Country Profile: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha

Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha are a group of British Overseas Territories located in the South Atlantic Ocean, known for their remoteness and unique geographical features. The islands, with a total area of 394 square kilometers, have a combined population of approximately 7,943, primarily concentrated around their capitals: Jamestown, Georgetown, and Edinburgh of the Seven Seas. The economy is classified as upper middle-income, relying on fishing, agriculture, and tourism, while also receiving significant financial support from the UK. Governance is established through a parliamentary democracy, with the UK maintaining defense responsibilities.

Geography

Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha are located in the South Atlantic Ocean, approximately midway between South America and Africa. The islands are of volcanic origin and feature a variety of terrains including rugged cliffs and lush plateaus. Their climate varies from tropical marine to temperate, influenced by trade winds.

394 sq km total area of the islands.
2,060 m highest point on Tristan da Cunha, Queen Mary's Peak.
60 km coastline of Saint Helena.
30.8% of land used for agriculture (2022 estimate).
12 nm territorial sea claims.

People and Society

The population of Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha is estimated at 7,943 in 2024, with a slight growth rate of 0.08%. The majority of the inhabitants are Saint Helenians, predominantly of mixed European descent. English is the primary language spoken, and the religious composition is mainly Anglican.

40.7% of the population lives in urban areas (2023 estimate).
45.5 years median age (2025 estimate).
80.9 years life expectancy at birth (2024 estimate).
9.31 births per 1,000 population (2025 estimate).
0.9% of the population has unimproved drinking water sources (2022 estimate).

Economy

The economy is supported by fishing, agriculture, and tourism, with notable exports including fish and shellfish. Saint Helena uses its own currency, pegged to the British pound, and has a unique land and farming commune structure. Significant financial support from the UK underpins the economy.

33% of exports go to Singapore (2023).
6.962 million kWh of electricity consumed (2023).
85 bbl/day refined petroleum consumption (2023 estimate).
100% electrification rate of total population (2021).

Government

Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha operate under a parliamentary democracy and are a British Overseas Territory. Governance is administered by a governor, with local legislative councils for each territory. The legal system is based on English common law.

King Charles III is the head of state (since 2022).
Governor Nigel Phillips serves as the head of government (since 2022).
18 years is the minimum voting age.
The current constitution was established on 1 September 2009.

Military and Security

Defense and security are the responsibility of the United Kingdom, with no local military forces. The territories rely on the UK's military capabilities for protection and defense against external threats.

Energy

All electricity generation is currently derived from fossil fuels, with the entire population having access to electricity. The installed capacity for energy generation in 2023 is limited, reflecting the small scale of the economy.

5,000 kW installed generating capacity (2023).
12,000 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions (2023 estimate).

Transportation

Transportation options include two airports, several heliports, and four ports, facilitating limited movement of goods and people. The recent development of an airport on Saint Helena has improved access, though Ascension Island's military airport remains closed to civilian traffic.

2 airports operational (2025).
4 ports available for various sizes of vessels (2024).
1.5 million kWh of electricity lost in distribution (2023).

Communications

The communication infrastructure includes fixed and mobile telephone services, though internet access is relatively limited. There are no local TV stations, but there are radio stations on the islands.

4,000 fixed-line subscriptions (2021 estimate).
37.6% of the population are internet users (2021 estimate).
17 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 inhabitants (2020 estimate).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	7,943	2024 estimate
Total area	394 sq km
GDP	Upper middle-income	Classification
Electricity consumption	6.962 million kWh	2023 estimate
Birth rate	9.31 births/1,000	2025 estimate
Life expectancy	80.9 years	2024 estimate
Unemployment rate	Not explicitly stated
Agricultural land	30.8% of land (2022 est.)
Urban population	40.7%	2023 estimate
Dependency ratio	50.4	2024 estimate