Country Profile: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha

Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha form a remote British Overseas Territory located in the South Atlantic Ocean. The territory comprises three main islands, with Saint Helena known for its rugged volcanic terrain and historical significance as the exile location of Napoleon Bonaparte. The combined population of approximately 7,943 is primarily concentrated in and around the capital, Jamestown. Economically, the territory relies on agriculture, fishing, and UK financial support, while enjoying a parliamentary democracy under the sovereignty of the British monarch.

Geography

The islands are situated midway between South America and Africa, with Saint Helena, Ascension Island, and Tristan da Cunha forming part of a volcanic archipelago. Saint Helena covers an area of 122 sq km, while Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha contribute with 88 sq km and 184 sq km, respectively. The climate varies from tropical marine in Saint Helena and Ascension to temperate marine in Tristan da Cunha, influencing the diverse ecosystems present.

Elevation: Queen Mary's Peak on Tristan da Cunha rises to 2,060 m, the highest point in the South Atlantic.
Saint Helena has a 60 km coastline, while Tristan da Cunha features 34 km.
Notably, Saint Helena is home to at least 40 species of plants found nowhere else.

People and Society

The total population is estimated at 7,943 as of 2024, with a median age of 45.5 years. The inhabitants primarily identify as Saint Helenian, comprising about 82.1% of the population, while English is the predominant language. The society exhibits a rich cultural landscape with diverse religious affiliations, predominantly Anglican.

Life Expectancy: The average life expectancy is 80.9 years.
Urbanization: 40.7% of the population resides in urban areas.
Birth Rate: The birth rate is approximately 9.31 births per 1,000 population.

Economy

The economy of this territory is characterized as upper middle-income, heavily reliant on agricultural production, fishing, and receiving significant financial support from the UK. Industries include construction and crafts, while fishing remains a notable contributor to exports, with fish and lobster as prime commodities. The territory utilizes the Saint Helena pound, pegged to the British pound.

GDP per capita: Estimated at around $8,000.
Exports: Fish and shellfish constitute significant exports, alongside construction vehicles.
Approximately 34% of imports come from the UK.

Government

Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha operate as a parliamentary democracy under the jurisdiction of the UK. The territory has an administrative structure that includes the governor, appointed by the British monarch, and local councils for each island area. The constitution was last updated in 2009.

Capital: Jamestown, established in 1659.
Suffrage: Citizens can vote at 18 years of age.
The national holiday celebrates the official birthday of King Charles III.

Military and Security

Defense responsibilities for the territory fall under the purview of the UK. There is no standing military force on the islands, relying instead on British forces for their military needs and security.

Energy

Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha have achieved full electrification, with 100% access to electricity recorded. The electricity generation is entirely reliant on fossil fuels, supporting both residential and industrial needs.

Installed capacity: 5,000 kW as of 2023.
Electricity consumption: Averaging 6.962 million kWh per year.
There are losses of 1.5 million kWh in transmission and distribution.

Environment

Environmental issues include development pressures that threaten wildlife habitats on Saint Helena. The islands boast unique ecosystems that house various endemic species. The climate across the islands is diverse, further contributing to their ecological significance.

The land use for agricultural purposes is approximately 30.8% of the total area.
Carbon dioxide emissions stand at around 12,000 metric tonnes for 2023.

Transportation

Transportation within the territory includes limited air and sea services, with the new airport in Saint Helena having opened for commercial flights in 2017. Ascension Island's military airport remains closed to civilian traffic.

There are 2 airports and 2 heliports as of 2025.
4 ports serve the islands, with Jamestown being a key port.
The first commercial flight connected Saint Helena to South Africa in 2017.

Communications

Communication infrastructure includes fixed and mobile telephone services, along with limited internet access. The majority of the islands lack local television stations but utilize radio and satellite services.

Internet users make up 37.6% of the population.
4,000 subscriptions for both fixed and mobile phones were recorded in 2021.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	7,943	Estimated for 2024
Area	394 sq km	Total area for the territory
Life Expectancy	80.9 years	Estimated for 2024
Birth Rate	9.31	Births per 1,000 population, 2025 est.
Urban Population	40.7%	Proportion of urban dwellers in 2023
Electricity Access	100%	Total electrification as of 2021
Installed Electricity Capacity	5,000 kW	As of 2023
Total Employment Rate	NA	Data not available
Land Use: Agricultural	30.8%	As of 2022
Carbon Dioxide Emissions	12,000	Metric tonnes for 2023