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Bermuda's Population and local Expatriate Organizations

Origins of citizens and residents, 64% black, 32% white, 4% Asian and other

By Keith Archibald Forbes (see About Us) at e-mail exclusively for Bermuda Online

To refer by e-mail to this file use "bermuda-online.org/population" as your Subject

Population basics

As at October 17, 2011 Bermuda's resident population was officially 64,268. This averages 3, 060 people per square mile. Bermuda's latest Census data, released in October 2011 for Census Day, May 20, 2010, revealed a total of 71,258 people physically present in Bermuda that day, an increase of seven percent over 2000 (date of last Census). Of that 2010 total, 801 were reported to be in institutions, 58,965 were civilians who were not institutionalized and the rest (11,492) were visitors and transients. Three cruise ships were docked in Bermuda on Census Day 2010, compared to just one in 2000, making the Visitors and Transients category by far the greatest contributor to the total population increase. The normal resident population, which excludes visitors but included 82 homeless people, was recorded at 64,268. Just 39 homeless people were counted in 2000. 

For December 17 2012, the date of Bermuda's last General Election, of the oldest citizens, those over 100 years old, 19 were registered to vote according to figures provided by the Parliamentary Registrar. Another 427 registered voters were in the 90 to 99 age group, 2,148 between the ages of 80 and 89, while 4,233 70 to 79 year olds were registered to vote. Fifteen percent of the registered voters (6,651) were between the ages of 18 and 29, while those aged between 50 and 59 represented the highest proportion (21 percent) of registered voters by age — or 9,024 voters. Those between the ages of 40 and 49 come next at 18.6 percent or 8,143 voters.

Broken down by parishes, St George’s (18 percent), Paget (12 percent) and Hamilton (11 percent) were reported to have the highest population growth since 2000. Just two parishes, Smith's and Pembroke, which recorded declines of five and six percent respectively showed negative growth. Pembroke and Warwick maintained their positions as the most populous parishes with 10,602 and 8,606 persons respectively. The City of Hamilton increased its residential population by six percent from 969 persons during the preceding Census, to 1,030. The change reflects condominium developments in the City during the intervening period, according to the Statistics Department. The Town of St. George also saw a population increase of three percent from 1,752 persons to 1,802 in 2010.

Population details

Bermuda today is the third most densely populated place on earth, with an estimated resident population at year-end 2008 of  64,209 in its 20.75 (twenty point seven five) square miles or  3,094 permanent residents per square mile, or a population density per square kilometer of 1,181 people.

In terms of population per square miles, this is only exceeded by Monaco with 15,921 and Singapore with 6,891 persons. After Bermuda comes Vatican City with 2,200 per square mile; Malta, with 1,229; Puerto Rico, with 1112 (yet often written about in USA, including by the National Geographic, as one of the most densely populated places in the world); Bahrain, with 1,042; Maldives, with 1,036;  Bangladesh, 962; Taiwan, with 699; Mauritius, with 647; and Barbados, with 642. In contrast, note the very low populations per square mile of the United States of America - from where over 85% of its visitors come; then Canada; United Kingdom (632); Japan (870); Netherlands (1002). 

Bermuda is also the fifth smallest country in the world at only 21 square miles in total, after Vatican City, Monaco, Nauru and Tuvalu; and is one of the most isolated. 

The least densely populated area of  mainland Bermuda is Tucker's Town in St. George's Parish, an exclusive area for the very wealthy that denies access to all locals and visitors who are not members of the Mid Ocean Club. 

Unlike most other places with a native population dating back to the mists of time, Bermuda had no resident permanent population at all until 1609 when English settlers came by accident, then came deliberately from 1612. Only a few stranded mariners were here earlier, involuntarily and briefly. Bermuda was too tiny (only 21 square miles in total area), had no natural resources, no gold or silver or anything else that could be mined or refined. It remained without a permanent population long after the Spanish, Portuguese and Dutch East Indies empires were established, the French founded French Canada and the British founded Jamestown. See History. Nowadays, Bermuda is both a tourism resort and offshore business center.

Other population statistics, Bermuda has

• In its ratio of legislators per square mile, far more than any other country in the world in the ratio of legislators to voters. For example, in the European Union, there are 736 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) for 350 million voters throughout the EU, equivalent to 1 MEP for every 470,000 voters; in the United Kingdom 647 MPs for 40 million voters, equivalent to 1 MP for every 64,000 voters; but in Bermuda 36 MPs for 33,500 voters or 1 MP for every 1097 voters in its 21 square miles. Other examples include St. Lucia, with 14 parliamentarians in its 240 square miles; Barbados, also in the Caribbean, with 28 elected members in its parliament and 12 senators, in its 166 square miles and with a population of 266,000.
• A very high rate of AIDS and HIV. However, Bermuda reports these accurately and it is believed some other countries do not. 
• Highest number of telephone lines, computers online and televisions per population.
• The highest in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the World, according to the World Bank, but also one of the highest in cost of living.
• The least generous benefits and services to its senior citizens and the disabled of any of the countries with a high GDP.

