ARCHIVE // KY // 2016

Cayman Islands

2016 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 [time series]
total: 43,000 | percent of population: 77% (July 2015 est.) | 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 boosted subscriptions dramatically | 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) (2015)
Telephones - fixed lines [time series]
total subscriptions: 33,534 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 60 (July 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 170
Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]
total: 93,000 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 166 (July 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 193
Economy
Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]
vegetables, fruit; livestock; turtle farming
Budget [time series]
revenues: $834.4 million | expenditures: $734.6 million (2015 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]
4.4% of GDP (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 10
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. Nearly 90% of the islands' food and consumer goods must be imported. The Caymanians enjoy a standard of living comparable to that of Switzerland. | 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.
Exchange rates [time series]
Caymanian dollars (KYD) per US dollar - | 0.82 (2015 est.) | 0.82 (2014 est.) | 0.83 (2013 est.) | 0.83 (2012 est.) | 0.83 (2011 est.)
Exports [time series]
$45 million (2015 est.) | $73.2 million (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 204
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]
$2.507 billion (2014 est.) | $2.465 billion (2013 est.) | $2.435 billion (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 191
GDP - composition, by end use [time series]
household consumption: 54.8% | government consumption: 13% | investment in fixed capital: 20% | investment in inventories: 0% | exports of goods and services: 49.6% | imports of goods and services: -37.4% (2015 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin [time series]
agriculture: 0.3% | industry: 7.2% | services: 92.6% (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]
$43,800 (2004 est.) | country comparison to the world: 34
Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]
1.7% (2014 est.) | 1.2% (2013 est.) | 1.6% (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 141
Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]
lowest 10%: NA% | highest 10%: NA%
Imports [time series]
$579.5 million (2015 est.) | $601.5 million (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 191
Imports - commodities [time series]
foodstuffs, manufactured goods, fuels
Industrial production growth rate [time series]
0.5% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 158
Industries [time series]
tourism, banking, insurance and finance, construction, construction materials, furniture
Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]
-2.9% (2015 est.) | 1.3% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 2
Labor force [time series]
39,000 | note: nearly 55% are non-nationals (2007 est.) | country comparison to the world: 197
Labor force - by occupation [time series]
agriculture: 1.9% | industry: 19.1% | services: 79% (2008 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]
$315.6 million (31 December 2015 est.) | $183.5 million (31 December 2007 est.) | $188.4 million (31 December 2006) | country comparison to the world: 115
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: 127
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: 173
Taxes and other revenues [time series]
37.1% of GDP (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 53
Unemployment rate [time series]
4% (2008) | 4.4% (2004) | country comparison to the world: 33
Energy
Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]
500,000 Mt (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 182
Crude oil - exports [time series]
0 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 110
Crude oil - imports [time series]
0 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 173
Crude oil - production [time series]
0 bbl/day (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 118
Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]
0 bbl (1 January 2016 es) | country comparison to the world: 117
Electricity - consumption [time series]
600 million kWh (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 171
Electricity - exports [time series]
0 kWh (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 122
Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]
100% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 9
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 166
Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 68
Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 168
Electricity - imports [time series]
0 kWh (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 132
Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]
100,000 kW (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 164
Electricity - production [time series]
600 million kWh (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 160
Electricity access [time series]
population without electricity: 5,726 | electrification - total population: 91% | electrification - urban areas: 91% | electrification - rural areas: 80% (2012)
Natural gas - consumption [time series]
0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 130
Natural gas - exports [time series]
0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 79
Natural gas - imports [time series]
0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 178
Natural gas - production [time series]
0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 171
Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]
0 cu m (1 January 2014 es) | country comparison to the world: 124
Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]
4,000 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 177
Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]
0 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 168
Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]
3,984 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 169
Refined petroleum products - production [time series]
0 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 167
Geography
Area [time series]
total: 264 sq km | land: 264 sq km | water: 0 sq km | country comparison to the world: 211
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 [time series]
mean elevation: NA | elevation extremes: 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 are met by reverse osmosis desalination plants
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]
agricultural land: 11.2% | arable land 0.8%; permanent crops 2.1%; permanent pasture 8.3% | forest: 52.9% | other: 35.9% (2011 est.)
