2015 Edition

Background

Named after Captain COOK, who sighted them in 1770, the islands became a British protectorate in 1888. By 1900, administrative control was transferred to New Zealand; in 1965, residents chose self-government in free association with New Zealand. The emigration of skilled workers to New Zealand, government deficits, and limited natural resources are of continuing concern.

Area

land

236 sq km

total

236 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

1.3 times the size of Washington, DC

Climate

tropical oceanic; moderated by trade winds; a dry season from April to November and a more humid season from December to March

Coastline

120 km

Elevation extremes

highest point

Te Manga 652 m

lowest point

Pacific Ocean 0 m

Environment - current issues

NA

Environment - international agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection

Geographic coordinates

21 14 S, 159 46 W

Geography - note

the northern Cook Islands are seven low-lying, sparsely populated, coral atolls; the southern Cook Islands, where most of the population lives, consist of eight elevated, fertile, volcanic isles, including the largest, Rarotonga, at 67 sq km

Irrigated land

NA

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

arable land 4.2%; permanent crops 4.2%; permanent pasture 0%

agricultural land

8.4%

forest

64.6%

other

27% (2011 est.)

Location

Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand

Map references

Oceania

Maritime claims

continental shelf

200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

typhoons (November to March)

Natural resources

coconuts (copra)

Terrain

low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south

Age structure

0-14 years

22.15% (male 1,154/female 1,025)

15-24 years

17.64% (male 929/female 806)

25-54 years

38.05% (male 1,876/female 1,867)

55-64 years

10.81% (male 569/female 494)

65 years and over

11.36% (male 551/female 567) (2015 est.)

Birth rate

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

Death rate

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

Drinking water source

urban: 99.9% of population

rural: 99.9% of population

total: 99.9% of population

urban: 0.1% of population

rural: 0.1% of population

total: 0.1% of population (2015 est.)

Education expenditures

3.1% of GDP (2011)

Ethnic groups

Cook Island Maori (Polynesian) 81.3%, part Cook Island Maori 6.7%, other 11.9% (2011 est.)

Health expenditures

3.1% of GDP (2013)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Infant mortality rate

female

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

male

16.86 deaths/1,000 live births

total

13.87 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

English (official) 86.4%, Cook Islands Maori (Rarotongan) (official) 76.2%, other 8.3%

note

shares sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

female

78.56 years (2015 est.)

male

72.78 years

total population

75.6 years

Median age

female

35.7 years (2015 est.)

male

34.6 years

total

35.25 years

Nationality

adjective

Cook Islander

noun

Cook Islander(s)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

50% (2014)

Physicians density

1.33 physicians/1,000 population (2009)

Population

9,838

note

the Cook Islands' Ministry of Finance & Economic Management estimated the resident population to have been 13,700 in September 2013 (July 2015 est.)

Population growth rate

-2.95% (2015 est.)

Religions

Protestant 62.8% (Cook Islands Christian Church 49.1%, Seventh Day Adventist 7.9%, Assemblies of God 3.7%, Apostolic Church 2.1%), Roman Catholic 17%, Mormon 4.4%, other 8%, none 5.6%, no response 2.2% (2011 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 97.6% of population

rural: 97.6% of population

total: 97.6% of population

urban: 2.4% of population

rural: 2.4% of population

total: 2.4% of population (2015 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

15 years (2012)

male

16 years

total

15 years

Sex ratio

0-14 years

1.13 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.15 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.01 male(s)/female

55-64 years

1.15 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.97 male(s)/female

at birth

1.04 male(s)/female

total population

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

Total fertility rate

2.23 children born/woman (2015 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

0.88% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

74.5% of total population (2015)

Administrative divisions

none

Capital

geographic coordinates

21 12 S, 159 46 W

name

Avarua

time difference

UTC-10 (5 hours behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Constitution

4 August 1965 (Cook Islands Constitution Act 1964); amended many times, last in 2004 (2015)

Country name

conventional long form

none

conventional short form

Cook Islands

etymology

named after Captain James COOK, the British explorer who visited the islands in 1773 and 1777

Dependency status

self-governing in free association with New Zealand; Cook Islands is fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs and defense in consultation with the Cook Islands

Diplomatic representation from the US

none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)

Executive branch

cabinet

Cabinet chosen by the prime minister

chief of state

Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Tom J. MARSTERS (since 9 August 2013); New Zealand High Commissioner Joanna KEMPKERS (since 19 July 2013)

elections/appointments

the monarchy is hereditary; UK representative appointed by the monarch; New Zealand high commissioner appointed by the New Zealand Government; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually becomes prime minister

head of government

Prime Minister Henry PUNA (since 30 November 2010)

Flag description

blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large circle of 15 white five-pointed stars (one for every island) centered in the outer half of the flag

Government type

self-governing parliamentary democracy

Independence

none (became self-governing in free association with New Zealand on 4 August 1965 and has the right at any time to move to full independence by unilateral action)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration (New Zealand normally retains responsibility for external affairs); accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ACP, ADB, AOSIS, FAO, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IMO, IMSO, IOC, ITUC (NGOs), OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO

Judicial branch

highest resident court(s)

