Country Profile: Virgin Islands

The Virgin Islands, an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the Caribbean, comprises the islands of Saint Thomas, Saint John, and Saint Croix. With a population estimated at 103,792 in 2025, the islands are characterized by their hilly terrain and subtropical climate. The economy heavily relies on tourism, alongside sectors like rum distillation and light manufacturing. Governed under a republican framework, the territory enjoys local self-governance while remaining under the jurisdiction of the U.S. federal government.

Geography

The Virgin Islands are situated between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico. The islands feature rugged and mountainous terrain, with the highest point being Crown Mountain at 474 m. The total land area is 1,910 sq km, of which only 346 sq km is land, while the rest consists of water. The region is prone to hurricanes, which have caused significant damage in recent years.

188 km of coastline
12 nm territorial sea claim
200 nm exclusive economic zone
Approximately 58.2% of the land is forested (2023 est.)

People and Society

The population of the Virgin Islands is predominantly of African descent, making up 71.4% of the inhabitants. The islands are home to a wide range of languages, with English spoken by 71.6% and Spanish by 17.2%. The society is largely urbanized, with 96.2% of the people residing in urban areas, particularly around Charlotte Amalie, the capital.

43.4 years median age (2025 est.)
80.7 years life expectancy (2024 est.)
10.88 births per 1,000 population (2025 est.)
3.7% population identifying as having no religion (2010 est.)

Economy

The Virgin Islands boast a high-income, tourism-based economy that has been affected by recent economic disruptions, including the COVID-19 pandemic. The real GDP, measured in purchasing power parity, stood at $4.9 billion in 2022. Despite its economic potential, the territory faces challenges such as high public debt and vulnerabilities to hurricanes.

$46,500 real GDP per capita (2022 est.)
12.1% unemployment rate (2024 est.)
$4.5 billion in exports (2022 est.)
$5.1 billion in imports (2022 est.)

Government

The Virgin Islands are an organized, unincorporated territory of the U.S. with local self-governance, featuring a republican form of government. The territory has a unique legal status, where residents are U.S. citizens but do not vote in presidential elections. The capital is Charlotte Amalie, and the chief of state is the President of the United States.

Governed by a local executive, legislative, and judicial branch
Universal suffrage for citizens aged 18 and over
Legal system based on U.S. common law

Military and Security

The defense of the Virgin Islands is managed by the United States, while local security is maintained by the U.S. Virgin Islands Police Department and the Virgin Islands National Guard.

100% of the population has access to electricity (2022 est.)

Energy

Energy needs in the Virgin Islands are primarily met through fossil fuels, which account for 97.2% of total installed capacity. The territory consumed approximately 618.819 million kWh of electricity in 2023, showcasing its reliance on imported energy.

326,000 kW in installed generating capacity (2023 est.)
16,000 bbl/day of refined petroleum consumption (2023 est.)

Transportation

The Virgin Islands are well-connected through an array of transportation facilities, including two airports and multiple ports. The main ports include Charlotte Amalie and Christiansted, which are essential for trade and tourism.

6 total ports (2024 est.)
2 airports (2025 est.)

Communications

Telecommunications in the Virgin Islands are robust, with a high number of mobile cellular subscriptions. Over 64% of the population is reported to use the internet, reflecting the region's connectivity.

79,100 mobile subscriptions (2022 est.)
76,000 fixed-line subscriptions (2021 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	103,792 (2025 est.)
Area	1,910 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$4.9 billion (2022 est.)
Unemployment Rate	12.1% (2024 est.)
Life Expectancy	80.7 years (2024 est.)
Birth Rate	10.88 births/1,000 (2025 est.)
Electric Power Consumption	618.819 million kWh (2023 est.)
Total Energy Access	100% (2022 est.)
Major Urban Area Population	52,000 (Charlotte Amalie, 2018)
Coastal Length	188 km