Country Profile: Virgin Islands

The Virgin Islands, an unincorporated territory of the United States, are located in the Caribbean Sea, east of Puerto Rico. With a population of approximately 103,792, these islands offer a subtropical climate and are renowned for their beautiful beaches, which support a tourism-driven economy. The islands have a complex governance structure, with a local government under the purview of the U.S. federal government. Economic challenges have arisen from recent hurricanes and the COVID-19 pandemic, impacting livelihoods and infrastructure.

Geography

The Virgin Islands are situated in the Caribbean, east of Puerto Rico, and comprise three main islands: Saint Thomas, Saint John, and Saint Croix. The total land area is approximately 346 square kilometers with a maritime zone extending for 200 nautical miles. The islands feature a hilly terrain, with Crown Mountain as their highest point at 474 meters.

1,910 sq km: Total area of the Virgin Islands.
188 km: Length of the coastline.
58.2%: Forested land cover as of 2023.
12 nm: Territorial sea maritime claim.
0 km: Land boundaries.

People and Society

The population of the Virgin Islands is estimated at 103,792 in 2025, with a demographic composition predominantly of individuals of African descent. English is the dominant language, while a significant portion of the population identifies as Latino. The region has a youthful structure, with around 21.5% over the age of 65.

80.7 years: Life expectancy at birth (2024 est.).
96.2%: Urban population (2023).
10.88 births: Birth rate per 1,000 population (2025 est.).
12.1%: Unemployment rate (2024 est.).
7.2 deaths: Infant mortality rate per 1,000 live births (2025 est.).

Economy

The Virgin Islands rely heavily on tourism, contributing to a high-income economy. Recent years have brought challenges, including the impact of hurricanes and the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Agriculture, particularly fruit and vegetable production, supplements the economy, alongside other sectors like rum distilling and pharmaceuticals.

$4.9 billion: Real GDP (PPP) estimated for 2022.
12.1%: Unemployment rate forecast for 2024.
$46,500: Real GDP per capita in 2022.
25.3%: Youth unemployment rate among ages 15-24 (2024 est.).
$4.549 billion: Total exports for 2022.

Government

The Virgin Islands function as an unincorporated organized territory of the United States, featuring a republican style of governance with separate branches. Local administration is overseen by a governor, while a unique feature is that residents are U.S. citizens but do not participate in U.S. presidential elections.

18 years: Voting age for residents.
Albert Bryan, Jr.: Current governor since January 7, 2019.
22 July 1954: Date when the Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands was established as the territory’s constitution.
March 31, 1917: Transfer Day, marking the acquisition by the U.S. from Denmark.

Military and Security

Defense responsibilities for the Virgin Islands lie with the United States, contributing to a secure environment. Local security is maintained by the U.S. Virgin Islands Police Department and the National Guard.

100%: Electrification rate of the total population (2022 est.).

Energy

The Virgin Islands possess a fully electrified population, with the energy largely derived from fossil fuels. The installed electricity generation capacity stands at 326,000 kW, and consumption is notable at 618.819 million kWh for 2023.

97.2%: Share of fossil fuels in total installed capacity (2023 est.).
16,000 bbl/day: Refined petroleum consumption (2023 est.).

Environment

Environmental issues in the Virgin Islands include the scarcity of natural freshwater resources, management of solid waste, and the protection of coral reefs. The terrain and climate also make the islands vulnerable to hurricanes and other natural hazards.

58.2%: Forest cover as of 2023.
146,500 tons: Municipal solid waste generated annually (2024 est.).

Transportation

The Virgin Islands are served by a network of ports and airports, facilitating both cargo and passenger transport. Charlotte Amalie serves as a key port alongside several others.

2: Airports as of 2025.
6: Total number of ports (2024).
4: Heliports as of 2025.

Communications

With a substantial mobile and fixed-line subscription network, the Virgin Islands maintain a robust telecommunications infrastructure. Internet access has expanded, with a significant portion of the population using the service.

64%: Internet usage rate among the population (2017 est.).
79,100: Mobile cellular subscriptions (2022 est.).
76,000: Fixed-line subscriptions (2021 est.).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	103,792	Estimated for 2025
Area	1,910 sq km	Total area
GDP	$4.672 billion	Estimated for 2022
Unemployment Rate	12.1%	Estimated for 2024
Birth Rate	10.88 births/1,000	Estimated for 2025
Life Expectancy	80.7 years	Estimated for 2024
Electrification Access	100%	Total population (2022 est.)
Youth Unemployment Rate	25.3%	Estimated for 2024
Export Value	$4.549 billion	Total for 2022
Forest Area	58.2%	Total land area as of 2023