Cayman Islands

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total: 24,535 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 42 (2017 est.)

Broadcast media

4 TV stations; cable and satellite subscription services offer a variety of international programming; government-owned Radio Cayman operates 2 networks broadcasting on 5 stations; 10 privately owned radio stations operate alongside Radio Cayman

Internet country code

.ky

Internet users

total: 48,328 | percent of population: 81.07% (July 2018 est.)

Telecommunication systems

general assessment: reasonably good overall telephone system with a high fixed-line teledensity; given the high dependence of tourism and activities such as fisheries and offshore financial services, the telecom sector provides a relatively high contribution to overall GDP; good competition in all sectors promotes advancement in mobile telephony and data segments (2018) | domestic: introduction of competition in the mobile-cellular market in 2004 boosted subscriptions dramatically; 55 per 100 fixed-line, 153 per 100 mobile-cellular (2019) | international: country code - 1-345; landing points for the Maya-1, Deep Blue Cable, and the Cayman-Jamaica Fiber System submarine cables that provide links to the US and parts of Central and South America; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019) | note: the COVID-19 outbreak is negatively impacting telecommunications production and supply chains globally; consumer spending on telecom devices and services has also slowed due to the pandemic's effect on economies worldwide; overall progress towards improvements in all facets of the telecom industry - mobile, fixed-line, broadband, submarine cable and satellite - has moderated

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 33,338 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 54.85 (2019 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 92,691 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 152.5 (2019 est.)

Agriculture - products

vegetables, fruit; livestock; turtle farming

Budget

revenues: 874.5 million (2017 est.) | expenditures: 766.6 million (2017 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

4.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Credit ratings

Moody's rating: Aa3 (1997)

Current account balance

-$492.6 million (2017 est.) | -$493.5 million (2016 est.)

Economic overview

With no direct taxation, the islands are a thriving offshore financial center. More than 65,000 companies were registered in the Cayman Islands as of 2017, including more than 280 banks, 700 insurers, and 10,500 mutual funds. A stock exchange was opened in 1997. Nearly 90% of the islands' food and consumer goods must be imported. The Caymanians enjoy a standard of living comparable to that of Switzerland. Tourism is also a mainstay, accounting for about 70% of GDP and 75% of foreign currency earnings. The tourist industry is aimed at the luxury market and caters mainly to visitors from North America. Total tourist arrivals exceeded 2.1 million in 2016, with more than three-quarters from the US.

Exchange rates

Caymanian dollars (KYD) per US dollar - | 0.82 (2017 est.) | 0.82 (2016 est.) | 0.82 (2015 est.) | 0.82 (2014 est.) | 0.83 (2013 est.)

Exports

$421.9 million (2017 est.) | $47.6 million (2016 est.)

Exports - commodities

turtle products, manufactured consumer goods

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP (official exchange rate)

$2.25 billion (2008 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity) - real

$2.507 billion (2014 est.) | $2.465 billion (2013 est.) | $2.435 billion (2012 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 62.3% (2017 est.) | government consumption: 14.5% (2017 est.) | investment in fixed capital: 22.1% (2017 est.) | investment in inventories: 0.1% (2017 est.) | exports of goods and services: 65.4% (2017 est.) | imports of goods and services: -64.2% (2017 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 0.3% (2017 est.) | industry: 7.4% (2017 est.) | services: 92.3% (2017 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$43,800 (2004 est.)

GDP real growth rate

1.7% (2014 est.) | 1.2% (2013 est.) | 1.6% (2012 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA | highest 10%: NA

Imports

$787.3 million (2017 est.) | $810.1 million (2016 est.)

Imports - commodities

foodstuffs, manufactured goods, fuels

Industrial production growth rate

2.2% (2017 est.)

Industries

tourism, banking, insurance and finance, construction, construction materials, furniture

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2% (2017 est.) | -0.6% (2016 est.)

Labor force

39,000 (2007 est.) | note: nearly 55% are non-nationals

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 1.9% | industry: 19.1% | services: 79% (2008 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA

Taxes and other revenues

38.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Unemployment rate

4% (2008) | 4.4% (2004)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

643,800 Mt (2017 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2018 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)

Electricity - consumption

612 million kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

132,000 kW (2016 est.)

