Bermuda - BM - BMU - BER - North America

Last updated: April 29, 2025

Bermuda Images

St. Peter’s Church, located in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Town of St. George, is the oldest Anglican Church outside the British Isles and the oldest church in continuous use in the New World. Established in 1612 when Bermuda was settled by the Virginia Company, the church was rebuilt many times due to stormy weather, and eventually constructed of stone in 1826.
Bermuda’s “Unfinished Church,” pictured here, would have been St. George Church but fell victim to three events that precluded its use. The Gothic 650-seat church began construction in 1874, but the congregation split, halting work. Funds were later diverted to build a new cathedral in Hamilton after the old one burned down. Private donations finished the church in 1899, but the reunited congregation chose to use an older building. In 1926, a storm damaged the church, leaving it in its present condition.
An iconic symbol of Bermuda are its moon gates, which trace their roots back to China. In 1860, a local sea captain visited a Chinese garden and returned to the island with plans to build one. The structures are believed to bring good luck, prosperity, and joy to those who pass under them and make a wish. Today there are 40 moon gates across the island, many of which are accessible to visitors.
The Gibbs Hill Lighthouse, built in 1846, is the taller of the two lighthouses in Bermuda and is the oldest cast-iron lighthouse in the world. The lighthouse was made of cast iron because steel was still unbendable in the mid-1800s. Located in Southampton Parish, the lighthouse now operates automatically, with its beam of light shining 110.3m (362 ft) above sea level so ships as far as 64.3 km (40 mi) away can see it. The lighthouse is a popular tourist attraction, with thousands of people each year ascending the 185 steps for the view.
The flamingos pictured here reside at the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo (BAMZ), which is owned and operated by the Bermuda Government. The American flamingo is one of the largest species of flamingo; an average adult stands 1.5 m (5 ft) tall and weighs 1.8-3.6 kg (4-8 lbs).
Horseshoe Bay Beach in Bermuda is named for its natural U-shape. The beach, bordered by limestone cliffs, has large reefs as well as the famous Bermuda pink sand, a color derived from crushed shells and coral.
Fort St. Catherine is the largest fort in Bermuda; it was first constructed in 1612 and rebuilt five times by the end of the 19th century, when Bermuda became a premier base for the British Royal Navy in the Western Hemisphere. In the 20th century, forts fell out of favor, and most of the coastal artillery still in use was placed in batteries with only minimal fortification. Today Fort St. Catherine houses a Bermudian history museum with special emphasis on the military.
St. Peter’s Church, located in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Town of St. George, is the oldest Anglican Church outside the British Isles and the oldest church in continuous use in the New World. Established in 1612 when Bermuda was settled by the Virginia Company, the church was rebuilt many times due to stormy weather, and eventually constructed of stone in 1826.
Bermuda’s “Unfinished Church,” pictured here, would have been St. George Church but fell victim to three events that precluded its use. The Gothic 650-seat church began construction in 1874, but the congregation split, halting work. Funds were later diverted to build a new cathedral in Hamilton after the old one burned down. Private donations finished the church in 1899, but the reunited congregation chose to use an older building. In 1926, a storm damaged the church, leaving it in its present condition.

1 of 7

Bermuda Factbook Data

Dependency status

overseas territory of the UK

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Acting Consul General Vanja VUKOTA (since December 2024)

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

Age structure

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)

This is the population pyramid for Bermuda. A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends.

For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page.

Geographic coordinates

32 20 N, 64 45 W

Sex ratio

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.)

Natural hazards

hurricanes (June to November)

Area - comparative

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

Military service age and obligation

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; service can be extended only by volunteering or an executive order from the Governor; annual training commitment is about 30 days a year, which includes a two-week camp, weekends, and drill nights (2025)

Background

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.

