Turks and Caicos Islands - TC - TCA - Central America and the Caribbean
Last updated: May 01, 2025
Turks and Caicos Islands Images
Golden sunset on a beach on Providenciales Island in the Turks and Caicos.
View of a wide sandy beach on Providenciales Island in the Turks and Caicos.
Golden sunset on a beach on Providenciales Island in the Turks and Caicos.
View of a wide sandy beach on Providenciales Island in the Turks and Caicos.
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Turks and Caicos Islands Factbook Data
Dependency status
overseas territory of the UK
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy: none (overseas territory of the UK)
Age structure
0-14 years: 20.4% (male 6,288/female 6,056)
15-64 years: 73.2% (male 22,232/female 22,011)
65 years and over: 6.4% (2024 est.) (male 1,869/female 1,983)
15-64 years: 73.2% (male 22,232/female 22,011)
65 years and over: 6.4% (2024 est.) (male 1,869/female 1,983)
This is the population pyramid for the Turks and Caicos 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 45 N, 71 35 W
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Natural hazards
frequent hurricanes
People - note
destination and transit point for illegal Haitian immigrants bound for the Bahamas and the US
Area - comparative
2.5 times the size of Washington, D.C.
Background
The islands were part of the UK's Jamaican colony until 1962, when they assumed the status of a separate Crown colony upon Jamaica's independence. The governor of The Bahamas oversaw affairs from 1965 to 1973. With Bahamian independence, the islands received a separate governor in 1973. Although independence was agreed upon for 1982, the policy was reversed, and the islands remain a British overseas territory. Grand Turk Island suffered extensive damage from Hurricane Maria in 2017.
Environment - current issues
limited natural freshwater resources, private cisterns collect rainwater
Exports - commodities
plastics, shellfish, carbonates, tobacco, garments (2023)
note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Administrative divisions
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Agricultural products
corn, beans, cassava (manioc, tapioca), citrus fruits; fish
Budget
revenues: $247.3 million (2017 est.)
expenditures: $224.3 million (2017 est.)
expenditures: $224.3 million (2017 est.)
Capital
name: Grand Turk (Cockburn Town)
geographic coordinates: 21 28 N, 71 08 W
time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November
etymology: named after Sir Francis COCKBURN, who served as governor of the Bahamas from 1837 to 1844
geographic coordinates: 21 28 N, 71 08 W
time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November
etymology: named after Sir Francis COCKBURN, who served as governor of the Bahamas from 1837 to 1844
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, cars, aluminum structures, furniture, plastic products (2023)
note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Climate
tropical; marine; moderated by trade winds; sunny and relatively dry
Coastline
389 km
Constitution
history: several previous; latest signed 7 August 2012, effective 15 October 2012 (The Turks and Caicos Constitution Order 2011)
Exchange rates
the US dollar is used
Executive branch
chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor Dileeni Daniel-SELVARATNAM (since 29 June 2023)
head of government: Premier Washington MISICK (since 19 February 2021)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor from among members of the House of Assembly
elections/appointments: the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party is appointed premier by the governor
head of government: Premier Washington MISICK (since 19 February 2021)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor from among members of the House of Assembly
elections/appointments: the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party is appointed premier by the governor
Flag description
blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the colonial shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield is yellow and displays a conch shell, a spiny lobster, and Turk's cap cactus - three common elements of the islands' biota
Illicit drugs
transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe
Independence
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Industries
tourism, offshore financial services
Judicial branch
highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and other judges, as determined by the governor); Court of Appeal (consists of the court president and 2 justices)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court and Appeals Court judges appointed by the governor in accordance with the Judicial Service Commission, a 3-member body of high-level judicial officials; Supreme Court judges serve until mandatory retirement at age 65, but terms can be extended to age 70; Appeals Court judge tenure determined by individual terms of appointment
subordinate courts: magistrates' courts
note: appeals beyond the Supreme Court are referred to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court and Appeals Court judges appointed by the governor in accordance with the Judicial Service Commission, a 3-member body of high-level judicial officials; Supreme Court judges serve until mandatory retirement at age 65, but terms can be extended to age 70; Appeals Court judge tenure determined by individual terms of appointment
subordinate courts: magistrates' courts
note: appeals beyond the Supreme Court are referred to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London)
Land boundaries
total: 0 km
Land use
agricultural land: 1.1% (2022 est.)
arable land: 1.1% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.)
forest: 11.1% (2022 est.)
other: 87.9% (2022 est.)
arable land: 1.1% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.)
forest: 11.1% (2022 est.)
other: 87.9% (2022 est.)
