Photos of Guernsey

Introduction

Background

Guernsey and the other Channel Islands represent the last remnants of the medieval Duchy of Normandy, which held sway in both France and England. The islands were the only British soil occupied by German troops in World War II. The Bailiwick of Guernsey consists of the main island of Guernsey and a number of smaller islands including Alderney, Sark, Herm, Jethou, Brecqhou, and Lihou. The Bailiwick is a self-governing British Crown dependency that is not part of the UK. However, the UK Government is constitutionally responsible for its defense and international representation. 

Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.

Geography

Location

Western Europe, islands in the English Channel, northwest of France

Geographic coordinates

49 28 N, 2 35 W

Area

total: 78 sq km

land: 78 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes Alderney, Guernsey, Herm, Sark, and some other smaller islands

comparison ranking: total 227

Area - comparative

about one-half the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries

total: 0 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm

Climate

temperate with mild winters and cool summers; about 50% of days are overcast

Terrain

mostly flat with low hills in southwest

Elevation

highest point: Le Moulin on Sark 114 m

lowest point: English Channel 0 m

Natural hazards

very large tidal variation and fast currents can make local waters dangerous

Geography - note

large, deepwater harbor at Saint Peter Port

People and Society

Population

67,642 (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: 203

Nationality

noun: Channel Islander(s)

adjective: Channel Islander

Ethnic groups

Guernsey 53.1%, UK and Ireland 23.9%, Portugal 2.2%, Latvia 1.5%, other Europe 2.8%, other 4.4%, unspecified 11.4% (2020 est.)

note: data represent population by country of birth; the native population is of British and Norman-French descent

Languages

English, French, Norman-French dialect spoken in country districts

Religions

Protestant (Anglican, Presbyterian, Baptist, Congregational, Methodist), Roman Catholic

Age structure

0-14 years: 14.38% (male 5,006/female 4,722)

15-64 years: 64.48% (male 22,005/female 21,611)

65 years and over: 21.14% (2023 est.) (male 6,646/female 7,652)

2023 population pyramid:
2023 population pyramid

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 48.6

youth dependency ratio: 23.9

elderly dependency ratio: 24.6

potential support ratio: 4.1 (2021 est.)

note: data represent Guernsey and Jersey

Median age

total: 44.8 years (2023 est.)

male: 43.6 years

female: 46.1 years

comparison ranking: total 23

Population growth rate

0.22% (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: 175

Birth rate

9.7 births/1,000 population (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: 191

Death rate

9.2 deaths/1,000 population (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: 52

Net migration rate

1.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: 59

Urbanization

urban population: 31.2% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 0.68% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

note: data include Guernsey and Jersey

total population growth rate v. urban population growth rate, 2000-2030

Major urban areas - population

16,000 SAINT PETER PORT (capital) (2018)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2023 est.)

Infant mortality rate

total: 3.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2023 est.)

male: 3.8 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 2.8 deaths/1,000 live births

comparison ranking: total 199

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 83.4 years (2023 est.)

male: 80.7 years

female: 86.2 years

comparison ranking: total population 11

Total fertility rate

1.59 children born/woman (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: 187

Gross reproduction rate

0.77 (2023 est.)

Drinking water source

improved: total: 94.2% of population

unimproved: total: 5.9% of population (2017 est.)

note: includes data for Jersey

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 98% of population

unimproved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 1.2% of population (2017)

note: data represent Guernsey and Jersey

Literacy

total population: NA

male: NA

female: NA

Environment

Environment - current issues

coastal erosion, coastal flooding; declining biodiversity due to land abandonment and succession to scrub or woodland

Climate

temperate with mild winters and cool summers; about 50% of days are overcast

Urbanization

urban population: 31.2% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 0.68% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

note: data include Guernsey and Jersey

total population growth rate v. urban population growth rate, 2000-2030

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually: 178,933 tons (2016 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 50,871 tons (2016 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 28.4% (2016 est.)

note: data include combined totals for Guernsey and Jersey.

