Cayman Islands

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total: 40,000 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 56 (2022 est.)

Broadcast media

4 TV stations; cable and satellite subscription services offer 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

percent of population: 81% (2017 est.)

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 36,000 (2021 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 50 (2022 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 99,737 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 139 (2022 est.)

Agricultural products

vegetables, fruit; livestock; turtle farming

Budget

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

Current account balance

-$712.684 million (2023 est.) -$749.482 million (2022 est.) -$794.205 million (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

Economic overview

dominant offshore banking territory; services sector accounts for over 85% of economic activity; recently adopted a fiscal responsibility framework to combat tax evasion and money laundering; large tourism sector; does not have any welfare system; high standard of living

Exchange rates

Caymanian dollars (KYD) per US dollar - 0.833 (2024 est.) 0.833 (2023 est.) 0.833 (2022 est.) 0.833 (2021 est.) 0.833 (2020 est.)

Exports

$4.6 billion (2023 est.) $4.215 billion (2022 est.) $3.542 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

Exports - commodities

aircraft, ships, refined petroleum, natural gas, broadcasting equipment (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Exports - partners

UK 40%, Cyprus 21%, Germany 9%, Grenada 8%, Italy 5% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

GDP (official exchange rate)

$7.139 billion (2023 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 0.5% (2022 est.) industry: 8.2% (2022 est.) services: 85.4% (2022 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

Imports

$3.444 billion (2023 est.) $3.287 billion (2022 est.) $2.808 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

Imports - commodities

ships, refined petroleum, cars, furniture, jewelry (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Imports - partners

Germany 30%, USA 29%, Italy 20%, Turkey 5%, China 5% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Industrial production growth rate

3.4% (2022 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2% (2017 est.) -0.6% (2016 est.) -2.3% (2015 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$5.705 billion (2023 est.) $5.467 billion (2022 est.) $5.199 billion (2021 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars

Real GDP growth rate

4.4% (2023 est.) 5.2% (2022 est.) 4.9% (2021 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Real GDP per capita

$78,100 (2023 est.) $76,400 (2022 est.) $74,200 (2021 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars

Remittances

0.2% of GDP (2023 est.) 0.2% of GDP (2022 est.) 0.2% of GDP (2021 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$234 million (2023 est.) $225.4 million (2022 est.) $228.3 million (2021 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

Electricity

installed generating capacity: 176,000 kW (2023 est.) consumption: 698.767 million kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 2.117 million kWh (2023 est.)

Electricity access

electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels: 96.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 3.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) wind: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Energy consumption per capita

143.149 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Petroleum

refined petroleum consumption: 5,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions

737,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 737,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Climate

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

Environmental issues

no natural freshwater resources; trash washing up or being deposited on beaches; no recycling or waste-treatment facilities; deforestation

Land use

agricultural land: 11.2% (2023 est.) arable land: 0.8% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 2.1% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 8.3% (2023 est.) forest: 53% (2023 est.) other: 35.8% (2023 est.)

Urbanization

urban population: 100% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.13% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually: 60,000 tons (2024 est.)

Area

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

Area - comparative

1.5 times the size of Washington, D.C.

Climate

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

Coastline

160 km

Elevation

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

Geographic coordinates

19 30 N, 80 30 W

Geography - note

important location between Cuba and Central America

Irrigated land

NA

Land boundaries

total: 0 km

Land use

agricultural land: 11.2% (2023 est.) arable land: 0.8% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 2.1% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 8.3% (2023 est.) forest: 53% (2023 est.) other: 35.8% (2023 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 economic zone: 200 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: originally named Hogstyes, the town was renamed in honor of English King GEORGE III (1738-1820) around 1800

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)

Country name

conventional long form: none conventional short form: Cayman Islands etymology: Spanish explorers named the islands in the early 16th century, using the Carib word for marine crocodiles, caiman

Dependency status

overseas territory of the UK

Diplomatic representation from the US

embassy: 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: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor Jane OWEN (since 21 April 2023) head of government: Premier Andr Martin EBANKS (since 6 May 2025) cabinet: Cabinet selected from the Parliament and appointed by the governor on the advice of the premier election/appointment process: the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the governor appoints the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as premier

Flag

description: a blue field with the UK flag in the upper-left quadrant and the Caymanian coat of arms centered on the right half of the flag; the coat of arms has a pineapple, a turtle, a shield with a golden lion and three green stars, and a scroll below the shield with the motto HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS meaning: the pineapple represents ties to Jamaica; the turtle represents the Caymans' seafaring tradition; the lion symbolizes Great Britain; the green stars represent the three islands; the white and blue wavy lines on the coat of arms represent the sea

