Cook Islands - CK - COK - COK - Australia and Oceania
Last updated: April 15, 2024
Cook Islands Images
A close up view of Aitutaki. The island's airport may be seen on the northern point (upper right). Image courtesy of NASA.
Manihiki is one of the larger islands (10.5-km (6.5-mi) long) in the remote Cook Island chain; with its fringing coral reef and central lagoon, it has the hallmarks of a classic atoll. The coral lives in the warm, shallow waters that appear as the light blue zones around the main coastline and the numerous small islets within the lagoon. Most of the main atoll is made of sandy beaches without vegetation; it appears white or cream due to dead coral broken up by waves. Soils develop on the highest parts of these beaches, supporting dense stands of dark green trees. A few clouds cast shadows on the water. Two small towns - Tauhunu and Tukao - appear as clusters of small bright patches etched into the forest. Aircraft land at the runway in Tukao after flying from New Zealand, 3,650 km (2,270 mi) to the southwest. Tourism is the main economic activity on the atoll, with diving in the lagoon and fishing in the waters outside it as the major attractions. Manihiki also produces rare black pearls, which are harvested from the local species of oyster. Image courtesy of NASA.
Mangaia is the most southerly of the Cook Islands and the second largest in size after Rarotonga Island (next photo). Image courtesy of NASA.
Rarotonga is the largest and most populous of the Cook Islands. Image courtesy of NASA.
A large cloud bank moves in on Aitutaki Atoll in the Southern Cook Islands. Image courtesy of NASA.
![Aitutaki in the Southern Cook Islands has a distinctive equilateral triangular shape (roughly 12 km (7.5 mi) on each side). It is an "almost atoll" whose coral reef barrier does not extend above the ocean along its southern side. Image courtesy of NASA.](https://dev.me/media/factbook/cw/CW_009_large.jpg "Aitutaki in the Southern Cook Islands has a distinctive equilateral triangular shape (roughly 12 km (7.5 mi) on each side). It is an "almost atoll" whose coral reef barrier does not extend above the ocean along its southern side. Image courtesy of NASA.")
Aitutaki in the Southern Cook Islands has a distinctive equilateral triangular shape (roughly 12 km (7.5 mi) on each side). It is an "almost atoll" whose coral reef barrier does not extend above the ocean along its southern side. Image courtesy of NASA.
A close up view of Aitutaki. The island's airport may be seen on the northern point (upper right). Image courtesy of NASA.
Manihiki is one of the larger islands (10.5-km (6.5-mi) long) in the remote Cook Island chain; with its fringing coral reef and central lagoon, it has the hallmarks of a classic atoll. The coral lives in the warm, shallow waters that appear as the light blue zones around the main coastline and the numerous small islets within the lagoon. Most of the main atoll is made of sandy beaches without vegetation; it appears white or cream due to dead coral broken up by waves. Soils develop on the highest parts of these beaches, supporting dense stands of dark green trees. A few clouds cast shadows on the water. Two small towns - Tauhunu and Tukao - appear as clusters of small bright patches etched into the forest. Aircraft land at the runway in Tukao after flying from New Zealand, 3,650 km (2,270 mi) to the southwest. Tourism is the main economic activity on the atoll, with diving in the lagoon and fishing in the waters outside it as the major attractions. Manihiki also produces rare black pearls, which are harvested from the local species of oyster. Image courtesy of NASA.
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Cook Islands Factbook Data
Dependency status
self-governing in free association with New Zealand; Cook Islands is fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs and defense in consultation with the Cook Islands
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy: none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)
note: on 25 September 2023, the US officially established diplomatic relations with Cook Islands
note: on 25 September 2023, the US officially established diplomatic relations with Cook Islands
Age structure
0-14 years: 18.43% (male 766/female 697)
15-64 years: 66.23% (male 2,713/female 2,545)
65 years and over: 15.34% (2023 est.) (male 596/female 622)
15-64 years: 66.23% (male 2,713/female 2,545)
65 years and over: 15.34% (2023 est.) (male 596/female 622)
This is the population pyramid for the Cook Islands. A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends.