Legal system
mixed legal system of English common law and civil law
Legislative branch
legislature name: House of Assembly
legislative structure: unicameral
number of seats: 21 (directly elected or appointed)
electoral system: mixed
scope of elections: full renewal
term in office: 4 years
most recent election date: 2/07/2025
parties elected and seats per party: PNP (16); PDM (2); independents (1)
percentage of women in chamber: 27.3%
expected date of next election: 2029
legislative structure: unicameral
number of seats: 21 (directly elected or appointed)
electoral system: mixed
scope of elections: full renewal
term in office: 4 years
most recent election date: 2/07/2025
parties elected and seats per party: PNP (16); PDM (2); independents (1)
percentage of women in chamber: 27.3%
expected date of next election: 2029
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
International organization participation
Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), UPU
National holiday
Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, usually celebrated the Monday after the second Saturday in June
Nationality
noun: none
adjective: none
adjective: none
Natural resources
spiny lobster, conch
Geography - note
include eight large islands and numerous smaller cays, islets, and reefs; only two of the Caicos Islands and six of the Turks group are inhabited
Economic overview
British Caribbean island territorial economy; GDP and its tourism industry hit hard by COVID-19 disruptions; major biodiversity locale; US dollar user; fossil fuel dependent; negative trade balance; increasing unemployment
Political parties
People's Democratic Movement or PDM
Progressive National Party or PNP
Progressive National Party or PNP
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Telecommunication systems
general assessment: is connected to the internet via a single submarine fiber-optic cable (Arcos-1), which links the US and several Caribbean countries (2023)
domestic: fixed-line teledensity is 9 per 100 persons (2021)
international: country code - 1-649; landing point for the ARCOS fiber-optic telecommunications submarine cable providing connectivity to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2020)
domestic: fixed-line teledensity is 9 per 100 persons (2021)
international: country code - 1-649; landing point for the ARCOS fiber-optic telecommunications submarine cable providing connectivity to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2020)
Terrain
low, flat limestone; extensive marshes and mangrove swamps
Government type
parliamentary democracy
Military - note
defense is the responsibility of the UK
Country name
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Turks and Caicos Islands
abbreviation: TCA
etymology: the Turks Islands are named after the Turk's cap cactus, which is native to the islands and appears on the flag and coat of arms; the name Caicos may derive from caya hico, a phrase meaning “string of islands” in the Lucayan (Arawak) language, or from the Spanish word cayo, meaning "rock"
conventional short form: Turks and Caicos Islands
abbreviation: TCA
etymology: the Turks Islands are named after the Turk's cap cactus, which is native to the islands and appears on the flag and coat of arms; the name Caicos may derive from caya hico, a phrase meaning “string of islands” in the Lucayan (Arawak) language, or from the Spanish word cayo, meaning "rock"
Location
two island groups in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of The Bahamas, north of Haiti; note - although the Turks and Caicos Islands do not border the Caribbean Sea, geopolitically they are often designated as being Caribbean
Map references
Central America and the Caribbean
Irrigated land
0 sq km (2022)
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Internet country code
.tc
GDP (official exchange rate)
$1.402 billion (2023 est.)
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
Urbanization
urban population: 94.2% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 1.46% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
rate of urbanization: 1.46% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Broadcast media
no local terrestrial TV stations, broadcasts from the Bahamas can be received and multi-channel cable and satellite TV services are available; government-run radio network operates alongside private broadcasters with a total of about 15 stations
National anthem
name: "This Land of Ours"
lyrics/music: Conrad HOWELL
note: serves as a local anthem; as an overseas territory of the UK, "God Save the King" is the official anthem (see United Kingdom)
lyrics/music: Conrad HOWELL
note: serves as a local anthem; as an overseas territory of the UK, "God Save the King" is the official anthem (see United Kingdom)
Major urban areas - population
5,000 GRAND TURK (capital) (2018)
National symbol(s)
conch shell, Turk's cap cactus
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption: 49% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 21.5% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 16.5% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: -0.1% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 69.5% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -56.4% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 21.5% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 16.5% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: -0.1% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 69.5% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -56.4% (2017 est.)
Citizenship
see United Kingdom
Population distribution
eight of the thirty islands are inhabited; the island of Providenciales is the most populated, but the most densely populated is Grand Turk
Electricity access
electrification - total population: 99.9% (2022 est.)
electrification - urban areas: 100%
electrification - rural areas: 100%
electrification - urban areas: 100%
electrification - rural areas: 100%
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
VQ-T
Ethnic groups
Black 87.6%, White 7.9%, mixed 2.5%, East Indian 1.3%, other 0.7% (2006 est.)
Religions
Protestant 72.8% (Baptist 35.8%, Church of God 11.7%, Anglican 10%, Methodist 9.3%, Seventh Day Adventist 6%), Roman Catholic 11.4%, Jehovah's Witness 1.8%, other 14% (2006 est.)
Languages
English (official)
Elevation
highest point: Blue Hill on Providenciales and Flamingo Hill on East Caicos 48 m
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
Contraceptive prevalence rate
34.4% (2019/20)
Literacy
total population: NA
male: NA
female: NA
male: NA
female: NA
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 36.6 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 27.9 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 8.7 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio: 11.5 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 27.9 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 8.7 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio: 11.5 (2024 est.)
