2011 Edition

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.

Area

264 sq km 264 sq km 0 sq km

total

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 extremes

Caribbean Sea 0 m The Bluff on Cayman Brac 43 m

highest point

The Bluff on Cayman Brac 43 m

lowest point

Caribbean Sea 0 m

Environment - current issues

no natural freshwater resources; drinking water supplies must be met by rainwater catchments

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

3.85% 0% 96.15% (2005)

arable land

3.85%

other

96.15% (2005)

permanent crops

0%

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

12 nm 200 nm

exclusive fishing zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

hurricanes (July to November)

Natural resources

fish, climate and beaches that foster tourism

Terrain

low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs

Age structure

19% (male 4,924/female 4,858) 71.1% (male 17,766/female 18,743) 9.9% (male 2,401/female 2,692) (2011 est.)

0-14 years

19% (male 4,924/female 4,858)

15-64 years

71.1% (male 17,766/female 18,743)

65 years and over

9.9% (male 2,401/female 2,692) (2011 est.)

Birth rate

12.24 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Death rate

5.1 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 95% of population total: 95% of population urban: 5% of population total: 5% of population (2008)

total

5% of population (2008)

urban

5% of population

Education expenditures

2.6% of GDP (2006)

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

6.63 deaths/1,000 live births 7.6 deaths/1,000 live births 5.65 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

female

5.65 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

total

6.63 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

English (official) 95%, Spanish 3.2%, other 1.8% (1999 census)

Life expectancy at birth

80.68 years 78.02 years 83.39 years (2011 est.)

female

83.39 years (2011 est.)

total population

80.68 years

Literacy

age 15 and over has ever attended school 98% 98% 98% (1970 est.)

definition

age 15 and over has ever attended school

female

98% (1970 est.)

male

98%

total population

98%

Major cities - population

GEORGE TOWN (capital) 32,000 (2009)

Median age

38.7 years 38.2 years 39.2 years (2011 est.)

female

39.2 years (2011 est.)

male

38.2 years

total

38.7 years

Nationality

Caymanian(s) Caymanian

adjective

Caymanian

noun

Caymanian(s)

Net migration rate

15.72 migrant(s)/1,000 population major destination for Cubans trying to migrate to the US (2011 est.)

Population

51,384 (July 2011 est.) most of the population lives on Grand Cayman

Population growth rate

2.287% (2011 est.)

Religions

Protestant 67.7% (Church of God 25.5%, Presbyterian/United Church 9.2%, Seventh-Day Adventist 8.4%, Baptist 8.3%, Pentecostal 6.7%, Anglican 3.9%, non-denominational 5.7%), Roman Catholic 12.6%, other religions 4%, other 6.5%, none 6.1%, unspecified 3.2% (2007)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 96% of population total: 96% of population urban: 4% of population total: 4% of population (2008)

total

4% of population (2008)

urban

4% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

12 years 11 years 12 years (2008)

female

12 years (2008)

male

11 years

total

12 years

Sex ratio

1.016 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female 0.89 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

0.95 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.89 male(s)/female

at birth

1.016 male(s)/female

total population

0.96 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.01 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

1.87 children born/woman (2011 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

13.5% 13.6% 13.3% (2008)

female

13.3% (2008)

total

13.5%

Urbanization

100% of total population (2010) 0.9% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

0.9% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

100% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

8 districts; Creek, Eastern, Midland, South Town, Spot Bay, Stake Bay, West End, Western

Capital

George Town (on Grand Cayman) 19 18 N, 81 23 W UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

19 18 N, 81 23 W

name

George Town (on Grand Cayman)

time difference

UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

The Cayman Islands Constitution Order 2009, 6 November 2009

Country name

none Cayman Islands

conventional long form

none

conventional short form

Cayman Islands

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

Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Duncan TAYLOR (since 15 January 2010) Premier McKeeva BUSH (since 6 November 2009) The Cabinet (six members are appointed by the governor on the advice of the premier, selected from among the elected members of the Legislative Assembly) the monarchy is hereditary; the governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or coalition appointed by the governor as premier

cabinet

The Cabinet (six members are appointed by the governor on the advice of the premier, selected from among the elected members of the Legislative Assembly)

chief of state

Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Duncan TAYLOR (since 15 January 2010)

elections

the monarchy is hereditary; the governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or coalition appointed by the governor as premier

head of government

Premier McKeeva BUSH (since 6 November 2009)

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 and a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS

Government type

parliamentary democracy

Independence

none (overseas territory of the UK)

International organization participation

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

Judicial branch

Grand Court; Cayman Islands Court of Appeal; Summary Court

Legal system

English common law and local statutes

Legislative branch

unicameral Legislative Assembly (20 seats; 18 members elected by popular vote and 2 ex officio members from The Cabinet; to serve four-year terms) last held on 20 May 2009 (next to be held not later than May 2013) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UDP 9, PPM 5, independent 1

