factbook.json/central-america-n-caribbean/cj.json

{
  "Introduction": {
    "Background": {
      "text": "The British colonized the Cayman Islands during the 18th and 19th centuries, and Jamaica -- also a British colony at the time -- administered the islands after 1863. In 1959, the islands became a territory within the Federation of the West Indies. When the Federation dissolved in 1962, the Cayman Islands chose to remain a British dependency. The territory has transformed itself into a significant offshore financial center."
    }
  },
  "Geography": {
    "Location": {
      "text": "Caribbean, three-island group (Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, Little Cayman) in Caribbean Sea, 240 km south of Cuba and 268 km northwest of Jamaica"
    },
    "Geographic coordinates": {
      "text": "19 30 N, 80 30 W"
    },
    "Map references": {
      "text": "Central America and the Caribbean"
    },
    "Area": {
      "total ": {
        "text": "264 sq km"
      },
      "land": {
        "text": "264 sq km"
      },
      "water": {
        "text": "0 sq km"
      }
    },
    "Area - comparative": {
      "text": "1.5 times the size of Washington, D.C."
    },
    "Land boundaries": {
      "total": {
        "text": "0 km"
      }
    },
    "Coastline": {
      "text": "160 km"
    },
    "Maritime claims": {
      "territorial sea": {
        "text": "12 nm"
      },
      "exclusive economic zone": {
        "text": "200 nm"
      },
      "exclusive fishing zone": {
        "text": "200 nm"
      }
    },
    "Climate": {
      "text": "tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool, relatively dry winters (November to April)"
    },
    "Terrain": {
      "text": "low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs"
    },
    "Elevation": {
      "highest point": {
        "text": "1 km SW of The Bluff on Cayman Brac 50 m"
      },
      "lowest point": {
        "text": "Caribbean Sea 0 m"
      }
    },
    "Natural resources": {
      "text": "fish, climate and beaches that foster tourism"
    },
    "Land use": {
      "agricultural land": {
        "text": "11.2% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "agricultural land: arable land": {
        "text": "arable land: 0.8% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "agricultural land: permanent crops": {
        "text": "permanent crops: 2.1% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "agricultural land: permanent pasture": {
        "text": "permanent pasture: 8.3% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "forest": {
        "text": "53% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "other": {
        "text": "35.8% (2023 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Irrigated land": {
      "text": "NA"
    },
    "Population distribution": {
      "text": "majority of the population resides on Grand Cayman"
    },
    "Natural hazards": {
      "text": "hurricanes (July to November)"
    },
    "Geography - note": {
      "text": "important location between Cuba and Central America"
    }
  },
  "People and Society": {
    "Population": {
      "total": {
        "text": "66,653 (2024 est.)"
      },
      "male": {
        "text": "32,379"
      },
      "female": {
        "text": "34,274"
      }
    },
    "Nationality": {
      "noun": {
        "text": "Caymanian(s)"
      },
      "adjective": {
        "text": "Caymanian"
      }
    },
    "Ethnic groups": {
      "text": "Cayman Islander 35.4%, Jamaican 24.8%, Filipino 5.5%, British 5.3%, American 5.2%, Honduran 4.2%, Canadian 3.3%, Indian 2.1%, Cuban 1.6%, Nicaraguan 1%, other 11.1%, unspecified 0.5% (2021 est.)",
      "note": "<strong>note: </strong>data represent population by country of birth"
    },
    "Languages": {
      "text": "English (official) 88.8%, Spanish 3.9%, Filipino 3.8%, other 2.8%, unspecified 0.7% (2021 est.)",
      "note": "<strong>note:</strong>  data represent main language spoken at home"
    },
    "Religions": {
      "text": "Protestant 60.8% (includes Church of God 19.5%, Seventh Day Adventist 8.7%, non-denominational 8.3%, Baptist 6.9%, Pentecostal 6.8%, Presbyterian/United Church 5.7%, Anglican 2.8%, Wesleyan Holiness 1.5%, Methodist 0.5%), Roman Catholic 13.6%, Hindu 1.7%, Jehovah's Witness 0.9%, other 4.8%, none 16.7%, unspecified 1.4% (2021 est.)"
    },
    "Age structure": {
      "0-14 years": {
        "text": "17.4% (male 5,845/female 5,767)"
      },
      "15-64 years": {
        "text": "65.9% (male 21,480/female 22,456)"
      },
      "65 years and over": {
        "text": "16.7% (2024 est.) (male 5,054/female 6,051)"
      }
    },
    "Dependency ratios": {
      "total dependency ratio": {
        "text": "51.7 (2024 est.)"