There is a current population growth rate of 1.5% per annum. The birth rate is 15 births per 1,000 population and the total fertility rate is 1.7 children born per woman. The death rate is 7 deaths per 1,000 population, the net migration rate is 7 migrants per 1,000 population, and the infant mortality rate is 3.6 deaths per 1,000 live births. Life expectancy at birth is 72 years for males and 78 years for females.

Most - about 78% - of residents were born in Bermuda of Bermudian parents or a Bermudian parent and are therefore Bermudian. For decades now, it has not been sufficient for persons born in Bermuda to be regarded as Bermudian, even if born here, unless one parent is also Bermudian. 

Basics

Update after General Election held 17 December 2012

In the Bermuda General Election held Monday, December 2012, the Progressive Labour Party, in power since 1998, were defeated 17-19 seats by the relatively new political party the One Bermuda Alliance (OBA) which was contesting its first General Election. Less than 18 months after it was formed in 2012 the OBA is now the Government. The new party brought together members of the United Bermuda Party, the Bermuda Democratic Alliance, former Progressive Labour Party supporters and people with no previous political involvement at all. In the end, the OBA is a beneficiary of the dismal state of the economy, although its members may soon wonder what they have gotten themselves into as they delve into the Government’s books.

Earlier Bermuda General Election held 18 December 2007

Between The Progressive Labour Party (PLP) - in Government since 1998 - and United Bermuda Party (UBP) - in Opposition. The PLP remained as the Government by winning 22 seats to the UBP's 14. The UBP lost several key seats.

Citizenship

Majority

The majority of the permanent residents are described first, followed by the minorities. More than 68 percent of Bermudians are black, of African heritage, Afro-Bermudians. The first came here in about 1616, appreciably after the first white colonists. Some descend from slaves imported by British settlers, not directly from Africa but from Africa via the Caribbean more than 900 miles to the south. Some American Indians were also brought to Bermuda in the 17th and 18th centuries, as slaves or prisoners-of-war. Black slavery (like white slavery or serfdom much earlier) was effectively abolished in Britain since the early 1800s. Slavers and slave ships were relentlessly hunted down in the Atlantic and Caribbean by Royal Navy warships. Slavery was formally abolished in Britain much earlier and in Bermuda in 1834. 

From the 1880s to the early 1900s, many Afro-West Indians arrived voluntarily from many islands of the Caribbean 900 or more miles to the south and settled. Many Bermudians have forebears who came originally from them. There are also Bermudians and non-Bermudians here, originally or currently from the following islands.

Anguilla	Antigua	Aruba	Bahamas	Barbados
Belize	Bonaire	British Virgin Islands	Cayman Islands	Chile
Costa Rica	Curacao	Dominica	Dominican Republic	Grenada
Guyana	Haiti	Jamaica	Mexico	Montserrat
Panama	Puerto Rico	Saba	St. Kitts & Nevis	St. Lucia
St. Vincent	Trinidad & Tobago	Venezuela

In July 2003, Bermuda formally joined the Caribbean Community, as an Associate Member (non-voting member), in certain areas but not in others. This specifically excludes the free movement of Caribbean nationals to Bermuda and any prospect of Bermuda joining CARIFTA or its newest free trade organization - the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) - and its hopes. Membership of the Caribbean Community will cost Bermuda about US$90,000 a year. Direct trade between Bermuda and Caribbean countries is also welcomed and encouraged, especially given the close or extended family links many Bermudians have with Caribbean islands or territories. Because of this, there is a Monday-Friday 10 am and 5:45 pm 5-minute Caribbean news feature on local radio (VSB) produced by the BBC of England and a lively Caribbean-produced feature on certain evenings. But the irony is that there are no scheduled air or sea services at all between Bermuda and the Caribbean, as there were in the 1930s, 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. Only Japanese car carriers - no regular freighters - call at both Bermuda's City of Hamilton and some Caribbean ports. It is hoped they will resume. Many visitors to Bermuda from the USA and Canada assume - wrongly - that there are air services connecting Bermuda with the Caribbean nearly 1,000 miles to the south. Presently, virtually all imports to Bermuda made in the Caribbean come via the USA or Canada. All visitors to Bermuda who are nationals of and resident in Caribbean islands must come via the USA or Canada or United Kingdom and must have appropriate visas to come via those countries. Effective January 2003, all Jamaican nationals who are not Bermudian must also have a visa to enter Bermuda on business or vacation.

Minority

The second-largest (about 33 percent) ethnic group of Bermudians are Caucasians - white. They were the first to arrive as colonists by an appreciable time and for years outnumbered Afro-Bermudians.  Many are of European extraction, descend from original British colonists who emigrated here voluntarily and can often trace their roots back to England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. More were imported, either as free people or as indentured laborers for a period until they earned their freedom. Relatively few came in one of these two ways originally from Ireland, France or other European countries.  They were joined by one-time Portuguese laborers brought in initially from the Madeira Islands as agricultural labor when slavery was abolished in the 1830's, then from the Azores. More recent arrivals have come, in order of numbers, from Canada, the United Kingdom again and the United States of America. 

