Europe :: Guernsey

- Introduction :: Guernsey
- Background:
  Guernsey and the other Channel Islands represent the last remnants of the medieval Duchy of Normandy, which held sway in both France and England. The islands were the only British soil occupied by German troops in World War II. The Bailiwick of Guernsey is a self-governing British crown dependency that is not part of the United Kingdom. However, the UK Government is constitutionally responsible for its defense and international representation. The Bailiwick of Guernsey consists of the main island of Guernsey and a number of smaller islands including Alderney, Sark, Herm, Jethou, Brecqhou, and Lihou.
- Geography :: Guernsey
- Location:
  Western Europe, islands in the English Channel, northwest of France
  Geographic coordinates:
  49 28 N, 2 35 W
  Map references:
  Europe
  Area:
  total: 78 sq km
  land: 78 sq km
  water: 0 sq km

  note: includes Alderney, Guernsey, Herm, Sark, and some other smaller islands

  country comparison to the world: 228
  Area - comparative:
  about one-half the size of Washington, DC
  Land boundaries:
  0 km
  Coastline:
  50 km
  Maritime claims:
  territorial sea: 3 nm
  exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm
  Climate:
  temperate with mild winters and cool summers; about 50% of days are overcast
  Terrain:
  mostly flat with low hills in southwest
  Elevation:
  0 m lowest point: English Channel
  114 highest point: Le Moulin on Sark
  Natural resources:
  cropland
  Irrigated land:
  NA
  Natural hazards:
  very large tidal variation and fast currents can make local waters dangerous
  Environment - current issues:
  coastal erosion, coastal flooding; declining biodiversity due to land abandonment and succession to scrub or woodland
  Geography - note:
  large, deepwater harbor at Saint Peter Port
- People and Society :: Guernsey
- Population:
  66,697 (July 2018 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 204
  Nationality:
  noun: Channel Islander(s)
  adjective: Channel Islander
  Ethnic groups:
  Guernsey 52%, UK and Ireland 23.7%, Portugal 2.1%, Latvia 1.5%, other 6.7%, unspecified 14.1%
  note: data represent population by country of birth; the native population is of British and Norman-French descent
  Languages:
  English, French, Norman-French dialect spoken in country districts
  Religions:
  Protestant (Anglican, Presbyterian, Baptist, Congregational, Methodist), Roman Catholic
  Age structure:
  0-14 years: 14.51% (male 4,994 /female 4,686)
  15-24 years: 10.89% (male 3,711 /female 3,553)
  25-54 years: 41.41% (male 13,958 /female 13,658)
  55-64 years: 13.38% (male 4,425 /female 4,496)
  65 years and over: 19.81% (male 6,038 /female 7,178) (2018 est.)
  population pyramid:
  The World Factbook Field Image Modal
  Europe :: Guernsey Print
  Image Description
  This is the population pyramid for Guernsey. 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 under the References tab.
  Dependency ratios:
  total dependency ratio: 47.1 (2015 est.)
  youth dependency ratio: 21.6 (2015 est.)
  elderly dependency ratio: 25.4 (2015 est.)
  potential support ratio: 3.9 (2015 est.)

  note: data represent the Guernsey and Jersey

  Median age:
  total: 44 years
  male: 42.7 years
  female: 45.3 years (2018 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 14
  Population growth rate:
  0.28% (2018 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 174
  Birth rate:
  9.8 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 194
  Death rate:
  9 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 61
  Net migration rate:
  2.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 43
  Urbanization:
  urban population: 30.9% of total population (2018)
  rate of urbanization: 0.46% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

