Cayman Islands

LOCATION

Background: The British colonized the Cayman Islands during the 18th and 19th centuries, and Jamaica -- also a British colony at the time -- administered the islands 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.

Location: Caribbean, three-island group (Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, Little Cayman) in Caribbean Sea, 240 km south of Cuba and 268 km northwest of Jamaica
Geographic coordinates: 19 30 N, 80 30 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area: total: 264 sq km
land: 264 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: 1.5 times the size of Washington, D.C.
Land boundaries: total: 0 km
Coastline: 160 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate: tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool, relatively dry winters (November to April)
Terrain: low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs
Elevation: highest point: 1 km SW of The Bluff on Cayman Brac 50 m
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
Natural resources: fish, climate and beaches that foster tourism
Land use: agricultural land: 11.2% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land: arable land: 0.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops: permanent crops: 2.1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture: permanent pasture: 8.3% (2023 est.)
forest: 53% (2023 est.)
other: 35.8% (2023 est.)
Irrigated land: NA
Population distribution: majority of the population resides on Grand Cayman
Natural hazards: hurricanes (July to November)
Geography - note: important location between Cuba and Central America

Population: total: 66,653 (2024 est.)
male: 32,379
female: 34,274
Nationality: noun: Caymanian(s)
adjective: Caymanian
Ethnic groups: Cayman Islander 35.4%, Jamaican 24.8%, Filipino 5.5%, British 5.3%, American 5.2%, Honduran 4.2%, Canadian 3.3%, Indian 2.1%, Cuban 1.6%, Nicaraguan 1%, other 11.1%, unspecified 0.5% (2021 est.)
Languages: English (official) 88.8%, Spanish 3.9%, Filipino 3.8%, other 2.8%, unspecified 0.7% (2021 est.)
Religions: Protestant 60.8% (includes Church of God 19.5%, Seventh Day Adventist 8.7%, non-denominational 8.3%, Baptist 6.9%, Pentecostal 6.8%, Presbyterian/United Church 5.7%, Anglican 2.8%, Wesleyan Holiness 1.5%, Methodist 0.5%), Roman Catholic 13.6%, Hindu 1.7%, Jehovah's Witness 0.9%, other 4.8%, none 16.7%, unspecified 1.4% (2021 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 17.4% (male 5,845/female 5,767)
15-64 years: 65.9% (male 21,480/female 22,456)
65 years and over: 16.7% (2024 est.) (male 5,054/female 6,051)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 51.7 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 26.4 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 25.3 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio: 4 (2024 est.)
Median age: total: 41.3 years (2025 est.)
male: 40.3 years
female: 42 years
Population growth rate: 1.71% (2025 est.)
Birth rate: 11.41 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate: 6.24 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Net migration rate: 11.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Population distribution: majority of the population resides on Grand Cayman
Urbanization: urban population: 100% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 1.13% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 35,000 GEORGE TOWN (capital) (2018)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female
total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 7.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
male: 8.8 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 5.7 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 82.5 years (2024 est.)
male: 79.8 years
female: 85.2 years
Total fertility rate: 1.81 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate: 0.9 (2025 est.)
Drinking water source: improved: urban: urban: 95.5% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total: total: 95.5% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban: urban: 4.5% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total: total: 4.5% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: urban: 93.5% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total: total: 93.5% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban: urban: 6.5% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total: total: 6.5% of population (2022 est.)
Education expenditure: Education expenditure (% GDP): 1.6% of GDP (2023 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget): 15% national budget (2019 est.)

Environmental issues: no natural freshwater resources; trash washing up or being deposited on beaches; no recycling or waste-treatment facilities; deforestation
Climate: tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool, relatively dry winters (November to April)
Land use: agricultural land: 11.2% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land: arable land: 0.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops: permanent crops: 2.1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture: permanent pasture: 8.3% (2023 est.)
forest: 53% (2023 est.)
other: 35.8% (2023 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 100% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 1.13% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions: total emissions: 737,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 737,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 60,000 tons (2024 est.)