Drinking water source
improved:
total: 94.3% of population
unimproved:
total: 5.7% of population (2017)
total: 94.3% of population
unimproved:
total: 5.7% of population (2017)
Sanitation facility access
improved:
urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 88% of population
unimproved:
urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 12% of population (2017)
urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 88% of population
unimproved:
urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 12% of population (2017)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total: 9 years
male: NA
female: (2015) NA
male: NA
female: (2015) NA
Imports - partners
USA 73%, Dominican Republic 4%, Italy 3%, Japan 3%, China 2% (2023)
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Exports - partners
Gabon 27%, USA 25%, Zimbabwe 17%, Czechia 8%, UAE 3% (2023)
note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Air pollutants
carbon dioxide emissions: 0.22 megatons (2016 est.)
Internet users
percent of population: 93.5% (2022)
Electricity generation sources
fossil fuels: 98.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar: 1.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar: 1.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Petroleum
refined petroleum consumption: 3,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.83 (2024 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
59.1% (2023 est.)
Remittances
0% of GDP (2023 est.)
0% of GDP (2022 est.)
0% of GDP (2021 est.)
note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
0% of GDP (2022 est.)
0% of GDP (2021 est.)
note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Child marriage
women married by age 18: 23.3%
men married by age 18: 5.1% (2020 est.)
men married by age 18: 5.1% (2020 est.)
Ports
total ports: 3 (2024)
large: 0
medium: 0
small: 0
very small: 2
size unknown: 1
ports with oil terminals: 1
key ports: Cockburn Harbor, Grand Turk, Providenciales
large: 0
medium: 0
small: 0
very small: 2
size unknown: 1
ports with oil terminals: 1
key ports: Cockburn Harbor, Grand Turk, Providenciales
Net migration rate
8.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)
Median age
total: 36.3 years (2024 est.)
male: 36.5 years
female: 36.1 years
male: 36.5 years
female: 36.1 years
Total fertility rate
1.7 children born/woman (2024 est.)
Population
total: 60,439 (2024 est.)
male: 30,389
female: 30,050
male: 30,389
female: 30,050
Carbon dioxide emissions
447,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 447,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 447,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Area
total : 948 sq km
land: 948 sq km
water: 0 sq km
land: 948 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$1.03 billion (2023 est.)
$1.018 billion (2022 est.)
$958.811 million (2021 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
$1.018 billion (2022 est.)
$958.811 million (2021 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
Airports
9 (2025)
Infant mortality rate
total: 11.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
male: 13.9 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 8.1 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 13.9 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 8.1 deaths/1,000 live births
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 25,085 (2004 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 110 (2004 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 110 (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
4% (2017 est.)
0.7% (2016 est.)
0.7% (2016 est.)
Current account balance
$172.709 million (2018 est.)
$35.016 million (2017 est.)
$247.081 million (2016 est.)
note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
$35.016 million (2017 est.)
$247.081 million (2016 est.)
note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
Real GDP per capita
$22,300 (2023 est.)
$22,200 (2022 est.)
$21,200 (2021 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
$22,200 (2022 est.)
$21,200 (2021 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
Energy consumption per capita
(2019)
Death rate
3.6 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)
Birth rate
13 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
Electricity
installed generating capacity: 94,000 kW (2023 est.)
consumption: 252.088 million kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 12.912 million kWh (2023 est.)
consumption: 252.088 million kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 12.912 million kWh (2023 est.)
Merchant marine
total: 3 (2023)
by type: general cargo 1, other 2
by type: general cargo 1, other 2
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
0.4% (2019/20) NA
Imports
$544.219 million (2018 est.)
$484.842 million (2017 est.)
$438.041 million (2016 est.)
note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
$484.842 million (2017 est.)
$438.041 million (2016 est.)
note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Exports
$826.824 million (2018 est.)
$602.581 million (2017 est.)
$741.173 million (2016 est.)
note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
$602.581 million (2017 est.)
$741.173 million (2016 est.)
note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions: 4,000 (2021 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 9 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 9 (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 81.3 years (2024 est.)
male: 78.5 years
female: 84.1 years
male: 78.5 years
female: 84.1 years
Real GDP growth rate
1.2% (2023 est.)
6.2% (2022 est.)
9.03% (2021 est.)
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
6.2% (2022 est.)
9.03% (2021 est.)
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
Industrial production growth rate
5.84% (2016 est.)
note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 0.4% (2016 est.)
industry: 9.5% (2016 est.)
services: 77.9% (2016 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
industry: 9.5% (2016 est.)
services: 77.9% (2016 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
Revenue from forest resources
0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal
0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Education expenditures
4.5% of GDP (2021 est.)
Population growth rate
1.77% (2024 est.)