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
Population distribution (Population - distribution) [time series]
majority of the population resides on Grand Cayman
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) | daylight saving time: a decision has been made to introduce DST in the archipelago for the first time beginning in 2016; a date for implementation is pending, though it seems likely it will match the date used in the US and Canada
Citizenship [time series]
see United Kingdom
Constitution [time series]
several previous; latest approved 10 June 2009, entered into force 6 November 2009 (The Cayman Islands Constitution Order 2009) (2016)
Country name [time series]
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 [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 (6 members selected from the Legislative Assembly and appointed by the governor on the advice of the premier) | 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
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 (Legislative Assembly); self-governing overseas territory of the UK
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 resident 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]
description: unicameral Legislative Assembly (20 seats; 18 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) | 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%, PNA 5.7%, independent 11.9%; seats by party - PPM 9, UDP 3, C4C 3, PNA 1, independent 2
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
National symbol(s) [time series]
green sea turtle
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. The territory has transformed itself into a significant offshore financial center.
Military and Security
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: 18.13% (male 5,226/female 5,154) | 15-24 years: 12.59% (male 3,577/female 3,635) | 25-54 years: 43% (male 12,010/female 12,615) | 55-64 years: 14.22% (male 3,872/female 4,272) | 65 years and over: 12.06% (male 3,231/female 3,676) (2016 est.)
Birth rate [time series]
12.1 births/1,000 population (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 166
Death rate [time series]
5.7 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 171
Drinking water source [time series]
urban: 97.4% of population | rural: NA | total: 97.4% of population | urban: 2.6% of population | rural: NA | total: 2.6% of population (2015 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 deaths/1,000 live births | male: 6.8 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 5.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 166
Languages [time series]
English (official) 90.9%, Spanish 4%, Filipino 3.3%, other 1.7%, unspecified 0.1% (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth [time series]
total population: 81.2 years | male: 78.5 years | female: 84 years (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 29
Literacy [time series]
definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school | total population: 98.9% | male: 98.7% | female: 99% (2007 est.)
Major infectious diseases [time series]
note: active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus (2016)
Major urban areas - population [time series]
GEORGE TOWN (capital) 31,000 (2014)
Median age [time series]
total: 39.9 years | male: 39.2 years | female: 40.5 years (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 50
Nationality [time series]
noun: Caymanian(s) | adjective: Caymanian
Net migration rate [time series]
14.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population | note: major destination for Cubans trying to migrate to the US (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 4
Population [time series]
57,268 (July 2013 est.) | note: most of the population lives on Grand Cayman (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 207
Population distribution [time series]
majority of the population resides on Grand Cayman
Population growth rate [time series]
2.05% (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 45
Religions [time series]
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 [time series]
urban: 95.6% of population | total: 95.6% of population | urban: 4.4% of population | total: 4.4% of population (2015 est.)
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: 0.89 male(s)/female | total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2016 est.)
Total fertility rate [time series]
1.85 children born/woman (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 145
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) (Unemployment, youth ages 15-24) [time series]
total: 24.2% | male: 32% | female: 16.6% (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 86
Urbanization [time series]
urban population: 100% of total population (2015) | rate of urbanization: 1.54% 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)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix [time series]
VP-C (2016)
Merchant marine [time series]
total: 116 | 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) | country comparison to the world: 46
National air transport system [time series]
number of registered air carriers: 1 | inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 6 (2015)
Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]
major seaport(s): Cayman Brac, George Town
Roadways [time series]
total: 785 km | paved: 785 km (2007) | country comparison to the world: 189