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Communications

Broadband - fixed subscriptions [time series]

total: 2,700 (2018 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 15 (2018 est.)

Broadcast media [time series]

1 privately owned TV station in Rarotonga provides a mix of local news and overseas-sourced programs (2019)

Internet country code [time series]

.ck

Internet users [time series]

percent of population: 64.8% (2021 est.)

Telephones - fixed lines [time series]

total subscriptions: 6,990 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 48 (2022 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

total subscriptions: 18,100 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 123 (2022 est.)

Economy

Agricultural products [time series]

coconuts, vegetables, papayas, pork, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, fruits, mangoes/guavas, watermelons, chicken (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Budget [time series]

revenues: $113.687 million (2022 est.) expenditures: $143.391 million (2022 est.) note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

Economic overview [time series]

high-income self-governing New Zealand territorial economy; tourism-based activity but diversifying; severely curtailed by COVID-19 pandemic; copra and tropical fruit exporter; Asian Development Bank aid recipient

Exchange rates [time series]

New Zealand dollars (NZD) per US dollar - 1.652 (2024 est.) 1.628 (2023 est.) 1.577 (2022 est.) 1.414 (2021 est.) 1.542 (2020 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

fish, ships, garments, shellfish (2023) note: top export commodities based on value in dollars over $500,000

Exports - partners [time series]

Japan 33%, Thailand 15%, Greece 15%, France 11%, China 8% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$409.077 million (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Imports - commodities [time series]

ships, refined petroleum, cars, plastic products, additive manufacturing machines (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Imports - partners [time series]

NZ 44%, Italy 26%, Fiji 9%, China 7%, Australia 3% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Industries [time series]

fishing, fruit processing, tourism, clothing, handicrafts

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

10.6% (2022 est.) 1.9% (2021 est.) 1% (2020 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) [time series]

$401.155 million (2024 est.) $364.686 million (2023 est.) $306.285 million (2022 est.) note: data are in 2015 dollars

Real GDP growth rate [time series]

10.5% (2022 est.) -24.5% (2021 est.) -5.2% (2020 est.)

Real GDP per capita [time series]

$29,800 (2024 est.) $25,700 (2023 est.) $19,700 (2022 est.) note: data in 2015 dollars

Energy

Coal [time series]

imports: 1 metric tons (2022 est.)

Electricity [time series]

installed generating capacity: 17,000 kW (2023 est.) consumption: 37.5 million kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 3.2 million kWh (2023 est.)

Electricity generation sources [time series]

fossil fuels: 60.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 39.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Petroleum [time series]

refined petroleum consumption: 700 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Environment

Carbon dioxide emissions [time series]

103,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 103,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

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

Environmental issues [time series]

solid- and liquid-waste disposal; soil degradation; deforestation; 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 [time series]

party to: Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Land use [time series]

agricultural land: 7.9% (2023 est.) arable land: 2.1% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 5.8% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.) forest: 65% (2023 est.) other: 27.1% (2023 est.)

Particulate matter emissions [time series]

7.8 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 76.2% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.52% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Geography

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, D.C.

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]

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

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]

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 0 km

Land use [time series]

agricultural land: 7.9% (2023 est.) arable land: 2.1% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 5.8% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.) forest: 65% (2023 est.) other: 27.1% (2023 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

Government

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) amendment process: 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

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 and conducts its own international relations, including establishing diplomatic relationships with foreign countries; New Zealand has a constitutional responsibility to respond to requests for assistance with foreign affairs, disasters, and defense

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

embassy: none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand) note: on 25 September 2023, the US officially established diplomatic relations with Cook Islands

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

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

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Sir Tom J. MARSTERS (since 9 August 2013); New Zealand High Commissioner Catherine GRAHAM (since 8 September 2024) head of government: Prime Minister Mark BROWN (since 1 October 2020) cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister election/appointment process: 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 [time series]

description: blue with the UK flag in the upper-left quadrant and a large circle of 15 five-pointed white stars (one for each island) centered in the right half of the flag

Government type [time series]

parliamentary democracy

Independence [time series]

4 August 1965 (Cook Islands became self-governing state in free association with New Zealand)

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 court(s): 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) 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 note: appeals beyond the Cook Islands Court of Appeal are heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London)

Legal system [time series]

common law similar to New Zealand common law

Legislative branch [time series]

legislature name: Parliament legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 24 (directly elected) electoral system: plurality/majority scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 4 years most recent election date: 8/1/2022 parties elected and seats per party: CIP (12); Demo (5); Cook Islands United Party (3); OCI (1); independent (3) percentage of women in chamber: 25% expected date of next election: 2026 note: the House of Ariki, a 24-member parliamentary body of traditional leaders appointed by the King's representative, serves as a consultative body to the Parliament

National anthem(s) [time series]

title: "Te Atua Mou E" (To God Almighty) lyrics/music: Tepaeru Te RITO/Thomas DAVIS history: adopted 1982; as prime minister, Sir Thomas DAVIS composed the anthem; Pa Tepaeru Terito Ariki, his wife and a tribal chief, wrote the lyrics title: "God Save the King" lyrics/music: unknown history: royal anthem

National coat of arms [time series]

the coat of arms was designed by Papa Motu Kora, a mataiapo (traditional chief) from the Matavera village in Rarotonga; the shield with a circle of 15 five-pointed white stars represents the protection of the people and the country; on each side of the shield is a flying fish ( maroro ) and a white tern ( kakaia ); a Rarotongan orator club above the fish represents local traditions, and a cross above the tern symbolizes Christianity; a red-feathered Ariki headdress ( pare kura ) at the top of the shield represents the country s traditional ranking system