Court of Appeal (consists of the chief justice and 3 judges of the High Court); High Court (consists of the chief justice and at least 4 judges and organized into civil, criminal, and land divisions); note - appeals beyond the Cook Islands Court of Appeal are brought before the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London)

judge selection and term of office

High Court chief justice appointed by the Queen's Representative on the advice of the Executive Council tendered by the prime minister; other judges appointed by the Queen's Representative, on the advice of the Executive Council tendered by the chief justice, High Court chief justice, and the minister of justice; chief justice and judges appointed for 3-year renewable terms

subordinate courts

justices of the peace

Legal system

common law similar to New Zealand common law

Legislative branch

description

unicameral Parliament, formerly the Legislative Assembly (24 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms); note - the House of Ariki, a 24-member parliamentary body of traditional leaders appointed by the Queen's representative serves as a consultative body to the Parliament

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CIP 13, Demo 8, One Cook Islands Movement 2, 1 undecided

elections

last held on 9 July 2014 (next to be held by 2018)

National anthem

lyrics/music

Tepaeru Te RITO/Thomas DAVIS

name

"Te Atua Mou E" (To God Almighty)

note

adopted 1982; as prime minister, Sir Thomas DAVIS composed the anthem; his wife, a tribal chief, wrote the lyrics

National holiday

Constitution Day, first Monday in August (1965)

National symbol(s)

a circle of 15, five-pointed, white stars on a blue field; national colors: blue, white

Political parties and leaders

Cook Islands Party or CIP [Henry PUNA]

Democratic Party or Demo [William HEATHER]

One Cook Islands Movement [Teina BISHOP]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Reform Conference (lobby for political system changes)

other

various groups lobbying for political change

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

copra, citrus, pineapples, tomatoes, beans, pawpaws, bananas, yams, taro, coffee; pigs, poultry

Budget

expenditures

$69.05 million (FY05/06)

revenues

$70.95 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

1% of GDP (FY05/06 est.)

Current account balance

$26.67 million (2005)

Debt - external

$141 million (1996 est.)

Economy - overview

Like many other South Pacific island nations, the Cook Islands' economic development is hindered by the isolation of the country from foreign markets, the limited size of domestic markets, lack of natural resources, periodic devastation from natural disasters, and inadequate infrastructure. Agriculture, employing more than one-quarter of the working population, provides the economic base with major exports of copra and citrus fruit. Black pearls are the Cook Islands' leading export. Manufacturing activities are limited to fruit processing, clothing, and handicrafts. Trade deficits are offset by remittances from emigrants and by foreign aid overwhelmingly from New Zealand. In the 1980s and 1990s, the country lived beyond its means, maintaining a bloated public service and accumulating a large foreign debt. Subsequent reforms, including the sale of state assets, the strengthening of economic management, the encouragement of tourism, and a debt restructuring agreement, have rekindled investment and growth.

Exchange rates

NZ dollars (NZD) per US dollar -

1.2039 (2014 est.)

1.2187 (2013 est.)

1.23 (2012 est.)

1.263 (2011 est.)

1.3874 (2010)

Exports

$3,000 (2011 est.)

$5.222 million (2005 est.)

Exports - commodities

copra, papayas, fresh and canned citrus fruit, coffee; fish; pearls and pearl shells; clothing

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

5.1%

industry

12.7%

services

82.1% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$9,100 (2005 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

0.1% (2005 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$183.2 million (2005 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$183.2 million (2005 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$83.49 million (2011 est.)

$80.55 million (2010 est.)

Imports - commodities

foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timber, capital goods

Industrial production growth rate

1% (2002)

Industries

fruit processing, tourism, fishing, clothing, handicrafts

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.2% (2011 est.)

Labor force

6,820 (2001)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

29%

industry

15%

services

56% (1995)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Stock of broad money

$148.2 million (31 December 2011 est.)

$170.9 million (31 December 2010 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$38.99 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

38.7% of GDP (FY05/06 est.)

Unemployment rate

13.1% (2005)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

150,300 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

28.95 million kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

99.5% 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

0.5% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

8,040 kW (2012 est.)

Electricity - production

31.13 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

500 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

484.7 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Broadcast media

1 privately owned TV station broadcasts from Rarotonga providing a mix of local news and overseas-sourced programs; a satellite program package is available; 6 radio stations broadcast with 1 reportedly reaching all of the islands (2009)

Internet country code

.ck

Internet users

percent of population

6.7% (2014 est.)

total

674

Radio broadcast stations

AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (2004)

Telephone system

domestic

individual islands are connected by a combination of satellite earth stations, microwave systems, and VHF and HF radiotelephone; within the islands, service is provided by small exchanges connected to subscribers by open-wire, cable, and fiber-optic cable

general assessment

Telecom Cook Islands offers international direct dialing, Internet, email, fax, and Telex

international

country code - 682; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)

Telephones - fixed lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

61 (2009)

total

7,200

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

66 (2009)

total

7,800

Television broadcast stations

1 (outer islands receive satellite broadcasts) (2004)

Airports

11 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1,524 to 2,437 m

1 (2013)

total

1

Airports - with unpaved runways

1 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

2

914 to 1,523 m

7

total

10

Merchant marine

by type

bulk carrier 2, cargo 25, passenger 1, refrigerated cargo 6, roll on/roll off 1

foreign-owned

23 (Estonia 1, Germany 1, Lithuania 1, Norway 8, NZ 2, Russia 1, Sweden 3, Turkey 4, UK 2) (2010)

total

35

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s)

Avatiu

Roadways

paved

33 km

total

320 km

unpaved

287 km (2003)

Manpower fit for military service

females age 16-49

2,156 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

2,198

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

female

107 (2010 est.)

male

127

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of New Zealand in consultation with the Cook Islands and at its request

Military branches

no regular military forces; National Police Department (2009)

Disputes - international

none