Quick facts
British Virgin Islands population overview
The British Virgin Islands is the 35th most populous of 41 countries and territories in North America. The United Nations put the population at 40,661 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +0.4% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 0 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 325 births (8 per 1,000 people) and 256 deaths (6.3 per 1,000), plus net immigration of roughly 106 people. The infant mortality rate is 10.1 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 7,950 in 1960 to 39,732 in 2025 — a change of +399.8%, or +2.5% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 39.1 years; life expectancy at birth is 77.8 years; women have on average 1 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 14.1% of residents are under 15 and 10.1% are 65 or older (2025); 57.4% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Road Town. The British Virgin Islands covers 150 km², giving a population density of about 272 people per km².
British Virgin Islands population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 40,803 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 40,661 |
| World rank | #219 of 238 |
| Rank in North America | #35 of 41 |
| Share of world population | less than 0.001% |
| Annual growth rate | +0.4% |
| Births per year est. | 325 |
| Deaths per year est. | 256 |
| Net migration per year est. | +106 |
| Birth rate | 8 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 6.3 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 10.1 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 89.8 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 39.1 years |
| Life expectancy | 77.8 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 1 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 57.4% |
| Surface area 2023 | 150 km² |
| Population density | 272 per km² |
| Capital | Road Town |
| Income group World Bank | High income |
British Virgin Islands population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 40,803 | – | – |
| 2025 | 39,732 | +261 | +0.7% |
| 2024 | 39,471 | +486 | +1.2% |
| 2023 | 38,985 | +666 | +1.7% |
| 2022 | 38,319 | +510 | +1.3% |
| 2021 | 37,809 | +674 | +1.8% |
| 2020 | 37,135 | +2,637 | +1.5% |
| 2015 | 34,498 | +6,823 | +4.5% |
| 2010 | 27,675 | +4,010 | +3.2% |
| 2005 | 23,665 | +3,424 | +3.2% |
| 2000 | 20,241 | +2,401 | +2.6% |
| 1995 | 17,840 | +2,136 | +2.6% |
| 1990 | 15,704 | +2,435 | +3.4% |
| 1985 | 13,269 | +2,139 | +3.6% |
| 1980 | 11,130 | +524 | +1% |
| 1975 | 10,606 | +673 | +1.3% |
| 1970 | 9,933 | +1,676 | +3.8% |
| 1965 | 8,257 | +307 | +0.8% |
| 1960 | 7,950 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About British Virgin Islands
Population over time
- From 7,950 in 1960 to 40,803 today — up 413.2%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +1.4% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 77.4 years (2024), up 14.7 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 1 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 8.2 births vs 6 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 2.2 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 14.1% of the population is under 15 and 10.1% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 5.2% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 0.09 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions are at or near their historical peak.
- Per person: 2.33 t in 2024, vs 0.73 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Renewables supplied 1.3% of final energy in 2022 (+0 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 24.1% of land area (2023).
- Net deforestation: cover fell from 24.7% to 24.1% since 1990 — roughly 1 km² of forest lost.
Urban population (% of total)
- 57.4% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 12.1% in 1960 (+45.3 points).
- Became majority-urban around 2016.
Internet & mobile
- 77.7% of people used the internet in 2017.
- Mobile subscriptions: 93.1 per 100 people (2024).
British Virgin Islands in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of the British Virgin Islands in 2026?
As of October 2026, the British Virgin Islands has an estimated population of 40,803. The United Nations estimated 40,661 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +0.4% annual growth rate.
Is the population of the British Virgin Islands growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +0.4% per year — roughly 0 more people every day. Each year there are about 325 births and 256 deaths, with net migration of +106.
What is the population density of the British Virgin Islands?
About 272 people per square kilometre: 40,803 people living on 150 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in the British Virgin Islands?
The median age is 39.1 years, and life expectancy at birth is 77.8 years. 14.1% of the population is under 15 and 10.1% is 65 or older (2025).
How does the British Virgin Islands rank by population?
The British Virgin Islands is the 219th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 35th in North America, with less than 0.001% of the global population.
How has the population of the British Virgin Islands changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 7,950; by 2025 it had grown to 39,732 (+399.8%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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Northern Mariana IslandsSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+0.4%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.