2015 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. The territory has transformed itself into a significant offshore financial center.

Area

land

264 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

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

arable land 0.8%; permanent crops 2.1%; permanent pasture 8.3%

agricultural land

11.2%

forest

52.9%

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

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

0-14 years

18.26% (male 5,158/female 5,084)

15-24 years

12.76% (male 3,542/female 3,615)

25-54 years

43.49% (male 11,894/female 12,500)

55-64 years

13.93% (male 3,712/female 4,104)

65 years and over

11.56% (male 3,047/female 3,436) (2015 est.)

Birth rate

12.11 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Death rate

5.53 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 97.4% of population

total: 97.4% of population

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

female

5.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)

male

6.95 deaths/1,000 live births

total

6.08 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

female

83.88 years (2015 est.)

male

78.43 years

total population

81.13 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over has ever attended school

female

99% (2007 est.)

male

98.7%

total population

98.9%

Major urban areas - population

GEORGE TOWN (capital) 31,000 (2014)

Median age

female

40.3 years (2015 est.)

male

39 years

total

39.7 years

Nationality

adjective

Caymanian

noun

Caymanian(s)

Net migration rate

14.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population

note

major destination for Cubans trying to migrate to the US (2015 est.)

Population

56,092 (July 2013 est.)

note

most of the population lives on Grand Cayman (July 2015 est.)

Population growth rate

2.1% (2015 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

urban: 95.6% of population

total: 95.6% of population

urban: 4.4% of population

total: 4.4% of population (2015 est.)

Sex ratio

0-14 years

1.02 male(s)/female

15-24 years

0.98 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.95 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.9 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.89 male(s)/female

at birth

1.02 male(s)/female

total population

0.95 male(s)/female (2015 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.86 children born/woman (2015 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

female

16.6% (2013 est.)

male

32%

total

24.2%

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

1.54% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

100% of total population (2015)

Administrative divisions

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

Capital

daylight saving time

a decision has been made to introduce DST in the archipelago for the first time beginning in 2016; a date for implementation is pending, though it seems likely it will match the date used in the US and Canada

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)

Citizenship

see United Kingdom

Constitution

several previous; latest approved 10 June 2009, entered into force 6 November 2009 (The Cayman Islands Constitution Order 2009) (2015)

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

cabinet

The Cabinet (6 members selected from the Legislative Assembly and appointed by the governor on the advice of the premier)

chief of state

Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Helen KILPATRICK (since 6 September 2013)

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

head of government

Premier Alden MCLAUGHLIN (since 29 May 2013)

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

highest resident 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); 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 (20 seats; 18 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)

election results

percent of vote by party - PPM 36.1%, UDP 27.8%, C4C 18.6%, PNA 5.7%, independent 11.9%; seats by party - PPM 9, UDP 3, C4C 3, PNA 1, independent 2

elections

last held on 22 May 2013 (next to be held in 2017)

National anthem

lyrics/music

Leila E. ROSS

name

"Beloved Isle Cayman"

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, first Monday in July

National symbol(s)

green sea turtle

Political parties and leaders

People's Progressive Movement or PPM [Kurt TIBBETTS]

United Democratic Party or UDP [McKeeva BUSH]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Coalition for Cayman or C4C

National People's Alliance or PNA

National Trust

other

environmentalists

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

vegetables, fruit; livestock; turtle farming

Budget

expenditures

$763.4 million (2014 est.)

revenues

$788.1 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

1.1% of GDP (2014 est.)

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. Nearly 90% of the islands' food and consumer goods must be imported. The Caymanians enjoy a standard of living comparable to that of Switzerland.

Exchange rates

Caymanian dollars (KYD) per US dollar -

0.83 (2014 est.)

0.83 (2013 est.)

0.83 (2012 est.)

0.83 (2011 est.)

0.83 (2010 est.)

Exports

$15.2 million (2014 est.)

$13.9 million (2013 est.)

Exports - commodities

turtle products, manufactured consumer goods

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP - composition, by end use

exports of goods and services

55.5%

government consumption

14.8%

household consumption

63.3%

imports of goods and services

-55.8% (2014 est.)

investment in fixed capital

22.2%

investment in inventories

0%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

0.3%

industry

28.2%

services

71.5% (2014 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.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$2.25 billion (2008 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$2.507 billion (2014 est.)

$2.465 billion (2013 est.)

$2.435 billion (2012 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$705.3 million (2014 est.)

$719 million (2013 est.)

Imports - commodities

foodstuffs, manufactured goods, fuels

Industrial production growth rate

2% (2014 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1% (2014 est.)

1.9% (2013 est.)

Labor force

39,000

note

nearly 55% are non-nationals (2007 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

1.9%

industry

19.1%

services

79% (2008 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

$183.5 million (31 December 2007)

$188.4 million (31 December 2006)

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

35% of GDP (2014 est.)

Unemployment rate

4% (2008)

4.4% (2004)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

473,000 Mt (2012 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2015 est.)

Electricity - consumption

545.9 million kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

150,000 kW (2012 est.)

Electricity - production

587 million kWh (2012 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

3,700 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

3,730 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2012 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 (2007)

Internet country code

.ky

Internet users

percent of population

79.4% (2014 est.)

total

43,600

Radio broadcast stations

AM 1, FM 14, shortwave 0 (2009)

Telephone system

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) (2011)

Telephones - fixed lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

60 (2014 est.)

total subscriptions

32,900

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

166 (2014 est.)

total

91,100

Television broadcast stations

4 with cable system (2004)

Airports

3 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1,524 to 2,437 m

2

914 to 1,523 m

1 (2013)

total

3

Airports - with unpaved runways

914 to 1,523 m

1 (2012)

total

1

Merchant marine

by type

bulk carrier 19, cargo 3, chemical tanker 61, liquefied gas 1, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 5, refrigerated cargo 10, vehicle carrier 16

foreign-owned

102 (Germany 3, Greece 9, Italy 7, Japan 23, Switzerland 1, UK 2, US 57) (2010)

total

116

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s)

Cayman Brac, George Town

Roadways

paved

785 km (2007)

total

785 km

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49

12,238 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

females age 16-49

10,417 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

9,981

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

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 (2012)

Disputes - international

none

Illicit drugs

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