Quick facts
U.S. Virgin Islands population overview
The U.S. Virgin Islands is the 27th most populous of 41 countries and territories in North America. The United Nations put the population at 84,582 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of -0.9% the live estimate on this page falls by roughly 2 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 922 births (10.9 per 1,000 people) and 1,311 deaths (15.5 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 364 people. The infant mortality rate is 4.6 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 32,500 in 1960 to 103,792 in 2025 — a change of +219.4%, or +1.8% per year on average. It peaked at 108,642 in 2000 and has declined 22.7% since.
Demographically, the median age is 44.9 years; life expectancy at birth is 76.2 years; women have on average 2 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 16.5% of residents are under 15 and 23.1% are 65 or older (2025); 95.4% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Charlotte Amalie. The U.S. Virgin Islands covers 350 km², giving a population density of about 240 people per km². GDP was $4.67B in 2022 — about $44,321 per person (World Bank classification: high income).
U.S. Virgin Islands population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 83,981 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 84,582 |
| World rank | #204 of 238 |
| Rank in North America | #27 of 41 |
| Share of world population | 0.001% |
| Annual growth rate | -0.9% |
| Births per year est. | 922 |
| Deaths per year est. | 1,311 |
| Net migration per year est. | -364 |
| Birth rate | 10.9 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 15.5 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 4.6 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 89.7 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 44.9 years |
| Life expectancy | 76.2 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 2 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 95.4% |
| Surface area 2023 | 350 km² |
| Population density | 240 per km² |
| Capital | Charlotte Amalie |
| GDP (current US$) 2022 | $4.67B |
| GDP per capita 2022 | $44,321 |
| Income group World Bank | High income |
U.S. Virgin Islands population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 83,981 | – | – |
| 2025 | 103,792 | -585 | -0.6% |
| 2024 | 104,377 | -540 | -0.5% |
| 2023 | 104,917 | -496 | -0.5% |
| 2022 | 105,413 | -457 | -0.4% |
| 2021 | 105,870 | -420 | -0.4% |
| 2020 | 106,290 | -1,422 | -0.3% |
| 2015 | 107,712 | -645 | -0.1% |
| 2010 | 108,357 | -96 | 0% |
| 2005 | 108,453 | -189 | 0% |
| 2000 | 108,642 | +824 | +0.2% |
| 1995 | 107,818 | +3,855 | +0.7% |
| 1990 | 103,963 | +3,203 | +0.6% |
| 1985 | 100,760 | +1,124 | +0.2% |
| 1980 | 99,636 | +5,152 | +1.1% |
| 1975 | 94,484 | +31,008 | +8.3% |
| 1970 | 63,476 | +19,976 | +7.9% |
| 1965 | 43,500 | +11,000 | +6% |
| 1960 | 32,500 | – | – |
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 United States Virgin Islands
Population over time
- From 32,500 in 1960 to 83,981 today — up 158.4%.
- Population peaked at 108,642 in 2000 and is down 22.7% since.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: -0.4% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 80.8 years (2024), up 18 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 2 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 11.1 births vs 9.2 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 1.9 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 16.5% of the population is under 15 and 23.1% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 6.2% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 0 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions are at or near their historical peak.
- Per person: 0 t in 2024, vs 0 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Renewables supplied 5.9% of final energy in 2022 (+5.4 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 58.2% of land area (2023).
- Net deforestation: cover fell from 70.1% to 58.2% since 1990 — roughly 42 km² of forest lost.
Urban population (% of total)
- 95.4% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 55.9% in 1960 (+39.5 points).
- Majority-urban for the whole period covered.
Economy
- GDP: $4.67B in 2022.
- Nominal GDP is up 14.3% since 2012.
- That works out to $44,321 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 11.4% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
Internet & mobile
- 64.4% of people used the internet in 2017.
- Mobile subscriptions: 91.5 per 100 people (2022).
United States Virgin Islands in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2026?
As of October 2026, the U.S. Virgin Islands has an estimated population of 83,981. The United Nations estimated 84,582 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the -0.9% annual growth rate.
Is the population of the U.S. Virgin Islands growing or shrinking?
It is shrinking at -0.9% per year — roughly 2 fewer people every day. Each year there are about 922 births and 1,311 deaths, with net migration of -364.
What is the population density of the U.S. Virgin Islands?
About 240 people per square kilometre: 83,981 people living on 350 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in the U.S. Virgin Islands?
The median age is 44.9 years, and life expectancy at birth is 76.2 years. 16.5% of the population is under 15 and 23.1% is 65 or older (2025).
How does the U.S. Virgin Islands rank by population?
The U.S. Virgin Islands is the 204th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 27th in North America, with 0.001% of the global population.
How has the population of the U.S. Virgin Islands changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 32,500; by 2025 it had grown to 103,792 (+219.4%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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Antigua and BarbudaSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (-0.9%); 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.