Country name: conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Cayman Islands
etymology: Spanish explorers named the islands in the early 16th century, using the Carib word for marine crocodiles, caiman
Government type: parliamentary democracy; self-governing overseas territory of the UK
Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK
Capital: 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: originally named Hogstyes, the town was renamed in honor of English King GEORGE III (1738-1820) around 1800
Administrative divisions: 6 districts; Bodden Town, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, East End, George Town, North Side, West Bay
Legal system: English common law and local statutes
Constitution: history: several previous; latest approved 10 June 2009, entered into force 6 November 2009 (The Cayman Islands Constitution Order 2009)
Citizenship: see United Kingdom
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor Jane OWEN (since 21 April 2023)
head of government: Premier André Martin EBANKS (since 6 May 2025)
cabinet: Cabinet selected from the Parliament and appointed by the governor on the advice of the premier
election/appointment process: the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the governor appoints the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as premier
Legislative branch: legislature name: Parliament
legislative structure: unicameral
number of seats: 21 (directly elected and appointed)
scope of elections: full renewal
term in office: 4 years
most recent election date: 4/14/2021
parties elected and seats per party: independent (12); PPM (7)
percentage of women in chamber: 23.8%
expected date of next election: 2025
Judicial branch: highest court(s): 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)
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
Political parties: Cayman Islands Peoples Party or CIPPPeople's Progressive Movement or PPM
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy: none (overseas territory of the UK); consular services provided through the US Embassy in Jamaica
International organization participation: Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UNESCO (associate), UPU
Independence: none (overseas territory of the UK)
National holiday: Constitution Day, the first Monday in July (1959)
Flag: description: a blue field with the UK flag in the upper-left quadrant and the Caymanian coat of arms centered on the right half of the flag; the coat of arms has a pineapple, a turtle, a shield with a golden lion and three green stars, and a scroll below the shield with the motto HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEASmeaning: the pineapple represents ties to Jamaica; the turtle represents the Caymans' seafaring tradition; the lion symbolizes Great Britain; the green stars represent the three islands; the white and blue wavy lines on the coat of arms represent the sea
National symbol(s): green sea turtle
National coat of arms: the Queen of England approved the Cayman Islands' coat of arms -- which was designed with input from the public -- in 1958; the shield features the lion of England and three green stars that symbolize the three islands of Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman; the green turtle stands for the islands’ seafaring history, the rope under it for the thatch-rope industry, and the pineapple for historical ties with Jamaica; the motto comes from Psalms 24, acknowledging the Caymans’ Christian heritage
National anthem(s): title: "God Save the King"
lyrics/music: unknown
history: official anthem, as an overseas UK territory

Economic overview: dominant offshore banking territory; services sector accounts for over 85% of economic activity; recently adopted a fiscal responsibility framework to combat tax evasion and money laundering; large tourism sector; does not have any welfare system; high standard of living
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023: $5.705 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022: $5.467 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2021: $5.199 billion (2021 est.)
Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2023: 4.4% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2022: 5.2% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2021: 4.9% (2021 est.)
Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2023: $78,100 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2022: $76,400 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2021: $74,200 (2021 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate): $7.139 billion (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2017: 2% (2017 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2016: -0.6% (2016 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2015: -2.3% (2015 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 0.5% (2022 est.)
industry: 8.2% (2022 est.)
services: 85.4% (2022 est.)
Agricultural products: vegetables, fruit; livestock; turtle farming
Industries: tourism, banking, insurance and finance, construction, construction materials, furniture
Industrial production growth rate: 3.4% (2022 est.)
Remittances: Remittances 2023: 0.2% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances 2022: 0.2% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2021: 0.2% of GDP (2021 est.)
Budget: revenues: $874.5 million (2017 est.)
expenditures: $766.6 million (2017 est.)
Current account balance: Current account balance 2023: -$712.684 million (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2022: -$749.482 million (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2021: -$794.205 million (2021 est.)
Exports: Exports 2023: $4.6 billion (2023 est.)
Exports 2022: $4.215 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2021: $3.542 billion (2021 est.)
Exports - partners: UK 40%, Cyprus 21%, Germany 9%, Grenada 8%, Italy 5% (2023)
Exports - commodities: aircraft, ships, refined petroleum, natural gas, broadcasting equipment (2023)
Imports: Imports 2023: $3.444 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2022: $3.287 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2021: $2.808 billion (2021 est.)
Imports - partners: Germany 30%, USA 29%, Italy 20%, Turkey 5%, China 5% (2023)
Imports - commodities: ships, refined petroleum, cars, furniture, jewelry (2023)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023: $234 million (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022: $225.4 million (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2021: $228.3 million (2021 est.)
Exchange rates: Currency: Caymanian dollars (KYD) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2024: 0.833 (2024 est.)
Exchange rates 2023: 0.833 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2022: 0.833 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2021: 0.833 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2020: 0.833 (2020 est.)

Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 176,000 kW (2023 est.)
consumption: 698.767 million kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 2.117 million kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 96.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar: 3.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
wind: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Petroleum: refined petroleum consumption: 5,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: Total energy consumption per capita 2023: 143.149 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 36,000 (2021 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 50 (2022 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 99,737 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 139 (2022 est.)
Broadcast media: 4 TV stations; cable and satellite subscription services offer 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: .ky
Internet users: percent of population: 81% (2017 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 40,000 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 56 (2022 est.)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: VP-C
Airports: 3 (2025)
Heliports: 5 (2025)
Merchant marine: total: 130 (2023)
by type: bulk carrier 29, container ship 3, general cargo 1, oil tanker 20, other 77
Ports: total ports: 2 (2024)
large: 0
medium: 0
small: 0
very small: 2
ports with oil terminals: 2
key ports: Cayman Brac, Georgetown

Military and security forces: no regular military forces; Royal Cayman Islands Police Service
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK

Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees: 65 (2024 est.)