2019 Edition

Background

The Cook Islands, named after Captain James Cook who landed in 1773, became a British protectorate in 1888 and was later annexed by proclamation in 1900. The Cook Islands was first included within the boundaries of New Zealand in 1901, and in 1965, residents chose self-government in free association with New Zealand. The Cook Islands’ economy relies on tourism, fisheries, and foreign aid. More recently a growing offshore financial sector exposed the country to vulnerabilities which the government has addressed with legislation and regulations for the oversight of all banks and financial institutions, and with enforcement measures. The Cook Islands continues to face challenges with the emigration of skilled workers, government deficits, inadequate infrastructure, and natural resource depletion. The Cook Islands is expected to graduate to the high-income threshold set by the World Bank, which will limit the country’s access to Official Development Assistance under OECD guidelines.

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

Highest Point

Te Manga 652 m

Lowest Point

Pacific Ocean 0 m

Environment Current Issues

limited land presents solid and liquid waste disposal problems; soil destruction and deforestation; environmental degradation due to indiscriminant use of pesticides; improper disposal of pollutants; overfishing and destructive fishing practices; over dredging of lagoons and coral rubble beds; unregulated building

Environment International Agreements

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

Land Boundaries

0 km

Land Use

Agricultural Land

8.4% (2011 est.)

Agricultural Land Arable Land

4.2% (2011 est.)

Agricultural Land Permanent Crops

4.2% (2011 est.)

Agricultural Land Permanent Pasture

0% (2011 est.)

Forest

64.6% (2011 est.)

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

tropical cyclones (November to March)

Natural Resources

coconuts (copra)

Population Distribution

most of the population is found on the island of Rarotonga

Terrain

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

Age Structure

0 14 Years

20.68% (male 987 /female 882)

15 24 Years

15.99% (male 774 /female 671)

25 54 Years

38.06% (male 1,710 /female 1,730)

55 64 Years

12.72% (male 627 /female 523)

65 Years And Over

12.55% (male 558 /female 576) (2018 est.)

Birth Rate

13.7 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Current Health Expenditure

2.7% (2015)

Death Rate

8.6 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Drinking Water Source

Improved Rural

99.9% of population

Improved Total

99.9% of population

Improved Urban

99.9% of population

Unimproved Rural

0.1% of population

Unimproved Total

0.1% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Urban

0.1% of population

Education Expenditures

4.7% of GDP (2016)

Ethnic Groups

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

Infant Mortality Rate

Female

9.8 deaths/1,000 live births

Male

15.3 deaths/1,000 live births

Total

12.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)

Languages

English (official) 86.4%, Cook Islands Maori (Rarotongan) (official) 76.2%, other 8.3% (2011 est.)

Life Expectancy at Birth

Female

79.2 years

Male

73.4 years

Total Population

76.2 years (2018 est.)

Median Age

Female

37.6 years

Male

36.7 years

Total

37.2 years (2018 est.)

Nationality

Adjective

Cook Islander

Noun

Cook Islander(s)

Net Migration Rate

-32.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Obesity Adult Prevalence Rate

55.9% (2016)

Physicians Density

1.42 physicians/1,000 population (2014)

Population

9,038 (July 2018 est.)

Population Growth Rate

-2.72% (2018 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

Improved Rural

97.6% of population (2015 est.)

Improved Total

97.6% of population (2015 est.)

Improved Urban

97.6% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Rural

2.4% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Total

2.4% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Urban

2.4% of population (2015 est.)

School Life Expectancy Primary To Tertiary Education

Female

16 years (2015)

Male

15 years

Total

15 years

Sex Ratio

0 14 Years

1.12 male(s)/female

15 24 Years

1.15 male(s)/female

25 54 Years

0.99 male(s)/female

55 64 Years

1.2 male(s)/female

65 Years And Over

0.97 male(s)/female

At Birth

1.07 male(s)/female

Total Population

1.06 male(s)/female (2018 est.)

Total Fertility Rate

2.16 children born/woman (2018 est.)

Urbanization

Rate Of Urbanization

0.37% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

Urban Population

75.3% of total population (2019)

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

Amendments

proposed by Parliament; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the Parliament membership in each of several readings and assent of the chief of state’s representative; passage of amendments relating to the chief of state also requires two-thirds majority approval in a referendum; amended many times, last in 2004 (2019)

History

4 August 1965 (Cook Islands Constitution Act 1964)

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

Former

Hervey Islands

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 Peter MARSHALL (since 10 January 2017)

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

parliamentary democracy

Independence

none (became self-governing in free association with New Zealand on 4 August 1965 with 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 Courts

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 heard by 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 - Demo 11, CIP 10, One Cook Islands Movement 1, independent 2; composition - men 15, women 9, percent of women 37.5%

Elections

last held on 14 June 2018 (next to be held by 2022)

