Country Profile: Cook Islands
The Cook Islands, located in the South Pacific Ocean, consists of a group of islands with Rarotonga being the largest. It has a population of approximately 7,600 people, primarily of Cook Island Maori descent. The economy is largely driven by tourism, with significant contributions from agriculture, particularly copra and tropical fruits. Since gaining self-governing status in 1965, the Cook Islands has maintained a parliamentary democracy while being in free association with New Zealand, which is responsible for its defense and foreign affairs.
Geography
The Cook Islands are situated midway between Hawaii and New Zealand, consisting of low coral atolls in the north and volcanic islands in the south. The total land area is 236 square kilometers, with a coastline of 120 kilometers. The islands experience a tropical oceanic climate; a dry season from April to November and a more humid season from December to March.
- 236 sq km total land area
- 120 km coastline length
- 652 m highest point (Te Manga)
- 65% of land is forested
- 7.9% of land used for agriculture (2023)
People and Society
The estimated population of the Cook Islands is 7,592 in 2025, predominantly Cook Island Maori (77.4%). The official languages are English and Cook Islands Maori, with a high literacy rate and strong community ties. Protestantism is the leading religion, with 55% of the population identifying as such. The population growth rate is currently negative, and life expectancy averages 77.6 years.
- 76.2% of the population is urban (2023)
- 41.5 years median age (2025)
- 11.85 births per 1,000 population (2025)
- 1.99 children born per woman (2025)
- 100% of population has access to improved drinking water (2022)
Economy
The Cook Islands boasts a high-income economy primarily reliant on tourism, which has faced substantial setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Real GDP is projected to be $401.155 million in 2024, with significant contributions from agriculture and fishing. The economy is supported by aid from the Asian Development Bank.
- $29,800 GDP per capita (2024)
- 10.5% GDP growth rate (2022)
- 10.6% inflation rate (2022)
- $113.687 million government revenues (2022)
- 44% of imports come from New Zealand (2023)
Government
The Cook Islands operates as a parliamentary democracy, with significant local autonomy under a free association with New Zealand. It has its own Parliament and a legal system modeled after New Zealand's common law. The Prime Minister, Mark Brown, has been in office since October 2020. The current chief of state is represented by Sir Tom J. Marsters.
- 24 members in Parliament
- 18 years is the voting age
- Constitution established in 1965
- Next general elections are expected in 2026
- 25% of Parliament members are women
Military and Security
The Cook Islands does not maintain regular military forces, with defense responsibilities resting with New Zealand. The Cook Islands Police Service oversees local law enforcement, while an agreement with the US facilitates maritime security operations within its exclusive economic zone.
- No regular military forces
- Defense managed by New Zealand
- Shiprider agreement with the US Coast Guard
- Assistance with regional resource protection
- Police service handles internal security
Energy
The energy sector in the Cook Islands is marked by a mix of fossil fuels and solar energy. The installed generating capacity is 17,000 kW, with consumption estimated at 37.5 million kWh in 2023. A significant portion of the energy comes from renewable sources.
- 60.9% of energy capacity from fossil fuels (2023)
- 700 bbl/day refined petroleum consumption (2023)
- 3.2 million kWh distribution losses (2023)
Environment
The Cook Islands face several environmental issues, including waste disposal, soil degradation, and overfishing. The islands are party to multiple international environmental agreements aimed at addressing climate change and biodiversity.
- 65% of land is forested (2023)
- 103,000 metric tonnes CO2 emissions (2023)
- Urbanization rate of 0.52% annually (2020-2025)
- 96.8% of population has access to improved sanitation (2022)
Transportation
The transportation system includes ten airports and a merchant marine fleet consisting of 190 vessels. The key port is Avatiu, facilitating trade and transport for the islands.
- 190 vessels in the merchant marine (2023)
- 10 airports (2025)
- 1 main port (Avatiu)
Communications
A growing communication sector supports a fair number of mobile and fixed-line subscriptions. Approximately 64.8% of the population uses the internet, reflecting increasing connectivity in the region.
- 18,100 mobile cellular subscriptions (2022)
- 6,990 fixed-line subscriptions (2022)
- 64.8% internet usage (2021)
Key Metrics
| Metric | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 7,592 | Estimated for 2025 |
| Area | 236 sq km | Total land area |
| GDP (PPP) | $401.155 million | Estimated for 2024 |
| Energy Consumption | 37.5 million kWh | Estimated for 2023 |
| Birth Rate | 11.85 births/1,000 | Estimated for 2025 |
| Life Expectancy | 77.6 years | Estimated for 2024 |
| Unemployment Rate | NA | Data not available |
| Inflation Rate | 10.6% | Estimated for 2022 |
| Urban Population | 76.2% | Percentage of population living in urban areas (2023) |
| Dependency Ratio | 53 | Total dependency ratio estimated for 2025 |
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