Broadband - fixed subscriptions [time series]

total: 24,535 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 42 (2017 est.)

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

Internet country code [time series]

.ky

Internet users [time series]

total: 48,328 | percent of population: 81.07% (July 2018 est.)

Telecommunication systems [time series]

general assessment: reasonably good overall telephone system with a high fixed-line teledensity; given the high dependence of tourism and activities such as fisheries and offshore financial services, the telecom sector provides a relatively high contribution to overall GDP; good competition in all sectors promotes advancement in mobile telephony and data segments (2018) | domestic: introduction of competition in the mobile-cellular market in 2004 boosted subscriptions dramatically; 55 per 100 fixed-line, 153 per 100 mobile-cellular (2019) | international: country code - 1-345; landing points for the Maya-1, Deep Blue Cable, 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) (2019) | note: the COVID-19 outbreak is negatively impacting telecommunications production and supply chains globally; consumer spending on telecom devices and services has also slowed due to the pandemic's effect on economies worldwide; overall progress towards improvements in all facets of the telecom industry - mobile, fixed-line, broadband, submarine cable and satellite - has moderated

Telephones - fixed lines [time series]

total subscriptions: 33,338 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 54.85 (2019 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

total subscriptions: 92,691 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 152.5 (2019 est.)

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

vegetables, fruit; livestock; turtle farming

Budget [time series]

revenues: 874.5 million (2017 est.) | expenditures: 766.6 million (2017 est.)

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

4.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Credit ratings [time series]

Moody's rating: Aa3 (1997)

Current account balance [time series]

-$492.6 million (2017 est.) | -$493.5 million (2016 est.)

Economic overview [time series]

With no direct taxation, the islands are a thriving offshore financial center. More than 65,000 companies were registered in the Cayman Islands as of 2017, including more than 280 banks, 700 insurers, and 10,500 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 2.1 million in 2016, with more than three-quarters from the US.

Exchange rates [time series]

Caymanian dollars (KYD) per US dollar - | 0.82 (2017 est.) | 0.82 (2016 est.) | 0.82 (2015 est.) | 0.82 (2014 est.) | 0.83 (2013 est.)

Exports [time series]

$421.9 million (2017 est.) | $47.6 million (2016 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) - real) [time series]

$2.507 billion (2014 est.) | $2.465 billion (2013 est.) | $2.435 billion (2012 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use [time series]

household consumption: 62.3% (2017 est.) | government consumption: 14.5% (2017 est.) | investment in fixed capital: 22.1% (2017 est.) | investment in inventories: 0.1% (2017 est.) | exports of goods and services: 65.4% (2017 est.) | imports of goods and services: -64.2% (2017 est.)

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

agriculture: 0.3% (2017 est.) | industry: 7.4% (2017 est.) | services: 92.3% (2017 est.)

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

$43,800 (2004 est.)

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

1.7% (2014 est.) | 1.2% (2013 est.) | 1.6% (2012 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA | highest 10%: NA

Imports [time series]

$787.3 million (2017 est.) | $810.1 million (2016 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

foodstuffs, manufactured goods, fuels

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

2.2% (2017 est.)

Industries [time series]

tourism, banking, insurance and finance, construction, construction materials, furniture

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

2% (2017 est.) | -0.6% (2016 est.)

Labor force [time series]

39,000 (2007 est.) | note: nearly 55% are non-nationals

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 1.9% | industry: 19.1% | services: 79% (2008 est.)

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

38.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

4% (2008) | 4.4% (2004)

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

643,800 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]

612 million kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]

100% 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]

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]

132,000 kW (2016 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

650 million kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity access [time series]

electrification - total population: 100% (2020)

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]

4,400 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

4,285 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Area [time series]

total: 264 sq km | 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 [time series]

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m | highest point: 1 km SW of The Bluff on Cayman Brac 50 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

no natural freshwater resources; drinking water supplies are met by reverse osmosis desalination plants and rainwater catchment; trash washing up on the beaches or being deposited there by residents; no recycling or waste treatment facilities; deforestation (trees being cut down to create space for commercial use)