National Anthem

Lyrics Music

Tepaeru Te RITO/Thomas DAVIS

Name

"Te Atua Mou E" (To God Almighty)

National Holiday

Constitution Day, the first Monday in August (1965)

National Symbol S

a circle of 15, five-pointed, white stars on a blue field, Tiare maori (Gardenia taitensis) flower; national colors: green, white

Political Parties And Leaders

Cook Islands Party or CIP [Henry PUNA] Democratic Party or Demo [Tina BROWNE] One Cook Islands Movement [Teina BISHOP]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture Products

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

Budget

Expenditures

77.9 million (2010)

Revenues

86.9 million (2010)

Budget Surplus Or Deficit

3% (of GDP) (2010 est.)

Current Account Balance

2005

$26.67 million

Debt External

1996

$141 million

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 became overextended, 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. The government is targeting fisheries and seabed mining as sectors for future economic growth.

Exchange Rates

2013

1.4279

2014

1.441

2015

1.4341

2016

1.4341

2017

1.416

Currency

NZ dollars (NZD) per US dollar -

Exports

2010

$5.163 million

2011

$3.125 million

Exports Commodities

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

Fiscal Year

1 April - 31 March

GDP Composition By Sector Of Origin

Agriculture

5.1% (2010 est.)

Industry

12.7% (2010 est.)

Services

82.1% (2010 est.)

GDP Official Exchange Rate

$299.9 million (2016 est.) (2016 est.)

GDP Per Capita Ppp

2005

$9,100

2016

$16,700

GDP Purchasing Power Parity

2005

$183.2 million

2016

$299.9 million

GDP Real Growth Rate

2005

0.1%

Imports

2010

$90.62 million

2011

$109.3 million

Imports Commodities

foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timber, capital goods

Industrial Production Growth Rate

1% (2002)

Industries

fishing, fruit processing, tourism, clothing, handicrafts

Inflation Rate Consumer Prices

2011

2.2%

Labor Force

6,820 (2001)

Labor Force By Occupation

Agriculture

29%

Industry

15%

Services

56% (1995)

Stock Of Broad Money

31 December 2010

$170.9 million

31 December 2011

$148.2 million

Stock Of Narrow Money

31 December 2011

$38.99 million

Taxes And Other Revenues

29% (of GDP) (2010 est.)

Unemployment Rate

2005

13.1%

Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Consumption Of Energy

88,810 Mt (2017 est.)

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

31.62 million kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity Exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity From Fossil Fuels

79% 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

21% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity Imports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity Installed Generating Capacity

14,000 kW (2016 est.)

Electricity Production

34 million kWh (2016 est.)

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

600 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Imports

611 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Production

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Broadcast Media

1 privately owned TV station broadcasts from Rarotonga providing a mix of local news and overseas-sourced programs (2019)

Internet Country Code

.ck

Internet Users

Percent Of Population

54% (July 2016 est.)

Total

5,160

Telephone System

Domestic

service is provided by small exchanges connected to subscribers by open-wire, cable, and fiber-optic cable; 75 per 100 fixed-line, 105 per 100 mobile-cellular (2018)

General Assessment

Telecom Cook Islands offers international direct dialing, Internet, email, and fax; individual islands are connected by a combination of satellite earth stations, microwave systems, and VHF and HF radiotelephone (2018)

International

country code - 682; Manatua submarine cable to surrounding islands of Niue, Samoa, French Polynesia and other Cook Islands, the topography of the South Pacific region has made Internet connectivity a serious issue for many of the remote islands; submarine fiber-optic networks are expensive to build and maintain; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2019)

Telephones Fixed Lines

Subscriptions Per 100 Inhabitants

75 (July 2016 est.)

Total Subscriptions

7,800

Telephones Mobile Cellular

Subscriptions Per 100 Inhabitants

105 (July 2016 est.)

Total Subscriptions

11,000

Airports

11 (2013)

Airports With Paved Runways

1 524 To 2 437 M

1

Total

1 (2019)

Airports With Unpaved Runways

1 524 To 2 437 M

2 (2013)

914 To 1 523 M

7 (2013)

Total

10 (2013)

Under 914 M

1 (2013)

Civil Aircraft Registration Country Code Prefix

E5 (2016)

Merchant Marine

By Type

bulk carrier 23, container ship 5, general cargo 91, oil tanker 25, other 71 (2018)

Total

215

National Air Transport System

Inventory Of Registered Aircraft Operated By Air Carriers

1 (2015)

Number Of Registered Air Carriers

1 (2015)

Ports And Terminals

Avatiu

Roadways

Paved

207 km (2018)

Total

295 km (2018)

Unpaved

88 km (2018)

Military And Security Forces

no regular military forces; Cook Islands Police Service. (2018)

Military Note

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

Disputes International

none