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Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF)
Cocos (Keeling) Islands is a non-self-governing overseas territory of Australia. Population: total: 593 (2021 est.) male: 301 female: 292.
Government & Political
Government type HIGH
non-self-governing overseas territory of Australia
Capital HIGH
name: West Island geographic coordinates: 12 10 S, 96 50 E time difference: UTC+6.5 (11.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Executive branch HIGH
chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia General Sam MOSTYN (since 1 July 2024) head of government: Administrator Farzian ZAINAL (since 11 May 2023) cabinet: NA election/appointment process: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the Australian prime minister; administrator appointed by the governor-general for a 2-year term and represents the monarch and Australia
Legislative branch HIGH
legislature name: Cocos (Keeling) Islands Shire Council legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 7 (directly elected) electoral system: plurality/majority scope of elections: partial renewal term in office: 4 years most recent election date: 10/21/2023 percentage of women in chamber: 16.7% expected date of next election: October 2025
Judicial branch HIGH
highest court(s): under the terms of the Territorial Law Reform Act 1992, Western Australia provides court services as needed for the island including the Supreme Court and subordinate courts (District Court, Magistrate Court, Family Court, Children's Court, and Coroners' Court)
Constitution HIGH
history: 23 November 1955 (Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act 1955)
International organization participation HIGH
none
Military & Security
Military - note HIGH
defense is the responsibility of Australia
Economy
Industries HIGH
copra products, tourism
Agricultural products HIGH
vegetables, bananas, pawpaws, coconuts
Demographics
Population HIGH
total: 593 (2021 est.) male: 301 female: 292
Age structure HIGH
0-14 years: 21.2% 15-64 years: 61.5% 65 years and over: 17.3% (2021)
Death rate HIGH
8.89 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Ethnic groups HIGH
Europeans, Cocos Malays
Languages HIGH
Malay (Cocos dialect) 68.8%, English 22.3%, unspecified 8.9%; note - data represent language spoken at home (2016 est.) major-language sample(s): Buku Fakta Dunia, sumber yang diperlukan untuk maklumat asas. (Malay) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions HIGH
Muslim (predominantly Sunni) 75%, Anglican 3.5%, Roman Catholic 2.2%, none 12.9%, unspecified 6.3% (2016 est.)
Energy & Resources
Natural resources HIGH
fish
Infrastructure
Airports HIGH
1 (2025)
Internet users HIGH
percent of population: 13.4% (2021 est.)
Classification
OPEN SOURCE. Data from CIA World Factbook 2025 edition (public domain). Assessment formatted per ICD 203 Analytic Standards and ICD 208 guidance. Confidence levels: HIGH = current year data, MODERATE = within 2 years, LOW = older than 2 years.
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