World · permanent entity record · GG
Guernsey
Thirty-second orientation
Guernsey at a glance
- 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: named for the patron saint of fishermen; "port" distinguishes it from the Saint Peter (sometimes called Saint Peter in the Wood) on the other side of the island
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18
- Population
- total: 67,923 (2025 est.) male: 33,760 female: 34,163
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18
- Area
- total : 78 sq km land: 78 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Alderney, Guernsey, Herm, Sark, and some other smaller islands
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18
- Nationality / demonym
- noun: Channel Islander(s) adjective: Channel Islander
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18
- Government
- parliamentary democracy (States of Deliberation)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18
- Languages
- English, French, Norman-French dialect spoken in country districts
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18
Claims are attributed · classifications are dated
Claims and contested status
Maintained classification
Dependency or area of special sovereignty
British Crown Dependency
U.S. Department of State, Dependencies and Areas of Special Sovereignty · as of 2026-03-31A claim’s appearance records that the cited source reports it. It does not constitute an Almanac ruling on sovereignty.
Maintained profile
- Classification
- Dependency or area of special sovereignty
- U.S. Department of State, Dependencies and Areas of Special Sovereignty · Federal classification and wording follow the current State Department register.
- Sovereignty or administration
- British Crown Dependency
- U.S. Department of State, Dependencies and Areas of Special Sovereignty ·
- Administrative center
- Saint Peter Port
- U.S. Department of State, Dependencies and Areas of Special Sovereignty ·
Preserved public-domain record · not maintained current data
Final CIA World Factbook profile
This is the preserved historical baseline from the Factbook’s final public snapshot. It is presented as the CIA stated it, not as a current Standard American Almanac finding. Current, independently maintained facts appear above when available.
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · profile updated · pinned source record · commit d81154954b8b
Introduction1 fields
- 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 that Germany occupied 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.
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Geography16 fields
- Location
- Western Europe, islands in the English Channel, northwest of France
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Area
- total : 78 sq km land: 78 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Alderney, Guernsey, Herm, Sark, and some other smaller islands
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Area - comparative
- about one-half the size of Washington, D.C.
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Maritime claims
- territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Climate
- temperate with mild winters and cool summers; about 50% of days are overcast
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Elevation
- highest point: Le Moulin on Sark 114 m lowest point: English Channel 0 m
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Land use
- agricultural land: 43.3% (2022 est.) arable land: 18.3% (2022 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.) permanent pasture: 24.9% (2022 est.) forest: 5.2% (2022 est.) other: 51.6% (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Natural hazards
- very large tidal variation and fast currents can make local waters dangerous
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Geography - note
- large, deepwater harbor at Saint Peter Port
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
People and Society19 fields
- Population
- total: 67,923 (2025 est.) male: 33,760 female: 34,163
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Nationality
- noun: Channel Islander(s) adjective: Channel Islander
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Ethnic groups
- Guernsey 53.5%, UK and Ireland 23.8%, Portugal 2.1%, Latvia 1.4%, other Europe 2.7%, other Crown Dependencies 0.7%, other 5.3%, unspecified 10.5% (2022 est.) note: data represent population by country of birth; the native population is of British and Norman-French descent
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Languages
- English, French, Norman-French dialect spoken in country districts
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Religions
- Protestant (Anglican, Presbyterian, Baptist, Congregational, Methodist), Roman Catholic
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Age structure
- 0-14 years: 14.3% (male 4,999/female 4,717) 15-64 years: 64.1% (male 21,937/female 21,547) 65 years and over: 21.5% (2024 est.) (male 6,776/female 7,811)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Dependency ratios
- total dependency ratio: 56.8 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 22.4 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 34.4 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 2.9 (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Median age
- total: 45.1 years (2025 est.) male: 43.8 years female: 46.2 years
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Birth rate
- 9.64 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Death rate
- 9.19 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Net migration rate
- 1.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Major urban areas - population
- 16,000 SAINT PETER PORT (capital) (2018)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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 (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Infant mortality rate
- total: 3.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 3.7 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.7 deaths/1,000 live births
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Life expectancy at birth
- total population: 83.6 years (2024 est.) male: 80.9 years female: 86.4 years
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Total fertility rate
- 1.59 children born/woman (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Environment5 fields
- Environmental issues
- coastal erosion, coastal flooding; declining biodiversity
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Climate
- temperate with mild winters and cool summers; about 50% of days are overcast
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Land use
- agricultural land: 43.3% (2022 est.) arable land: 18.3% (2022 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.) permanent pasture: 24.9% (2022 est.) forest: 5.2% (2022 est.) other: 51.6% (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Waste and recycling
- municipal solid waste generated annually: 178,900 tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 28.4% (2016 est.) note: data include combined totals for Guernsey and Jersey.
