How do the US Virgin Islands make money?

The economy of the United States Virgin Islands is primarily dependent upon tourism, trade, and other services, accounting for nearly 60% of the Virgin Island's GDP and about half of total civilian employment. Close to two million tourists per year visit the islands. The government is the single largest employer.



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The median income in the Virgin Islands is $37,706. However, it is essential to consider the cost of living in the area, as it is generally higher than the mainland United States.

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The US purchased the islands in 1917, when they were known as the Danish West Indies, hoping that they'd be an ideal strategic location for a naval base and would help secure the region surrounding the Panama Canal.

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The economic mainstays of the British Virgin Islands are tourism and financial services. Tourism—based on the nearly perfect climate, sparkling beaches, tropical vegetation, and undersea coral reefs—provides about half of the islands' income and is the largest employer.

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The British Virgin Islands are a British Overseas Territory located in the northeastern Caribbean. They consist of some 50 islands, cays, rocky formations, and islets, with a total surface area of 59.3 mi.

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Conditions on the islands were harsh and many slaves tried to escape in the bush. It wasn't long before the number of slaves on the island exponentially outnumbered the free men. Reports say that on St. Thomas in 1725 there lived 324 whites compared to 4,490 enslaved Africans.

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The cost of living in the U.S. Virgin Islands is higher than on the U.S. mainland. On average, apartments cost $2,000 per month.

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Five territories (American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands) are permanently inhabited, unincorporated territories; the other nine are small islands, atolls, and reefs with no native (or permanent) population.

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No visa is required for this destination for a stay of up to 90 days. Please keep in mind that while a visa is not required, you must: Hold a passport valid for at least six months beyond your date of country exit and with one blank visa page. Hold proof of onward and return flights.

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If you are a U.S. citizen a passport is not required, but it still serves as the best identification when traveling. Otherwise, you must be prepared to show evidence of citizenship when departing the islands, such as a raised-seal birth certificate and government-issued photo ID.

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