ARCHIVE // KY // 2013

Cayman Islands

2013 Edition — territory

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Communications
Broadcast media [time series]
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 (2007)
Internet country code [time series]
.ky
Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]
23,472 (2012) country comparison to the world: 114
Internet users [time series]
23,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 189
Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]
general assessment: reasonably good overall telephone system with a high fixed-line teledensity domestic: liberalization of telecom market in 2003; introduction of competition in the mobile-cellular market in 2004 international: country code - 1-345; landing points for the Maya-1, Eastern Caribbean Fiber System (ECFS), 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) (2011)
Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]
37,400 (2012) country comparison to the world: 171
Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]
96,300 (2012) country comparison to the world: 194
Economy
Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]
vegetables, fruit; livestock; turtle farming
Budget [time series]
revenues: $680.1 million expenditures: $741.8 million (2012 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]
-2.7% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 104
Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]
With no direct taxation, the islands are a thriving offshore financial center. More than 93,000 companies were registered in the Cayman Islands as of 2008, including almost 300 banks, 800 insurers, and 10,000 mutual funds. A stock exchange was opened in 1997. 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 1.9 million in 2008, with about half from the US. Nearly 90% of the islands' food and consumer goods must be imported. The Caymanians enjoy a standard of living comparable to that of Switzerland.
Exchange rates [time series]
Caymanian dollars (KYD) per US dollar - 0.83 (2012 est.) 0.83 (2011 est.) 0.83 (2010 est.)
Exports [time series]
$15 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 207 $16.6 million (2011 est.)
Exports - commodities [time series]
turtle products, manufactured consumer goods
Fiscal year [time series]
1 April - 31 March
GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]
$2.25 billion (2008 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]
$2.25 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 189 $2.23 billion (2003 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use [time series]
household consumption: 62.6% government consumption: 14.7% investment in fixed capital: 22.3% exports of goods and services: 60.8% imports of goods and services: -60.5% (2012 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin [time series]
agriculture: 0.3% industry: 28.2% services: 72.4% (2012 est.)
Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]
$43,800 (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 17
Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]
1.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 156 0.9% (2004 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]
lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Imports [time series]
$698.1 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 187 $698.8 million (2011 est.)
Imports - commodities [time series]
foodstuffs, manufactured goods, fuels
Industrial production growth rate [time series]
NA%
Industries [time series]
tourism, banking, insurance and finance, construction, construction materials, furniture
Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]
1.2% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 1.3% (2011 est.)
Labor force [time series]
39,000 country comparison to the world: 198 note: nearly 55% are non-nationals (2007)
Labor force - by occupation [time series]
agriculture: 1.9% industry: 19.1% services: 79% (2008 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]
$NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 114 $183.5 million (31 December 2007) $188.4 million (31 December 2006)
Population below poverty line [time series]
NA%
Stock of broad money [time series]
$5.564 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 126
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]
$NA
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home [time series]
$NA
Stock of narrow money [time series]
$334.3 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 166
Taxes and other revenues [time series]
30.2% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 93
Unemployment rate [time series]
4% (2008) country comparison to the world: 31 4.4% (2004)
Energy
Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]
592,800 Mt (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 177
Crude oil - exports [time series]
0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 98
Crude oil - imports [time series]
0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 172
Crude oil - production [time series]
0 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 160
Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]
0 bbl (1 January 2013 es) country comparison to the world: 115
Electricity - consumption [time series]
552 million kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 168
Electricity - exports [time series]
0 kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 179
Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]
100% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 11
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 162
Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 64
Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 167
Electricity - imports [time series]
0 kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 170
Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]
151,000 kW (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 161
Electricity - production [time series]
594 million kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 159
Natural gas - consumption [time series]
0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 130
Natural gas - exports [time series]
0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 80
Natural gas - imports [time series]
0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 175
Natural gas - production [time series]
0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 115
Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]
0 cu m (1 January 2013 es) country comparison to the world: 123
Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]
3,141 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 180
Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]
0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 163
Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]
3,754 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 163
Refined petroleum products - production [time series]
0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 163
Geography
Area [time series]
total: 264 sq km country comparison to the world: 211 land: 264 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative [time series]
1.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Climate [time series]
tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool, relatively dry winters (November to April)
Coastline [time series]
160 km
Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: The Bluff on Cayman Brac 43 m
Environment - current issues [time series]
no natural freshwater resources; drinking water supplies must be met by rainwater catchments
Geographic coordinates [time series]
19 30 N, 80 30 W
Geography - note [time series]
important location between Cuba and Central America
Irrigated land [time series]
NA
Land boundaries [time series]
0 km
Land use [time series]
arable land: 0.83% permanent crops: 2.08% other: 97.08% (2011)
Location [time series]
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 [time series]
Central America and the Caribbean