For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page.
For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page.
Geographic coordinates
21 14 S, 159 46 W
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.96 male(s)/female
total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2023 est.)
0-14 years: 1.1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.96 male(s)/female
total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2023 est.)
Natural hazards
tropical cyclones (November to March)
Area - comparative
1.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Background
Polynesians from Tahiti were probably the first people to settle Rarotonga -- the largest of the Cook Islands -- around A.D. 900. Over time, Samoans and Tongans also settled in Rarotonga, and Rarotongans voyaged to the northern Cook Islands, settling Manihiki and Rakahanga. Pukapuka and Penrhyn in the northern Cook Islands were settled directly from Samoa. Prior to European contact, there was considerable travel and trade between inhabitants of the different islands and atolls, but they were not united in a single political entity. Spanish navigators were the first Europeans to spot the northern Cook Islands in 1595, followed by the first landing in 1606, but no further European contact occurred until the 1760s. In 1773, British explorer James COOK spotted Manuae in the southern Cook Islands, and Russian mapmakers named the islands after COOK in the 1820s. English missionary activity during the 1820s and 1830s converted most of the population to Christianity.
Fearing France would militarily occupy the islands as it did in Tahiti, Rarotongans asked the UK for protectorate status in the 1840s and 1860s, a request the UK ignored. In 1888, Queen MAKEA TAKAU of Rarotonga formally petitioned for protectorate status, to which the UK reluctantly agreed. In 1901, the UK placed Rarotonga and the rest of the islands in the New Zealand Colony, and in 1915, the Cook Islands Act organized the islands into one political entity. It remained a protectorate until 1965, when New Zealand granted the Cook Islands self-governing status. The Cook Islands has a great deal of local autonomy and is an independent member of international organizations, but it is in free association with New Zealand, which is responsible for its defense and foreign affairs. In September 2023, the US recognized the Cook Islands as a sovereign and independent state.
Fearing France would militarily occupy the islands as it did in Tahiti, Rarotongans asked the UK for protectorate status in the 1840s and 1860s, a request the UK ignored. In 1888, Queen MAKEA TAKAU of Rarotonga formally petitioned for protectorate status, to which the UK reluctantly agreed. In 1901, the UK placed Rarotonga and the rest of the islands in the New Zealand Colony, and in 1915, the Cook Islands Act organized the islands into one political entity. It remained a protectorate until 1965, when New Zealand granted the Cook Islands self-governing status. The Cook Islands has a great deal of local autonomy and is an independent member of international organizations, but it is in free association with New Zealand, which is responsible for its defense and foreign affairs. In September 2023, the US recognized the Cook Islands as a sovereign and independent state.
Environment - current issues
limited land presents solid and liquid waste disposal problems; soil destruction and deforestation; environmental degradation due to indiscriminate use of pesticides; improper disposal of pollutants; overfishing and destructive fishing practices; over dredging of lagoons and coral rubble beds; unregulated building
Environment - international agreements
party to: Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Population below poverty line
NA
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Exports - commodities
fish products, recreational boats, paintings, lobsters, tuna (2021)
Administrative divisions
none
Agricultural products
vegetables, coconuts, roots/tubers, cassava, papayas, tomatoes, pork, fruit, sweet potatoes, mangoes/guavas
Military and security forces
no regular military forces; Cook Islands Police Service
Budget
revenues: $86.9 million (2010)
expenditures: $77.9 million (2010)
expenditures: $77.9 million (2010)
Capital
name: Avarua
geographic coordinates: 21 12 S, 159 46 W
time difference: UTC-10 (5 hours behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: translates as "two harbors" in Maori
geographic coordinates: 21 12 S, 159 46 W
time difference: UTC-10 (5 hours behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: translates as "two harbors" in Maori
Imports - commodities
motorboats, refined petroleum, integrated circuits, lumber, cars, edible preparations, flavored water, beer (2021)
Climate
tropical oceanic; moderated by trade winds; a dry season from April to November and a more humid season from December to March
Coastline
120 km
Constitution
history: 4 August 1965 (Cook Islands Constitution Act 1964)
amendments: proposed by Parliament; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the Parliament membership in each of several readings and assent of the chief of state’s representative; passage of amendments relating to the chief of state also requires two-thirds majority approval in a referendum; amended many times, last in 2004
amendments: proposed by Parliament; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the Parliament membership in each of several readings and assent of the chief of state’s representative; passage of amendments relating to the chief of state also requires two-thirds majority approval in a referendum; amended many times, last in 2004
Exchange rates
NZ dollars (NZD) per US dollar -
Exchange rates:
1.416 (2017 est.)