      },
      "youth dependency ratio": {
        "text": "26.4 (2024 est.)"
      },
      "elderly dependency ratio": {
        "text": "25.3 (2024 est.)"
      },
      "potential support ratio": {
        "text": "4 (2024 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Median age": {
      "total": {
        "text": "41.3 years (2025 est.)"
      },
      "male": {
        "text": "40.3 years"
      },
      "female": {
        "text": "42 years"
      }
    },
    "Population growth rate": {
      "text": "1.71% (2025 est.)"
    },
    "Birth rate": {
      "text": "11.41 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)"
    },
    "Death rate": {
      "text": "6.24 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)"
    },
    "Net migration rate": {
      "text": "11.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)"
    },
    "Population distribution": {
      "text": "majority of the population resides on Grand Cayman"
    },
    "Urbanization": {
      "urban population": {
        "text": "100% of total population (2023)"
      },
      "rate of urbanization": {
        "text": "1.13% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Major urban areas - population": {
      "text": "35,000 GEORGE TOWN (capital) (2018)"
    },
    "Sex ratio": {
      "at birth": {
        "text": "1.02 male(s)/female"
      },
      "0-14 years": {
        "text": "1.01 male(s)/female"
      },
      "15-64 years": {
        "text": "0.96 male(s)/female"
      },
      "65 years and over": {
        "text": "0.84 male(s)/female"
      },
      "total population": {
        "text": "0.95 male(s)/female (2024 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Infant mortality rate": {
      "total": {
        "text": "7.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)"
      },
      "male": {
        "text": "8.8 deaths/1,000 live births"
      },
      "female": {
        "text": "5.7 deaths/1,000 live births"
      }
    },
    "Life expectancy at birth": {
      "total population": {
        "text": "82.5 years (2024 est.)"
      },
      "male": {
        "text": "79.8 years"
      },
      "female": {
        "text": "85.2 years"
      }
    },
    "Total fertility rate": {
      "text": "1.81 children born/woman (2025 est.)"
    },
    "Gross reproduction rate": {
      "text": "0.9 (2025 est.)"
    },
    "Drinking water source": {
      "improved: urban": {
        "text": "urban: 95.5% of population (2022 est.)"
      },
      "improved: total": {
        "text": "total: 95.5% of population (2022 est.)"
      },
      "unimproved: urban": {
        "text": "urban: 4.5% of population (2022 est.)"
      },
      "unimproved: total": {
        "text": "total: 4.5% of population (2022 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Sanitation facility access": {
      "improved: urban": {
        "text": "urban: 93.5% of population (2022 est.)"
      },
      "improved: total": {
        "text": "total: 93.5% of population (2022 est.)"
      },
      "unimproved: urban": {
        "text": "urban: 6.5% of population (2022 est.)"
      },
      "unimproved: total": {
        "text": "total: 6.5% of population (2022 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Education expenditure": {
      "Education expenditure (% GDP)": {
        "text": "1.6% of GDP (2023 est.)"
      },
      "Education expenditure (% national budget)": {
        "text": "15% national budget (2019 est.)"
      }
    }
  },
  "Environment": {
    "Environmental issues": {
      "text": "no natural freshwater resources; trash washing up or being deposited on beaches; no recycling or waste-treatment facilities; deforestation&nbsp;"
    },
    "Climate": {
      "text": "tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool, relatively dry winters (November to April)"
    },
    "Land use": {
      "agricultural land": {
        "text": "11.2% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "agricultural land: arable land": {
        "text": "arable land: 0.8% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "agricultural land: permanent crops": {
        "text": "permanent crops: 2.1% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "agricultural land: permanent pasture": {
        "text": "permanent pasture: 8.3% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "forest": {
        "text": "53% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "other": {
        "text": "35.8% (2023 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Urbanization": {
      "urban population": {
        "text": "100% of total population (2023)"
      },
      "rate of urbanization": {
        "text": "1.13% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Carbon dioxide emissions": {
      "total emissions": {
        "text": "737,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)"
      },
      "from petroleum and other liquids": {
        "text": "737,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Waste and recycling": {
      "municipal solid waste generated annually": {
        "text": "60,000 tons (2024 est.)"
