2021 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

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% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 0.8% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 2.1% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 8.3% (2018 est.)

forest

52.9% (2018 est.)

other

35.9% (2018 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 economic zone

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

Population distribution

majority of the population resides on Grand Cayman

Terrain

low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs

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.)

Birth rate

11.77 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

NA

Contraceptive prevalence rate

NA

Current Health Expenditure

NA

Death rate

5.89 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Dependency ratios

elderly dependency ratio

NA

potential support ratio

NA

total dependency ratio

NA

youth dependency ratio

NA

Drinking water source

improved: total

total: 97.4% of population

improved: urban

urban: 97.4% of population

unimproved: total

total: 2.6% of population (2015 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: 2.6% of population

Education expenditures

NA

Ethnic groups

mixed 40%, White 20%, African descent 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

6.16 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)

male

9.49 deaths/1,000 live births

total

7.84 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

84.59 years (2021 est.)

male

79.12 years

total population

81.84 years

Major urban areas - population

35,000 GEORGE TOWN (capital) (2018)

Median age

female

41.2 years (2020 est.)

male

39.7 years

total

40.5 years

Nationality

adjective

Caymanian

noun

Caymanian(s)

Net migration rate

12.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)

note

note: major destination for Cubans trying to migrate to the US

Population

63,131 (July 2021 est.)

note

note: most of the population lives on Grand Cayman

Population distribution

majority of the population resides on Grand Cayman

Population growth rate

1.87% (2021 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: total

total: 95.6% of population

improved: urban

urban: 95.6% of population

unimproved: total

total: 4.4% of population (2015 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: 4.4% of population

Sex ratio

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

at birth

1.02 male(s)/female

total population

0.95 male(s)/female (2020 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.83 children born/woman (2021 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

female

11.4% (2015 est.)

male

16.4%

total

13.8%

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

1.13% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

urban population

100% of total population (2021)

Administrative divisions

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

Capital

etymology

named after English King George III (1738-1820)

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

amendments

amended 2016, 2020

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

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

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

cabinet

Cabinet selected from the Parliament and appointed by the governor on the advice of the premier

chief of state

Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Martyn ROPER (since 29 October 2018)

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 Wayne PANTON (since 21 April 2021)

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 Parliament (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)

election results

percent of vote by party - independent 79.1%, PPM 19.6%; seats by party - independent 12, PPM 7

elections

last held on 14 April 2021 (next to be held on 2025)

National anthem

lyrics/music

Leila E. ROSS

name

Beloved Isle Cayman

note

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

Agricultural products

vegetables, fruit; livestock; turtle farming

Budget

expenditures

766.6 million (2017 est.)

revenues

874.5 million (2017 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

4.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Credit ratings

Moody's rating

Aa3 (1997)

Current account balance

Current account balance 2016

-$493.5 million (2016 est.)

Current account balance 2017

-$492.6 million (2017 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

currency

Caymanian dollars (KYD) per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2013

0.83 (2013 est.)

Exchange rates 2014

0.82 (2014 est.)

Exchange rates 2015

0.82 (2015 est.)

Exchange rates 2016

0.82 (2016 est.)

Exchange rates 2017

0.82 (2017 est.)

Exports

Exports 2018

$3.96 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2018 est.)

Exports 2019

$4.13 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2019 est.)

Exports - commodities

recreational boats, gold, broadcasting equipment, sulfates, collector's items (2019)

Exports - partners

Netherlands 82%, Spain 11% (2019)

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP - composition, by end use

exports of goods and services

65.4% (2017 est.)

government consumption

14.5% (2017 est.)

household consumption

62.3% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services

-64.2% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital

22.1% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories

0.1% (2017 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

0.3% (2017 est.)

industry

7.4% (2017 est.)

services

92.3% (2017 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$2.25 billion (2008 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

NA

lowest 10%

NA

Imports

Imports 2018

$2.52 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2018 est.)

Imports 2019

$2.7 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2019 est.)

Imports - commodities

recreational boats, ships, gold, refined petroleum, cars (2019)

Imports - partners

Netherlands 56%, United States 18%, Italy 8%, Switzerland 5% (2019)

Industrial production growth rate

2.2% (2017 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2016

-0.6% (2016 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2017

2% (2017 est.)

Labor force

39,000 (2007 est.)

note

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

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2017

$4.409 billion (2017 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2018

$4.61 billion note: data are in 2017 dollars (2018 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2019

$4.78 billion note: data are in 2017 dollars (2019 est.)

Real GDP growth rate

Real GDP growth rate 2012

1.6% (2012 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2013

1.2% (2013 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2014

1.7% (2014 est.)

Real GDP per capita

Real GDP per capita 2017

$69,573 (2017 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2018

$71,800 note: data are in 2017 dollars (2018 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2019

$73,600 note: data are in 2017 dollars (2019 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

38.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Unemployment rate

Unemployment rate 2004

4.4% (2004)

Unemployment rate 2008

4% (2008)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

female

11.4% (2015 est.)

male

16.4%

total

13.8%

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.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

49.28 (2017 est.)

total

31,232 (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

percent of population

81.07% (2019 est.)

total

53,600 (2021 est.)

Telecommunication systems

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)

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 (2017)

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

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments

Telephones - fixed lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

54.85 (2018 est.)

total subscriptions

34,768 (2018)

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

152.5 (2019 est.)

total subscriptions

96,656 (2018)

Airports

total

3 (2020)

Airports - with paved runways

1,524 to 2,437 m

2

914 to 1,523 m

1 (2017)

total

3

Airports - with unpaved runways

914 to 1,523 m

1 (2012)

total

1

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

VP-C

Merchant marine

by type

bulk carrier 32, container ship 1, general cargo 1, oil tanker 23, other 103 (2021)

total

160

National air transport system

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

6

number of registered air carriers

1 (2020)

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s)

Cayman Brac, George Town

Roadways

paved

785 km (2007)

total

785 km (2007)

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Military and security forces

no regular military forces; Royal Cayman Islands Police Service

Disputes - international

none

Illicit drugs

major offshore financial center vulnerable to drug trafficking money laundering  

Air pollutants

carbon dioxide emissions

0.55 megatons (2016 est.)

Climate

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

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)

Land use

agricultural land

11.2% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 0.8% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 2.1% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 8.3% (2018 est.)

forest

52.9% (2018 est.)

other

35.9% (2018 est.)

Revenue from coal

coal revenues

0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Revenue from forest resources

forest revenues

0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

1.13% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

urban population

100% of total population (2021)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually

60,000 tons (2014 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually

12,600 tons (2013 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled

21% (2013 est.)