Austria	Belgium	Canada	Czech Republic	Denmark
England	Finland	France	Germany	Greece
Guernsey	Iceland	India	Ireland	Isle of Man
Israel	Italy	Jersey	Luxembourg	Netherlands
Norway	Philippines	Portugal	Scotland	Spain
Sweden	Switzerland	United Kingdom	USA	Wales

Bermuda also hosts people from Ghana, Japan, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and more. 

In those who are not Bermudian - not by preference but by law, despite having been here for many years and would easily qualify by residence as citizens in all other Western Hemisphere countries - Canadians are the most prevalent in the international industry of accounting and auditing, banking, Bermuda Government, commerce and education, the largest single group of guest workers. Britons are next. Many Americans are here, some as spouses of Bermudians. A number of Asians work in the hotels and restaurants. Some from the Philippines are in domestic service or the restaurant industry or are registered nurses.

Those born in other countries, or in Bermuda but without a Bermudian parent and are also not Bermudian, may have access to a Bermuda-based Consulate from or representing their country. A number of these are in Bermuda, serving both their incoming or resident nationals and visitors going to such countries from Bermuda.

Expatriate Organizations in Bermuda

Quite a few, including:

• Alliance Francaise en Bermudes. The organization for French nationals and French-speaking locals. With a strong presence on 14 July and other days. Registered charity 537.
• American Ladies in Bermuda (ALIB). Despite its name, it provides information, support and fund-raising activities for new residents of all nationalities. Meets third Sunday each month at Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, 2-4 pm. Registered charity 103.
• American Society of Bermuda. Since 1961. Phone: 441/291-3543 (PO Box HM3339, Hamilton HM PX, Bermuda). Membership fee. 
• Association of Canadians in Bermuda. P. O. Box HM 2071, Hamilton HM HX. A non-profit organization for Canadians in Bermuda, to help keep the Canadian culture alive. Founded in 2000. Registered charity  566.
• Association of Filipinos in Bermuda. There are about 600, including doctors, accountants, nurses, waiters including domestic servants and more. Bermuda Registered charity 529. 
• Bahamas Association of Bermuda. 
• Barbados Association of Bermuda. An organization of Barbadians living and working in Bermuda. Includes an annual show of Bajan dishes cooked by men. About 300 Bajans work in Bermuda, including teachers, Police, chefs, lawyers, judiciary. Registered charity 401.
• Bermuda Branch of the British Conservative Party. Contact Neil Hitchcock, The Glebe House, 17 Glebe Hill, Tucker's Town, HS 02, Bermuda. 
• Bermuda Newcomers Inter-varsity Club. Every Tuesday, 8:30 pm, Docksiders Pub, Hamilton. Social and sporting club for new residents. Phone 292-9018.
• Caledonian Society of Bermuda. Since 1936. Celebrating all things Scottish on The Rock, the Caledonian Society of Bermuda are known for their ceilidhs, St. Andrew's Balls, New Year/Hogmanay Balls, Burns Suppers and more of the best events on the island.

• Circulo Hispanico. Informal bi-weekly gathering of people in Spanish/Central or South American/language and culture. Beginners to native speakers. Alternate Thursdays 6 pm at Wesley Methodist Church Hall, Church Street, Hamilton. Phone 295-7506 by day or 238-0724 evenings.
• Club de la Boule Gourmande. Petanque or boule every second Sunday of the month, 1-3 pm. Bermuda College.
• Emerald Isle Society. Meets third Friday of each month. Phone 292-6889 evenings. Primarily for Irish nationals resident in Bermuda. Always celebrates St. Patrick's Day with a fine, black-tie 5-course dinner, with everything in green, white and gold and an Irish entertainer flown in.
• English Speaking Union. The Cedars, Cedar Avenue, Hamilton HM 10. Telephone 292-7684. Not a union at all but a cultural organization established in England in 1918 to promote understanding and friendship. The Bermuda branch was established in 1922 and held its first meeting at the long-gone Hamilton Hotel. It has about 165 members.
• German Association. For German nationals resident in Bermuda. 
• Jamaican Association (Bermuda). An organization of Jamaicans living and working in Bermuda. 
• New Islanders group. Monthly get-togethers for new female residents.  A way to meet new women and participate in sporting activities. Affiliated with the International American Women's Club but not confined to Americans.
• Sri Lankan Community. There is a sizeable one (many accountants, chefs and at least one lawyer). After the 26 December 2004 Tsunami disaster that affected Sri Lanka very badly, they and their Bermudian sympathizers formed a registered Bermuda charity "Bermuda Help Sri Lanka Relief Fund". It has collected over $80,000 for housing relief in Sri Lanka.
• West Indian Association (Bermuda). An association for nationals of the Caribbean living and working in Bermuda. The West Indian community here has made significant contributions to the development of the Island in every sphere, in art, education, food, health, law, politics, trade unionism and much more.

Voter statistics

In November 2010 there were 42,987 registered voters, about 59 percent of Bermuda's total current population. As soon as local citizens become at least 18 years old they can register to vote.