      }
    }
  },
  "Government": {
    "Country name": {
      "conventional long form": {
        "text": "none"
      },
      "conventional short form": {
        "text": "Cayman Islands"
      },
      "etymology": {
        "text": "Spanish explorers named the islands in the early 16th century, using the Carib word for marine crocodiles, <em>caiman</em>"
      }
    },
    "Government type": {
      "text": "parliamentary democracy; self-governing overseas territory of the UK"
    },
    "Dependency status": {
      "text": "overseas territory of the UK"
    },
    "Capital": {
      "name": {
        "text": "George Town (on Grand Cayman)"
      },
      "geographic coordinates": {
        "text": "19 18 N, 81 23 W"
      },
      "time difference": {
        "text": "UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time)"
      },
      "etymology": {
        "text": "originally named Hogstyes, the town was renamed in honor of English King GEORGE III (1738-1820) around 1800"
      }
    },
    "Administrative divisions": {
      "text": "6 districts; Bodden Town, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, East End, George Town, North Side, West Bay"
    },
    "Legal system": {
      "text": "English common law and local statutes"
    },
    "Constitution": {
      "history": {
        "text": "several previous; latest approved 10 June 2009, entered into force 6 November 2009 (The Cayman Islands Constitution Order 2009)"
      }
    },
    "Citizenship": {
      "text": "see United Kingdom"
    },
    "Suffrage": {
      "text": "18 years of age; universal"
    },
    "Executive branch": {
      "chief of state": {
        "text": "King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor Jane OWEN (since 21 April 2023)"
      },
      "head of government": {
        "text": "Premier Andr&eacute; Martin EBANKS (since 6 May 2025)"
      },
      "cabinet": {
        "text": "Cabinet selected from the Parliament and appointed by the governor on the advice of the premier"
      },
      "election/appointment process": {
        "text": "the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the governor appoints the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as premier"
      }
    },
    "Legislative branch": {
      "legislature name": {
        "text": "Parliament"
      },
      "legislative structure": {
        "text": "unicameral"
      },
      "number of seats": {
        "text": "21 (directly elected and appointed)"
      },
      "scope of elections": {
        "text": "full renewal"
      },
      "term in office": {
        "text": "4 years"
      },
      "most recent election date": {
        "text": "4/14/2021"
      },
      "parties elected and seats per party": {
        "text": "independent (12); PPM (7)"
      },
      "percentage of women in chamber": {
        "text": "23.8%"
      },
      "expected date of next election": {
        "text": "2025"
      }
    },
    "Judicial branch": {
      "highest court(s)": {
        "text": "Court of Appeal (consists of the court president and at least 2 judges); Grand Court (consists of the court president and at least 2 judges)&nbsp;"
      },
      "judge selection and term of office": {
        "text": "Court of Appeal and Grand Court judges appointed by the governor on the advice of the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, an 8-member independent body consisting of governor appointees, Court of Appeal president, and attorneys; Court of Appeal judges' tenure based on their individual instruments of appointment; Grand Court judges normally appointed until retirement at age 65 but can be extended until age 70"
      },
      "subordinate courts": {
        "text": "Summary Court"
      },
      "note": "<strong>note:</strong> appeals beyond the Court of Appeal are heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London)"
    },
    "Political parties": {
      "text": "Cayman Islands Peoples Party or CIPP<br>People's Progressive Movement or PPM"
    },
    "Diplomatic representation in the US": {
      "text": "none (overseas territory of the UK)"
    },
    "Diplomatic representation from the US": {
      "embassy": {
        "text": "none (overseas territory of the UK); consular services provided through the US Embassy in Jamaica"
      }
    },
    "International organization participation": {
      "text": "Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UNESCO (associate), UPU"
    },
    "Independence": {
      "text": "none (overseas territory of the UK)"
    },
    "National holiday": {
      "text": "Constitution Day, the first Monday in July (1959)"
    },
    "Flag": {
      "text": "<strong>description:</strong> a blue field with the UK flag in the upper-left quadrant and the Caymanian coat of arms centered on the right half of the flag; the coat of arms has a pineapple, a turtle, a shield with a golden lion and three green stars, and a scroll below the shield with the motto HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS<br><br><strong>meaning:</strong> the pineapple represents ties to Jamaica; the turtle represents the Caymans' seafaring tradition; the lion symbolizes Great Britain; the green stars represent the three islands; the white and blue wavy lines on the coat of arms represent the sea"
    },
    "National symbol(s)": {
      "text": "green sea turtle"
    },
    "National coat of arms": {
      "text": "the Queen of England approved the Cayman Islands' coat of arms -- which was designed with input from the public -- in 1958; the shield features the<em> </em>lion of England and three green stars that symbolize the three islands of Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman; the green turtle stands for the islands’ seafaring history, the rope under it for the thatch-rope industry, and the pineapple for historical ties with Jamaica; the motto comes from Psalms 24, acknowledging the Caymans’ Christian heritage"
    },
    "National anthem(s)": {
      "title": {
        "text": "\"God Save the King\""
      },
      "lyrics/music": {
        "text": "unknown"
      },
      "history": {
        "text": "official anthem, as an overseas UK territory"
      }
    }
  },
  "Economy": {
    "Economic overview": {
      "text": "dominant offshore banking territory; services sector accounts for over 85% of economic activity; recently adopted a fiscal responsibility framework to combat tax evasion and money laundering; large tourism sector; does not have any welfare system; high standard of living"
    },
    "Real GDP (purchasing power parity)": {
      "Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023": {
        "text": "$5.705 billion (2023 est.)"
