: 3.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)

Economy

Guernsey's economy is characterized as a high-income economy with a strong financial sector. While sectors like manufacturing and tourism have faced challenges due to COVID-19, there are positive recovery expectations. The service sector dominates the economy, representing over 90% of GDP.

GDP: $12.508 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP Growth Rate: 3.7% (2023 est.)
Unemployment Rate: 6.3% (2024 est.)
Labor Force: 82,400 (2024 est.)
Exports: Primarily to the United Kingdom (2022).

Government

The Bailiwick of Guernsey operates as a parliamentary democracy with no first-order administrative divisions. The Chief Minister serves as head of government, while the UK maintains oversight of defense and foreign affairs. The legislature, known as the States of Deliberation, is composed of 38 directly elected members.

Capital: Saint Peter Port
Suffrage Age: 16 years
Legislative Structure: Unicameral
Most Recent Election: July 1, 2025
Political Parties: Independent and Forward Guernsey.

Military and Security

Guernsey does not maintain its own military forces; defense is the responsibility of the United Kingdom. As a Crown dependency, Guernsey relies on the UK for security and international representation.

Energy

Guernsey boasts complete access to electricity for its population, reflecting a well-developed infrastructure.

Electrification: 100% (2022 est.)

Environment

Environmental issues in Guernsey include coastal erosion and flooding, as well as declining biodiversity. The ecological challenges are compounded by urbanization, with a significant portion of land used for agriculture.

Land Use: 43.3% agricultural land (2022 est.)
Waste Recycling Rate: 28.4% of municipal solid waste recycled (2016 est.)

Transportation

Guernsey has an effective transportation network, with multiple ports and two airports. The port infrastructure supports the economy and facilitates shipping and passenger traffic.

Airports: 2 (2025)
Ports: 3 (2024)
Heliports: 1 (2025)

Communications

The island maintains a well-developed communication system, with a high percentage of internet users and substantial mobile and fixed-line telephone subscriptions.

Internet Users: 86.6% of the population (2021 est.)
Mobile Subscriptions: 75,126 (2023 est.)
Fixed-line Subscriptions: 32,637 (2023 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	67,923 (2025 est.)
Area	78 sq km
GDP	$12.508 billion	(2023 est.)
Unemployment Rate	6.3%	(2024 est.)
Life Expectancy	83.6 years	(2024 est.)
Birth Rate	9.64 births/1,000	(2025 est.)
Median Age	45.1 years	(2025 est.)
Electric Access	100%	(2022 est.)
Urban Population	31.2%	(2023)
Total Fertility Rate	1.59 children/woman	(2025 est.)