Environment - current issues

dense population and heavy vehicle traffic create serious congestion and air pollution problems; water resources scarce (most obtained as rainwater or from wells); solid waste disposal; hazardous waste disposal; sewage disposal; overfishing; oil spills

Exports - commodities

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

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Exports - partners

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

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

Administrative divisions

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

Agricultural products

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

Military and security forces

Royal Bermuda Regiment; Bermuda Police Service (2025)

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

Budget

revenues: $999.2 million (2017 est.)

expenditures: $1.176 billion (2017 est.)

Capital

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

Imports - commodities

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

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Climate

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

Coastline

103 km

Constitution

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

Exchange rates

Bermudian dollars (BMD) per US dollar -

Exchange rates:
1 (2023 est.)
1 (2022 est.)
1 (2021 est.)
1 (2020 est.)
1 (2019 est.)

Executive branch

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, appointed by the governor

elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed premier by the governor

Flag description

red, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Bermudian coat of arms (a white shield with a red lion standing on a green grassy field holding a scrolled shield showing the sinking of the ship Sea Venture off Bermuda in 1609) centered on the outer half of the flag; it was the shipwreck of the vessel, filled with English colonists originally bound for Virginia, that led to the settling of Bermuda

note: the flag is unusual in that it is only British overseas territory that uses a red ensign, all others use blue

Independence

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Industries

international business, tourism, light manufacturing

Judicial branch

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

Land boundaries

total: 0 km

Land use

agricultural land: 5.6% (2022 est.)

arable land: 5.6% (2022 est.)

permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.)

permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.)

forest: 18.5% (2022 est.)

other: 75.9% (2022 est.)

Legal system

English common law

Legislative branch

legislature name: Parliament

legislative structure: bicameral

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

International organization participation

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

National holiday

Bermuda Day, 24 May; note - formerly known as Victoria Day, Empire Day, and Commonwealth Day

Nationality

noun: Bermudian(s)

adjective: Bermudian

Natural resources

limestone, pleasant climate fostering tourism

Geography - note

consists of about 138 coral islands and islets with ample rainfall, but no rivers or freshwater lakes; some land was leased by the US Government from 1941 to 1995

Economic overview

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

Political parties

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

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Telecommunication systems

general assessment: the telecom sector has seen a decline in subscriber numbers (particularly for prepaid mobile services the mainstay of short term visitors) and revenue; fixed and mobile broadband services are two areas that have benefited from the crisis as employees and students have resorted to working from home; one area of the telecom market that is not prepared for growth is 5G mobile; governments, regulators, and even the mobile network operators have shown that they have not been investing in 5G opportunities at the present time; network expansion and enhancements remain concentrated around improving LTE coverage (2021)

domestic: the system has a fixed-line teledensity of 39 per 100, coupled with a mobile-cellular teledensity of roughly 110 per 100 persons (2021)

international: country code - 1-441; landing points for the GlobeNet, Gemini Bermuda, CBUS, and the CB-1 submarine cables to the Caribbean, South America and the US; satellite earth stations - 3 (2019)

Terrain

low hills separated by fertile depressions

Government type

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

Military - note

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 (2024)

Country name

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

Location

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

Map references

North America

Irrigated land

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Internet users

percent of population: 98% (2017 est.)

Internet country code

.bm

GDP (official exchange rate)

$8.142 billion (2023 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Credit ratings

Fitch rating: N/A (2015)

Moody's rating: A2 (2016)

Standard & Poors rating: A+ (2015)

note: The year refers to the year in which the current credit rating was first obtained.

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 13 years

male: 12 years

female: 13 years (2015)

Urbanization

urban population: 100% of total population (2023)

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

Broadcast media

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

National anthem

name: Hail to Bermuda

lyrics/music: Bette JOHNS

note: serves as a local anthem; as a territory of the United Kingdom, "God Save the King" is official (see United Kingdom)

Major urban areas - population

10,000 HAMILTON (capital) (2018)

International law organization participation

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

National symbol(s)

red lion

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 47.9% (2023 est.)

government consumption: 12% (2023 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 11.8% (2023 est.)

investment in inventories: 0% (2023 est.)

exports of goods and services: 52.9% (2023 est.)

imports of goods and services: -24.6% (2023 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

Citizenship

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

Population distribution

relatively even population distribution throughout

Electricity access

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

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

VP-B

Ethnic groups

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

Religions

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.)

