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Cayman Islands

Code: CJ | Region: Central America N Caribbean

Introduction

Background

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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.

Geography

Location

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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

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19 30 N, 80 30 W

Map references

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Central America and the Caribbean

Area

total

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264 sq km

land

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264 sq km

water

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0 sq km

Area - comparative

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1.5 times the size of Washington, D.C.

Land boundaries

total

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0 km

Coastline

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160 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea

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12 nm

exclusive economic zone

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200 nm

exclusive fishing zone

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200 nm

Climate

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

Terrain

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low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs

Elevation

highest point

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1 km SW of The Bluff on Cayman Brac 50 m

lowest point

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Caribbean Sea 0 m

Natural resources

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fish, climate and beaches that foster tourism

Land use

agricultural land

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11.2% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

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arable land: 0.8% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

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permanent crops: 2.1% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

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permanent pasture: 8.3% (2023 est.)

forest

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53% (2023 est.)

other

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35.8% (2023 est.)

Irrigated land

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NA

Population distribution

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majority of the population resides on Grand Cayman

Natural hazards

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hurricanes (July to November)

Geography - note

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important location between Cuba and Central America

People and Society

Population

total

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66,653 (2024 est.)

male

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32,379

female

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34,274

Nationality

noun

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Caymanian(s)

adjective

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Caymanian

Ethnic groups

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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.)

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<strong>note: </strong>data represent population by country of birth

Languages

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English (official) 88.8%, Spanish 3.9%, Filipino 3.8%, other 2.8%, unspecified 0.7% (2021 est.)

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<strong>note:</strong>  data represent main language spoken at home

Religions

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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

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17.4% (male 5,845/female 5,767)

15-64 years

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65.9% (male 21,480/female 22,456)

65 years and over

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16.7% (2024 est.) (male 5,054/female 6,051)

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio

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51.7 (2024 est.)

youth dependency ratio

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26.4 (2024 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

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25.3 (2024 est.)

potential support ratio

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4 (2024 est.)

Median age

total

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41.3 years (2025 est.)

male

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40.3 years

female

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42 years

Population growth rate

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1.71% (2025 est.)

Birth rate

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

Death rate

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

Net migration rate

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

Population distribution

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majority of the population resides on Grand Cayman

Urbanization

urban population

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100% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization

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1.13% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Major urban areas - population

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35,000 GEORGE TOWN (capital) (2018)

Sex ratio

at birth

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1.02 male(s)/female

0-14 years

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1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years

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0.96 male(s)/female

65 years and over

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0.84 male(s)/female

total population

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0.95 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Infant mortality rate

total

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7.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)

male

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8.8 deaths/1,000 live births

female

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5.7 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth

total population

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82.5 years (2024 est.)

male

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79.8 years

female

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85.2 years

Total fertility rate

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1.81 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

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0.9 (2025 est.)

Drinking water source

improved: urban

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urban: 95.5% of population (2022 est.)

improved: total

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total: 95.5% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: urban

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urban: 4.5% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: total

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total: 4.5% of population (2022 est.)

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban

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urban: 93.5% of population (2022 est.)

improved: total

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total: 93.5% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: urban

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urban: 6.5% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: total

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total: 6.5% of population (2022 est.)

Education expenditure

Education expenditure (% GDP)

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1.6% of GDP (2023 est.)

Education expenditure (% national budget)

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15% national budget (2019 est.)

Environment

Environmental issues

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no natural freshwater resources; trash washing up or being deposited on beaches; no recycling or waste-treatment facilities; deforestation&nbsp;

Climate

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

Land use

agricultural land

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11.2% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

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arable land: 0.8% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

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permanent crops: 2.1% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

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permanent pasture: 8.3% (2023 est.)

forest

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53% (2023 est.)

other

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35.8% (2023 est.)

Urbanization

urban population

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100% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization

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1.13% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions

total emissions

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737,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids

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737,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually

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60,000 tons (2024 est.)

Government

Country name

conventional long form

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none

conventional short form

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Cayman Islands

etymology

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Spanish explorers named the islands in the early 16th century, using the Carib word for marine crocodiles, <em>caiman</em>

Government type

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parliamentary democracy; self-governing overseas territory of the UK

Dependency status

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overseas territory of the UK

Capital

name

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George Town (on Grand Cayman)

geographic coordinates

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19 18 N, 81 23 W

time difference

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UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology

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originally named Hogstyes, the town was renamed in honor of English King GEORGE III (1738-1820) around 1800

Administrative divisions

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6 districts; Bodden Town, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, East End, George Town, North Side, West Bay

Legal system

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English common law and local statutes

Constitution

history

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several previous; latest approved 10 June 2009, entered into force 6 November 2009 (The Cayman Islands Constitution Order 2009)

Citizenship

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see United Kingdom

Suffrage

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18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state

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King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor Jane OWEN (since 21 April 2023)

head of government

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Premier Andr&eacute; Martin EBANKS (since 6 May 2025)

cabinet

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Cabinet selected from the Parliament and appointed by the governor on the advice of the premier

election/appointment process

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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

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Parliament

legislative structure

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unicameral

number of seats

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21 (directly elected and appointed)

scope of elections

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full renewal

term in office

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4 years

most recent election date

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4/14/2021

parties elected and seats per party

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independent (12); PPM (7)

percentage of women in chamber

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23.8%

expected date of next election

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2025

Judicial branch

highest court(s)

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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)&nbsp;

judge selection and term of office

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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

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Summary Court

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<strong>note:</strong> appeals beyond the Court of Appeal are heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London)

Political parties

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Cayman Islands Peoples Party or CIPP<br>People's Progressive Movement or PPM

Diplomatic representation in the US

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none (overseas territory of the UK)

Diplomatic representation from the US

embassy

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none (overseas territory of the UK); consular services provided through the US Embassy in Jamaica

International organization participation

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Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UNESCO (associate), UPU

Independence

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none (overseas territory of the UK)

National holiday

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Constitution Day, the first Monday in July (1959)

Flag

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<strong>description:</strong> 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 SEAS<br><br><strong>meaning:</strong> 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)

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green sea turtle

National coat of arms

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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<em> </em>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

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"God Save the King"

lyrics/music

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unknown

history

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official anthem, as an overseas UK territory

Economy

Economic overview

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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

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$5.705 billion (2023 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022

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$5.467 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2021

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$5.199 billion (2021 est.)

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<b>note:</b> data in 2021 dollars

Real GDP growth rate

Real GDP growth rate 2023

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4.4% (2023 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2022

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5.2% (2022 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2021

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4.9% (2021 est.)

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<b>note:</b> annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Real GDP per capita

Real GDP per capita 2023

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$78,100 (2023 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2022

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$76,400 (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2021

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$74,200 (2021 est.)

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<b>note:</b> data in 2021 dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

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$7.139 billion (2023 est.)

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<b>note:</b> data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2017

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2% (2017 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2016

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-0.6% (2016 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2015

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-2.3% (2015 est.)

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<b>note:</b> annual % change based on consumer prices

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

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0.5% (2022 est.)

industry

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8.2% (2022 est.)

services

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85.4% (2022 est.)

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<b>note:</b> figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

Agricultural products

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vegetables, fruit; livestock; turtle farming

Industries

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

Industrial production growth rate

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3.4% (2022 est.)

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<b>note:</b> annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Remittances

Remittances 2023

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0.2% of GDP (2023 est.)

Remittances 2022

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0.2% of GDP (2022 est.)

Remittances 2021

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0.2% of GDP (2021 est.)

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<b>note:</b> personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Budget

revenues

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$874.5 million (2017 est.)

expenditures

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$766.6 million (2017 est.)

Current account balance

Current account balance 2023

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-$712.684 million (2023 est.)

Current account balance 2022

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-$749.482 million (2022 est.)

Current account balance 2021

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-$794.205 million (2021 est.)

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<b>note:</b> balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

Exports

Exports 2023

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$4.6 billion (2023 est.)

Exports 2022

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$4.215 billion (2022 est.)

Exports 2021

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$3.542 billion (2021 est.)

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<b>note:</b> balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

Exports - partners

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UK 40%, Cyprus 21%, Germany 9%, Grenada 8%, Italy 5% (2023)

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<b>note:</b> top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

Exports - commodities

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aircraft, ships, refined petroleum, natural gas, broadcasting equipment (2023)

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<b>note:</b> top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Imports

Imports 2023

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$3.444 billion (2023 est.)

Imports 2022

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$3.287 billion (2022 est.)

Imports 2021

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$2.808 billion (2021 est.)

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<b>note:</b> balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

Imports - partners

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Germany 30%, USA 29%, Italy 20%, Turkey 5%, China 5% (2023)

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<b>note:</b> top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Imports - commodities

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ships, refined petroleum, cars, furniture, jewelry (2023)

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<b>note:</b> top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023

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$234 million (2023 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022

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$225.4 million (2022 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2021

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$228.3 million (2021 est.)

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<b>note:</b> holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

Exchange rates

Currency

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Caymanian dollars (KYD) per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2024

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0.833 (2024 est.)

Exchange rates 2023

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0.833 (2023 est.)

Exchange rates 2022

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0.833 (2022 est.)

Exchange rates 2021

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0.833 (2021 est.)

Exchange rates 2020

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0.833 (2020 est.)

Energy

Electricity access

electrification - total population

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100% (2022 est.)

Electricity

installed generating capacity

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176,000 kW (2023 est.)

consumption

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698.767 million kWh (2023 est.)

transmission/distribution losses

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2.117 million kWh (2023 est.)

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels

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96.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

solar

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3.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

wind

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0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Petroleum

refined petroleum consumption

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5,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Energy consumption per capita

Total energy consumption per capita 2023

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143.149 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Communications

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions

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36,000 (2021 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

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50 (2022 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions

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99,737 (2022 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

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139 (2022 est.)

Broadcast media

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4 TV stations; cable and satellite subscription services offer&nbsp; 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

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.ky

Internet users

percent of population

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81% (2017 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total

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40,000 (2022 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

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56 (2022 est.)

Transportation

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

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VP-C

Airports

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3 (2025)

Heliports

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5 (2025)

Merchant marine

total

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130 (2023)

by type

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bulk carrier 29, container ship 3, general cargo 1, oil tanker 20, other 77

Ports

total ports

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2 (2024)

large

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0

medium

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0

small

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0

very small

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2

ports with oil terminals

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2

key ports

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Cayman Brac, Georgetown

Military and Security

Military and security forces

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no regular military forces; Royal Cayman Islands Police Service

Military - note

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defense is the responsibility of the UK

Transnational Issues

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees

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65 (2024 est.)