1.4341 (2016 est.)
1.4341 (2015 est.)
1.441 (2014 est.)
1.4279 (2013 est.)
Exchange rates:
1.416 (2017 est.)
1.4341 (2016 est.)
1.4341 (2015 est.)
1.441 (2014 est.)
1.4279 (2013 est.)
Executive branch
chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Sir Tom J. MARSTERS (since 9 August 2013); New Zealand High Commissioner Ms. Tui DEWES (since October 2020)
head of government: Prime Minister Mark BROWN (since 1 October 2020)
cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister
elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; UK representative appointed by the monarch; New Zealand high commissioner appointed by the New Zealand Government; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually becomes prime minister
head of government: Prime Minister Mark BROWN (since 1 October 2020)
cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister
elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; UK representative appointed by the monarch; New Zealand high commissioner appointed by the New Zealand Government; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually becomes prime minister
Fiscal year
1 April - 31 March
Flag description
blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large circle of 15 white five-pointed stars (one for every island) centered in the outer half of the flag
Independence
4 August 1965 (Cook Islands became self-governing state in free association with New Zealand)
Industries
fishing, fruit processing, tourism, clothing, handicrafts
Judicial branch
highest court(s): Court of Appeal (consists of the chief justice and 3 judges of the High Court); High Court (consists of the chief justice and at least 4 judges and organized into civil, criminal, and land divisions); note - appeals beyond the Cook Islands Court of Appeal are heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London)
judge selection and term of office: High Court chief justice appointed by the Queen's Representative on the advice of the Executive Council tendered by the prime minister; other judges appointed by the Queen's Representative, on the advice of the Executive Council tendered by the chief justice, High Court chief justice, and the minister of justice; chief justice and judges appointed for 3-year renewable terms
subordinate courts: justices of the peace
judge selection and term of office: High Court chief justice appointed by the Queen's Representative on the advice of the Executive Council tendered by the prime minister; other judges appointed by the Queen's Representative, on the advice of the Executive Council tendered by the chief justice, High Court chief justice, and the minister of justice; chief justice and judges appointed for 3-year renewable terms
subordinate courts: justices of the peace
Land boundaries
total: 0 km
Land use
agricultural land: 8.4% (2018 est.)
arable land: 4.2% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 4.2% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.)
forest: 64.6% (2018 est.)
other: 27% (2018 est.)
arable land: 4.2% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 4.2% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.)
forest: 64.6% (2018 est.)
other: 27% (2018 est.)