      },
      "Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022": {
        "text": "$5.467 billion (2022 est.)"
      },
      "Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2021": {
        "text": "$5.199 billion (2021 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> data in 2021 dollars"
    },
    "Real GDP growth rate": {
      "Real GDP growth rate 2023": {
        "text": "4.4% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "Real GDP growth rate 2022": {
        "text": "5.2% (2022 est.)"
      },
      "Real GDP growth rate 2021": {
        "text": "4.9% (2021 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency"
    },
    "Real GDP per capita": {
      "Real GDP per capita 2023": {
        "text": "$78,100 (2023 est.)"
      },
      "Real GDP per capita 2022": {
        "text": "$76,400 (2022 est.)"
      },
      "Real GDP per capita 2021": {
        "text": "$74,200 (2021 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> data in 2021 dollars"
    },
    "GDP (official exchange rate)": {
      "text": "$7.139 billion (2023 est.)",
      "note": "<b>note:</b> data in current dollars at official exchange rate"
    },
    "Inflation rate (consumer prices)": {
      "Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2017": {
        "text": "2% (2017 est.)"
      },
      "Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2016": {
        "text": "-0.6% (2016 est.)"
      },
      "Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2015": {
        "text": "-2.3% (2015 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> annual % change based on consumer prices"
    },
    "GDP - composition, by sector of origin": {
      "agriculture": {
        "text": "0.5% (2022 est.)"
      },
      "industry": {
        "text": "8.2% (2022 est.)"
      },
      "services": {
        "text": "85.4% (2022 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data"
    },
    "Agricultural products": {
      "text": "vegetables, fruit; livestock; turtle farming"
    },
    "Industries": {
      "text": "tourism, banking, insurance and finance, construction, construction materials, furniture"
    },
    "Industrial production growth rate": {
      "text": "3.4% (2022 est.)",
      "note": "<b>note:</b> annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency"
    },
    "Remittances": {
      "Remittances 2023": {
        "text": "0.2% of GDP (2023 est.)"
      },
      "Remittances 2022": {
        "text": "0.2% of GDP (2022 est.)"
      },
      "Remittances 2021": {
        "text": "0.2% of GDP (2021 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities"
    },
    "Budget": {
      "revenues": {
        "text": "$874.5 million (2017 est.)"
      },
      "expenditures": {
        "text": "$766.6 million (2017 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Current account balance": {
      "Current account balance 2023": {
        "text": "-$712.684 million (2023 est.)"
      },
      "Current account balance 2022": {
        "text": "-$749.482 million (2022 est.)"
      },
      "Current account balance 2021": {
        "text": "-$794.205 million (2021 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars"
    },
    "Exports": {
      "Exports 2023": {
        "text": "$4.6 billion (2023 est.)"
      },
      "Exports 2022": {
        "text": "$4.215 billion (2022 est.)"
      },
      "Exports 2021": {
        "text": "$3.542 billion (2021 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars"
    },
    "Exports - partners": {
      "text": "UK 40%, Cyprus 21%, Germany 9%, Grenada 8%, Italy 5% (2023)",
      "note": "<b>note:</b> top five export partners based on percentage share of exports"
    },
    "Exports - commodities": {
      "text": "aircraft, ships, refined petroleum, natural gas, broadcasting equipment (2023)",
      "note": "<b>note:</b> top five export commodities based on value in dollars"
    },
    "Imports": {
      "Imports 2023": {
        "text": "$3.444 billion (2023 est.)"
