2023 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

17.48% (male 5,761/female 5,684)

15-64 years

66.48% (male 21,271/female 22,261)

65 years and over

16.04% (2023 est.) (male 4,792/female 5,714)

Birth rate

11.6 births/1,000 population (2023 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

NA

Contraceptive prevalence rate

NA

Current health expenditure

NA

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

51.4% (2023 est.)

Death rate

6.1 deaths/1,000 population (2023 est.)

Dependency ratios

elderly dependency ratio

10.4

potential support ratio

9.6 (2021)

total dependency ratio

32.6

youth dependency ratio

22.3

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

2.1% of GDP (2019)

Ethnic groups

mixed 40%, White 20%, African descent 20%, expatriates of various ethnic groups 20%

Gross reproduction rate

0.9 (2023 est.)

Infant mortality rate

female

5.9 deaths/1,000 live births

male

9 deaths/1,000 live births

total

7.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2023 est.)

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

female

85 years

male

79.6 years

total population

82.3 years (2023 est.)

Literacy

female

99% (2021) NA

male

98.7% NA

total population

98.9% NA

Major urban areas - population

35,000 GEORGE TOWN (capital) (2018)

Median age

female

41.8 years

male

40.2 years

total

41 years (2023 est.)

Nationality

adjective

Caymanian

noun

Caymanian(s)

Net migration rate

12.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2023 est.)

note

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

Physicians density

NA

Population

65,483 (2023 est.)

note

note: most of the population lives on Grand Cayman

Population distribution

majority of the population resides on Grand Cayman

Population growth rate

1.79% (2023 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

15-64 years

0.96 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.84 male(s)/female

at birth

1.02 male(s)/female

total population

0.95 male(s)/female (2023 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.82 children born/woman (2023 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

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

urban population

100% of total population (2023)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

female

11.4%

male

16.4%

total

13.8% (2015 est.)

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

King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor Jane OWEN (since 21 April 2023)

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 Juliana O'CONNOR-CONNOLLY (since 15 November 2023)

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 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 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%; elected seats by party - independent 12, PPM 7; composition of elected members - men 15, women 4, percent of women 21.1%; ex officio members - men 2

elections

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

National anthem

lyrics/music

Leila E. ROSS

name

"Beloved Isle Cayman"

note

note: adopted 1993; served as an unofficial anthem since 1930; as an overseas territory of the United Kingdom, in addition to the local anthem, "God Save the King" 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

Cayman Islands Peoples Party or CIPP [Ezzard MILLER]People's Progressive Movement or PPM [Roy McTAGGART]

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)

note

note: The year refers to the year in which the current credit rating was first obtained.

Current account balance

Current account balance 2018

-$927.544 million (2018 est.)

Current account balance 2019

-$646.843 million (2019 est.)

Current account balance 2020

-$763.556 million (2020 est.)

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

Currency

Caymanian dollars (KYD) per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2017

0.833 (2017 est.)

Exchange rates 2018

0.833 (2018 est.)

Exchange rates 2019

0.833 (2019 est.)

Exchange rates 2020

0.833 (2020 est.)

Exchange rates 2021

0.833 (2021 est.)

Exports

Exports 2018

$3.959 billion (2018 est.)

Exports 2019

$4.205 billion (2019 est.)

Exports 2020

$3.652 billion (2020 est.)

note

note: Data are in current year dollars and do not include illicit exports or re-exports.

Exports - commodities

recreational boats, aircraft, ships, gold, refined petroleum, natural gas (2021)

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

$2.518 billion (2018 est.)

Imports 2019

$2.743 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

Imports 2020

$2.507 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

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

-3.36% (2020 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) 2019

$4.788 billion (2019 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2020

$4.516 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2021

$4.599 billion (2021 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars

Real GDP growth rate

Real GDP growth rate 2019

3.87% (2019 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2020

-5.68% (2020 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2021

1.84% (2021 est.)

