World · permanent entity record · KY
Cayman Islands
Thirty-second orientation
Cayman Islands at a glance
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08
- Population
- total: 66,653 (2024 est.) male: 32,379 female: 34,274
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08
- Area
- total : 264 sq km land: 264 sq km water: 0 sq km
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08
- Nationality / demonym
- noun: Caymanian(s) adjective: Caymanian
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08
- Government
- parliamentary democracy; self-governing overseas territory of the UK
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08
- Languages
- English (official) 88.8%, Spanish 3.9%, Filipino 3.8%, other 2.8%, unspecified 0.7% (2021 est.) note: data represent main language spoken at home
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08
Claims are attributed · classifications are dated
Claims and contested status
Maintained classification
Dependency or area of special sovereignty
United Kingdom
U.S. Department of State, Dependencies and Areas of Special Sovereignty · as of 2026-03-31A claim’s appearance records that the cited source reports it. It does not constitute an Almanac ruling on sovereignty.
Maintained profile
- Classification
- Dependency or area of special sovereignty
- U.S. Department of State, Dependencies and Areas of Special Sovereignty · Federal classification and wording follow the current State Department register.
- Sovereignty or administration
- United Kingdom
- U.S. Department of State, Dependencies and Areas of Special Sovereignty ·
- Administrative center
- George Town
- U.S. Department of State, Dependencies and Areas of Special Sovereignty ·
Preserved public-domain record · not maintained current data
Final CIA World Factbook profile
This is the preserved historical baseline from the Factbook’s final public snapshot. It is presented as the CIA stated it, not as a current Standard American Almanac finding. Current, independently maintained facts appear above when available.
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · profile updated · pinned source record · commit d81154954b8b
Introduction1 fields
- 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.
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Geography17 fields
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Map references
- Central America and the Caribbean
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Area
- total : 264 sq km land: 264 sq km water: 0 sq km
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Area - comparative
- 1.5 times the size of Washington, D.C.
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Maritime claims
- territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Climate
- tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool, relatively dry winters (November to April)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Terrain
- low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Elevation
- highest point: 1 km SW of The Bluff on Cayman Brac 50 m lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Natural resources
- fish, climate and beaches that foster tourism
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Land use
- agricultural land: 11.2% (2023 est.) arable land: 0.8% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 2.1% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 8.3% (2023 est.) forest: 53% (2023 est.) other: 35.8% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Population distribution
- majority of the population resides on Grand Cayman
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Geography - note
- important location between Cuba and Central America
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
People and Society23 fields
- Population
- total: 66,653 (2024 est.) male: 32,379 female: 34,274
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Nationality
- noun: Caymanian(s) adjective: Caymanian
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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.) note: data represent population by country of birth
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Languages
- English (official) 88.8%, Spanish 3.9%, Filipino 3.8%, other 2.8%, unspecified 0.7% (2021 est.) note: data represent main language spoken at home
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Median age
- total: 41.3 years (2025 est.) male: 40.3 years female: 42 years
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Birth rate
- 11.41 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Death rate
- 6.24 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Net migration rate
- 11.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Population distribution
- majority of the population resides on Grand Cayman
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Urbanization
- urban population: 100% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.13% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Major urban areas - population
- 35,000 GEORGE TOWN (capital) (2018)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Life expectancy at birth
- total population: 82.5 years (2024 est.) male: 79.8 years female: 85.2 years
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Total fertility rate
- 1.81 children born/woman (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Drinking water source
- urban: 95.5% of population (2022 est.) total: 95.5% of population (2022 est.) urban: 4.5% of population (2022 est.) total: 4.5% of population (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Sanitation facility access
- urban: 93.5% of population (2022 est.) total: 93.5% of population (2022 est.) urban: 6.5% of population (2022 est.) total: 6.5% of population (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Education expenditure
- 1.6% of GDP (2023 est.) 15% national budget (2019 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Environment6 fields
- Environmental issues
- no natural freshwater resources; trash washing up or being deposited on beaches; no recycling or waste-treatment facilities; deforestation
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Climate
- tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool, relatively dry winters (November to April)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Land use
- agricultural land: 11.2% (2023 est.) arable land: 0.8% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 2.1% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 8.3% (2023 est.) forest: 53% (2023 est.) other: 35.8% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Urbanization
- urban population: 100% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.13% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Carbon dioxide emissions
