Broadcast media [time series]

no local terrestrial TV stations, broadcasts from the Bahamas can be received and multi-channel cable and satellite TV services are available; government-run radio network operates alongside private broadcasters with a total of about 15 stations

Internet country code [time series]

.tc

Internet users [time series]

total: 37,008 (2022) percent of population: 93.5% (2022)

Telecommunication systems [time series]

general assessment: is connected to the internet via a single submarine fiber-optic cable (Arcos-1), which links the US and several Caribbean countries (2023) domestic: fixed-line teledensity is 9 per 100 persons (2021) international: country code - 1-649; landing point for the ARCOS fiber-optic telecommunications submarine cable providing connectivity to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2020)

Telephones - fixed lines [time series]

total subscriptions: 4,000 (2021 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 9 (2021 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

total subscriptions: 25,085 (2004 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 110 (2004 est.)

Agricultural products [time series]

corn, beans, cassava (manioc, tapioca), citrus fruits; fish

Budget [time series]

revenues: $247.3 million (2017 est.) expenditures: $224.3 million (2017 est.)

Current account balance [time series]

$172.709 million (2018 est.) $35.016 million (2017 est.) $247.081 million (2016 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

NA

Economic overview [time series]

British Caribbean island territorial economy; GDP and its tourism industry hit hard by COVID-19 disruptions; major biodiversity locale; US dollar user; fossil fuel dependent; negative trade balance; increasing unemployment

Exchange rates [time series]

the US dollar is used

Exports [time series]

$827 million (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $603 million (2017 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

plastic building materials, stone processing machinery, iron structures, crustaceans, integrated circuits (2019)

Exports - partners [time series]

France 31%, United States 16%, Zambia 13%, Singapore 9%, Republic of the Congo 8% (2019)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$1.02 billion (2018 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use [time series]

household consumption: 49% (2017 est.) government consumption: 21.5% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 16.5% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: -0.1% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 69.5% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -56.4% (2017 est.)

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

agriculture: 0.5% (2017 est.) industry: 8.9% (2017 est.) services: 90.6% (2017 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA

Imports [time series]

$544.219 million (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $484.842 million (2017 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

refined petroleum, cars, jewelry, furniture, soybeans (2019)

Imports - partners [time series]

United States 76% (2019)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

5% (2021 est.)

Industries [time series]

tourism, offshore financial services

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

4% (2017 est.) 0.7% (2016 est.)

Labor force [time series]

4,848 (1990 est.)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

note: about 33% in government and 20% in agriculture and fishing; significant numbers in tourism, financial, and other services

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) [time series]

$835.171 million (2021 est.) $817.993 million (2020 est.) $1.117 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars

Real GDP growth rate [time series]

2.1% (2021 est.) -26.78% (2020 est.) 5.32% (2019 est.)

Real GDP per capita [time series]

$18,500 (2021 est.) $18,500 (2020 est.) $25,900 (2019 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars

Unemployment rate [time series]

10% (1997 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions [time series]

245,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 245,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

Coal [time series]

production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)

Electricity [time series]

installed generating capacity: 85,000 kW (2020 est.) consumption: 231.618 million kWh (2019 est.) exports: 0 kWh (2020 est.) imports: 0 kWh (2020 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 12.5 million kWh (2019 est.)

Electricity access [time series]

electrification - total population: 100% (2021)

Electricity generation sources [time series]

fossil fuels: 100% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

Energy consumption per capita [time series]

0 Btu/person (2019 est.)

Natural gas [time series]

production: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) consumption: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

Petroleum [time series]

total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 1,600 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 bbl/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 bbl/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

1,369 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Air pollutants [time series]

carbon dioxide emissions: 0.22 megatons (2016 est.)

Climate [time series]

tropical; marine; moderated by trade winds; sunny and relatively dry

Environment - current issues [time series]

limited natural freshwater resources, private cisterns collect rainwater

Land use [time series]

agricultural land: 1.1% (2018 est.) arable land: 1.1% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.) forest: 36.2% (2018 est.) other: 62.7% (2018 est.)

