Country Profile: Cayman Islands

The Cayman Islands, a British Overseas Territory located in the Caribbean, are comprised of three islands: Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman. With a population of approximately 66,653, the territory has established itself as a major offshore financial center, contributing significantly to its economy which is predominantly service-oriented. The governance structure is a parliamentary democracy, with the islands enjoying self-governance while remaining under the sovereignty of the UK.

Geography

The Cayman Islands are situated in the Caribbean Sea, approximately 240 km south of Cuba and 268 km northwest of Jamaica. The total area is 264 square kilometers, characterized by low-lying limestone terrain surrounded by coral reefs. The tropical marine climate features warm, rainy summers and cooler, drier winters.

264 sq km total area
160 km of coastline
0 km land boundaries
12 nm territorial sea
200 nm exclusive economic zone

People and Society

The estimated population of the Cayman Islands is 66,653 (2024), with a diverse demographic makeup that includes 35.4% Cayman Islanders and significant communities of Jamaicans, Filipinos, and British. English is the official language, spoken by nearly 89% of residents. The society is predominantly Protestant, and the islands have achieved a high level of urbanization with 100% of the population living in urban areas.

41.2 years median age (2024)
1.75% population growth rate (2024)
11.5 births/1,000 population birth rate (2024)
82.5 years life expectancy at birth (2024)
100% urban population (2023)

Economy

The Cayman Islands are recognized as a dominant offshore banking territory, where over 85% of economic activity is attributed to the services sector. The territory has no welfare system and boasts a high standard of living. In 2023, the GDP reached approximately $7.139 billion, with significant contributions from tourism and finance.

4.4% real GDP growth rate (2023)
$5.705 billion real GDP (PPP 2023)
$78,100 real GDP per capita (2023)
85.4% services sector contribution (2022)
0.5% agriculture sector contribution (2022)

Government

The Cayman Islands operate as a self-governing parliamentary democracy under the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom. The capital city is George Town, and the territory is divided into six administrative districts. The governance is led by a Premier and a cabinet, with legislative powers vested in a unicameral Parliament.

King CHARLES III is the head of state (since 2022)
Premier André Martin EBANKS is the head of government (since 2025)
21 seats in Parliament
18 years voting age for suffrage
National holiday: Constitution Day (first Monday in July)

Military and Security

The Cayman Islands do not maintain regular military forces, with defense provided by the UK. The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service is primarily responsible for maintaining law and order within the territory.

No regular military forces
Royal Cayman Islands Police Service serves as the main security force
Defense responsibility rests with the UK

Energy

The energy sector in the Cayman Islands is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, which contribute to 96.7% of the installed electricity generation capacity. The territory has achieved full electrification, with a generating capacity of 176,000 kW in 2023.

100% electricity access (2022)
698.767 million kWh total electricity consumption (2023)
5,000 bbl/day refined petroleum consumption (2023)
143.149 million Btu/person energy consumption per capita (2023)

Environment

Environmental challenges include a lack of natural freshwater resources and issues related to waste management and deforestation. The islands' tropical climate fosters a rich natural environment, but urbanization has placed pressure on local ecosystems.

737,000 metric tons CO2 emissions (2023)
11.2% of land used for agriculture (2023)
53% forest cover (2023)
60,000 tons of municipal solid waste generated annually (2024)

Transportation

The Cayman Islands feature a well-developed transportation infrastructure, including three airports and a merchant marine fleet of 130 vessels. Connectivity is facilitated by various transport links between the islands and international destinations.

3 airports (2025)
5 heliports (2025)
2 ports, both equipped with oil terminals
130 total merchant marine vessels (2023)

Communications

The Cayman Islands have a robust telecommunications system, with high mobile and internet penetration rates. Fixed-line and mobile subscriptions per capita reflect a modern and interconnected society.

100,000 mobile cellular subscriptions (2021)
36,000 fixed-line subscriptions (2021)
81% of the population are internet users (2017)
40,000 broadband fixed subscriptions (2022)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	66,653	2024 estimate
Area	264 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$5.705 billion	2023 estimate
GDP per capita	$78,100	2023 estimate
Real GDP growth rate	4.4%	2023 estimate
Birth rate	11.5 births/1,000 population	2024 estimate
Life expectancy	82.5 years	2024 estimate
Unemployment Rate	Not specified