Maritime claims [time series]
territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Natural hazards [time series]
hurricanes (July to November)
Natural resources [time series]
fish, climate and beaches that foster tourism
Terrain [time series]
low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs
Government
Administrative divisions [time series]
6 districts; Bodden Town, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, East End, George Town, North Side, West Bay
Capital [time series]
name: George Town (on Grand Cayman) geographic coordinates: 19 18 N, 81 23 W time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Constitution [time series]
several previous; latest approved 10 June 2009, entered into force 6 November 2009 (The Cayman Islands Constitution Order 2009) (2013)
Country name [time series]
conventional long form: none conventional short form: Cayman Islands
Dependency status [time series]
overseas territory of the UK
Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]
none (overseas territory of the UK); consular services provided through the US Embassy in Jamaica
Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Executive branch [time series]
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Helen KILPATRICK (since 6 September 2013) head of government: Premier Alden MCLAUGHLIN (since 29 May 2013) cabinet: The Cabinet (six members are appointed by the governor on the advice of the premier, selected from among the elected members of the Legislative Assembly) (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: the monarchy is hereditary; the governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or coalition appointed by the governor as premier
Flag (Flag description) [time series]
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 and a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS
Government type [time series]
parliamentary democracy
Independence [time series]
none (overseas territory of the UK)
International organization participation [time series]
Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UNESCO (associate), UPU
Judicial branch [time series]
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 [time series]
English common law and local statutes
Legislative branch [time series]
unicameral Legislative Assembly (21 seats; 18 members elected by popular vote, Speaker, and 2 ex officio members - Deputy Governor and Attorney General; to serve four-year terms) elections: last held on 22 May 2013 (next to be held in 2017) election results: percent of vote by party - PPM 36.1%, UDP 27.8%, C4C 18.6%, independents 11.9%, PNA 5.7%; seats by party - PPM 9, UDP 3, C4C 3, independent 2, PNA 1
National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]
name: "Beloved Isle Cayman" lyrics/music: Leila E. ROSS 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 [time series]
Constitution Day, first Monday in July
Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]
People's Progressive Movement or PPM [Kurt TIBBETTS] United Democratic Party or UDP [McKeeva BUSH]
Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]
Coalition for Cayman or C4C National People's Alliance or PNA National Trust other: environmentalists
Suffrage [time series]
18 years of age; universal
Introduction
Background [time series]
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.
Military
Manpower available for military service [time series]
males age 16-49: 12,238 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service [time series]
males age 16-49: 9,981 females age 16-49: 10,417 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]
male: 333 female: 342 (2010 est.)
Military - note [time series]
defense is the responsibility of the UK
Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]
no regular military forces; Royal Cayman Islands Police Force (2012)
People and Society
Age structure [time series]
0-14 years: 18.6% (male 5,030/female 4,962) 15-24 years: 12.9% (male 3,436/female 3,516) 25-54 years: 44.6% (male 11,662/female 12,283) 55-64 years: 13.2% (male 3,388/female 3,729) 65 years and over: 10.7% (male 2,707/female 3,024) (2013 est.)
Birth rate [time series]
12.17 births/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 164
Death rate [time series]
5.3 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 180
Drinking water source [time series]
improved: urban: 96% of population total: 96% of population unimproved: urban: 4% of population total: 4% of population (2010 est.)
Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]
NA
Ethnic groups [time series]
mixed 40%, white 20%, black 20%, expatriates of various ethnic groups 20%
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]
NA
Infant mortality rate [time series]
total: 6.35 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 168 male: 7.26 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.42 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Languages [time series]
English (official) 95%, Spanish 3.2%, other 1.8% (1999 census)
Life expectancy at birth [time series]
total population: 80.91 years country comparison to the world: 23 male: 78.23 years female: 83.64 years (2013 est.)
Literacy [time series]
definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 98.9% male: 98.7% female: 99% (2007 est.)
Major urban areas - population [time series]
GEORGE TOWN (capital) 28,000 (2011)
Median age [time series]
total: 39.3 years male: 38.6 years female: 39.8 years (2013 est.)
Nationality [time series]
noun: Caymanian(s) adjective: Caymanian
Net migration rate [time series]
15.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population country comparison to the world: 7 note: major destination for Cubans trying to migrate to the US (2013 est.)
Population [time series]
53,737 (July 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 208 note: most of the population lives on Grand Cayman (July 2013 est.)
Population growth rate [time series]
2.19% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 44
Religions [time series]
Protestant 67.7% (Church of God 25.5%, Presbyterian/United Church 9.2%, Seventh-Day Adventist 8.4%, Baptist 8.3%, Pentecostal 6.7%, Anglican 3.9%, non-denominational 5.7%), Roman Catholic 12.6%, other religions 4%, other 6.5%, none 6.1%, unspecified 3.2% (2007)
Sanitation facility access [time series]
improved: urban: 96% of population total: 96% of population unimproved: urban: 4% of population total: 4% of population (2010 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]
total: 12 years male: 11 years female: 13 years (2008)
Sex ratio [time series]
at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate [time series]
1.86 children born/woman (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 147
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) (Unemployment, youth ages 15-24) [time series]
total: 13.5% country comparison to the world: 95 male: 13.6% female: 13.3% (2008)
Urbanization [time series]
urban population: 100% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 0.9% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international [time series]
none
Illicit drugs [time series]
major offshore financial center; vulnerable to drug transshipment to the US and Europe (2008)
Transportation
Airports [time series]
3 (2013) country comparison to the world: 196
Airports - with paved runways [time series]
total: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]
total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2012)
Merchant marine [time series]
total: 116 country comparison to the world: 46 by type: bulk carrier 19, cargo 3, chemical tanker 61, liquefied gas 1, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 5, refrigerated cargo 10, vehicle carrier 16 foreign-owned: 102 (Germany 3, Greece 9, Italy 7, Japan 23, Switzerland 1, UK 2, US 57) (2010)
Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]
major seaport(s): Cayman Brac, George Town
Roadways [time series]
total: 785 km country comparison to the world: 188 paved: 785 km (2007)