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Government22 fields
- Country name
- conventional long form: Bailiwick of Guernsey conventional short form: Guernsey former: Norman Isles etymology: the name is of Old Norse origin; the meaning of the root "Guern(s)" is unclear but may refer to a person's name, Grani, or to the color green; the "-ey" ending means "island"
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Government type
- parliamentary democracy (States of Deliberation)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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: named for the patron saint of fishermen; "port" distinguishes it from the Saint Peter (sometimes called Saint Peter in the Wood) on the other side of the island
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Administrative divisions
- no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US government, but 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Legal system
- customary system based on Norman customary law; includes elements of the French civil code and English common law
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Constitution
- history: unwritten; includes royal charters, statutes, and common law and practice amendment process: new laws or changes to existing laws are initiated by the States of Deliberation; passage requires majority vote
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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 Lindsay de SAUSMAREZ (since 1 July 2025) cabinet: none election/appointment process: 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 most recent election date: 7/1/2025 election results: 2025: Lindsay de SAUSMAREZ (independent) elected president of the Policy and Resources Committee and chief minister 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 expected date of next election: 2029 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Legislative branch
- legislature name: States of Deliberation legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 38 (directly elected) electoral system: plurality/majority scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 4 years most recent election date: 7/1/2025 parties elected and seats per party: independent (35); Forward Guernsey (3) percentage of women in chamber: 20% expected date of next election: 2030 note: non-voting members include the bailiff (presiding officer), attorney-general, and solicitor-general
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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) 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 note: appeals beyond Guernsey courts are heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Diplomatic representation in the US
- none (British crown dependency)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Diplomatic representation from the US
- embassy: none (British crown dependency)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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 on top of the Saint George cross meaning: the red cross represents Guernsey's status as a British Crown dependency history: the gold cross is a replica of the one William the Conqueror carried at the Battle of Hastings in 1066
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National anthem(s)
- title: "Sarnia Cherie" (Guernsey Dear) lyrics/music: George DEIGHTON/Domencio SANTANGELO history: adopted 1911; serves as a local anthem _____ title: "God Save the King" lyrics/music: unknown history: official anthem, as a British crown dependency
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Economy15 fields
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Real GDP growth rate
- 3.7% (2023 est.) 5.3% (2022 est.) 9.9% (2021 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency; entry includes Jersey and Guernsey
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- GDP (official exchange rate)
- $12.508 billion (2023 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate; entry includes Jersey and Guernsey
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- GDP - composition, by sector of origin
- agriculture: 0.6% (2023 est.) industry: 8.2% (2023 est.) services: 91.2% (2023 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Agricultural products
- tomatoes, greenhouse flowers, sweet peppers, eggplant, fruit; Guernsey cattle
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Industrial production growth rate
- 1.3% (2023 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency; entry includes Jersey and Guernsey
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Labor force
- 82,400 (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work;entry includes Jersey and Guernsey
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Unemployment rate
- 6.3% (2024 est.) 6.2% (2023 est.) 6.2% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment; entry includes Jersey and Guernsey
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
- total: 14.1% (2024 est.) male: 14.2% (2024 est.) female: 13.9% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exports - partners
- almost entirely United Kingdom (2022)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exports - commodities
- aircraft, photo lab equipment, clocks, ships, paintings (2022) top five export commodities based on value in dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Imports - partners
- almost entirely United Kingdom (2022)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Imports - commodities
- ships, aircraft, refined petroleum, mineral manufactures, beverages (2022)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exchange rates
- Guernsey pound per US dollar 0.782 (2024 est.) 0.805 (2023 est.) 0.811 (2022 est.) 0.727 (2021 est.) 0.78 (2020 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Energy1 fields
- Electricity access
- electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.) note: includes Guernsey and Jersey
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Communications6 fields
- Telephones - fixed lines
- total subscriptions: 32,637 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 51 (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Telephones - mobile cellular
- total subscriptions: 75,126 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 117 (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Internet users
- percent of population: 86.6% (2021 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Broadband - fixed subscriptions
- total: 25,336 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 40 (2020 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Transportation4 fields
- Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
- 2
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Ports
- total ports: 3 (2024) large: 0 medium: 0 small: 1 very small: 2 ports with oil terminals: 2 key ports: Alderney Harbour, Saint Peter Port, Saint Sampson
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military and Security1 fields
- Military - note
- defense is the responsibility of the UK
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
The underlying United States government material is public domain. The Almanac’s reuse terms do not change the legal status of this preserved source layer.