Montserrat

Code: MH | Region: Central America N Caribbean

Introduction

Background

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English and Irish colonists from St. Kitts first settled on Montserrat in 1632; the first African slaves arrived three decades later. The British and French fought for possession of the island for most of the 18th century, but it finally was confirmed as a British possession in 1783. The island's sugar plantation economy was converted to small farm landholdings in the mid-19th century. The Soufriere Hills Volcano erupted in 1995, devastating much of the island; two thirds of the population fled abroad. Montserrat has endured volcanic activity since, with the last eruption occurring in 2013.

Geography

Location

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Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, southeast of Puerto Rico

Geographic coordinates

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16 45 N, 62 12 W

Map references

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Central America and the Caribbean

Area

total

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102 sq km

land

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102 sq km

water

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0 sq km

Area - comparative

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about 0.6 times the size of Washington, D.C.

Land boundaries

total

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0 km

Coastline

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40 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea

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12 nm

exclusive fishing zone

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200 nm

Climate

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tropical; little daily or seasonal temperature variation

Terrain

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volcanic island, mostly mountainous, with small coastal lowland

Elevation

highest point

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Soufriere Hills volcano pre-eruption height was 915 m; current lava dome is subject to periodic build up and collapse; estimated dome height was 1,050 m in 2015

lowest point

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Caribbean Sea 0 m

Natural resources

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NEGL

Land use

agricultural land

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30% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

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arable land: 20% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

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permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

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permanent pasture: 10% (2023 est.)

forest

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24.2% (2023 est.)

other

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45.8% (2023 est.)

Irrigated land

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0 sq km (2022)

Population distribution

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only the northern half of the island is populated; the southern portion is uninhabitable due to volcanic activity

Natural hazards

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volcanic eruptions; severe hurricanes (June to November) volcanism: Soufrière Hills volcano (915 m) has erupted continuously since 1995; a massive eruption in 1997 destroyed most of the capital, Plymouth, and made about half of the island uninhabitable; the island of Montserrat is part of the volcanic island arc of the Lesser Antilles that extends from Saba in the north to Grenada in the south

Geography - note

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the island is entirely volcanic in origin and composed of three major volcanic centers of differing ages

People and Society

Population

total

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5,468 (2024 est.)

male

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2,728

female

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2,740

Nationality

noun

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Montserratian(s)

adjective

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Montserratian

Ethnic groups

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African/Black 86.2%, mixed 4.8%, Hispanic/Spanish 3%, Caucasian/White 2.7%, East Indian/Indian 1.6%, other 1.8% (2018 est.)

Languages

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English

Religions

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Protestant 71.4% (includes Anglican 17.7%, Pentecostal/Full Gospel 16.1%, Seventh Day Adventist 15%, Methodist 13.9%, Church of God 6.7%, other Protestant 2%), Roman Catholic 11.4%, Rastafarian 1.4%, Hindu 1.2%, Jehovah's Witness 1%, Muslim 0.4%, other/not stated 5.1%, none 7.9% (2018 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years

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15.8% (male 446/female 420)

15-64 years

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76.1% (male 2,062/female 2,101)

65 years and over

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8% (2024 est.) (male 220/female 219)

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio

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31.3 (2024 est.)

youth dependency ratio

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20.8 (2024 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

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10.5 (2024 est.)

potential support ratio

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9.5 (2024 est.)

Median age

total

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37.1 years (2025 est.)

male

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35.4 years

female

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37.8 years

Population growth rate

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0.55% (2025 est.)

Birth rate

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11.64 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Death rate

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6.18 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Net migration rate

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0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Population distribution

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only the northern half of the island is populated; the southern portion is uninhabitable due to volcanic activity

Urbanization

urban population

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9.3% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization

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0.94% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth

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1.03 male(s)/female

0-14 years

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1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years

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0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over

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1 male(s)/female

total population

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1 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Infant mortality rate

total

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9.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)

male

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8 deaths/1,000 live births

female

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11.6 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth

total population

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76.1 years (2024 est.)

male

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76.9 years

female

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75.3 years

Total fertility rate

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1.34 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

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0.65 (2025 est.)