Government

Country name

conventional long form: Bailiwick of Guernsey

conventional short form: Guernsey

former: Norman Isles

etymology: the name is of Old Norse origin, but the meaning of the root "Guern(s)" is uncertain; the "-ey" ending means "island"

Government type

parliamentary democracy (States of Deliberation)

Dependency status

British crown dependency

Capital

name: Saint Peter Port

geographic coordinates: 49 27 N, 2 32 W

time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

etymology: Saint Peter Port is the name of the town and its surrounding parish; the "port" distinguishes this parish from that of Saint Peter on the other side of the island

Administrative divisions

none (British Crown dependency); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 10 parishes: Castel, Forest, Saint Andrew, Saint Martin, Saint Peter Port, Saint Pierre du Bois, Saint Sampson, Saint Saviour, Torteval, Vale

note: two additional parishes for Guernsey are sometimes listed - Saint Anne on the island of Alderney and Saint Peter on the island of Sark - but they are generally not included in the enumeration of parishes

Independence

none (British Crown dependency)

National holiday

Liberation Day, 9 May (1945)

Constitution

history: unwritten; includes royal charters, statutes, and common law and practice

amendments: new laws or changes to existing laws are initiated by the States of Deliberation; passage requires majority vote; many laws have been passed; in 2019, 60 laws were passed

Legal system

customary legal system based on Norman customary law; includes elements of the French civil code and English common law

Citizenship

see United Kingdom

Suffrage

16 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Lieutenant-Governor Richard CRIPWELL (since 15 February 2022)

head of government: Chief Minister Peter FERBRACHE (since 16 October 2020); Bailiff Richard McMAHON (since 11 May 2020); note - the chief minister is the president of the Policy and Resources Committee and is the de facto head of government; the Policy and Resources Committee, elected by the States of Deliberation, functions as the executive; the 5 members all have equal voting rights

cabinet: none

elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; lieutenant governor and bailiff appointed by the monarch; chief minister, who is the president of the Policy and Resources Committee indirectly elected by the States of Deliberation for a 4-year term; last held on 7 October 2020 (next to be held in 2024)

election results:
2020:
Peter FERBRACHE (independent) elected president of the Policy and Resources Committee and chief minister: percent of States of Guernsey vote - 57.5%

2016:
 Gavin ST. PIER (independent) elected president of the Policy and Resources Committee and chief minister

Legislative branch

description: unicameral States of Deliberation (40 seats; 38 People's Deputies and 2 representatives of the States of Alderney; members directly elected by majority vote to serve 4-year terms); note - non-voting members include the bailiff (presiding officer), attorney-general, and solicitor-general

elections: last held on 7 October 2020 (next to be held in June 2025)

election results: percent of vote - independents 62.6%, GPI 24.0%, GP 10.0%, APG 3.4%; seats - independents 22, GPI 10, GP 6; composition - men 32, women 8, percent of women 20%

Judicial branch

highest court(s): Guernsey Court of Appeal (consists of the Bailiff of Guernsey, who is the ex-officio president of the Guernsey Court of Appeal, and at least 12 judges); Royal Court (organized into 3 divisions - Full Court sits with 1 judge and 7 to 12 jurats acting as judges of fact, Ordinary Court sits with 1 judge and normally 3 jurats, and Matrimonial Causes Division sits with 1 judge and 4 jurats); note - appeals beyond Guernsey courts are heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London)

judge selection and term of office: Royal Court Bailiff, Deputy Bailiff, and Court of Appeal justices appointed by the British Crown and hold office at Her Majesty's pleasure; jurats elected by the States of Election, a body chaired by the Bailiff and a number of jurats

subordinate courts: Court of Alderney; Court of the Seneschal of Sark; Magistrates' Court (includes Juvenile Court); Contracts Court; Ecclesiastical Court; Court of Chief Pleas

Political parties and leaders

Alliance Party Guernsey or APG [Barry WEIR]
Guernsey Partnership of Independents or GPI [Gavin ST PIER]
Guernsey Party or GP [Mark HEYLAR]

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (British crown dependency)

Diplomatic representation from the US

embassy: none (British crown dependency)

Flag description

white with the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of England) extending to the edges of the flag and a yellow equal-armed cross of William the Conqueror superimposed on the Saint George cross; the red cross represents the old ties with England and the fact that Guernsey is a British Crown dependency; the gold cross is a replica of the one used by William the Conqueror at the Battle of Hastings in 1066

National symbol(s)

Guernsey cow, donkey; national colors: red, white, yellow

National anthem

name: "Sarnia Cherie" (Guernsey Dear)

lyrics/music: George DEIGHTON/Domencio SANTANGELO

note: adopted 1911; serves as a local anthem; as a British crown dependency, "God Save the King" is official (see United Kingdom)

