Country Profile: Montserrat

Montserrat is a small volcanic island located in the Caribbean, southeast of Puerto Rico, with a population of approximately 5,468 people as of 2024. The island has a parliamentary democracy and functions as a self-governing overseas territory of the United Kingdom. The economy, once driven by agriculture and tourism, has faced significant challenges due to volcanic eruptions, necessitating a shift towards renewable energy sources like geothermal and solar power. Current developments focus on rebuilding the infrastructure and enhancing local industries.

Geography

Montserrat is a volcanic island with a total area of 102 square kilometers and a rugged terrain that features mostly mountainous regions alongside small coastal lowlands. Despite its size, the island boasts a coastline of 40 kilometers and has been shaped significantly by volcanic activity, particularly from the Soufrière Hills volcano.

102 sq km: Total area of Montserrat.
40 km: Length of the coastline.
0 km: Land boundaries, as it is an island.
12 nm: Territorial sea claims extend out from the coast.

People and Society

The population of Montserrat is predominantly of African descent, with a significant portion adhering to Protestant Christianity. English is the official language, and the island has a median age of 37.1 years, reflecting a youthful yet aging society. Most residents live in the northern part of the island, as the southern regions remain uninhabitable due to ongoing volcanic activity.

5,468 (2024 est.): Total population.
76.1 years (2024 est.): Life expectancy at birth.
11.64 births/1,000 population (2025 est.): Birth rate.
0.55% (2025 est.): Population growth rate.

Economy

The economy of Montserrat is currently in a recovery phase following extensive damage from volcanic eruptions. The GDP is projected to reach approximately $89.254 million in 2024, with focus on rebuilding the infrastructure and developing renewable energy sources. Agriculture and tourism are key components, alongside emerging industries like music recording.

$89.254 million (2024 est.): Real GDP (PPP).
$19,300 (2024 est.): Real GDP per capita (PPP).
$84.537 million (2024 est.): GDP at official exchange rate.
90.8% (2017 est.): Household consumption of GDP.

Government

Montserrat operates under a parliamentary democracy and is a British Overseas Territory. The political structure includes a 12-member Legislative Assembly and an Executive Council led by the Premier. The constitution was last updated in 2010, and citizens have universal suffrage at the age of 18.

18 years: Age of suffrage.
12: Number of seats in the Legislative Assembly.
5: Seats held by the Movement for Change and Prosperity (MCAP) in the Assembly.

Military and Security

Montserrat does not maintain regular military forces; however, it has a ceremonial Royal Montserrat Defense Force and a Montserrat Police Force for civil duties. Defense responsibilities are managed by the United Kingdom.

Energy

The island has achieved 100% electrification, with an installed generating capacity of 6,000 kW as of 2023. Energy production relies heavily on fossil fuels, although there is a growing emphasis on solar energy as part of the island's transition towards more sustainable energy solutions.

100%: Electrification rate (2020).
15.968 million kWh: Electricity consumption (2023).
87.8%: Percentage of electricity generated from fossil fuels (2023).

Environment

Environmental issues faced by Montserrat include land erosion, particularly in areas cleared for agriculture. The island's tropical climate is characterized by minimal temperature variation, and its geography is significantly influenced by past volcanic activity.

30% (2023 est.): Percentage of land used for agriculture.
24.2% (2023 est.): Percentage of forested land.
24,000 metric tonnes: Carbon dioxide emissions (2023 est.).

Transportation

Montserrat has limited transportation infrastructure, with only one civil airport serving the island. The major focus is on developing efficient transportation systems to support economic revival.

1: Number of airports (2025).

Communications

Communication in Montserrat is facilitated through both fixed and mobile telephony, with a notable percentage of the population having access to mobile services. Internet penetration has also grown, with over half of the population using the internet as of 2011.

5,000: Total mobile cellular subscriptions (2020).
3,000: Total fixed-line subscriptions (2020).
54.6%: Percentage of the population that are internet users (2011 est.).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	5,468 (2024 est.)	Total estimated population
Area	102 sq km	Total area
Real GDP (PPP)	$89.254 million (2024 est.)	Projected GDP for 2024
Real GDP per capita (PPP)	$19,300 (2024 est.)	Projected GDP per capita
Life expectancy at birth	76.1 years (2024 est.)	Average life expectancy
Birth rate	11.64 births/1,000 (2025 est.)	Estimated birth rate
Electricity access	100% (2020)	Electrification rate
CO2 emissions	24,000 metric tonnes (2023 est.)	Total CO2 emissions