National color(s) [time series]

green, white

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 flower ( Gardenia taitensis )

Political parties [time series]

Cook Islands Party or CIP Democratic Party or Demo One Cook Islands or OCI

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

Polynesians from Tahiti were probably the first people to settle Rarotonga -- the largest of the Cook Islands -- around A.D. 900. Over time, Samoans and Tongans also settled in Rarotonga, and Rarotongans voyaged to the northern Cook Islands, settling Manihiki and Rakahanga. Pukapuka and Penrhyn in the northern Cook Islands were settled directly from Samoa. Prior to European contact, there was considerable travel and trade between inhabitants of the different islands and atolls, but they were not united in a single political entity. Spanish navigators were the first Europeans to spot the northern Cook Islands in 1595, followed by the first landing in 1606, but no further European contact occurred until the 1760s. In 1773, British explorer James COOK spotted Manuae in the southern Cook Islands, and Russian mapmakers named the islands after COOK in the 1820s. Fearing France would militarily occupy the islands as it did in Tahiti, Rarotongans asked the UK for protectorate status in the 1840s and 1860s, a request the UK ignored. In 1888, Queen MAKEA TAKAU of Rarotonga formally petitioned for protectorate status, to which the UK reluctantly agreed. In 1901, the UK placed Rarotonga and the rest of the islands in the New Zealand Colony, and in 1915, the Cook Islands Act organized the islands into one political entity. It remained a protectorate until 1965, when New Zealand granted the Cook Islands self-governing status. The Cook Islands has a great deal of local autonomy and is an independent member of international organizations, but it is in free association with New Zealand, which is responsible for its defense and foreign affairs. In September 2023, the US recognized the Cook Islands as a sovereign and independent state.

Military and Security

Military - note [time series]

defense is the responsibility of New Zealand in consultation with the Cook Islands and at its request the Cook Islands have a "shiprider" agreement with the US, which allows local maritime law enforcement officers to embark on US Coast Guard (USCG) and US Navy (USN) vessels, including to board and search vessels suspected of violating laws or regulations within its designated exclusive economic zone (EEZ) or on the high seas; "shiprider" agreements also enable USCG personnel and USN vessels with embarked USCG law enforcement personnel to work with host nations to protect critical regional resources (2025)

Military and security forces [time series]

no regular military forces; Cook Islands Police Service

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 18.2% (male 738/female 671) 15-64 years: 65.9% (male 2,634/female 2,479) 65 years and over: 16% (2024 est.) (male 608/female 631)

Alcohol consumption per capita [time series]

total: 12.97 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 3.62 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 2.28 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 7.07 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

11.85 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

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

53.2% (2021 est.)

Death rate [time series]

9.48 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Dependency ratios [time series]

total dependency ratio: 53 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 27.4 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 25.5 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 3.9 (2025 est.)

Drinking water source [time series]

urban: NA rural: NA total: 100% of population (2022 est.) urban: NA rural: NA total: 0% of population (2022 est.)

Education expenditure [time series]

3.4% of GDP (2024 est.) 9.2% national budget (2025 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

Cook Island Maori 77.4%, part Cook Island Maori 8.3%, Fijian 3.6%, New Zealand Maori/European 3.4%, Filipino 2.9%, other Pacific Islands 1.8%, other 2.6% (2021 est.)

Gross reproduction rate [time series]

0.97 (2025 est.)

Health expenditure [time series]

3.2% of GDP (2020) 11.9% of national budget (2022 est.)

Hospital bed density [time series]

8.2 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 14.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 19 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.1 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: 77.6 years (2024 est.) male: 74.8 years female: 80.6 years

Maternal mortality ratio [time series]

0 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Median age [time series]

total: 41.5 years (2025 est.) male: 40.7 years female: 41.4 years

Nationality [time series]

noun: Cook Islander(s) adjective: Cook Islander

Net migration rate [time series]

-23.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]

55.9% (2016)

Physician density [time series]

1.67 physicians/1,000 population (2020)

Population [time series]

total: 7,592 (2025 est.) male: 3,890 female: 3,702

Population distribution [time series]

most of the population is found on the island of Rarotonga

Population growth rate [time series]

-2.15% (2025 est.)

Religions [time series]

Protestant 55% (Cook Islands Christian Church 43.1%, Seventh Day Adventist 8.3%, Assemblies of God 3.6%), Roman Catholic 16.7%, Church of Jesus Christ 3.9%, Jehovah's Witness 2.2%, Apostolic Church 2.1%, other 4.5%, none/unspecified 15.6% (2021 est.)

Sanitation facility access [time series]

total: 96.8% of population (2022 est.) total: 3.2% of population (2022 est.)

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

total: 15 years (2023 est.) male: 15 years (2023 est.) female: 15 years (2023 est.)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.96 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Tobacco use [time series]

total: 24% (2025 est.) male: 28.6% (2025 est.) female: 20.1% (2025 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.99 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 76.2% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.52% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

10 (2025)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix [time series]

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 190 (2023) by type: bulk carrier 19, general cargo 44, oil tanker 58, other 69

Ports [time series]

total ports: 1 (2024) large: 0 medium: 0 small: 0 very small: 1 ports with oil terminals: 1 key ports: Avatiu