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UDP 9, PPM 5, independent 1

elections

last held on 20 May 2009 (next to be held not later than May 2013)

National anthem

"Beloved Isle Cayman" Leila E. ROSS 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)

lyrics/music

Leila E. ROSS

name

"Beloved Isle Cayman"

National holiday

Constitution Day, first Monday in July

Political parties and leaders

People's Progressive Movement or PPM [Kurt TIBBETTS]; United Democratic Party or UDP [McKeeva BUSH]

Political pressure groups and leaders

National Trust environmentalists

other

environmentalists

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

vegetables, fruit; livestock; turtle farming

Budget

$503.4 million $674.7 million (2010 est.)

expenditures

$674.7 million (2010 est.)

revenues

$503.4 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-7.6% of GDP (2010 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

14.5% (31 December 2010 est.) 14.5% (31 December 2009 est.)

Current account balance

-$384.5 million (2010 est.) -$335.4 million (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$70 million (1996)

Economy - overview

With no direct taxation, the islands are a thriving offshore financial center. More than 93,000 companies were registered in the Cayman Islands as of 2008, including almost 300 banks, 800 insurers, and 10,000 mutual funds. A stock exchange was opened in 1997. 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 1.9 million in 2008, with about half from the US. About 90% of the islands' food and consumer goods must be imported. The Caymanians enjoy a standard of living roughly equal to that of Switzerland.

Electricity - consumption

537.5 million kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

597.4 million kWh (2009 est.)

Exchange rates

Caymanian dollars (KYD) per US dollar - NA (2007) 0.8496 (2006)

Exports

$17 million (2010 est.) $19.5 million (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities

turtle products, manufactured consumer goods

GDP - composition by sector

0.5% 50.7% 48.8% (2010 est.)

agriculture

0.5%

industry

50.7%

services

48.8% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$43,800 (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

1.1% (2008 est.) 0.9% (2004 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$2.25 billion (2008 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$2.25 billion (2008 est.) $2.23 billion (2003 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$795 million (2010 est.) $897.4 million (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities

foodstuffs, manufactured goods, fuels

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

0.3% (2010 est.) -1.5% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

25.6% of GDP (2010 est.)

Labor force

39,000 nearly 55% are non-nationals (2007)

Labor force - by occupation

1.9% 19.1% 79% (2008 est.)

agriculture

1.9%

industry

19.1%

services

79% (2008 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA (31 December 2008) $183.5 million (31 December 2007) $188.4 million (31 December 2006)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.)

Oil - consumption

3,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - imports

3,700 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Stock of broad money

$5.564 billion (31 December 2008 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$NA

Stock of narrow money

$334.3 million (31 December 2008)

Taxes and other revenues

22.4% of GDP (2010 est.)

Unemployment rate

4% (2008) 4.4% (2004)

Broadcast media

4 television 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 (2007)

Internet country code

.ky

Internet hosts

21,910 (2010)

Internet users

23,000 (2008)

Telephone system

reasonably good overall telephone system with a high fixed-line teledensity liberalization of telecom market in 2003; introduction of competition in the mobile-cellular market in 2004 country code - 1-345; landing points for the MAYA-1, Eastern Caribbean Fiber System (ECFS), 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) (2007)

domestic

liberalization of telecom market in 2003; introduction of competition in the mobile-cellular market in 2004

general assessment

reasonably good overall telephone system with a high fixed-line teledensity

international

country code - 1-345; landing points for the MAYA-1, Eastern Caribbean Fiber System (ECFS), 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) (2007)

Telephones - main lines in use

37,400 (2010)

Telephones - mobile cellular

99,900 (2010)

Airports

3 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

2 (2010)

1,524 to 2,437 m

2 (2010)

total

2

Airports - with unpaved runways

1 (2010)

914 to 1,523 m

1 (2010)

total

1

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 20, cargo 3, chemical tanker 56, liquefied gas 1, petroleum tanker 8, refrigerated cargo 10, vehicle carrier 15 99 (Germany 6, Greece 11, Italy 6, Japan 19, Switzerland 1, UK 2, US 54) (2010)

foreign-owned

99 (Germany 6, Greece 11, Italy 6, Japan 19, Switzerland 1, UK 2, US 54) (2010)

total

113

Ports and terminals

Cayman Brac, George Town

Roadways

785 km 785 km (2007)

total

785 km

Manpower available for military service

12,238 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

12,238 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

9,981 10,417 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

10,417 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

9,981

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

342 (2010 est.)

female

342 (2010 est.)

male

333

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Military branches

no regular military forces; Royal Cayman Islands Police Force (2010)

Disputes - international

none

Illicit drugs

major offshore financial center; vulnerable to drug transshipment to the US and Europe (2008)