Country Profile: Cayman Islands

The Cayman Islands, a British Overseas Territory located in the Caribbean Sea, consists of three islands: Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman. With a population of approximately 66,653 as of 2024, the islands are primarily known for their thriving offshore financial services and tourism sectors. Governed as a parliamentary democracy, the territory has a high standard of living and is notable for its lack of a welfare system. The local economy is largely service-oriented, accounting for over 85% of economic activity.

Geography

The Cayman Islands are situated approximately 240 km south of Cuba and 268 km northwest of Jamaica, with a total land area of 264 sq km, making it 1.5 times larger than Washington, D.C. The islands feature a tropical marine climate characterized by warm, rainy summers and cooler, drier winters. The terrain includes low-lying limestone bases surrounded by coral reefs.

Geographic Coordinates: 19°30' N, 80°30' W
Coastline: 160 km
Natural Hazards: Primarily hurricanes (July to November)

People and Society

The population of the Cayman Islands is approximately 66,653, with a gender distribution of 32,379 males and 34,274 females. The principal language is English, spoken by 88.8% of the population. The diverse ethnic makeup includes Cayman Islanders (35.4%), Jamaicans (24.8%), and several other nationalities. The islands are fully urbanized, with 100% of the population living in urban areas.

Life Expectancy: 82.5 years (2024 est.)
Birth Rate: 11.41 births per 1,000 population (2025 est.)
Urbanization Rate: 1.13% annual increase (2020-25 est.)

Economy

The economy of the Cayman Islands is primarily driven by offshore banking, tourism, and other services, accounting for over 85% of the activity. The real GDP stands at an estimated $5.705 billion as of 2023, with a growth rate of 4.4%. There is a significant emphasis on combating tax evasion and money laundering through recent governmental frameworks.

GDP Per Capita: $78,100 (2023 est.)
Current Account Balance: -$712.684 million (2023 est.)
Exports: $4.6 billion (2023 est.)

Government

The Cayman Islands operate as a parliamentary democracy and an overseas territory of the United Kingdom, with George Town as its capital. The current head of government is Premier André Martin Ebanks, while the governance structure includes a unicameral Parliament with 21 members. The legal system is based on English common law.

Citizenship: Tied to the United Kingdom
Suffrage: Universal, from the age of 18
Last Election: April 14, 2021

Military and Security

The Cayman Islands do not maintain regular military forces; defense responsibilities are handled by the United Kingdom. The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service serves as the primary law enforcement agency.

Police Service: Royal Cayman Islands Police Service
Defense Responsibility: United Kingdom

Energy

The Cayman Islands have 100% electricity access for their population. As of 2023, the installed electricity generating capacity is 176,000 kW, with 96.7% sourced from fossil fuels. Per capita energy consumption is robust, highlighting an energy-efficient framework.

Electricity Consumption: 698.767 million kWh (2023 est.)
Daily Petroleum Consumption: 5,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Environment

Environmental challenges for the Cayman Islands include a lack of natural freshwater resources, waste management issues, and deforestation. The islands predominantly utilize marine resources and possess stunning tropical beaches that promote tourism.

Carbon Dioxide Emissions: 737,000 metric tonnes (2023 est.)
Urban Population: 100% (2023)

Transportation

The Cayman Islands support a network of transportation facilities, including three airports and five heliports. The merchant marine has a fleet of 130 vessels, primarily used for international trade.

Total Airports: 3 (2025)
Merchant Marine Vessels: 130 (2023)

Communications

Communication in the Cayman Islands is well developed, with a high number of mobile cellular subscriptions per capita. The majority of households have access to broadband services.

Mobile Cellular Subscriptions: 99,737 (2022)
Internet Users: 81% of the population (2017 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	66,653 (2024 est.)
Area	264 sq km	Total land area
GDP (PPP)	$5.705 billion (2023 est.)
Energy Consumption per Capita	143.149 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Birth Rate	11.41 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Unemployment Rate	Not available
Life Expectancy	82.5 years (2024 est.)
Carbon Dioxide Emissions	737,000 metric tonnes (2023 est.)
Electricity Access	100%	(2022 est.)
Urban Population	100%	(2023)