Broadcast media [time series]

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

Internet country code [time series]

.ck

Internet users [time series]

total: 5,160 | percent of population: 54% (July 2016 est.)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

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) | 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) | 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 [time series]

total subscriptions: 7,800 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 75 (July 2016 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

total subscriptions: 11,000 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 105 (July 2016 est.)

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

revenues: 86.9 million (2010) | expenditures: 77.9 million (2010)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]

3% (of GDP) (2010 est.)

Current account balance [time series]

$26.67 million (2005)

Debt - external [time series]

$141 million (1996 est.)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

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 [time series]

NZ dollars (NZD) per US dollar - | 1.416 (2017 est.) | 1.4341 (2016 est.) | 1.4341 (2015 est.) | 1.441 (2014 est.) | 1.4279 (2013 est.)

Exports [time series]

$3.125 million (2011 est.) | $5.163 million (2010 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

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

Fiscal year [time series]

1 April - 31 March

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

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

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$299.9 million (2016 est.) | $183.2 million (2005 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin [time series]

agriculture: 5.1% (2010 est.) | industry: 12.7% (2010 est.) | services: 82.1% (2010 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$16,700 (2016 est.) | $9,100 (2005 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

0.1% (2005 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA | highest 10%: NA

Imports [time series]

$109.3 million (2011 est.) | $90.62 million (2010 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timber, capital goods

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

1% (2002)

Industries [time series]

fishing, fruit processing, tourism, clothing, handicrafts

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

2.2% (2011 est.)

Labor force [time series]

6,820 (2001)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 29% | industry: 15% | services: 56% (1995)

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA

Stock of broad money [time series]

$148.2 million (31 December 2011 est.) | $170.9 million (31 December 2010 est.)

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$38.99 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

29% (of GDP) (2010 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

13.1% (2005)

Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]

88,810 Mt (2017 est.)

Crude oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - imports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2018 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)

Electricity - consumption [time series]

31.62 million kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]

79% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]

21% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]

14,000 kW (2016 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

34 million kWh (2016 est.)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]

600 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

611 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Area [time series]

total: 236 sq km | land: 236 sq km | water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

1.3 times the size of Washington, DC

Climate [time series]

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

Coastline [time series]

120 km

Elevation [time series]

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m | highest point: Te Manga 652 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

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

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

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

Geographic coordinates [time series]

21 14 S, 159 46 W

Geography - note [time series]

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 [time series]

NA

Land boundaries [time series]

0 km

Land use [time series]

agricultural land: 8.4% (2011 est.) | arable land: 4.2% (2011 est.) / permanent crops: 4.2% (2011 est.) / permanent pasture: 0% (2011 est.) | forest: 64.6% (2011 est.) | other: 27% (2011 est.)

Location [time series]

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

Map references [time series]

Oceania

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 12 nm | exclusive economic zone: 200 nm | continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Natural hazards [time series]

tropical cyclones (November to March)

Natural resources [time series]

coconuts (copra)

Population distribution [time series]

most of the population is found on the island of Rarotonga

Terrain [time series]

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

Administrative divisions [time series]

none

Capital [time series]

name: Avarua | geographic coordinates: 21 12 S, 159 46 W | time difference: UTC-10 (5 hours behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time) | etymology: translates as "two harbors" in Maori

Constitution [time series]

history: 4 August 1965 (Cook Islands Constitution Act 1964) | 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)

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: none | conventional short form: Cook Islands | former: Hervey Islands | etymology: named after Captain James COOK, the British explorer who visited the islands in 1773 and 1777

Dependency status [time series]

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 [time series]

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

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

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

Executive branch [time series]

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) | head of government: Prime Minister Henry PUNA (since 30 November 2010) | cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister | 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

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

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 [time series]

parliamentary democracy

Independence [time series]

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 [time series]

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

International organization participation [time series]

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

Judicial branch [time series]

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 [time series]

common law similar to New Zealand common law

Legislative branch [time series]

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 | elections: last held on 14 June 2018 (next to be held by 2022) | 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%

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

name: "Te Atua Mou E" (To God Almighty) | lyrics/music: Tepaeru Te RITO/Thomas DAVIS | note: adopted 1982; as prime minister, Sir Thomas DAVIS composed the anthem; his wife, a tribal chief, wrote the lyrics

National holiday [time series]

Constitution Day, the first Monday in August (1965)

National symbol(s) [time series]

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

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

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

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Background [time series]

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.

Military - note [time series]

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

Military and security forces [time series]

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

Age structure [time series]

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.) | population pyramid: The World Factbook Field Image Modal × Australia - Oceania :: Cook Islands Print Image Description This is the population pyramid for Cook Islands. A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends. For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page under the References tab.

Birth rate [time series]

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

Current health expenditure (Current Health Expenditure) [time series]

2.7% (2015)

Death rate [time series]

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

Drinking water source [time series]

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

4.7% of GDP (2016)

Ethnic groups [time series]

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

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: 12.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.) | male: 15.3 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 9.8 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages [time series]

English (official) 86.4%, Cook Islands Maori (Rarotongan) (official) 76.2%, other 8.3% (2011 est.) | note: shares sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 76.2 years (2018 est.) | male: 73.4 years | female: 79.2 years

Median age [time series]

total: 37.2 years (2018 est.) | male: 36.7 years | female: 37.6 years

Nationality [time series]

noun: Cook Islander(s) | adjective: Cook Islander

Net migration rate [time series]

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

Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]

55.9% (2016)

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

1.42 physicians/1,000 population (2014)

Population [time series]

9,038 (July 2018 est.) | note: the Cook Islands' Ministry of Finance & Economic Management estimated the resident population to have been 11,700 in September 2016

Population distribution [time series]

most of the population is found on the island of Rarotonga

Population growth rate [time series]

-2.72% (2018 est.)

Religions [time series]

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 [time series]

improved: urban: 97.6% of population (2015 est.) | rural: 97.6% of population (2015 est.) | total: 97.6% of population (2015 est.) | unimproved: urban: 2.4% of population (2015 est.) | rural: 2.4% of population (2015 est.) | total: 2.4% of population (2015 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 15 years | male: 15 years | female: 16 years (2015)

Sex ratio [time series]

Total fertility rate [time series]

2.16 children born/woman (2018 est.)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 75.3% of total population (2019) | rate of urbanization: 0.37% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

Disputes - international [time series]

none

Airports [time series]

11 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 1 (2019) | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 10 (2013) | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2013) | 914 to 1,523 m: 7 (2013) | under 914 m: 1 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix [time series]

E5 (2016)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 215 | by type: bulk carrier 23, container ship 5, general cargo 91, oil tanker 25, other 71 (2018)

National air transport system [time series]

number of registered air carriers: 1 (2015) | inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 1 (2015)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

major seaport(s): Avatiu

Roadways [time series]

total: 295 km (2018) | paved: 207 km (2018) | unpaved: 88 km (2018)