Country Profile: Cocos (Keeling) Islands

The Cocos (Keeling) Islands, located in the Indian Ocean, consist of 27 coral islands and are known for their tropical climate and rich history tied to British exploration. With a small population of approximately 593 residents, the islands exhibit a unique blend of Cocos Malays and European heritage. Economically, their reliance on copra products and tourism is complemented by their political status as a non-self-governing territory of Australia, governed under Australian laws since integration in 1984.

Geography

The Cocos (Keeling) Islands are situated in southeastern Asia, roughly halfway between Australia and Sri Lanka, and are made up of a group of low-lying coral atolls. The main islands are West Island and Home Island, where the population is concentrated. The islands have a total area of 14 square kilometers and a tropical climate, characterized by high humidity and the southeast trade winds that moderate temperatures for most of the year.

14 sq km total area.
26 km of coastline.
9 m highest elevation at South Point on South Island.
12 nm territorial sea claimed.

People and Society

The population of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands is approximately 593, with a diverse ethnic composition primarily of Cocos Malays and Europeans. Malay, particularly the Cocos dialect, and English are the most commonly spoken languages. The predominant religion is Islam, with approximately 75% of the population identifying as Sunni Muslims.

21.2% of the population is aged 0–14 years.
40 years is the median age.
8.89 deaths/1,000 population (2021).

Economy

The islands’ economy is focused on agricultural products like coconuts, bananas, and pawpaws, alongside copra production and tourism. The main export partners include the USA and Singapore, while imports primarily come from Australia. The economy is limited, with a small scale of trade due to the isolated nature of the islands.

31% of exports go to the USA (2023).
87% of imports are from Australia (2023).
Ships are the principal export commodity.

Government

The Cocos (Keeling) Islands are administered as a non-self-governing territory of Australia, with governance provided under Australian law. The islands are represented by an Administrator who is appointed by the Governor-General of Australia. The local government is managed by the Cocos (Keeling) Islands Shire Council, which is elected for a term of four years.

7 seats in the unicameral legislature.
November 23, 1955 marks the adoption of the current legal framework.
16.7% of legislative seats are held by women.

Military and Security

Defense responsibilities for the Cocos (Keeling) Islands fall under Australia, as the territory does not maintain its own military forces.

Energy

There is no specific data available regarding energy consumption or production for the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.

Environment

The Cocos (Keeling) Islands face environmental challenges such as limited freshwater resources and issues with illegal fishing. The islands' flat terrain and tropical climate contribute to these challenges, making sustainable management essential.

100% of the land is classified as other (2018).

Transportation

The Cocos (Keeling) Islands have one airport serving the residents and visitors, facilitating travel to and from the islands.

1 operational airport (2025).

Communications

Communication on the islands is supported by a local radio station and satellite broadcasts from Australian radio and TV networks. Internet accessibility is limited but growing, with approximately 13.4% of the population being internet users.

.cc is the Internet country code.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	593	(2021 est.)
Area	14 sq km	Total area of the islands
GDP	Not available
Energy Consumption	Not available
Birth Rate	Not specified
Unemployment	Not specified
Median Age	40 years	(2021 est.)
Death Rate	8.89 deaths/1,000	(2021 est.)
Coastline	26 km	Total coastline length
High Point	9 m	Highest elevation on South Island