4 GeoFroggy

Economy Overview

Bermuda enjoys one of the highest per capita incomes in the world, equal to that of the US. Its economy is primarily based on providing financial services for international business and luxury facilities for tourists. The effects of 11 September 2001 have had both positive and negative ramifications for Bermuda. On the positive side, a number of new reinsurance companies have located on the island, contributing to the expansion of an already robust international business sector. On the negative side, Bermuda's tourism industry - which derives over 80% of its visitors from the US - was severely hit as American tourists chose not to travel. Tourism rebounded somewhat in 2002-03. Most capital equipment and food must be imported. Bermuda's industrial sector is small, although construction continues to be important; the average cost of a house in June 2003 had risen to $976,000. Agriculture is limited, only 6% of the land being arable.

Agriculture Products

bananas, vegetables, citrus, flowers; dairy products

Industries

tourism, international business, light manufacturing

Industrial Production Growth Rate

NA

Labor Force

37,470 (2000)

Electricity production

643.7 million kWh (2001)

Electricity Consumption

598.6 million kWh (2001)

Electricity Exports

0 kWh (2001)

Electricity Imports

0 kWh (2001)

Currency

Bermudian dollar (BMD)

Unemployment Rate

5% (2002 est.)

Population Below Poverty Line

19% (2000)

Household Income or Consumption by Percentage Share

Lowest 10%: NA

Highest 10%: NA

Budget

Revenues: $671.1 million

Expenditures: $594.6 million, including capital expenditures of $55 million (FY03/04)

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

Stock of Narrow Money

Stock of Broad Money

Stock of Domestic Credit

Market Value of Publicly Traded Shares

Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold

Debt External

$160 million (FY99/00)

Stock of Direct Foreign Investment at Home

Stock of Direct Foreign Investment Abroad

Exchange Rates

Bermudian dollar per US dollar - 1.0000 (fixed rate pegged to the US dollar)
Year

Fiscal Year

  • 1 April - 31 March

GDP Purchasing Power Parity

    Purchasing power parity - $2.33 billion (2003 est.)

GDP Real Growth Rate

    2% (2003 est.)

GDP Per Capital

    Purchasing power parity - $36,000 (2003 est.)

Gross National Saving

GDP Composition by end Use

GDP Composition by Sector of Origin

  • Agriculture
    1%
  • Industry
    10%
  • Services
    89% (2002 est.)

Inflation Rate Consumer Prices

    3.3% (mid-2003 est.)

Current Account Balance

Exports

    $879 million (2002)

Exports Partners

  • France
    62%
  • Norway
    13.8%
  • UK
    7.5%

Exports Commodities

    Reexports of pharmaceuticals

Imports

    $5.523 billion (2002)

Imports Partners

  • Kazakhstan
    46.7%
  • France
    32.5%
  • US
    8.5%

Imports Commodities

    Machinery and transport equipment, construction materials, chemicals, food and live animals