People and Society of British Virgin Islands

Nationality

British Virgin Islander(s)

Ethnic Groups

Black 83%, white, Indian, Asian, and mixed

Population

38,000

Population in Major Urban Areas

ROAD TOWN (capital) 10,000

Medical care in the BVI consists of a small general hospital, Peebles Hospital (Telephone (284) 494-3497), with an emergency room staffed 24-hrs a day by physicians, several clinics on Tortola, and one public and one private clinic on Virgin Gorda. Both islands are served by ambulances staffed with paramedics. There is a clinic staffed by a government nurse on both Jost Van Dyke and Anegada. There are no medical facilities on the other islands. A volunteer organization, Virgin Islands Search and Rescue (VISAR), responds 24-hrs/day to medical emergencies at sea or on the outer islands. VISAR transports casualties to the nearest point for transfer to ambulance. To reach VISAR, dial SOS (767) or call on Marine Channel 16. There is no hyperbaric chamber in the BVI. Patients requiring treatment for decompression illness are transferred to St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Most sensitive medical cases are transferred to San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth in the British Virgin Islands is notably high compared to regional and global averages, reflecting the territory's relatively strong healthcare infrastructure, stable economy, and access to medical services. Residents of the British Virgin Islands can expect to live an average of approximately 79 to 80 years, with women generally outliving men by several years — women averaging around 82 years and men averaging roughly 77 to 78 years. These figures place the British Virgin Islands well above the global average life expectancy, which stands at approximately 73 years, and on par with many developed nations. The territory benefits from its status as a British Overseas Territory, which provides a degree of institutional stability and access to broader healthcare standards and protocols aligned with United Kingdom guidelines. Several factors contribute to the relatively high life expectancy in the British Virgin Islands. The territory has a small population — estimated at around 31,000 to 35,000 people — which allows for more manageable healthcare delivery. The main hospital, Peebles Hospital on Tortola, serves as the primary facility for the islands, and residents with complex medical needs are often referred to neighboring islands or the United States for specialized treatment. The proximity to Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands provides an important safety net for advanced medical care. The economy of the British Virgin Islands, driven largely by financial services and tourism, supports a relatively high standard of living, which in turn positively influences health outcomes. Higher income levels are generally associated with better nutrition, housing conditions, and access to preventive healthcare — all of which contribute to longer life spans. Lifestyle factors also play a role. The Caribbean diet, rich in fresh fish, fruits, and vegetables, can support cardiovascular health, though the increasing adoption of Western dietary patterns presents ongoing public health challenges. Non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular conditions remain prominent concerns for health authorities in the territory, consistent with broader trends observed across Caribbean nations. It is worth noting that the British Virgin Islands, like much of the Caribbean region, continues to strengthen its healthcare resilience following the disruptions caused by Hurricane Irma in 2017, which significantly impacted infrastructure across the islands. Recovery and reinvestment efforts have helped restore and in some areas improve health service delivery in the years since. Overall, the life expectancy figures for the British Virgin Islands reflect a population that, despite being small and geographically dispersed across multiple islands, enjoys a quality of life that supports longevity well above the world average.

Infant Mortality Rate

The British Virgin Islands maintains a remarkably low infant mortality rate, reflecting the territory's relatively high standard of living, accessible healthcare infrastructure, and stable economic conditions. Current estimates place the infant mortality rate at approximately 6 to 7 deaths per 1,000 live births, a figure that compares favorably not only with other Caribbean territories but also with many developed nations worldwide. This low rate is the result of several contributing factors. The British Virgin Islands benefits from a functioning public health system supported by its status as a British Overseas Territory, which provides a degree of institutional stability and access to international health standards. The territory's main healthcare facility, Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital on Tortola, provides maternity and neonatal care services to residents. Prenatal care is widely available, and skilled attendance at birth is the norm rather than the exception, which significantly reduces risks associated with childbirth and the immediate newborn period. Socioeconomic conditions in the British Virgin Islands also play a role. The territory has one of the higher per capita incomes in the Caribbean, driven largely by its offshore financial services sector and tourism industry. Higher income levels are generally associated with better nutrition, improved access to clean water and sanitation, and greater utilization of healthcare services — all of which contribute to lower infant mortality. While the British Virgin Islands performs well by regional standards, small island territories like this one can experience statistical fluctuations from year to year due to their limited population size. A relatively small number of births each year means that even a modest change in absolute numbers can produce noticeable shifts in the reported rate. Overall, the trajectory for infant mortality in the British Virgin Islands has been one of steady improvement over recent decades, consistent with broader global trends driven by advances in neonatal medicine, public health education, and maternal care practices.

Literacy Definition

Age 15 and over can read and write

• Protestant86.0%
• Roman Catholic10.0%
• none2.0%
• other2.0%

English (official)

• English

Crime Information

Theft, armed robbery, and other violent crimes do occur in the BVI. Visitors should take common-sense precautions to guard against petty crime. Travelers should avoid carrying large amounts of cash and use hotel safety deposit facilities to safeguard valuables and travel documents. Do not leave valuables unattended on the beach or in cars, and do not leave them in plain view inside rental properties or hotel rooms. Always lock up boats when going ashore. Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, but you may also be breaking local law too.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in the BVI, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own. In some places, you may be taken in for questioning if you don’t have your passport with you. In some places, it is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings. In some places driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. These criminal penalties will vary from country to country. There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in the BVI, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not where you are going. Persons violating BVI law, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs in the BVI are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United States. Please see our information on Criminal Penalties. If you are arrested in the BVI, authorities of the BVI are required to notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate of your arrest. If you are concerned the Department of State may not be aware of your situation, you should request the police or prison officials to notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate of your arrest.