Legal system
common law similar to New Zealand common law
Legislative branch
description: unicameral Parliament, formerly the Legislative Assembly (24 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms); note - the House of Ariki, a 24-member parliamentary body of traditional leaders appointed by the King's representative serves as a consultative body to the Parliament
elections: last held on 1 August 2022 (next to be held by 2026)
election results: percent of vote by party - CIP 44%, Demo 26.9%, Cook Islands United Party 26.9%, OCI 2.7%, other 0.2% independent 7.3%; seats by party - CIP 12, Demo 5, Cook Islands United Party 3, OCI 1, independent 3; composition as of September 2023 - men 18, women 6, percent of women 25%
elections: last held on 1 August 2022 (next to be held by 2026)
election results: percent of vote by party - CIP 44%, Demo 26.9%, Cook Islands United Party 26.9%, OCI 2.7%, other 0.2% independent 7.3%; seats by party - CIP 12, Demo 5, Cook Islands United Party 3, OCI 1, independent 3; composition as of September 2023 - men 18, women 6, percent of women 25%
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
International organization participation
ACP, ADB, AOSIS, FAO, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IMO, IMSO, IOC, ITUC (NGOs), OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO
National holiday
Constitution Day, the first Monday in August (1965)
Nationality
noun: Cook Islander(s)
adjective: Cook Islander
adjective: Cook Islander
Natural resources
coconuts (copra)
Geography - note
the northern Cook Islands are seven low-lying, sparsely populated, coral atolls; the southern Cook Islands, where most of the population lives, consist of eight elevated, fertile, volcanic isles, including the largest, Rarotonga, at 67 sq km
Economic overview
high-income self-governing New Zealand territorial economy; tourism-based activity but diversifying; severely curtailed by COVID-19 pandemic; copra and tropical fruit exporter; Asian Development Bank aid recipient
Political parties and leaders
Cook Islands Party or CIP [Mark BROWN]
Cook Islands United Party [Teariki HEATHER]
Democratic Party or Demo [Tina BROWNE]
One Cook Islands Movement or OCI [George TURIA]
Cook Islands United Party [Teariki HEATHER]
Democratic Party or Demo [Tina BROWNE]
One Cook Islands Movement or OCI [George TURIA]
Ports and terminals
major seaport(s): Avatiu
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Telecommunication systems
general assessment: demand for mobile broadband is increasing due to mobile services being the primary and most wide-spread source for Internet access across the region; Telecom Cook Islands offers international direct dialing, Internet, email, and fax; individual islands are connected by a combination of satellite earth stations, microwave systems, and VHF and HF radiotelephone (2020)
domestic: service is provided by small exchanges connected to subscribers by open-wire, cable, and fiber-optic cable; nearly 41 per 100 fixed-line and about 100 per 100 mobile-cellular (2021)
international: country code - 682; the Manatua submarine cable to surrounding islands of Niue, Samoa, French Polynesia and other Cook Islands, the topography of the South Pacific region has made Internet connectivity a serious issue for many of the remote islands; submarine fiber-optic networks are expensive to build and maintain; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2019)
domestic: service is provided by small exchanges connected to subscribers by open-wire, cable, and fiber-optic cable; nearly 41 per 100 fixed-line and about 100 per 100 mobile-cellular (2021)
international: country code - 682; the Manatua submarine cable to surrounding islands of Niue, Samoa, French Polynesia and other Cook Islands, the topography of the South Pacific region has made Internet connectivity a serious issue for many of the remote islands; submarine fiber-optic networks are expensive to build and maintain; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2019)
Terrain
low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south
Government type
parliamentary democracy
Military - note
defense is the responsibility of New Zealand in consultation with the Cook Islands and at its request
the Cook Islands have a "shiprider" agreement with the US, which allows local maritime law enforcement officers to embark on US Coast Guard (USCG) and US Navy (USN) vessels, including to board and search vessels suspected of violating laws or regulations within its designated exclusive economic zone (EEZ) or on the high seas; "shiprider" agreements also enable USCG personnel and USN vessels with embarked USCG law enforcement personnel to work with host nations to protect critical regional resources (2023)
the Cook Islands have a "shiprider" agreement with the US, which allows local maritime law enforcement officers to embark on US Coast Guard (USCG) and US Navy (USN) vessels, including to board and search vessels suspected of violating laws or regulations within its designated exclusive economic zone (EEZ) or on the high seas; "shiprider" agreements also enable USCG personnel and USN vessels with embarked USCG law enforcement personnel to work with host nations to protect critical regional resources (2023)
Country name
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Cook Islands
former: Hervey Islands
etymology: named after Captain James COOK, the British explorer who visited the islands in 1773 and 1777
conventional short form: Cook Islands
former: Hervey Islands
etymology: named after Captain James COOK, the British explorer who visited the islands in 1773 and 1777
Location
Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand
Map references
Oceania
Irrigated land
NA
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)
Internet country code
.ck
GDP (official exchange rate)
$336 million (2022 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total: 15 years
male: 15 years
female: 14 years (2012)
male: 15 years
female: 14 years (2012)
Urbanization
urban population: 76.2% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 0.52% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
rate of urbanization: 0.52% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Broadcast media
1 privately owned TV station broadcasts from Rarotonga providing a mix of local news and overseas-sourced programs (2019)
Drinking water source
improved: urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 100% of population
unimproved: urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 0% of population (2020 est.)
rural: NA
total: 100% of population
unimproved: urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 0% of population (2020 est.)