Electricity - production

650 million kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity access

electrification - total population: 100% (2020)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

4,400 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

4,285 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Area

total: 264 sq km | land: 264 sq km | water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative

1.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Climate

tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool, relatively dry winters (November to April)

Coastline

160 km

Elevation

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m | highest point: 1 km SW of The Bluff on Cayman Brac 50 m

Environment - current issues

no natural freshwater resources; drinking water supplies are met by reverse osmosis desalination plants and rainwater catchment; trash washing up on the beaches or being deposited there by residents; no recycling or waste treatment facilities; deforestation (trees being cut down to create space for commercial use)

Geographic coordinates

19 30 N, 80 30 W

Geography - note

important location between Cuba and Central America

Irrigated land

NA

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

agricultural land: 11.2% (2011 est.) | arable land: 0.8% (2011 est.) / permanent crops: 2.1% (2011 est.) / permanent pasture: 8.3% (2011 est.) | forest: 52.9% (2011 est.) | other: 35.9% (2011 est.)

Location

Caribbean, three-island group (Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, Little Cayman) in Caribbean Sea, 240 km south of Cuba and 268 km northwest of Jamaica

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm | exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Natural hazards

hurricanes (July to November)

Natural resources

fish, climate and beaches that foster tourism

Population distribution

majority of the population resides on Grand Cayman

Terrain

low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs

Administrative divisions

6 districts; Bodden Town, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, East End, George Town, North Side, West Bay

Capital

name: George Town (on Grand Cayman) | geographic coordinates: 19 18 N, 81 23 W | time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time) | etymology: named after English King George III (1738-1820)

Citizenship

see United Kingdom

Constitution

history: several previous; latest approved 10 June 2009, entered into force 6 November 2009 (The Cayman Islands Constitution Order 2009) | amendments: amended several times, last in 2016

Country name

conventional long form: none | conventional short form: Cayman Islands | etymology: the islands' name comes from the native Carib word "caiman," describing the marine crocodiles living there

Dependency status

overseas territory of the UK

Diplomatic representation from the US

none (overseas territory of the UK); consular services provided through the US Embassy in Jamaica

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Executive branch

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Martyn ROPER (since 29 October 2018) | head of government: Premier Alden MCLAUGHLIN (since 29 May 2013) | cabinet: Cabinet selected from the Legislative Assembly and appointed by the governor on the advice of the premier | elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition appointed premier by the governor

Flag description

a blue field with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Caymanian coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms includes a crest with a pineapple, representing the connection with Jamaica, and a turtle, representing Cayman's seafaring tradition, above a shield bearing a golden lion, symbolizing Great Britain, below which are three green stars (representing the three islands) surmounting white and blue wavy lines representing the sea; a scroll below the shield bears the motto HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS

Government type

parliamentary democracy; self-governing overseas territory of the UK

Independence

none (overseas territory of the UK)

International organization participation

Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UNESCO (associate), UPU

Judicial branch

highest courts: Court of Appeal (consists of the court president and at least 2 judges); Grand Court (consists of the court president and at least 2 judges); note - appeals beyond the Court of Appeal are heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) | judge selection and term of office: Court of Appeal and Grand Court judges appointed by the governor on the advice of the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, an 8-member independent body consisting of governor appointees, Court of Appeal president, and attorneys; Court of Appeal judges' tenure based on their individual instruments of appointment; Grand Court judges normally appointed until retirement at age 65 but can be extended until age 70 | subordinate courts: Summary Court

Legal system

English common law and local statutes

Legislative branch

description: unicameral Legislative Assembly (21 seats; 19 members directly elected by majority vote and 2 ex officio members - the deputy governor and attorney general - appointed by the governor; members serve 4-year terms) | elections: last held on 24 May 2017 (next to be held on 26 May 2021) | election results: percent of vote by party - independent 44.7%, PPM 31.2%, CDP 24.1%; seats by party - independent 9, PPM 7, CDP 3; composition - men 18, women 3, percent of women 14.3%

National anthem

name: Beloved Isle Cayman | lyrics/music: Leila E. ROSS | note: adopted 1993; served as an unofficial anthem since 1930; as a territory of the United Kingdom, in addition to the local anthem, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)