  note: data represent Guernsey and Jersey

  Major urban areas - population:
  16,000 SAINT PETER PORT (capital) (2018)
  Sex ratio:
  at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
  0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
  15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
  25-54 years: 1.02 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
  55-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
  65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
  total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
  Infant mortality rate:
  total: 3.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)
  male: 3.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)
  female: 3.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 203
  Life expectancy at birth:
  total population: 82.7 years (2018 est.)
  male: 80 years (2018 est.)
  female: 85.5 years (2018 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 9
  Total fertility rate:
  1.57 children born/woman (2018 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 186
  HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
  NA
  HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
  NA
  HIV/AIDS - deaths:
  NA
- Government :: Guernsey
- Country name:
  conventional long form: Bailiwick of Guernsey
  conventional short form: Guernsey
  former: Norman Isles
  etymology: the name is of Old Norse origin, but the meaning of the root "Guern(s)" is uncertain; the "-ey" ending means "island"
  Dependency status:
  British crown dependency
  Government type:
  parliamentary democracy (States of Deliberation); a Crown dependency of the UK
  Capital:
  name: Saint Peter Port
  geographic coordinates: 49 27 N, 2 32 W
  time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
  daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
  Administrative divisions:
  none (British crown dependency); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 10 parishes: Castel, Forest, Saint Andrew, Saint Martin, Saint Peter Port, Saint Pierre du Bois, Saint Sampson, Saint Saviour, Torteval, Vale

  note: two additional parishes for Guernsey are sometimes listed - the parish of Saint Anne on the island of Alderney and the parish of Saint Peter on the island of Sark - but they are generally not included in the enumeration of parishes

  Independence:
  none (British crown dependency)
  National holiday:
  Liberation Day, 9 May (1945)
  Constitution:
  history: unwritten; includes royal charters, statutes, and common law and practice (2016)
  amendments: new laws or changes to existing laws are initiated by the States of Deliberation; passage requires majority vote (2016)
  Legal system:
  customary legal system based on Norman customary law, and includes elements of the French civil code and English common law
  Citizenship:
  see United Kingdom
  Suffrage:
  16 years of age; universal
  Judicial branch:
  highest courts: Guernsey Court of Appeal (consists of the Bailiff of Guernsey, who is the ex-officio president of the Guernsey Court of Appeal, and at least 12 judges); Royal Court (organized into 3 divisions - Full Court sits with 1 judge and 7 to 12 jurats acting as judges of fact, Ordinary Court sits with 1 judge and normally 3 jurats, and Matrimonial Causes Division sits with 1 judge and 4 jurats); note - appeals beyond Guernsey courts are heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London)
  judge selection and term of office: Royal Court Bailiff, Deputy Bailiff, and Court of Appeal justices appointed by the British Crown and hold office at Her Majesty's pleasure; jurats elected by the States of Election, a body chaired by the Bailiff and a number of jurats
  subordinate courts: Court of Alderney; Court of the Seneschal of Sark; Magistrate's Court (includes Juvenile Court); Contracts Court; Ecclesiastical Court; Court of Chief Pleas
  Executive branch:
  chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Lieutenant Governor Vice Admiral Ian CORDER (since 14 March 2016)
  head of government: Chief Minister Gavin ST PIER (since 6 May 2016); Bailiff Sir Richard COLLAS (since 23 March 2012); note - the chief minister is the president of the Policy and Resources Committee and is the de facto head of government; the Policy and Resources Committee, elected by the States of Deliberation, functions as the executive; the 5 members all have equal voting rights
  cabinet: none
  elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; lieutenant governor and bailiff appointed by the monarch; chief minister, who is the president of the Policy and Resources Committee indirectly elected by the States of Deliberation for a 4-year term; last held on 6 May 2016 (next to be held in 2020)
  election results: Gavin ST PIER (independent) elected president of the Policy and Resources Committee and chief minister
  Legislative branch:
  description: unicameral States of Deliberation (40 seats; 38 People's Deputies and 2 representatives of the States of Alderney; members directly elected by majority vote to serve 4-year terms); note - non-voting members include the bailiff (presiding officer), attorney-general, and solicitor-general
  elections: last held on 27 April 2016 (next to be held in 2020)
  election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independent 38; composition - men 27, women 13, percent of women 32.5%
  Political parties and leaders:
  none; all independents
  International organization participation:
  UPU
  Diplomatic representation in the US:
  none (British crown dependency)
  Diplomatic representation from the US:
  none (British crown dependency)
  Flag description:
  white with the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of England) extending to the edges of the flag and a yellow equal-armed cross of William the Conqueror superimposed on the Saint George cross; the red cross represents the old ties with England and the fact that Guernsey is a British Crown dependency; the gold cross is a replica of the one used by Duke William of Normandy at the Battle of Hastings in 1066
  National symbol(s):
  Guernsey cow, donkey; national colors: red, white, yellow
  National anthem:
  name: "Sarnia Cherie" (Guernsey Dear)
  lyrics/music: George DEIGHTON/Domencio SANTANGELO

  note: adopted 1911; serves as a local anthem; as a British crown dependency, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)

