Cayman Islands

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.

Table of Contents

Geography

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

Cayman Islands map showing the islands that comprise the UK territory in the Caribbean Sea.

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

comparison ranking: total 210

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: 11.3% (2022 est.)

arable land: 0.8% (2022 est.)

permanent crops: 2.1% (2022 est.)

permanent pasture: 8.3% (2022 est.)

forest: 52.7% (2022 est.)

other: 36.1% (2022 est.)

Irrigated land

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

People and Society

Population

total: 66,653 (2024 est.)

male: 32,379

female: 34,274

comparison rankings: total 204; female 203; male 204

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.)

note: data represent population by country of birth

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

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)

2024 population pyramid:

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: 41.2 years (2024 est.)

male: 40.3 years

female: 42 years

comparison ranking: total 51

Population growth rate

1.75% (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 51

Birth rate

11.5 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 158

Death rate

6.1 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 149

Net migration rate

12.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 5

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: 7.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

male: 8.8 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 5.7 deaths/1,000 live births

comparison ranking: total 154

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 82.5 years (2024 est.)

male: 79.8 years

female: 85.2 years

comparison ranking: total population 27

Total fertility rate

1.82 children born/woman (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 136

Gross reproduction rate

0.9 (2024 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

Drinking water source

improved:

urban: 97.4% of population

total: 97.4% of population

unimproved:

urban: 2.6% of population

total: 2.6% of population (2015 est.)

Sanitation facility access

improved:

urban: 95.6% of population

total: 95.6% of population

unimproved:

urban: 4.4% of population

total: 4.4% of population (2015 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

51.4% (2023 est.)

Education expenditure

1.5% of GDP (2022 est.)

15% national budget (2019 est.)

comparison ranking: Education expenditure (% GDP) 192

Literacy

total population: 98.9% NA

male: 98.7% NA

female: 99% (2021) NA

Environment

Environment – current 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

Urbanization

urban population: 100% of total population (2023)

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

Air pollutants

carbon dioxide emissions: 0.55 megatons (2016 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually: 60,000 tons (2014 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 12,600 tons (2013 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 21% (2013 est.)

Government

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

elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition appointed premier by the governor

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

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

Political parties

Cayman Islands Peoples Party or CIPP
People’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 hoist-side quadrant and the Caymanian coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms includes a crest with a pineapple (representing ties to Jamaica) and a turtle (representing Cayman’s seafaring tradition) above a shield bearing a golden lion (symbolizing Great Britain); below are three green stars (representing the three islands) over white and blue wavy lines representing the sea; a scroll below the shield bears the motto HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS

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

The Cayman Islands is a British dependency, and the Queen of England approved its 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 recalls the islands’ seafaring history, and the rope under it refers to the thatch rope industry. The pineapple references historical ties with Jamaica. The motto comes from Psalms 24, acknowledging the Caymans’ Christian heritage.:

National anthem

name: “Beloved Isle Cayman”

lyrics/music: Leila E. ROSS

note: adopted 1993; served as an unofficial anthem since 1930; as an overseas territory of the United Kingdom, in addition to the local anthem, “God Save the King” is official (see United Kingdom)

Economy

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)

$5.705 billion (2023 est.)
$5.467 billion (2022 est.)
$5.199 billion (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

comparison ranking: 179

Real GDP growth rate

4.36% (2023 est.)
5.16% (2022 est.)
4.9% (2021 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

comparison ranking: 68

Real GDP per capita

$78,100 (2023 est.)
$76,400 (2022 est.)
$74,200 (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

comparison ranking: 11

GDP (official exchange rate)

$7.139 billion (2023 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2% (2017 est.)
-0.6% (2016 est.)
-2.3% (2015 est.)

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

comparison ranking: 56

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

comparison rankings: services 13; industry 205; agriculture 199

GDP – composition, by end use

household consumption: 62.3% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 2.6% (2020 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 22.1% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 0.1% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 59.6% (2020 est.)

imports of goods and services: -45.8% (2020 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

Agricultural products

vegetables, fruit; livestock; turtle farming

Industries

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

Industrial production growth rate

3.45% (2022 est.)

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

comparison ranking: 93

Remittances

0.14% of GDP (2023 est.)
0.19% of GDP (2022 est.)
0.17% of GDP (2021 est.)

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

Budget

revenues: $874.5 million (2017 est.)

expenditures: $766.6 million (2017 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

38.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

comparison ranking: 11

Current account balance

-$647.271 million (2022 est.)
-$794.205 million (2021 est.)
-$827.492 million (2020 est.)

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

comparison ranking: 126

Exports

$5.019 billion (2022 est.)
$4.138 billion (2021 est.)
$3.951 billion (2020 est.)

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

comparison ranking: 139

Exports – partners

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

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

Exports – commodities

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

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Imports

$3.3 billion (2022 est.)
$2.808 billion (2021 est.)
$2.51 billion (2020 est.)

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

comparison ranking: 162

Imports – partners

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

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

Imports – commodities

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

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

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

comparison ranking: 183

Exchange rates

Caymanian dollars (KYD) per US dollar –

Exchange rates:
0.833 (2024 est.)
0.833 (2023 est.)
0.833 (2022 est.)
0.833 (2021 est.)
0.833 (2020 est.)

Energy

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.)

comparison rankings: transmission/distribution losses 6; consumption 167; installed generating capacity 176

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.)

Carbon dioxide emissions

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

from petroleum and other liquids: 737,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: total emissions 177

Energy consumption per capita

143.149 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: 26

Communications

Telephones – fixed lines

total subscriptions: 36,000 (2021 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 50 (2022 est.)

comparison ranking: total subscriptions 163

Telephones – mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 100,000 (2021 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 147 (2021 est.)

comparison ranking: total subscriptions 194

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