British Virgin Islands Dependency Ratio

The British Virgin Islands' dependency ratio has undergone a significant transformation over the past sixty-six years, transitioning from an all-time high of 92.77 in 1960 to a current low of 31.18 in 2025. This decline represents a substantial reduction in the proportion of dependents per working-age individual, mirroring trends observed in other small island economies such as the Maldives, which ranks slightly higher at 31.50. In comparison, the Cayman Islands have a higher dependency ratio of 34.19, while Bahrain has a significantly lower ratio of 28.77. The British Virgin Islands' reduced dependency ratio is likely attributed to improvements in life expectancy and declining fertility rates, leading to an aging population with fewer dependents. With a growing elderly population and a relatively low dependency ratio, the British Virgin Islands may face challenges in maintaining its social security systems and pension funds. A significant increase in fertility rates or immigration could alter this trend, potentially shifting the dependency ratio upwards in the coming years.