Real GDP per capita

Real GDP per capita 2019

$72,400 (2019 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2020

$67,100 (2020 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars

Real GDP per capita 2021

$67,500 (2021 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 31 December 2018

$162.074 million (31 December 2018 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 31 December 2019

$183.5 million (31 December 2019 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 31 December 2020

$216.8 million (31 December 2020 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

38.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Unemployment rate

Unemployment rate 2004

4.4% (2004)

Unemployment rate 2008

4% (2008)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

female

11.4%

male

16.4%

total

13.8% (2015 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions

from coal and metallurgical coke

0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from consumed natural gas

0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids

808,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

total emissions

808,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

Coal

consumption

0 metric tons (2020 est.)

exports

0 metric tons (2020 est.)

imports

0 metric tons (2020 est.)

production

0 metric tons (2020 est.)

proven reserves

0 metric tons (2019 est.)

Electricity

consumption

655.165 million kWh (2019 est.)

exports

0 kWh (2020 est.)

imports

0 kWh (2020 est.)

installed generating capacity

174,000 kW (2020 est.)

transmission/distribution losses

40 million kWh (2019 est.)

Electricity access

electrification - total population

100% (2021)

Electricity generation sources

biomass and waste

0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

fossil fuels

97.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

geothermal

0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

hydroelectricity

0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

nuclear

0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

solar

2.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

tide and wave

0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

wind

0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

Energy consumption per capita

Total energy consumption per capita 2019

175.578 million Btu/person (2019 est.)

Natural gas

consumption

0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

exports

0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

imports

0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

production

0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

proven reserves

0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

Petroleum

crude oil and lease condensate exports

0 bbl/day (2018 est.)

crude oil and lease condensate imports

0 bbl/day (2018 est.)

crude oil estimated reserves

0 barrels (2021 est.)

refined petroleum consumption

5,500 bbl/day (2019 est.)

total petroleum production

0 bbl/day (2021 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 (2020 est.)

total

3,200 (2020 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

81.1% (2021 est.)

total

55,148 (2021 est.)

Telecommunication systems

domestic

53 per 100 fixed-line and 150 per 100 mobile-cellular (2021)

general assessment

the telecom sector has seen a decline in subscriber numbers (particularly for prepaid mobile services the mainstay of short term visitors) and revenue; fixed and mobile broadband services are two areas that have benefited from the crisis as employees and students have resorted to working from home; one area of the telecom market that is not prepared for growth is 5G mobile; governments, regulators, and even the mobile network operators have shown that they have not been investing in 5G opportunities at the present time; network expansion and enhancements remain concentrated around improving LTE coverage (2021)

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)

Telephones - fixed lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

53 (2021 est.)

total subscriptions

36,000 (2021 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

150 (2021 est.)

total subscriptions

100,000 (2021 est.)

Airports

3 (2021)

Airports - with paved runways

3

note

note: paved runways have a concrete or asphalt surface but not all have facilities for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control; the length of a runway required for aircraft to safely operate depends on a number of factors including the type of aircraft, the takeoff weight (including passengers, cargo, and fuel), engine types, flap settings, landing speed, elevation of the airport, and average maximum daily air temperature; paved runways can reach a length of 5,000 m (16,000 ft.), but the “typical” length of a commercial airline runway is between 2,500-4,000 m (8,000-13,000 ft.)

Airports - with unpaved runways

1

note

note: unpaved runways have a surface composition such as grass or packed earth and are most suited to the operation of light aircraft; unpaved runways are usually short, often less than 1,000 m (3,280 ft.) in length; airports with unpaved runways often lack facilities for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

VP-C

Merchant marine

by type

bulk carrier 29, container ship 3, general cargo 1, oil tanker 20, other 86

total

139 (2022)

National air transport system

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

6

number of registered air carriers

1 (2020)

Ports and terminals

cruise port(s)

George Town, Grand Cayman

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

0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Revenue from forest resources

0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

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

urban population

100% of total population (2023)

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.)