      },
      "Imports 2022": {
        "text": "$3.287 billion (2022 est.)"
      },
      "Imports 2021": {
        "text": "$2.808 billion (2021 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars"
    },
    "Imports - partners": {
      "text": "Germany 30%, USA 29%, Italy 20%, Turkey 5%, China 5% (2023)",
      "note": "<b>note:</b> top five import partners based on percentage share of imports"
    },
    "Imports - commodities": {
      "text": "ships, refined petroleum, cars, furniture, jewelry (2023)",
      "note": "<b>note:</b> top five import commodities based on value in dollars"
    },
    "Reserves of foreign exchange and gold": {
      "Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023": {
        "text": "$234 million (2023 est.)"
      },
      "Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022": {
        "text": "$225.4 million (2022 est.)"
      },
      "Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2021": {
        "text": "$228.3 million (2021 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars"
    },
    "Exchange rates": {
      "Currency": {
        "text": "Caymanian dollars (KYD) per US dollar -"
      },
      "Exchange rates 2024": {
        "text": "0.833 (2024 est.)"
      },
      "Exchange rates 2023": {
        "text": "0.833 (2023 est.)"
      },
      "Exchange rates 2022": {
        "text": "0.833 (2022 est.)"
      },
      "Exchange rates 2021": {
        "text": "0.833 (2021 est.)"
      },
      "Exchange rates 2020": {
        "text": "0.833 (2020 est.)"
      }
    }
  },
  "Energy": {
    "Electricity access": {
      "electrification - total population": {
        "text": "100% (2022 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Electricity": {
      "installed generating capacity": {
        "text": "176,000 kW (2023 est.)"
      },
      "consumption": {
        "text": "698.767 million kWh (2023 est.)"
      },
      "transmission/distribution losses": {
        "text": "2.117 million kWh (2023 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Electricity generation sources": {
      "fossil fuels": {
        "text": "96.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)"
      },
      "solar": {
        "text": "3.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)"
      },
      "wind": {
        "text": "0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Petroleum": {
      "refined petroleum consumption": {
        "text": "5,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Energy consumption per capita": {
      "Total energy consumption per capita 2023": {
        "text": "143.149 million Btu/person (2023 est.)"
      }
    }
  },
  "Communications": {
    "Telephones - fixed lines": {
      "total subscriptions": {
        "text": "36,000 (2021 est.)"
      },
      "subscriptions per 100 inhabitants": {
        "text": "50 (2022 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Telephones - mobile cellular": {
      "total subscriptions": {
        "text": "99,737 (2022 est.)"
      },
      "subscriptions per 100 inhabitants": {
        "text": "139 (2022 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Broadcast media": {
      "text": "4 TV stations; cable and satellite subscription services offer&nbsp; international programming; government-owned Radio Cayman operates 2 networks broadcasting on 5 stations; 10 privately owned radio stations operate alongside Radio Cayman"
    },
    "Internet country code": {
      "text": ".ky"
    },
    "Internet users": {
      "percent of population": {
        "text": "81% (2017 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Broadband - fixed subscriptions": {
      "total": {
        "text": "40,000 (2022 est.)"
      },
      "subscriptions per 100 inhabitants": {
        "text": "56 (2022 est.)"
      }
    }
  },
  "Transportation": {
    "Civil aircraft registration country code prefix": {
      "text": "VP-C"
    },
    "Airports": {
      "text": "3 (2025)"
    },
    "Heliports": {
      "text": "5 (2025)"
    },
    "Merchant marine": {
      "total": {
        "text": "130 (2023)"
      },
      "by type": {
        "text": "bulk carrier 29, container ship 3, general cargo 1, oil tanker 20, other 77"
      }
    },
    "Ports": {
      "total ports": {
        "text": "2 (2024)"
      },
      "large": {
        "text": "0"
      },
      "medium": {
        "text": "0"
      },
      "small": {
        "text": "0"
      },
      "very small": {
        "text": "2"
      },
      "ports with oil terminals": {
        "text": "2"
      },
      "key ports": {
        "text": "Cayman Brac, Georgetown"
      }
    }
  },
  "Military and Security": {
    "Military and security forces": {
      "text": "no regular military forces; Royal Cayman Islands Police Service"
    },
    "Military - note": {
      "text": "defense is the responsibility of the UK"
    }
  },
  "Transnational Issues": {
    "Refugees and internally displaced persons": {
      "refugees": {
        "text": "65 (2024 est.)"
      }
    }
  }
}