Drinking water source

improved: total

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total: 98.1% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: total

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total: 1.9% of population (2022 est.)

Sanitation facility access

improved: total

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total: 99.6% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: total

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total: 0.4% of population (2022 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

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35.8% (2023 est.)

Education expenditure

Education expenditure (% GDP)

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7.2% of GDP (2023 est.)

Education expenditure (% national budget)

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5.7% national budget (2025 est.)

Environment

Environmental issues

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land erosion on slopes that have been cleared for cultivation

Climate

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tropical; little daily or seasonal temperature variation

Land use

agricultural land

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30% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

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arable land: 20% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

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permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

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permanent pasture: 10% (2023 est.)

forest

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24.2% (2023 est.)

other

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45.8% (2023 est.)

Urbanization

urban population

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9.3% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization

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0.94% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions

total emissions

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24,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids

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24,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Government

Country name

conventional long form

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none

conventional short form

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Montserrat

etymology

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explorer Christopher COLUMBUS named the island in 1493 after the Benedictine abbey Santa Maria de Montserrat, near Barcelona, Spain

Government type

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parliamentary democracy; self-governing overseas territory of the UK

Dependency status

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overseas territory of the UK

Capital

name

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Plymouth

geographic coordinates

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16 42 N, 62 13 W

time difference

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

etymology

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now entirely deserted because of volcanic activity, the city was named after Plymouth, England

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note: Plymouth was abandoned in 1997 because of volcanic activity; interim government buildings have been built at Brades Estate, the de facto capital, at the northwest end of Montserrat

Administrative divisions

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3 parishes; Saint Anthony, Saint Georges, Saint Peter

Legal system

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English common law

Constitution

history

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previous 1960; latest put into force 20 October 2010 (The Montserrat Constitution Order 2010)

Citizenship

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see United Kingdom

Suffrage

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18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state

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King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor Sarah TUCKER (since 6 April 2023)

head of government

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Premier Easton TAYLOR-FARRELL (since 19 November 2019)

cabinet

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Executive Council consists of the governor, the premier, 3 other ministers, the attorney general, and the finance secretary

election/appointment process

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the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party usually becomes premier

Legislative branch

legislature name

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Legislative Assembly

legislative structure

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unicameral

number of seats

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12 (directly elected)

electoral system

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plurality/majority

scope of elections

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full renewal

term in office

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5 years

most recent election date

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11/18/2019

parties elected and seats per party

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MCAP (5); PDM (3); independent (1)

percentage of women in chamber

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33.3%

expected date of next election

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2024

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note: the Assembly elects the speaker from the outside for a 5-year term; the Assembly includes 2 ex-officio members, the attorney general and the financial secretary

Judicial branch

highest court(s)

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the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) is the superior court of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States; the ECSC is headquartered on St. Lucia and consists of the Court of Appeal -- headed by the chief justice and 4 judges -- and the High Court with 18 judges; the Court of Appeal travels to member states on a schedule to hear appeals from the High Court and subordinate courts; Montserrat is a member of the Caribbean Court of Justice

judge selection and term of office

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chief justice of Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court appointed by the British monarch; other justices and judges appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, and independent body of judicial officials; Court of Appeal justices appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 65; High Court judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 62

subordinate courts

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magistrate's court

Political parties

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Movement for Change and Prosperity or MCAP People's Democratic Movement or PDM

Diplomatic representation in the US

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none (overseas territory of the UK)

Diplomatic representation from the US

embassy

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none (overseas territory of the UK); alternate contact is the US Embassy in Barbados [1] (246) 227-4000; US Embassy Bridgetown, Wildey Business Park, St. Michael BB 14006, Barbados, WI

International organization participation

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Caricom, CDB, Interpol (subbureau), OECS, UPU

Independence

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none (overseas territory of the UK)

National holiday

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Official birthday of King Charles III, usually celebrated the second Saturday in June (1948)