Languages

English (official), Portuguese

Imports - partners

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

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

Literacy

total population: NA

male: NA

female: NA

Elevation

highest point: Town Hill 79 m

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Contraceptive prevalence rate

Dependency ratios

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.)

Military and security service personnel strengths

the Royal Bermuda Regiment has about 350 troops (2024)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the Regiment is equipped with small arms (2024)

Drinking water source

improved:

urban: 99.9% of population

rural: NA

total: 99.9% of population

unimproved:

urban: 0.1% of population

rural: NA

total: 0.1% of population (2020)

Sanitation facility access

improved:

urban: 99.9% of population

rural: NA

total: 99.9% of population

unimproved:

urban: 0.1% of population

rural: NA

total: 0.1% of population (2020)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually: 82,000 tons (2012 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 1,640 tons (2012 est.)

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

Air pollutants

carbon dioxide emissions: 0.61 megatons (2016 est.)

National heritage

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

Coal

consumption: 4 metric tons (2023 est.)

imports: 4 metric tons (2023 est.)

Electricity generation sources

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

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

Petroleum

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

Gross reproduction rate

0.92 (2024 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

47.6% (2023 est.)

Remittances

21.49% of GDP (2023 est.)
22.36% of GDP (2022 est.)
22.72% of GDP (2021 est.)

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

Ports

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

Legislative branch - lower chamber

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

Legislative branch - upper chamber

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

National coat of arms

Bermuda's coat of arms was formally granted by Royal Warrant on 4 October 1910 but had 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 the then-uninhabited Bermuda in 1609.

Bermuda's coat of arms

Labor force

33,480 (2016 est.)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

total: 29.3% (2014 est.)

male: 29.7%

female: 29%

Net migration rate

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

Median age

total: 43.8 years (2024 est.)

male: 41.5 years

female: 46.3 years

Public debt

43% of GDP (FY14/15)

Total fertility rate

1.88 children born/woman (2024 est.)

Unemployment rate

7% (2017 est.)
7% (2016 est.)

Population

total: 72,800 (2024 est.)

male: 35,401

female: 37,399

Carbon dioxide emissions

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.)

Area

total : 54 sq km

land: 54 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Taxes and other revenues

16.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$6.343 billion (2023 est.)
$6.349 billion (2022 est.)
$5.965 billion (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

Airports

1 (2025)

Infant mortality rate

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

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 68,000 (2021 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 106 (2021 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.9% (2017 est.)
1.4% (2016 est.)

Current account balance

$962.258 million (2021 est.)
$853.85 million (2020 est.)
$838.701 million (2019 est.)

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

Real GDP per capita

$98,000 (2023 est.)
$98,100 (2022 est.)
$92,300 (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total: 23,000 (2022 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 36 (2022 est.)

Energy consumption per capita

122.737 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Death rate

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

Birth rate

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

Electricity

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

consumption: 590.38 million kWh (2023 est.)

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

Merchant marine

total: 122 (2023)

by type: container ship 15, oil tanker 8, other 99

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

Imports

$1.925 billion (2021 est.)
$1.723 billion (2020 est.)
$2.224 billion (2019 est.)

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

Exports

$1.136 billion (2021 est.)
$1.027 billion (2020 est.)
$1.605 billion (2019 est.)

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

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 25,000 (2021 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 39 (2022 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 82.5 years (2024 est.)

male: 79.4 years

female: 85.7 years

Real GDP growth rate

-0.09% (2023 est.)
6.43% (2022 est.)
5.42% (2021 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Industrial production growth rate

5.57% (2022 est.)

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

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 0.2% (2022 est.)

industry: 5.4% (2022 est.)

services: 90.5% (2022 est.)

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

Education expenditures

1.9% of GDP (2021 est.)

Population growth rate

0.3% (2024 est.)

Sources: