Turks and Caicos Islands

Code: TK | Region: Central America N Caribbean

Introduction

Background

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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 in 2017.

Geography

Location

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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

Geographic coordinates

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21 45 N, 71 35 W

Map references

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Central America and the Caribbean

Area

total

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948 sq km

land

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948 sq km

water

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0 sq km

Area - comparative

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2.5 times the size of Washington, D.C.

Land boundaries

total

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0 km

Coastline

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389 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea

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12 nm

exclusive fishing zone

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200 nm

Climate

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

Terrain

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low, flat limestone; extensive marshes and mangrove swamps

Elevation

highest point

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Blue Hill on Providenciales and Flamingo Hill on East Caicos 48 m

lowest point

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Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Natural resources

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spiny lobster, conch

Land use

agricultural land

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1.1% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

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arable land: 1.1% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

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permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

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permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.)

forest

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11.1% (2023 est.)

other

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87.9% (2023 est.)

Irrigated land

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0 sq km (2022)

Population distribution

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

Natural hazards

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frequent hurricanes

Geography - note

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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

People and Society

Population

total

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60,439 (2024 est.)

male

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30,389

female

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30,050

Nationality

noun

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none

adjective

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none

Ethnic groups

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

Languages

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English (official)

Religions

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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.)

Age structure

0-14 years

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20.4% (male 6,288/female 6,056)

15-64 years

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73.2% (male 22,232/female 22,011)

65 years and over

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6.4% (2024 est.) (male 1,869/female 1,983)

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio

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36.6 (2024 est.)

youth dependency ratio

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27.9 (2024 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

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8.7 (2024 est.)

potential support ratio

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11.5 (2024 est.)

Median age

total

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36.6 years (2025 est.)

male

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36.5 years

female

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36.1 years

Population growth rate

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1.73% (2025 est.)

Birth rate

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

Death rate

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

Net migration rate

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

Population distribution

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

Urbanization

urban population

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94.2% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization

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1.46% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Major urban areas - population

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5,000 GRAND TURK (capital) (2018)

Sex ratio

at birth

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1.05 male(s)/female

0-14 years

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1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years

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1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over

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0.94 male(s)/female

total population

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

Infant mortality rate

total

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

male

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13.9 deaths/1,000 live births

female

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8.1 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth

total population

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81.3 years (2024 est.)

male

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78.5 years

female

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84.1 years

Total fertility rate

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1.7 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

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0.83 (2025 est.)

Drinking water source

improved: urban

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urban: 99.2% of population (2022 est.)

improved: rural

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rural: 91.8% of population (2022 est.)

improved: total

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total: 98.8% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: urban

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urban: 0.8% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: rural

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rural: 8.2% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: total

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total: 1.2% of population (2022 est.)

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban

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urban: 98.8% of population (2022 est.)

improved: rural

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rural: 97.7% of population (2022 est.)

improved: total

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total: 98.7% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: urban

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urban: 1.2% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: rural

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rural: 2.3% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: total

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total: 1.3% of population (2022 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

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0.4% (2020 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

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59.3% (2020 est.)

Child marriage

women married by age 15

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0% (2020)

women married by age 18

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23.3% (2020)

men married by age 18

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5.1% (2020)

Education expenditure

Education expenditure (% GDP)

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2.9% of GDP (2024 est.)

Education expenditure (% national budget)

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9.8% national budget (2025 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total

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14 years (2023 est.)

male

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15 years (2023 est.)

female

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14 years (2023 est.)

People - note

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

Environment

Environmental issues

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limited natural freshwater resources

Climate

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

Land use

agricultural land

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1.1% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

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arable land: 1.1% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

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permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

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permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.)

forest

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11.1% (2023 est.)

other

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87.9% (2023 est.)

Urbanization

urban population

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94.2% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization

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1.46% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions

total emissions

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447,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids

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447,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Government

Country name

conventional long form

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none

conventional short form

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Turks and Caicos Islands

abbreviation

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TCA

etymology

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the Turks Islands are named after the Turk's cap cactus, which is native to the islands and appears on the flag and coat of arms; the name Caicos may derive from caya hico, a phrase meaning “string of islands” in the Lucayan (Arawak) language, or from the Spanish word cayo, meaning "rock"

Government type

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parliamentary democracy

Dependency status

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overseas territory of the UK

Capital

name

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Grand Turk (Cockburn Town)

geographic coordinates

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21 28 N, 71 08 W

time difference

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

daylight saving time

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+1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November

etymology

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named after Sir Francis COCKBURN, who served as governor of the Bahamas from 1837 to 1844

Legal system

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mixed system of English common law and civil law

Constitution

history

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

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 Dileeni Daniel-SELVARATNAM (since 29 June 2023)

head of government

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Premier Washington MISICK (since 19 February 2021)

cabinet

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Cabinet appointed by the governor from among members of the House of Assembly

election/appointment process

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the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the governor appoints the leader of the majority party as the premier

Legislative branch

legislature name

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House of Assembly

legislative structure

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unicameral

number of seats

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21 (directly elected or appointed)

electoral system

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mixed

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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2/07/2025

parties elected and seats per party

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PNP (16); PDM (2); independents (1)

percentage of women in chamber

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27.3%

expected date of next election

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2029

Judicial branch

highest court(s)

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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)

judge selection and term of office

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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

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magistrates' courts

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note: appeals beyond the Supreme Court are referred to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London)

Political parties

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People's Democratic Movement or PDM Progressive National Party or PNP

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)

International organization participation

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

Independence

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none (overseas territory of the UK)

Flag

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description: blue with the UK flag in the upper-left quadrant and the colonial shield centered on the right half of the flag; the shield is yellow and displays a conch shell, a spiny lobster, and Turk's cap cactus

National symbol(s)

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conch shell, Turk's cap cactus

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 a UK overseas territory

Economy

Economic overview

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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

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024

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$1.554 billion (2024 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023

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$1.471 billion (2023 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022

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$1.293 billion (2022 est.)

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note: data in 2021 dollars

Real GDP growth rate

Real GDP growth rate 2024

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5.6% (2024 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2023

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13.7% (2023 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2022

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14.1% (2022 est.)

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note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Real GDP per capita

Real GDP per capita 2024

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$33,400 (2024 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2023

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$31,800 (2023 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2022

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$28,200 (2022 est.)

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note: data in 2021 dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

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$1.745 billion (2024 est.)

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note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022

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8.5% (2022 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2021

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5% (2021 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2020

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2.3% (2020 est.)

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note: annual % change based on consumer prices

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

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0.4% (2024 est.)

industry

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9.3% (2024 est.)

services

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72.6% (2024 est.)

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

Agricultural products

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

Industries

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tourism, offshore financial services

Industrial production growth rate

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9% (2024 est.)

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note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Remittances

Remittances 2023

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0% of GDP (2023 est.)

Remittances 2022

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0% of GDP (2022 est.)

Remittances 2021

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0% of GDP (2021 est.)

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

Budget

revenues

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$247.3 million (2017 est.)

expenditures

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$224.3 million (2017 est.)

Current account balance

Current account balance 2018

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$172.709 million (2018 est.)

Current account balance 2017

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$35.016 million (2017 est.)

Current account balance 2016

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$247.081 million (2016 est.)

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

Exports

Exports 2018

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$826.824 million (2018 est.)

Exports 2017

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$602.581 million (2017 est.)

Exports 2016

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$741.173 million (2016 est.)

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note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

Exports - partners

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Gabon 27%, USA 25%, Zimbabwe 17%, Czechia 8%, UAE 3% (2023)

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note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

Exports - commodities

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plastics, shellfish, carbonates, tobacco, garments (2023)

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note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Imports

Imports 2018

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$544.219 million (2018 est.)

Imports 2017

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$484.842 million (2017 est.)

Imports 2016

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$438.041 million (2016 est.)

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note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

Imports - partners

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USA 73%, Dominican Republic 4%, Italy 3%, Japan 3%, China 2% (2023)

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note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Imports - commodities

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refined petroleum, cars, aluminum structures, furniture, plastic products (2023)

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note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Exchange rates

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the US dollar is used

Energy

Electricity access

electrification - total population

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99.9% (2022 est.)

electrification - urban areas

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100%

electrification - rural areas

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100%

Electricity

installed generating capacity

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94,000 kW (2023 est.)

consumption

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252.088 million kWh (2023 est.)

transmission/distribution losses

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12.912 million kWh (2023 est.)

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels

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98.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

solar

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1.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Petroleum

refined petroleum consumption

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3,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Communications

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions

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4,000 (2021 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

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9 (2022 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions

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25,085 (2004 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

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110 (2004 est.)

Broadcast media

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

Internet country code

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.tc

Internet users

percent of population

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93.5% (2022)

Transportation

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

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VQ-T

Airports

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9 (2025)

Merchant marine

total

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3 (2023)

by type

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general cargo 1, other 2

Ports

total ports

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3 (2024)

large

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medium

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small

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very small

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size unknown

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ports with oil terminals

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key ports

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Cockburn Harbor, Grand Turk, Providenciales

Military and Security

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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8 (2024 est.)