Country Profile: Turks and Caicos Islands

The Turks and Caicos Islands are a British overseas territory located in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of The Bahamas and north of Haiti. With a population of approximately 60,439 people, the islands feature a tropical marine climate that supports a vibrant tourism industry. The economy heavily relies on services, particularly tourism and offshore financial services, although it has faced challenges such as disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Governed as a parliamentary democracy, the islands maintain a close relationship with the UK, which manages their defense and foreign affairs.

Geography

The Turks and Caicos Islands are made up of two island groups and numerous smaller cays, with a total area of 948 sq km. They feature a low, flat terrain characterized by limestone and extensive marshes, alongside a 389 km coastline. The islands experience a tropical climate, moderated by trade winds, and are subject to frequent hurricanes.

60% of the islands are uninhabited.
The highest point reaches 48 m at Blue Hill, Providenciales.
Maritime claims include a 12 nm territorial sea and a 200 nm exclusive fishing zone.

People and Society

As of 2024, the population of Turks and Caicos Islands is estimated at 60,439, with a notable makeup of 87.6% Black residents. The official language is English, and the predominant religion is Christianity, with 72.8% identifying as Protestant. The islands have a high rate of urbanization, with 94.2% of people living in urban areas.

The median age is 36.3 years (2024).
Life expectancy at birth is 81.3 years (2024).
The annual population growth rate is 1.77% (2024).

Economy

The economy of the Turks and Caicos Islands is primarily driven by the tourism sector, with services accounting for 72.6% of the GDP. In 2024, the GDP is estimated to be $1.554 billion, with an expected growth rate of 5.6%. However, the islands have a negative trade balance and are dependent on fossil fuels.

GDP per capita (2024) is around $33,400.
Agriculture contributes 0.4% to the GDP.
The unemployment rate is rising, attributed to recent economic disruptions.

Government

Turks and Caicos Islands is a parliamentary democracy under the sovereignty of the UK. The legislative body, the House of Assembly, has 21 members elected for four-year terms. The islands are administered by a governor appointed by the monarch, while the head of government is the Premier.

The capital is Grand Turk (Cockburn Town).
Citizens have the right to vote at 18 years of age.
The constitution was most recently amended on 15 October 2012.

Military and Security

The defense of the Turks and Caicos Islands is the responsibility of the United Kingdom. The islands do not maintain their own military forces.

Energy

Electricity access is nearly universal, with 99.9% of the population electrified. The primary source of electricity generation is fossil fuels, accounting for 98.1% of installed capacity, with solar energy contributing 1.9%.

Installed generating capacity is 94,000 kW as of 2023.
Electricity consumption in 2023 is estimated at 252.088 million kWh.
Rural electrification is 100%.

Environment

The Turks and Caicos Islands face environmental challenges, including limited natural freshwater resources. The islands have a tropical climate, and the majority of land is used for other purposes, with only 1.1% designated for agriculture.

Forests cover 11.1% of the land area.
The islands are prone to natural hazards, particularly hurricanes.

Transportation

The Turks and Caicos Islands have 9 airports planned by 2025 and a small merchant marine fleet. Key ports include Cockburn Harbor, Grand Turk, and Providenciales.

3 merchant ships in the fleet (2023).
There are 2 very small ports operational as of 2024.

Communications

The Turks and Caicos Islands have a relatively good communication infrastructure, with 93.5% internet penetration as of 2022. Fixed-line subscriptions stand at approximately 4,000, while mobile subscribers were reported at 25,085 in 2004.

The country code for the internet is .tc.
There are no local terrestrial TV stations, but cable and satellite services are available.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	60,439 (2024 est.)
Area	948 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$1.554 billion (2024 est.)
GDP per capita	$33,400 (2024 est.)
Birth rate	13 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
Life expectancy	81.3 years (2024 est.)
Urbanization	94.2%	(2023)
Electricity access	99.9%	(2022 est.)
Installed electricity capacity	94,000 kW (2023 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions	447,000 metric tonnes (2023 est.)