- Economy :: Guernsey
- Economy - overview:
  Financial services accounted for about 21% of employment and about 32% of total income in 2016 in this tiny, prosperous Channel Island economy. Construction, manufacturing, and horticulture, mainly tomatoes and cut flowers, have been declining. Financial services, professional services, tourism, retail, and the public sector have been growing. Light tax and death duties make Guernsey a popular offshore financial center.
  GDP (purchasing power parity):
  $3.465 billion (2015 est.)
  $3.451 billion (2014 est.)
  $3.42 billion (2013 est.)

  note: data are in 2015 dollars

  country comparison to the world: 184
  GDP (official exchange rate):
  $2.742 billion (2005 est.) (2005 est.)
  GDP - real growth rate:
  0.4% (2015 est.)
  1.2% (2014 est.)
  4.2% (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 193
  GDP - per capita (PPP):
  $52,500 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 24
  GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
  agriculture: 3% (2000)
  industry: 10% (2000)
  services: 87% (2000)
  Agriculture - products:
  tomatoes, greenhouse flowers, sweet peppers, eggplant, fruit; Guernsey cattle
  Industries:
  tourism, banking
  Industrial production growth rate:
  NA
  Labor force:
  31,470 (March 2006)
  country comparison to the world: 203
  Unemployment rate:
  1.2% (2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 13
  Population below poverty line:
  NA
  Household income or consumption by percentage share:
  lowest 10%: NA
  highest 10%: NA
  Budget:
  revenues: 563.6 million (2005)
  expenditures: 530.9 million (2005 est.)
  Taxes and other revenues:
  20.6% (of GDP) (2005)
  country comparison to the world: 146
  Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
  1.2% (of GDP) (2005)
  country comparison to the world: 29
  Fiscal year:
  calendar year
  Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  3.4% (June 2006 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 141
  Exports:

  NA

  Exports - commodities:
  tomatoes, flowers and ferns, sweet peppers, eggplant, other vegetables
  Imports:

  NA

  Imports - commodities:
  coal, gasoline, oil, machinery, and equipment
  Debt - external:

  NA

  Exchange rates:
  Guernsey pound per US dollar
  0.7836 (2017 est.)
  0.738 (2016 est.)
  0.738 (2015)
  0.6542 (2014)
  0.607 (2013)
- Energy :: Guernsey
- Electricity access:
  electrification - total population: 100% (2016)
- Communications :: Guernsey
- Telephones - fixed lines:
  total subscriptions: 36,547 (July 2016 est.)
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 60 (July 2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 164
  Telephones - mobile cellular:
  total subscriptions: 71,249 (July 2016 est.)
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 113 (July 2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 197
  Telephone system:
  general assessment: high performance global connections with quality service; connections to major cities around the world to rival and attract future investment and future needs of islanders and businesses (2017)
  domestic: fixed-line and mobile-cellular 113 per 100 subscription services widely available (2015)
  international: country code - 44; 1 submarine cable (2015)
  Broadcast media:
  multiple UK terrestrial TV broadcasts are received via a transmitter in Jersey with relays in Jersey, Guernsey, and Alderney; satellite packages are available; BBC Radio Guernsey and 1 other radio station operating (2009)
  Internet country code:
  .gg
  Internet users:
  total: 55,050 (July 2016 est.)
  percent of population: 83.3% (July 2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 191
- Transportation :: Guernsey
- National air transport system:
  number of registered air carriers: 2 (registered in UK) (2015)
  inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 11 (registered in UK) (2015)
  Airports:
  2 (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 200
  Airports - with paved runways:
  total: 2 (2017)
  1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2017)
  under 914 m: 1 (2017)
  Ports and terminals:
  major seaport(s): Braye Bay, Saint Peter Port
- Military and Security :: Guernsey
- Military - note:
  defense is the responsibility of the UK
- Transnational Issues :: Guernsey
- Disputes - international:
  none