Bermuda

Bermuda was first settled in 1609 by shipwrecked English colonists heading for Virginia. Self-governing since 1620, Bermuda is the oldest and most populous of the British Overseas Territories. Vacationing on the island to escape North American winters first developed in Victorian times. Tourism continues to be important for the island's economy, although international business has overtaken it in recent years as Bermuda has developed into a highly successful offshore financial center. A referendum on independence from the UK was soundly defeated in 1995.

32 20 N, 64 45 W

hurricanes (June to November)

about one-third the size of Washington, D.C.

air pollution from vehicle emissions; scarce water resources; solid waste disposal; hazardous waste disposal; sewage disposal; overfishing; oil spills

subtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in winter

103 km

Total: 0 km

Agricultural land: 5.6% (2023 est.)

Arable land: 5.6% (2023 est.)

Permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.)

Permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.)

Forest: 14.4% (2023 est.)

Other: 80% (2023 est.)

Territorial sea: 12 nm

Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

limestone, pleasant climate fostering tourism

the archipelago consists of over 170 coral islands and islets with ample rainfall, as well as thousands of cays, but no rivers or freshwater lakes; some land was leased by the US Government from 1941 to 1995

low hills separated by fertile depressions

North America, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, east of South Carolina (US)

North America

NA

relatively even population distribution throughout

Highest point: Town Hill 79 m

Lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Total : 54 sq km

Land: 54 sq km

Water: 0 sq km

0-14 years: 16.4% (male 6,133/female 5,817)

15-64 years: 60.9% (male 22,247/female 22,113)

65 years and over: 22.7% (2024 est.) (male 7,021/female 9,469)

At birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female

Total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Noun: Bermudian(s)

Adjective: Bermudian

Total: 12 years (2023 est.)

Male: 11 years (2023 est.)

Female: 12 years (2023 est.)

Urban population: 100% of total population (2023)

Rate of urbanization: -0.2% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

10,000 HAMILTON (capital) (2018)

African descent 52%, White 31%, mixed 9%, Asian 4%, other 4% (2010 est.)

Protestant 46.2% (includes Anglican 15.8%, African Methodist Episcopal 8.6%, Seventh Day Adventist 6.7%, Pentecostal 3.5%, Methodist 2.7%, Presbyterian 2.0%, Church of God 1.6%, Baptist 1.2%, Salvation Army 1.1%, Brethren 1.0%, other Protestant 2.0%), Roman Catholic 14.5%, Jehovah's Witness 1.3%, other Christian 9.1%, Muslim 1%, other 3.9%, none 17.8%, unspecified 6.2% (2010 est.)

English (official), Portuguese

Total dependency ratio: 64.1 (2024 est.)

Youth dependency ratio: 26.9 (2024 est.)

Elderly dependency ratio: 37.2 (2024 est.)

Potential support ratio: 2.7 (2024 est.)

Improved:

Urban: 99.9% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 99.9% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved:

Urban: 0.1% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 0.1% of population (2022 est.)

Improved:

Urban: 99.9% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 99.9% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved:

Urban: 0.1% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 0.1% of population (2022 est.)

0.92 (2024 est.)

49.7% (2016 est.)

1.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Total: 43.8 years (2024 est.)

Male: 41.5 years

Female: 46.3 years

1.88 children born/woman (2024 est.)

Total: 72,800 (2024 est.)

Male: 35,401

Female: 37,399

Total: 2.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

Male: 2.5 deaths/1,000 live births

Female: 1.8 deaths/1,000 live births

9.3 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

10.9 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Total population: 82.5 years (2024 est.)

Male: 79.4 years

Female: 85.7 years

1.9% of GDP (2023 est.)

7.8% national budget (2017 est.)

0.3% (2024 est.)

Municipal solid waste generated annually: 82,000 tons (2024 est.)

Percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 2% (2012 est.)

577,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

From coal and metallurgical coke: 9 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

From petroleum and other liquids: 577,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

122.737 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Chief of mission: Consul General Antoinette HURTADO (since 27 March 2025)

Embassy: US Consulate Bermuda, 16 Middle Road, Devonshire, DV 03, Bermuda

Mailing address: 5300 Hamilton Place, Washington, DC 20520-5300

Telephone: (441) 295-1342

FAX: (441) 295-1592

Email address and website:
HamiltonConsulate@state.gov

https://bm.usconsulate.gov/

Consulate(s) general: 16 Middle Road, Devonshire DV O3

9 parishes and 2 municipalities*; Devonshire, Hamilton, Hamilton*, Paget, Pembroke, Saint George*, Saint George's, Sandys, Smith's, Southampton, Warwick

Name: Hamilton

Geographic coordinates: 32 17 N, 64 47 W

Time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November

Etymology: Named after Henry HAMILTON, who served as governor of Bermuda from 1788 to 1794

History: Several previous (dating to 1684); latest entered into force 8 June 1968 (Bermuda Constitution Order 1968)

Amendment process: Proposal procedure - NA; passage by an Order in Council in the UK

Chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor Andrew MURDOCH (since 23 January 2025)

Head of government: Premier David BURT (since 19 July 2017)

Cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the premier, approved by the governor

Election/appointment process: The monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the governor usually appoints the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as the premier

Description: A red field with the UK flag in the upper-left quadrant and the Bermudian coat of arms centered on the right half of the flag; the coat of arms is a white shield with a red lion on a green field, holding a scroll showing the sinking of the ship "Sea Venture" 

History: The 1609 shipwreck of the "Sea Venture" led to the settling of Bermuda

Note: Bermuda is the only British overseas territory that uses a red field on its flag; all others use blue

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Highest court(s): Court of Appeal (consists of the court president and at least 2 justices); Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice, 4 puisne judges, and 1 associate justice); the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) is the court of final appeal

Judge selection and term of office: Court of Appeal justice appointed by the governor; justice tenure by individual appointment; Supreme Court judges nominated by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission and appointed by the governor; judge tenure based on terms of appointment

Subordinate courts: Commercial court (began in 2006); magistrates' courts

English common law

Legislature name: Parliament

Legislative structure: Bicameral

Caricom (associate), ICC (NGOs), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, ITUC (NGOs), UPU, WCO

Bermuda Day, 24 May

Note: formerly known as Victoria Day, Empire Day, and Commonwealth Day

Free Democratic Movement or FDM
One Bermuda Alliance or OBA
Progressive Labor Party or PLP

18 years of age; universal

Overseas Territory of the UK with limited self-government; parliamentary democracy

Conventional long form: None

Conventional short form: Bermuda

Former: Somers Islands

Etymology: Named after Juan de BERMUDEZ, an early 16th-century Spanish sea captain and the first European explorer of the archipelago

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Title: "Hail to Bermuda"

Lyrics/music: Bette JOHNS

History: Serves as a local anthem
_____

Title: "God Save the King"

Lyrics/music: Unknown

History: Official anthem, as a UK territory

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

red lion

Citizenship by birth: No

Citizenship by descent only: At least one parent must be a citizen of the UK

Dual citizenship recognized: Yes

Residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years

Total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural); note - excerpted from the UK entry

Selected World Heritage Site locales: Historic Town of St. George and Related Fortifications

crude petroleum, ships, aircraft, liquor, railway cargo containers (2023)

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Germany 40%, South Africa 38%, Netherlands 15%, USA 2%, Angola 2% (2023)

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

bananas, vegetables, citrus, flowers; dairy products, honey

Revenues: $999.2 million (2017 est.)

Expenditures: $1.176 billion (2017 est.)

ships, refined petroleum, railway cargo containers, packaged medicine, cars (2023)

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Bermudian dollars (BMD) per US dollar -

Exchange rates:
1 (2024 est.)
1 (2023 est.)
1 (2022 est.)
1 (2021 est.)
1 (2020 est.)

international business, tourism, light manufacturing

small, tourism- and construction-based, territorial-island economy; American import and tourist destination; known offshore banking hub; increasing inflation; major re-exportation and re-importation area

$8.98 billion (2024 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Household consumption: 45.6% (2024 est.)

Government consumption: 11% (2024 est.)

Investment in fixed capital: 11.3% (2024 est.)

Investment in inventories: 0% (2024 est.)

Exports of goods and services: 56.3% (2024 est.)

Imports of goods and services: -24.2% (2024 est.)

Note: Figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

USA 38%, Cyprus 31%, UK 6%, China 6%, Canada 4% (2023)

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

23.7% of GDP (2023 est.)
22.3% of GDP (2022 est.)
22.7% of GDP (2021 est.)

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

$6.808 billion (2024 est.)
$6.667 billion (2023 est.)
$6.355 billion (2022 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

2.8% (2022 est.)
1.4% (2021 est.)
0% (2020 est.)

Note: Annual % change based on consumer prices

$1.32 billion (2023 est.)
$1.135 billion (2022 est.)
$962.258 million (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

$105,300 (2024 est.)
$103,100 (2023 est.)
$98,100 (2022 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

$2.3 billion (2023 est.)
$2.235 billion (2022 est.)
$1.925 billion (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

$1.599 billion (2023 est.)
$1.425 billion (2022 est.)
$1.136 billion (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

2.1% (2024 est.)
4.9% (2023 est.)
6.5% (2022 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

-3.6% (2023 est.)

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Agriculture: 0.2% (2023 est.)

Industry: 4.6% (2023 est.)

Services: 91.5% (2023 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

Electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)

Consumption: 4 metric tons (2023 est.)

Imports: 4 metric tons (2023 est.)

Fossil fuels: 99% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Biomass and waste: 1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Refined petroleum consumption: 4,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Installed generating capacity: 172,000 kW (2023 est.)

Consumption: 590.38 million kWh (2023 est.)

Transmission/distribution losses: 43.172 million kWh (2023 est.)

Percent of population: 98% (2017 est.)

.bm

3 TV stations; cable and satellite TV subscription services are available; roughly 13 radio stations operating

Total subscriptions: 68,000 (2021 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 106 (2021 est.)

Total: 23,000 (2022 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 36 (2022 est.)

Total subscriptions: 25,000 (2021 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 39 (2022 est.)

VP-B

1 (2025)

Total: 122 (2023)

By type: Container ship 15, oil tanker 8, other 99

men and women who are Commonwealth citizens and 18-45 years of age can volunteer for the Bermuda Regiment; service is for a minimum period of three years and two months from the date of enlistment; after completing their initial service, soldiers in the Regiment can choose to extend their service (2025)

Royal Bermuda Regiment; Bermuda Police Service (2025)

Note: The Royal Bermuda Regiment (aka "The Regiment") includes the Royal Bermuda Regiment Coast Guard

defense is the responsibility of the UK; the Royal Bermuda Regiment’s responsibilities include maritime security of Bermuda’s inshore waters, search and rescue, ceremonial duties, humanitarian/disaster assistance, security of key installations, and assisting the Bermuda Police with maintaining public order; it includes explosive ordnance disposal, diver, maritime, security police, and support units (2025)

the Royal Bermuda Regiment has about 350 troops (2025)

the Regiment is equipped with small arms (2025)

overseas territory of the UK

Total ports: 4 (2024)

Large: 0

Medium: 1

Small: 2

Very small: 0

Size unknown: 1

Ports with oil terminals: 3

Key ports: Freeport, Hamilton, Ireland Island, St. George

Chamber name: House of Assembly

Number of seats: 36 (directly elected)

Electoral system: Plurality/majority

Scope of elections: Full renewal

Term in office: 5 years

Most recent election date: 10/1/2020

Parties elected and seats per party: PLP (30); OBA (6)

Percentage of women in chamber: 20%

Expected date of next election: 2025

Chamber name: Senate

Number of seats: 11 (appointed)

Term in office: 5 years

Most recent election date: 2022

Percentage of women in chamber: 63.6%

Expected date of next election: 2027

Bermuda's coat of arms was formally granted by Royal Warrant on 4 October 1910 but has been in use since at least 1624; the red lion is a symbol of Great Britain; the Latin motto under the coat of arms, Quo Fata Ferunt, means "Whither the Fates Carry [Us];" the ship is the Sea Venture, an English ship that was wrecked on then-uninhabited Bermuda in 1609