Country Profile: Montserrat

Montserrat is a British overseas territory located in the Caribbean Sea, southeast of Puerto Rico. With a population of approximately 5,468, the island has a rich cultural heritage, primarily influenced by its African and Irish roots. The economy, formerly high-income, has struggled due to significant volcanic eruptions since the 1990s, which devastated infrastructure and displaced much of the population. Governance is structured as a parliamentary democracy, with a local government operating within the framework of the UK.

Geography

Montserrat is a volcanic island featuring mountainous terrain and a tropical climate. It has a total area of 102 square kilometers and a coastline of 40 kilometers. The southern region is largely uninhabitable due to ongoing volcanic activity, particularly from the Soufriere Hills volcano, which has erupted periodically since 1995.

102 sq km - Total area of the island.
40 km - Length of the coastline.
1,050 m - Estimated height of the current lava dome (2015).
30% - Proportion of land used for agriculture (2023).
24.2% - Percentage of forested land (2023).

People and Society

The population of Montserrat is about 5,468, with a slight female majority. The society is ethnically diverse, with the majority of inhabitants identifying as African descent. English is the official language, and Christianity (mainly Protestant) is the predominant religion. The population is relatively young, with a median age of 37.1 years.

5,468 - Estimated total population (2024).
9.3% - Proportion of the urban population (2023).
11.64 - Birth rate (births per 1,000 population - 2025).
76.1 years - Life expectancy at birth (2024).
31.3 - Total dependency ratio (2024 est.).

Economy

Montserrat's economy has faced challenges due to volcanic eruptions that destroyed much of its infrastructure. The island is developing a new capital and port, focusing on geothermal and solar energy generation. Key industries include tourism and music recording, with agricultural products such as vegetables being a staple.

$89.254 million - Real GDP (PPP - 2024 est.).
$19,300 - Real GDP per capita (PPP - 2024 est.).
90.8% - Percentage of GDP from household consumption (2017).
$15.3 million - Estimated imports (2021).
62% - Share of imports from the USA (2023).

Government

Montserrat operates as a parliamentary democracy and is an overseas territory of the United Kingdom. The governance structure is led by a Premier and an Executive Council, with a unicameral Legislative Assembly consisting of 12 directly elected members. The legal system is based on English common law.

18 - Minimum voting age (universal suffrage).
12 - Number of seats in the Legislative Assembly.
33.3% - Percentage of women in the Legislative Assembly (2024).
8 - Members in the Executive Council.
King Charles III - Current chief of state (since 2022).

Military and Security

Montserrat does not maintain a regular military force, with defense responsibilities resting with the United Kingdom. The island does have a ceremonial Royal Montserrat Defense Force and a dedicated police force.

0 - Regular military personnel.
1 - Ceremonial police force present.

Energy

Montserrat has 100% electrification, with a modest electricity generation capacity primarily derived from fossil fuels and a minor portion from solar energy. The total installed generating capacity stands at 6,000 kW.

6,000 kW - Total installed electricity generation capacity (2023).
15.968 million kWh - Electricity consumption (2023).
200 bbl/day - Refined petroleum consumption (2023).

Environment

Environmental challenges include land erosion on slopes cleared for agriculture. Forested areas cover a significant portion of the land, while urbanization is limited, with only a small percentage of the population living in urban settings.

24.2% - Forest cover on the island (2023).
30% - Percentage of land designated for agriculture (2023).
24,000 metric tonnes - Total CO2 emissions (2023 estimate).

Transportation

Montserrat has limited transportation infrastructure, highlighted by one operational airport. Its civil aircraft registration code is VP-M, indicating its unique air transport identity.

1 - Number of airports (2025).

Communications

Communication systems include fixed and mobile subscriptions, with a substantial percentage of the population connected via mobile services. Internet access is available, reflecting ongoing development in telecommunications.

5,000 - Total mobile cellular subscriptions (2020).
3,000 - Total fixed-line subscriptions (2020).
54.6% - Internet usage rate (2011).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	5,468	Estimated total population (2024)
Area	102 sq km	Total land area
GDP (PPP)	$89.254 million	Estimated GDP for 2024
GDP per capita (PPP)	$19,300	Estimated GDP per capita (2024)
Life expectancy	76.1 years	Estimated life expectancy (2024)
Birth rate	11.64 births/1,000	Estimated birth rate (2025)
Dependency ratio	31.3	Total dependency ratio (2024)
Electricity access	100%	Electrification (2020)
Total carbon emissions	24,000 metric tonnes	Total CO2 emissions (2023)
Unemployment rate	-	Data not provided