National anthem
name: "Te Atua Mou E" (To God Almighty)
lyrics/music: Tepaeru Te RITO/Thomas DAVIS
note: adopted 1982; as prime minister, Sir Thomas DAVIS composed the anthem; his wife, a tribal chief, wrote the lyrics
lyrics/music: Tepaeru Te RITO/Thomas DAVIS
note: adopted 1982; as prime minister, Sir Thomas DAVIS composed the anthem; his wife, a tribal chief, wrote the lyrics
This is an audio of the National Anthem for Cook Islands. The national anthem is generally a patriotic musical composition - usually in the form of a song or hymn of praise - that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions, or struggles of a nation or its people. National anthems can be officially recognized as a national song by a country's constitution or by an enacted law, or simply by tradition. Although most anthems contain lyrics, some do not.
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration (New Zealand normally retains responsibility for external affairs); accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Physicians density
1.41 physicians/1,000 population (2014)
National symbol(s)
a circle of 15, five-pointed, white stars on a blue field, Tiare maori (Gardenia taitensis) flower; national colors: green, white
Population distribution
most of the population is found on the island of Rarotonga
National air transport system
number of registered air carriers: 1 (2020)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 6
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 6
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
E5
Sanitation facility access
improved: urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 99.1% of population
unimproved: urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 0.9% of population (2020 est.)
rural: NA
total: 99.1% of population
unimproved: urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 0.9% of population (2020 est.)
Ethnic groups
Cook Island Maori 77.4%, part Cook Island Maori 8.3%, Fijian 3.6%, New Zealand Maori/European 3.4%, Filipino 2.9%, other Pacific Islands 1.8%, other 2.6% (2021 est.)
Religions
Protestant 55% (Cook Islands Christian Church 43.1%, Seventh Day Adventist 8.3%, Assemblies of God 3.6%), Roman Catholic 16.7%, Church of Jesus Christ 3.9%, Jehovah's Witness 2.2%, Apostolic Church 2.1%, other 4.5%, none/unspecified 15.6% (2021 est.)
Languages
English (official) 86.4%, Cook Islands Maori (Rarotongan) (official) 76.2%, other 8.3% (2011 est.)
note: shares sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census
note: shares sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census
Disputes - international
none identified
Literacy
total population: NA
male: NA
female: NA
male: NA
female: NA
Elevation
highest point: Te Manga 652 m
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
Contraceptive prevalence rate
NA
Current health expenditure
3.2% of GDP (2020)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 53.8
youth dependency ratio: 36.4
elderly dependency ratio: 17.4
potential support ratio: 5.8 (2021)
youth dependency ratio: 36.4
elderly dependency ratio: 17.4
potential support ratio: 5.8 (2021)
Imports - partners
New Zealand 57%, Turkey 12%, Italy 11%, Israel 5%, Fiji 4% (2021)
Exports - partners
Japan 41%, France 18%, Thailand 16%, Greece 7%, China 6% (2021)
Total renewable water resources
0 cubic meters (2017 est.)
Air pollutants
particulate matter emissions: 7.8 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Coal
production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
consumption: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
imports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
consumption: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
imports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Electricity generation sources
fossil fuels: 70% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
solar: 30% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
hydroelectricity: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
solar: 30% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
hydroelectricity: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Natural gas
production: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
consumption: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
consumption: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
Petroleum
total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 800 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 bbl/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 bbl/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 800 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 bbl/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 bbl/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
1 (2023 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
42.6% (2023 est.)
Net migration rate
-26.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2023 est.)