Revenue from coal [time series]

0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Revenue from forest resources [time series]

0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 94.2% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.46% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Area [time series]

total: 948 sq km land: 948 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Climate [time series]

tropical; marine; moderated by trade winds; sunny and relatively dry

Coastline [time series]

389 km

Elevation [time series]

highest point: Blue Hill on Providenciales and Flamingo Hill on East Caicos 48 m lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

Geographic coordinates [time series]

21 45 N, 71 35 W

Geography - note [time series]

include eight large islands and numerous smaller cays, islets, and reefs; only two of the Caicos Islands and six of the Turks group are inhabited

Irrigated land [time series]

0 sq km (2022)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 0 km

Land use [time series]

agricultural land: 1.1% (2018 est.) arable land: 1.1% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.) forest: 36.2% (2018 est.) other: 62.7% (2018 est.)

Location [time series]

two island groups in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of The Bahamas, north of Haiti; note - although the Turks and Caicos Islands do not border the Caribbean Sea, geopolitically they are often designated as being Caribbean

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]

frequent hurricanes

Natural resources [time series]

spiny lobster, conch

Population distribution [time series]

eight of the thirty islands are inhabited; the island of Providenciales is the most populated, but the most densely populated is Grand Turk

Terrain [time series]

low, flat limestone; extensive marshes and mangrove swamps

Administrative divisions [time series]

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Capital [time series]

name: Grand Turk (Cockburn Town) geographic coordinates: 21 28 N, 71 08 W time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: named after Sir Francis COCKBURN, who served as governor of the Bahamas from 1837 to 1844

Citizenship [time series]

see United Kingdom

Constitution [time series]

history: several previous; latest signed 7 August 2012, effective 15 October 2012 (The Turks and Caicos Constitution Order 2011) amendments: NA

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: none conventional short form: Turks and Caicos Islands abbreviation: TCI etymology: the Turks Islands are named after the Turk's cap cactus (native to the islands and appearing on the flag and coat of arms), while the Caicos Islands derive from the native term "caya hico" meaning "string of islands"

Dependency status [time series]

overseas territory of the UK

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

embassy: none (overseas territory of the UK)

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor Nigel DAKIN (since 15 July 2019) head of government: Premier Washington MISICK (since 19 February 2021) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor from among members of the House of Assembly elections/appointments: the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party is appointed premier by the governor

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the colonial shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield is yellow and displays a conch shell, a spiny lobster, and Turk's cap cactus - three common elements of the islands' biota

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), UPU

Judicial branch [time series]

highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and other judges, as determined by the governor); Court of Appeal (consists of the court president and 2 justices); note - appeals beyond the Supreme Court are referred to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court and Appeals Court judges appointed by the governor in accordance with the Judicial Service Commission, a 3-member body of high-level judicial officials; Supreme Court judges serve until mandatory retirement at age 65, but terms can be extended to age 70; Appeals Court judge tenure determined by individual terms of appointment subordinate courts: magistrates' courts

Legal system [time series]

mixed legal system of English common law and civil law

Legislative branch [time series]

description: unicameral House of Assembly (21 seats; 15 members in multi-seat constituencies and a single all-islands constituency directly elected by simple majority vote, 1 member nominated by the premier and appointed by the governor, 1 nominated by the opposition party leader and appointed by the governor, and 2 from the Turks and Caicos Islands Civic Society directly appointed by the governor, and 2 ex-officio members; members serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 19 February 2021 (next to be held in 2025) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats by party - PNP 14, PDM 1; composition as of mid-2022 (elected members) - men 12, women 3; percent of women 20%

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

name: "This Land of Ours" lyrics/music: Conrad HOWELL note: serves as a local anthem; as an overseas territory of the UK, "God Save the King" is the official anthem (see United Kingdom)

National holiday [time series]

Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, usually celebrated the Monday after the second Saturday in June

National symbol(s) [time series]

conch shell, Turk's cap cactus

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

People's Democratic Movement or PDM [Edwin ASTWOOD] Progressive National Party or PNP [Washington MISICK]

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Background [time series]

The islands were part of the UK's Jamaican colony until 1962, when they assumed the status of a separate Crown colony upon Jamaica's independence. The governor of The Bahamas oversaw affairs from 1965 to 1973. With Bahamian independence, the islands received a separate governor in 1973. Although independence was agreed upon for 1982, the policy was reversed and the islands remain a British overseas territory. Grand Turk island suffered extensive damage from Hurricane Maria on 22 September 2017 resulting in loss of power and communications, as well as damage to housing and businesses.