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% (2011 est.) | arable land: 0.8% (2011 est.) / permanent crops: 2.1% (2011 est.) / permanent pasture: 8.3% (2011 est.) | forest: 52.9% (2011 est.) | 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 [time series]

majority of the population resides on Grand Cayman

Terrain [time series]

low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs

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) | etymology: named after English King George III (1738-1820)

Citizenship [time series]

see United Kingdom

Constitution [time series]

history: several previous; latest approved 10 June 2009, entered into force 6 November 2009 (The Cayman Islands Constitution Order 2009) | amendments: amended several times, last in 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 Martyn ROPER (since 29 October 2018) | head of government: Premier Alden MCLAUGHLIN (since 29 May 2013) | cabinet: Cabinet 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; a scroll below the shield bears the motto HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS

Government type [time series]

parliamentary democracy; 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 courts: 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 (21 seats; 19 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 24 May 2017 (next to be held on 26 May 2021) | election results: percent of vote by party - independent 44.7%, PPM 31.2%, CDP 24.1%; seats by party - independent 9, PPM 7, CDP 3; composition - men 18, women 3, percent of women 14.3%

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, the first Monday in July (1959)

National symbol(s) [time series]

green sea turtle

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

People's Progressive Movement or PPM [Alden MCLAUGHLIN] Cayman Democratic Party or CDP [McKeeva BUSH]

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

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 - note [time series]

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Military and security forces [time series]

no regular military forces; Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (2019)

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 17.75% (male 5,535/female 5,457) | 15-24 years: 11.86% (male 3,673/female 3,675) | 25-54 years: 41.37% (male 12,489/female 13,140) | 55-64 years: 14.78% (male 4,398/female 4,755) | 65 years and over: 14.24% (male 4,053/female 4,769) (2020 est.) | population pyramid: The World Factbook Field Image Modal × Central America :: Cayman Islands Print Image Description This is the population pyramid for Cayman 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]

11.9 births/1,000 population (2020 est.)

Death rate [time series]

6.1 deaths/1,000 population (2020 est.)

Drinking water source [time series]

improved: urban: 97.4% of population | total: 97.4% of population | unimproved: urban: 2.6% of population | 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: 5.5 deaths/1,000 live births | male: 6.3 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 4.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2020 est.)

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: 81.6 years | male: 78.9 years | female: 84.4 years (2020 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school | total population: 98.9% | male: 98.7% | female: 99% (2007)

Major urban areas - population [time series]

35,000 GEORGE TOWN (capital) (2018)

Median age [time series]

total: 40.5 years | male: 39.7 years | female: 41.2 years (2020 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Caymanian(s) | adjective: Caymanian

Net migration rate [time series]

13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2020 est.) | note: major destination for Cubans trying to migrate to the US

Population [time series]

61,944 (July 2020 est.) | note: most of the population lives on Grand Cayman

Population distribution [time series]

majority of the population resides on Grand Cayman

Population growth rate [time series]

1.9% (2020 est.)

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]

improved: urban: 95.6% of population | total: 95.6% of population | unimproved: urban: 4.4% of population | total: 4.4% of population (2015 est.)

Sex ratio [time series]

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.83 children born/woman (2020 est.)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) (Unemployment, youth ages 15-24) [time series]

total: 13.8% | male: 16.4% | female: 11.4% (2015 est.)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 100% of total population (2020) | rate of urbanization: 1.27% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.) | total population growth rate v. urban population growth rate, 2000-2030: PDF

Disputes - international [time series]

none

Illicit drugs [time series]

major offshore financial center; vulnerable to drug transshipment to the US and Europe

Airports [time series]

3 (2020)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 3 (2017) | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2017) | 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 1 (2012) | 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2012)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix [time series]

VP-C (2016)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 170 | by type: bulk carrier 32general cargo 4, oil tanker 22, other 112 (2019)

National air transport system [time series]

number of registered air carriers: 1 (2020) | inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 6

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

major seaport(s): Cayman Brac, George Town

Roadways [time series]

total: 785 km (2007) | paved: 785 km (2007)