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 court(s): 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) 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 note: appeals beyond the Court of Appeal are heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London)

Legal system

English common law and local statutes

Legislative branch

legislature name: Parliament legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 21 (directly elected and appointed) scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 4 years most recent election date: 4/14/2021 parties elected and seats per party: independent (12); PPM (7) percentage of women in chamber: 23.8% expected date of next election: 2025

National anthem(s)

title: "Beloved Isle Cayman" lyrics/music: Leila E. ROSS history: adopted 1960; served as an unofficial anthem since 1930 _____ title: "God Save the King" lyrics/music: unknown history: official anthem, as an overseas UK territory

National coat of arms

the Queen of England approved the Cayman Islands' coat of arms -- which was designed with input from the public -- in 1958; the shield features the lion of England and three green stars that symbolize the three islands of Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman; the green turtle stands for the islands seafaring history, the rope under it for the thatch-rope industry, and the pineapple for historical ties with Jamaica; the motto comes from Psalms 24, acknowledging the Caymans Christian heritage

National holiday

Constitution Day, the first Monday in July (1959)

National symbol(s)

green sea turtle

Political parties

Cayman Islands Peoples Party or CIPP People's Progressive Movement or PPM

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Background

The British colonized the Cayman Islands during the 18th and 19th centuries, and Jamaica -- also a British colony at the time -- administered the islands 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

Age structure

0-14 years: 17.4% (male 5,845/female 5,767) 15-64 years: 65.9% (male 21,480/female 22,456) 65 years and over: 16.7% (2024 est.) (male 5,054/female 6,051)

Birth rate

11.41 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Death rate

6.24 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 51.7 (2024 est.) youth dependency ratio: 26.4 (2024 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 25.3 (2024 est.) potential support ratio: 4 (2024 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 95.5% of population (2022 est.) total: 95.5% of population (2022 est.) urban: 4.5% of population (2022 est.) total: 4.5% of population (2022 est.)

Education expenditure

1.6% of GDP (2023 est.) 15% national budget (2019 est.)

Ethnic groups

Cayman Islander 35.4%, Jamaican 24.8%, Filipino 5.5%, British 5.3%, American 5.2%, Honduran 4.2%, Canadian 3.3%, Indian 2.1%, Cuban 1.6%, Nicaraguan 1%, other 11.1%, unspecified 0.5% (2021 est.) note: data represent population by country of birth

Gross reproduction rate

0.9 (2025 est.)

Infant mortality rate

total: 7.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 8.8 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.7 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

English (official) 88.8%, Spanish 3.9%, Filipino 3.8%, other 2.8%, unspecified 0.7% (2021 est.) note: data represent main language spoken at home

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 82.5 years (2024 est.) male: 79.8 years female: 85.2 years

Major urban areas - population

35,000 GEORGE TOWN (capital) (2018)

Median age

total: 41.3 years (2025 est.) male: 40.3 years female: 42 years

Nationality

noun: Caymanian(s) adjective: Caymanian

Net migration rate

11.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Population

total: 66,653 (2024 est.) male: 32,379 female: 34,274

Population distribution

majority of the population resides on Grand Cayman

Population growth rate

1.71% (2025 est.)

Religions

Protestant 60.8% (includes Church of God 19.5%, Seventh Day Adventist 8.7%, non-denominational 8.3%, Baptist 6.9%, Pentecostal 6.8%, Presbyterian/United Church 5.7%, Anglican 2.8%, Wesleyan Holiness 1.5%, Methodist 0.5%), Roman Catholic 13.6%, Hindu 1.7%, Jehovah's Witness 0.9%, other 4.8%, none 16.7%, unspecified 1.4% (2021 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 93.5% of population (2022 est.) total: 93.5% of population (2022 est.) urban: 6.5% of population (2022 est.) total: 6.5% of population (2022 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.81 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Urbanization

urban population: 100% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.13% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees: 65 (2024 est.)

Airports

3 (2025)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

VP-C

Heliports

5 (2025)

Merchant marine

total: 130 (2023) by type: bulk carrier 29, container ship 3, general cargo 1, oil tanker 20, other 77

Ports

total ports: 2 (2024) large: 0 medium: 0 small: 0 very small: 2 ports with oil terminals: 2 key ports: Cayman Brac, Georgetown