Economy

Economic overview

high-income English Channel island economy; strong financial sector but stressed due to COVID-19 disruptions; manufacturing, tourism, and construction industries suffered but expected to recover; stable inflation; maintains independent taxation authority

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$3.465 billion (2015 est.)
$3.451 billion (2014 est.)
$3.42 billion (2013 est.)

note: data are in 2015 dollars

comparison ranking: 189

Real GDP growth rate

0.4% (2015 est.)
1.2% (2014 est.)
4.2% (2012 est.)

comparison ranking: 189

Real GDP per capita

$52,500 (2014 est.)

comparison ranking: 27

GDP (official exchange rate)

$2.742 billion (2005 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

6.8% (2022 est.)
3.4% (June 2006 est.)

note: data represent Retail Price Index inflation rates

comparison ranking: 112

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 3% (2000)

industry: 10% (2000)

services: 87% (2000)

comparison rankings: services 13; industry 206; agriculture 151

Agricultural products

tomatoes, greenhouse flowers, sweet peppers, eggplant, fruit; Guernsey cattle

Industries

tourism, banking

Labor force

86,800 (2021 est.)

comparison ranking: 184

Unemployment rate

7.37% (2021 est.)
7.69% (2020 est.)
6.41% (2019 est.)

comparison ranking: 107

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

total: 15.8% (2021 est.)

male: 15.9%

female: 15.6%

comparison ranking: total 110

Budget

revenues: $563.6 million (2005)

expenditures: $530.9 million (2005 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

1.2% (of GDP) (2005)

comparison ranking: 29

Taxes and other revenues

20.6% (of GDP) (2005)

comparison ranking: 85

Fiscal year

calendar year

Exports - partners

almost entirely United Kingdom (2022)

Exports - commodities

aircraft, photo lab equipment, clocks, ships, paintings, scientific instruments (2022)

Imports - partners

almost entirely United Kingdom (2022)

Imports - commodities

ships, aircraft, refined petroleum, mineral manufactures, beverages (2022)

Exchange rates

Guernsey pound per US dollar

Exchange rates:
0.7836 (2017 est.)
0.738 (2016 est.)
0.738 (2015)
0.6542 (2014)
0.607 (2013)

Energy

Electricity access

electrification - total population: 100% (2021)

Communications

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 33,930 (2021 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 53 (2021 est.)

comparison ranking: total subscriptions 165

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 71,485 (2021 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 112 (2021 est.)

comparison ranking: total subscriptions 197

Telecommunication systems

general assessment: fixed network broadband services are those delivered over physical copper connections, fiber connections and fixed wireless communications links (e.g. WiMax); they do not include services delivered over 2G, 3G and 4G mobile networks (2021)

domestic: fixed-line 53 per 100 and mobile-cellular 112 per 100 persons (2021)

international: country code - 44; landing points for Guernsey-Jersey, HUGO, INGRID, Channel Islands -9 Liberty and UK-Channel Islands-7 submarine cable to UK and France (2019)

Broadcast media

multiple UK terrestrial TV broadcasts are received via a transmitter in Jersey with relays in Jersey, Guernsey, and Alderney; satellite packages are available; BBC Radio Guernsey and 1 other radio station operating

Internet users

total: 55,069 (2021 est.)

percent of population: 86.6% (2021 est.)

comparison ranking: total 200

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total: 25,336 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 40 (2020 est.)

comparison ranking: total 158

Transportation

National air transport system

number of registered air carriers: 1 (2020) (registered in UK)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 9 (registered in UK)

Airports

2 (2021)

comparison ranking: total 205

Airports - with paved runways

2

note: paved runways have a concrete or asphalt surface but not all have facilities for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control; the length of a runway required for aircraft to safely operate depends on a number of factors including the type of aircraft, the takeoff weight (including passengers, cargo, and fuel), engine types, flap settings, landing speed, elevation of the airport, and average maximum daily air temperature; paved runways can reach a length of 5,000 m (16,000 ft.), but the “typical” length of a commercial airline runway is between 2,500-4,000 m (8,000-13,000 ft.)

Roadways

total: 260 km (2017)

comparison ranking: total 204

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s): Braye Bay, Saint Peter Port

Military and Security

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Transnational Issues