Country Profile: Isle of Man
The Isle of Man is a self-governing British Crown dependency located in the Irish Sea, nestled between Great Britain and Ireland. With a population of approximately 92,269, the island boasts a rich cultural heritage and a unique blend of British and Manx influences. Known for its high-income economy primarily driven by financial services and tourism, the Isle of Man also promotes a range of taxation incentives to attract businesses. Governed by the Tynwald, one of the oldest continuous parliaments in the world, the Isle of Man maintains its own legal and administrative systems while the UK is responsible for its defense.
Geography
The Isle of Man is situated in Western Europe, characterized by a temperate climate with cool summers and mild winters. The island spans an area of 572 square kilometers and features a coastline of 160 kilometers. Its terrain is predominantly hilly, with the highest point being Snaefell at 621 meters.
- 3x the size of Washington, D.C. (Area)
- 0 km land boundaries
- 12 nm territorial sea claims
People and Society
As of 2024, the Isle of Man is home to an estimated 92,269 residents. The population is predominantly White (94.7%), with a small percentage of Asian and mixed ethnicity residents. English is the most widely spoken language, while about 2% of the population has some knowledge of the nearly extinct Manx Gaelic language. The median age of residents is 44.9 years, with a life expectancy of 82.5 years.
- 54.7% of the population identifies as Christian
- 0.45% population growth rate (2024 est.)
- 10.4 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
- 4.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
- 53.5% urban population (2023 est.)
Economy
The economy of the Isle of Man is notably high-income, characterized by dominant sectors in financial services and tourism. In 2022, the GDP reached approximately $7.431 billion, with services contributing a remarkable 95.1% to the GDP composition. The island has experienced fluctuations in growth rates, including a decline of 4.2% in 2022.
- 0.4% of GDP from agriculture (2022 est.)
- 6.9% of GDP from industry (2022 est.)
- $7.431 billion GDP (2022 est.)
- Major exports include crude petroleum and vegetables (2022)
Government
The Isle of Man operates as a parliamentary democracy known as Tynwald, which includes a bicameral legislature. The island has no formal administrative divisions and is recognized as a British Crown dependency. The chief of state is King Charles III, represented locally by the Lieutenant Governor.
- 16 years is the minimum voting age
- Legislative Council consists of 11 members
- Last election was held on September 23, 2021
- 40% representation of women in the House of Keys
Military and Security
Defense responsibilities for the Isle of Man lie with the United Kingdom, underscoring its status as a British Crown dependency.
Energy
The Isle of Man has achieved full electrification, with 100% of the population having access to electricity as of 2022.
Transportation
The Isle of Man has a range of transportation facilities, including four airports and a merchant marine fleet of 269 vessels as of 2023. The island's railway system stretches over 63 kilometers, primarily serving tourism.
- 4 airports (2025 est.)
- 269 vessels in the merchant marine (2023)
- 63 km total railway (2008)
Communications
The Isle of Man has a well-developed communications infrastructure, including public radio services and internet access. The country code for the internet is .im.
Key Metrics
| Metric | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,269 | 2024 estimate |
| Area | 572 sq km | |
| GDP | $7.431 billion | 2022 estimate |
| Life Expectancy | 82.5 years | 2024 estimate |
| Birth Rate | 10.4 births/1,000 | 2024 estimate |
| Death Rate | 10.2 deaths/1,000 | 2024 estimate |
| Urban Population | 53.5% | 2023 estimate |
| Electricity Access | 100% | 2022 estimate |
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