National holiday

Constitution Day, the first Monday in July (1959)

National symbol(s)

green sea turtle

Political parties and leaders

People's Progressive Movement or PPM [Alden MCLAUGHLIN] Cayman Democratic Party or CDP [McKeeva BUSH]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Background

The Cayman Islands were colonized from Jamaica by the British during the 18th and 19th centuries and were administered by Jamaica after 1863. In 1959, the islands became a territory within the Federation of the West Indies. When the Federation dissolved in 1962, the Cayman Islands chose to remain a British dependency. The territory has transformed itself into a significant offshore financial center.

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Military and security forces

no regular military forces; Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (2019)

Age structure

0-14 years: 17.75% (male 5,535/female 5,457) | 15-24 years: 11.86% (male 3,673/female 3,675) | 25-54 years: 41.37% (male 12,489/female 13,140) | 55-64 years: 14.78% (male 4,398/female 4,755) | 65 years and over: 14.24% (male 4,053/female 4,769) (2020 est.) | population pyramid: The World Factbook Field Image Modal × Central America :: Cayman Islands Print Image Description This is the population pyramid for Cayman Islands. A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends. For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page under the References tab.

Birth rate

11.9 births/1,000 population (2020 est.)

Death rate

6.1 deaths/1,000 population (2020 est.)

Drinking water source

improved: urban: 97.4% of population | total: 97.4% of population | unimproved: urban: 2.6% of population | total: 2.6% of population (2015 est.)

Education expenditures

NA

Ethnic groups

mixed 40%, White 20%, Black 20%, expatriates of various ethnic groups 20%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Infant mortality rate

total: 5.5 deaths/1,000 live births | male: 6.3 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 4.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2020 est.)

Languages

English (official) 90.9%, Spanish 4%, Filipino 3.3%, other 1.7%, unspecified 0.1% (2010 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 81.6 years | male: 78.9 years | female: 84.4 years (2020 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school | total population: 98.9% | male: 98.7% | female: 99% (2007)

Major urban areas - population

35,000 GEORGE TOWN (capital) (2018)

Median age

total: 40.5 years | male: 39.7 years | female: 41.2 years (2020 est.)

Nationality

noun: Caymanian(s) | adjective: Caymanian

Net migration rate

13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2020 est.) | note: major destination for Cubans trying to migrate to the US

Population

61,944 (July 2020 est.) | note: most of the population lives on Grand Cayman

Population distribution

majority of the population resides on Grand Cayman

Population growth rate

1.9% (2020 est.)

Religions

Protestant 67.8% (includes Church of God 22.6%, Seventh Day Adventist 9.4%, Presbyterian/United Church 8.6%, Baptist 8.3%, Pentecostal 7.1%, non-denominational 5.3%, Anglican 4.1%, Wesleyan Holiness 2.4%), Roman Catholic 14.1%, Jehovah's Witness 1.1%, other 7%, none 9.3%, unspecified 0.7% (2010 est.)

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban: 95.6% of population | total: 95.6% of population | unimproved: urban: 4.4% of population | total: 4.4% of population (2015 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female | 0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female | 15-24 years: 1 male(s)/female | 25-54 years: 0.95 male(s)/female | 55-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female | 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female | total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2020 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.83 children born/woman (2020 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 13.8% | male: 16.4% | female: 11.4% (2015 est.)

Urbanization

urban population: 100% of total population (2020) | rate of urbanization: 1.27% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.) | total population growth rate v. urban population growth rate, 2000-2030: PDF

Disputes - international

none

Illicit drugs

major offshore financial center; vulnerable to drug transshipment to the US and Europe

Airports

3 (2020)

Airports - with paved runways

total: 3 (2017) | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2017) | 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 1 (2012) | 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2012)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

VP-C (2016)

Merchant marine

total: 170 | by type: bulk carrier 32general cargo 4, oil tanker 22, other 112 (2019)

National air transport system

number of registered air carriers: 1 (2020) | inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 6

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s): Cayman Brac, George Town

Roadways

total: 785 km (2007) | paved: 785 km (2007)