- 737,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 737,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Waste and recycling
- municipal solid waste generated annually: 60,000 tons (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Government22 fields
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Government type
- parliamentary democracy; self-governing overseas territory of the UK
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Administrative divisions
- 6 districts; Bodden Town, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, East End, George Town, North Side, West Bay
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Legal system
- English common law and local statutes
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Constitution
- history: several previous; latest approved 10 June 2009, entered into force 6 November 2009 (The Cayman Islands Constitution Order 2009)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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 note: appeals beyond the Court of Appeal are heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Political parties
- Cayman Islands Peoples Party or CIPP People's Progressive Movement or PPM
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Diplomatic representation in the US
- none (overseas territory of the UK)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Diplomatic representation from the US
- embassy: none (overseas territory of the UK); consular services provided through the US Embassy in Jamaica
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- International organization participation
- Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UNESCO (associate), UPU
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Independence
- none (overseas territory of the UK)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National holiday
- Constitution Day, the first Monday in July (1959)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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 SEAS meaning: 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National anthem(s)
- title: "Beloved Isle Cayman" lyrics/music: Leila E. ROSS history: adopted 1960; served as an unofficial anthem since 1930 _____ title: "God Save the King" lyrics/music: unknown history: official anthem, as an overseas UK territory
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Economy21 fields
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
- $5.705 billion (2023 est.) $5.467 billion (2022 est.) $5.199 billion (2021 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Real GDP growth rate
- 4.4% (2023 est.) 5.2% (2022 est.) 4.9% (2021 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Real GDP per capita
- $78,100 (2023 est.) $76,400 (2022 est.) $74,200 (2021 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- GDP (official exchange rate)
- $7.139 billion (2023 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Inflation rate (consumer prices)
- 2% (2017 est.) -0.6% (2016 est.) -2.3% (2015 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- GDP - composition, by sector of origin
- agriculture: 0.5% (2022 est.) industry: 8.2% (2022 est.) services: 85.4% (2022 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Agricultural products
- vegetables, fruit; livestock; turtle farming
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Industries
- tourism, banking, insurance and finance, construction, construction materials, furniture
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Industrial production growth rate
- 3.4% (2022 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Remittances
- 0.2% of GDP (2023 est.) 0.2% of GDP (2022 est.) 0.2% of GDP (2021 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Budget
- revenues: $874.5 million (2017 est.) expenditures: $766.6 million (2017 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Current account balance
- -$712.684 million (2023 est.) -$749.482 million (2022 est.) -$794.205 million (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exports
- $4.6 billion (2023 est.) $4.215 billion (2022 est.) $3.542 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exports - partners
- UK 40%, Cyprus 21%, Germany 9%, Grenada 8%, Italy 5% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exports - commodities
- aircraft, ships, refined petroleum, natural gas, broadcasting equipment (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Imports
- $3.444 billion (2023 est.) $3.287 billion (2022 est.) $2.808 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Imports - partners
- Germany 30%, USA 29%, Italy 20%, Turkey 5%, China 5% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Imports - commodities
- ships, refined petroleum, cars, furniture, jewelry (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
- $234 million (2023 est.) $225.4 million (2022 est.) $228.3 million (2021 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exchange rates
- Caymanian dollars (KYD) per US dollar - 0.833 (2024 est.) 0.833 (2023 est.) 0.833 (2022 est.) 0.833 (2021 est.) 0.833 (2020 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Energy5 fields
- Electricity access
- electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Petroleum
- refined petroleum consumption: 5,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Energy consumption per capita
- 143.149 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Communications6 fields
- Telephones - fixed lines
- total subscriptions: 36,000 (2021 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 50 (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Telephones - mobile cellular
- total subscriptions: 99,737 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 139 (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Internet users
- percent of population: 81% (2017 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Broadband - fixed subscriptions
- total: 40,000 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 56 (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Transportation5 fields
- Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
- VP-C
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Merchant marine
- total: 130 (2023) by type: bulk carrier 29, container ship 3, general cargo 1, oil tanker 20, other 77
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Ports
- total ports: 2 (2024) large: 0 medium: 0 small: 0 very small: 2 ports with oil terminals: 2 key ports: Cayman Brac, Georgetown
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military and Security2 fields
Transnational Issues1 fields
- Refugees and internally displaced persons
- refugees: 65 (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
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