Military - note [time series]

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 20.7% (male 6,262/female 6,026) 15-64 years: 73.24% (male 21,860/female 21,619) 65 years and over: 6.06% (2023 est.) (male 1,741/female 1,859)

Birth rate [time series]

13.2 births/1,000 population (2023 est.)

Child marriage [time series]

women married by age 18: 23.3% men married by age 18: 5.1% (2020 est.)

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

0.4% (2019/20) NA

Contraceptive prevalence rate [time series]

34.4% (2019/20)

Current health expenditure [time series]

NA

Currently married women (ages 15-49) [time series]

59.1% (2023 est.)

Death rate [time series]

3.5 deaths/1,000 population (2023 est.)

Dependency ratios [time series]

total dependency ratio: 36.8 youth dependency ratio: 22.9 elderly dependency ratio: 13.9 potential support ratio: 7.2 (2021)

Drinking water source [time series]

improved: total: 94.3% of population unimproved: total: 5.7% of population (2017)

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

4.5% of GDP (2021 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

Black 87.6%, White 7.9%, mixed 2.5%, East Indian 1.3%, other 0.7% (2006 est.)

Gross reproduction rate [time series]

0.83 (2023 est.)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 11.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2023 est.) male: 14.2 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.3 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages [time series]

English (official)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 81 years (2023 est.) male: 78.3 years female: 83.9 years

Literacy [time series]

total population: NA male: NA female: NA

Major urban areas - population [time series]

5,000 GRAND TURK (capital) (2018)

Median age [time series]

total: 35.9 years (2023 est.) male: 36.1 years female: 35.7 years

Nationality [time series]

noun: none adjective: none

Net migration rate [time series]

8.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2023 est.)

People - note [time series]

destination and transit point for illegal Haitian immigrants bound for the Bahamas and the US

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

NA

Population [time series]

59,367 (2023 est.)

Population distribution [time series]

eight of the thirty islands are inhabited; the island of Providenciales is the most populated, but the most densely populated is Grand Turk

Population growth rate [time series]

1.81% (2023 est.)

Religions [time series]

Protestant 72.8% (Baptist 35.8%, Church of God 11.7%, Anglican 10%, Methodist 9.3%, Seventh Day Adventist 6%), Roman Catholic 11.4%, Jehovah's Witness 1.8%, other 14% (2006 est.)

Sanitation facility access [time series]

improved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 88% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 12% of population (2017)

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

total: 9 years male: NA female: (2015) NA

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2023 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.7 children born/woman (2023 est.)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 94.2% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.46% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Disputes - international [time series]

none identified

Illicit drugs [time series]

transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe

Airports [time series]

8 (2021)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

6 note: paved runways have a concrete or asphalt surface but not all have facilities for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control; the length of a runway required for aircraft to safely operate depends on a number of factors including the type of aircraft, the takeoff weight (including passengers, cargo, and fuel), engine types, flap settings, landing speed, elevation of the airport, and average maximum daily air temperature; paved runways can reach a length of 5,000 m (16,000 ft.), but the typical length of a commercial airline runway is between 2,500-4,000 m (8,000-13,000 ft.)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

2 note: unpaved runways have a surface composition such as grass or packed earth and are most suited to the operation of light aircraft; unpaved runways are usually short, often less than 1,000 m (3,280 ft.) in length; airports with unpaved runways often lack facilities for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix [time series]

VQ-T

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 3 (2022) by type: general cargo 1, other 2

National air transport system [time series]

number of registered air carriers: 3 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 22

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

major seaport(s): Cockburn Harbour, Grand Turk, Providenciales

Roadways [time series]

total: 121 km (2003) paved: 24 km (2003) unpaved: 97 km (2003)