Demographics
The Pitcairn Islands, officially named the Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands, constitute a group of islands in the southern Pacific Ocean.
The only permanently inhabited island, Pitcairn, is only accessible by boat through Bounty Bay.
A total of 54 people live on Pitcairn (2007), with about 20 additional outside persons working as teachers, prison staff, health staff, etc.
Two languages are spoken: English, the official language, and Pitcairnese, a mixture of an 18th century English dialect and a Tahitian dialect. Pitcairnese is spoken as a first language by the population and is taught alongside standard English at the island's only school. It is closely related to the Creole language, Norfuk, spoken on Norfolk Island, because Norfolk was repopulated in the mid-nineteenth century by Pitcairners.
Out-migration, primarily to New Zealand, has thinned the population from a peak of 233 in 1937. In September 2003, the first baby was born on the islands in 17 years. Another child, Adrianna Tracey Christian, was born on Pitcairn on 3 March 2007, increasing the island's population to 54.
Political situation
Pitcairn Islands is the smallest British protectorate in the world and is governed from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland by an appointed Governor, whose office is in Wellington, New Zealand. A Commissioner for the island, who handles most ongoing, practical matters for Pitcairn, is located in Auckland, New Zealand.
Pitcairn Islands is held by the United Kingdom to have come under the jurisdiction of the British High Commission for the Western Pacific in 1898 and, in 1952, the Pitcairn Island Order in Council transferred the responsibility for administration to the person of the Governor of Fiji, following separation of the offices of Governor and High Commissioner. When Fiji gained independence in 1971, the administration was transferred to Auckland, within the jurisdiction of the British High Commissioner to New Zealand, who conjointly holds office as Governor of Pitcairn Islands.
Pitcairn Islands is also notable for being the least populated jurisdiction in the world (although it is not a sovereign nation). The United Nations Committee on Decolonization includes the Pitcairn Islands on the United Nations list of Non-Self-Governing Territories.
Socioeconomic situation
Pitcairn islanders exist on fishing, subsistence farming, handicrafts and sales of postage stamps. The fertile soil of the valleys produces a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, including citrus, sugarcane, watermelons, bananas, yams and beans. Bartering is an important part of the economy. The major sources of revenue are the sale of postage stamps to collectors and the sale of handicrafts to passing ships.
In October 2004, more than one-quarter of Pitcairn's labour force was arrested, which negatively affected the economy as they were thus unable to supply their services to load and unload passing ships.
Trade is restricted by the jagged geography of the island, which lacks a harbour or airstrip, forcing all trade to be made by longboat to visiting ships. Occasionally, passengers from expedition-type cruise ships come ashore for a day, weather permitting. In 2004, the island had a labour force of 15 men and women.
Vulnerabilities and hazards
While no specific data are available in the information sources listed, the vulnerabilities and hazards for Pitcairn Islands are similar to those of other tiny and remote Pacific island countries and areas. Remoteness from each other and from trading/supply partners, with resulting high transportation costs, raises the cost of social and protection services, as well as the cost of business.