Flag

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description: blue with the UK flag in the upper-left quadrant and the Montserratian coat of arms centered in the right half of the flag; the arms show a woman in a green dress standing beside a yellow harp and embracing a large, dark-brown cross with her right arm meaning: the woman is Erin, the female personification of Ireland, the harp is an Irish symbol, and the cross represents the Christian faith; blue stands for awareness, trustworthiness, determination, and righteousness

National coat of arms

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Montserrat's coat of arms dates back to 1909 and reflects the country's Irish settlers, who first arrived in 1632; the woman in the green dress is Erin, the personification of Ireland, and she holds Ireland's symbol, a gold harp; the cross represents Christianity, Monserrat's predominant religion

National anthem(s)

title

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"God Save the King"

lyrics/music

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unknown

history

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official anthem, as a UK territory

Economy

Economic overview

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formerly high-income economy; volcanic activity destroyed much of original infrastructure and economy; new capital and port is being developed; key geothermal and solar power generation; key music recording operations

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024

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$89.254 million (2024 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023

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$86.875 million (2023 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022

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$80.972 million (2022 est.)

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note: data in 2015 dollars

Real GDP per capita

Real GDP per capita 2024

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$19,300 (2024 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2023

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$18,200 (2023 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2022

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$16,200 (2022 est.)

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note: data in 2015 dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

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$84.537 million (2024 est.)

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note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022

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4% (2022 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2021

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1.7% (2021 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2020

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-1.9% (2020 est.)

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note: annual % change based on consumer prices

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption

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90.8% (2017 est.)

government consumption

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50.4% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital

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17.9% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories

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-0.1% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services

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29.5% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services

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-88.6% (2017 est.)

Agricultural products

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cabbages, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, peppers; livestock products

Industries

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tourism, rum, textiles, electronic appliances

Budget

revenues

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$55.651 million (2014 est.)

expenditures

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$43.652 million (2014 est.)

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note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

Exports - partners

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USA 25%, Antigua & Barbuda 13%, Guyana 13%, Egypt 12%, France 10% (2023)

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

Exports - commodities

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gravel and crushed stone, sand (2023)

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note: top export commodities based on value in dollars over $500,000

Imports

Imports 2021

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$15.3 million (2021 est.)

Imports 2017

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$39.44 million (2017 est.)

Imports 2016

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$36.1 million (2016 est.)

Imports - partners

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USA 62%, Antigua & Barbuda 6%, UK 5%, Belgium 4%, Trinidad & Tobago 3% (2023)

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

Imports - commodities

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refined petroleum, electric generating sets, cars, stone processing machines, x-ray equipment (2023)

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note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Exchange rates

Currency

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East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2024

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2.7 (2024 est.)

Exchange rates 2023

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2.7 (2023 est.)

Exchange rates 2022

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2.7 (2022 est.)

Exchange rates 2021

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2.7 (2021 est.)

Exchange rates 2020

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2.7 (2020 est.)

Energy

Electricity access

electrification - total population

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100% (2020)

Electricity

installed generating capacity

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6,000 kW (2023 est.)

consumption

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15.968 million kWh (2023 est.)

transmission/distribution losses

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370,000 kWh (2023 est.)

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels

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87.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

solar

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12.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Petroleum

refined petroleum consumption

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200 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Communications

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions

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3,000 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

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67 (2020 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions

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5,000 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

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110 (2020 est.)

Broadcast media

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Radio Montserrat, a public radio broadcaster, transmits on 1 station and has a repeater transmission to a second station; repeater transmissions from the GEM Radio Network of Trinidad and Tobago provide another 2 radio stations; cable and satellite TV available (2007)

Internet country code

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.ms

Internet users

percent of population

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54.6% (2011 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total

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2,700 (2018 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

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55 (2018 est.)

Transportation

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

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VP-M

Airports

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1 (2025)

Military and Security

Military and security forces

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no regular military forces; Royal Montserrat Defense Force (ceremonial, civil defense duties), Montserrat Police Force (2025)

Military - note

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defense is the responsibility of the UK