Broadband - fixed subscriptions [time series]

total: 31,232 (2017 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 49.28 (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: 53,600 (2021 est.) percent of population: 81.07% (2019 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 (2017) 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 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments

Telephones - fixed lines [time series]

total subscriptions: 34,768 (2018) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 54.85 (2018 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

total subscriptions: 96,656 (2018) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 152.5 (2019 est.)

Agricultural 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]

$4.13 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2019 est.) $3.96 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2018 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

recreational boats, gold, broadcasting equipment, sulfates, collector's items (2019)

Exports - partners [time series]

Netherlands 82%, Spain 11% (2019)

Fiscal year [time series]

1 April - 31 March

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$2.25 billion (2008 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.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA

Imports [time series]

$2.7 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2019 est.) $2.52 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2018 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

recreational boats, ships, gold, refined petroleum, cars (2019)

Imports - partners [time series]

Netherlands 56%, United States 18%, Italy 8%, Switzerland 5% (2019)

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

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) [time series]

$4.78 billion note: data are in 2017 dollars (2019 est.) $4.61 billion note: data are in 2017 dollars (2018 est.) $4.409 billion (2017 est.)

Real GDP growth rate [time series]

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

Real GDP per capita [time series]

$73,600 note: data are in 2017 dollars (2019 est.) $71,800 note: data are in 2017 dollars (2018 est.) $69,573 (2017 est.)

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

38.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

4% (2008) 4.4% (2004)

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

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

Air pollutants [time series]

carbon dioxide emissions: 0.55 megatons (2016 est.)

Climate [time series]

tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool, relatively dry winters (November to April)

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)

Land use [time series]

agricultural land: 11.2% (2018 est.) arable land: 0.8% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 2.1% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 8.3% (2018 est.) forest: 52.9% (2018 est.) other: 35.9% (2018 est.)

Revenue from coal [time series]

coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Revenue from forest resources [time series]

forest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 100% of total population (2021) rate of urbanization: 1.13% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Waste and recycling [time series]

municipal solid waste generated annually: 60,000 tons (2014 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 12,600 tons (2013 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 21% (2013 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]

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

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]

total: 0 km

Land use [time series]

agricultural land: 11.2% (2018 est.) arable land: 0.8% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 2.1% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 8.3% (2018 est.) forest: 52.9% (2018 est.) other: 35.9% (2018 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 economic zone: 200 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 2016, 2020

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]

embassy: 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 Wayne PANTON (since 21 April 2021) cabinet: Cabinet selected from the Parliament 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 Parliament (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 14 April 2021 (next to be held on 2025) election results: percent of vote by party - independent 79.1%, PPM 19.6%; seats by party - independent 12, PPM 7

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

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.)

Birth rate [time series]

11.77 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight [time series]

NA

Contraceptive prevalence rate [time series]

NA

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

NA

Death rate [time series]

5.89 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Dependency ratios [time series]

total dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA

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%, African descent 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: 7.84 deaths/1,000 live births male: 9.49 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.16 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 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: 81.84 years male: 79.12 years female: 84.59 years (2021 est.)

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]

12.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.) note: major destination for Cubans trying to migrate to the US

Population [time series]

63,131 (July 2021 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]

1.87% (2021 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]

at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2020 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.83 children born/woman (2021 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 (2021) rate of urbanization: 1.13% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Disputes - international [time series]

none

Illicit drugs [time series]

major offshore financial center vulnerable to drug trafficking money laundering

Airports [time series]

total: 3 (2020)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

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

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

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 160 by type: bulk carrier 32, container ship 1, general cargo 1, oil tanker 23, other 103 (2021)

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)