Median age
total: 40.6 years (2023 est.)
male: 40.3 years
female: 41 years
male: 40.3 years
female: 41 years
Debt - external
$141 million (1996 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports
611 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Total fertility rate
2.04 children born/woman (2023 est.)
Population
7,939 (2023 est.)
note: the Cook Islands' Ministry of Finance & Economic Management estimated the resident population to have been 11,700 in September 2016
note: the Cook Islands' Ministry of Finance & Economic Management estimated the resident population to have been 11,700 in September 2016
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)
3% (of GDP) (2010 est.)
Internet users
total: 11,382 (2021 est.)
percent of population: 64.8% (2021 est.)
percent of population: 64.8% (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
114,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 114,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 114,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Area
total: 236 sq km
land: 236 sq km
water: 0 sq km
land: 236 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$266 million (2022 est.)
$257 million (2021 est.)
$287 million (2020 est.)
note: data are in 2015 dollars
$257 million (2021 est.)
$287 million (2020 est.)
note: data are in 2015 dollars
Roadways
total: 295 km
paved: 207 km
unpaved: 88 km (2018)
paved: 207 km
unpaved: 88 km (2018)
Airports
10 (2024)
Infant mortality rate
total: 15.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2023 est.)
male: 19.5 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 11.3 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 19.5 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 11.3 deaths/1,000 live births
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 17,000 (2021 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 100 (2021 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 100 (2021 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports
0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$15,600 (2022 est.)
$15,100 (2021 est.)
$16,800 (2020 est.)
note: data are in 2015 dollars
$15,100 (2021 est.)
$16,800 (2020 est.)
note: data are in 2015 dollars
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total: 2,700 (2018 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 15 (2018 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 15 (2018 est.)
Tobacco use
total: 24% (2020 est.)
male: 27.7% (2020 est.)
female: 20.3% (2020 est.)
male: 27.7% (2020 est.)
female: 20.3% (2020 est.)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
55.9% (2016)
Energy consumption per capita
0 Btu/person (2019 est.)
Death rate
9.2 deaths/1,000 population (2023 est.)
Birth rate
12.3 births/1,000 population (2023 est.)
Electricity
installed generating capacity: 18,000 kW (2020 est.)
consumption: 38.729 million kWh (2019 est.)
exports: 0 kWh (2020 est.)
imports: 0 kWh (2020 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 3 million kWh (2019 est.)
consumption: 38.729 million kWh (2019 est.)
exports: 0 kWh (2020 est.)
imports: 0 kWh (2020 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 3 million kWh (2019 est.)
Merchant marine
total: 190 (2023)
by type: bulk carrier 19, general cargo 44, oil tanker 58, other 69
by type: bulk carrier 19, general cargo 44, oil tanker 58, other 69
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
NA
Imports
$215 million (2021 est.)
$109.3 million (2011 est.)
$90.62 million (2010 est.)
$109.3 million (2011 est.)
$90.62 million (2010 est.)
Exports
$31.4 million (2021 est.)
$3.125 million (2011 est.)
$5.163 million (2010 est.)
note: Data are in current year dollars and do not include illicit exports or re-exports.
$3.125 million (2011 est.)
$5.163 million (2010 est.)
note: Data are in current year dollars and do not include illicit exports or re-exports.
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions: 7,000 (2021 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 41 (2021 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 41 (2021 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production
0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita
total: 12.97 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
beer: 3.62 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 2.28 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits: 7.07 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
beer: 3.62 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 2.28 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits: 7.07 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 77.4 years (2023 est.)
male: 74.6 years
female: 80.3 years
male: 74.6 years
female: 80.3 years
Real GDP growth rate
10.5% (2022 est.)
-24.5% (2021 est.)
-5.2% (2020 est.)
-24.5% (2021 est.)
-5.2% (2020 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 5.1% (2010 est.)
industry: 12.7% (2010 est.)
services: 82.1% (2010 est.)
industry: 12.7% (2010 est.)
services: 82.1% (2010 est.)
Education expenditures
4.6% of GDP (2021 est.)
Population growth rate
-2.31% (2023 est.)