Turks and Caicos Islands - TC - TCA - Central America and the Caribbean
Last updated: April 09, 2024
Turks and Caicos Islands Images
Golden sunset along a strand of beach on Providenciales Island.
The Turks and Caicos Islands as seen from the space shuttle. In this view, the extensive shallow water areas of Caicos Bank (turquoise) dominate to the south of the Caicos Islands. Caicos Bank covers an area of 7,680 sq km (2,965 sq mi). The coral reefs of Caicos are primarily along the north deep water edge of the islands, and in a barrier to the south of the bank. East of Caicos Bank, near the tail of the shuttle, is the island of Grand Turk, part of the much smaller Turks Bank. The channel that runs between the two banks is more than 2,200 m (1.4 mi) deep. Image courtesy of NASA.
View of a wide sandy beach on Providenciales Island.
Sunset on Providenciales Island.
Golden sunset along a strand of beach on Providenciales Island.
Golden sunset along a strand of beach on Providenciales Island.
The Turks and Caicos Islands as seen from the space shuttle. In this view, the extensive shallow water areas of Caicos Bank (turquoise) dominate to the south of the Caicos Islands. Caicos Bank covers an area of 7,680 sq km (2,965 sq mi). The coral reefs of Caicos are primarily along the north deep water edge of the islands, and in a barrier to the south of the bank. East of Caicos Bank, near the tail of the shuttle, is the island of Grand Turk, part of the much smaller Turks Bank. The channel that runs between the two banks is more than 2,200 m (1.4 mi) deep. Image courtesy of NASA.
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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: 20.7% (male 6,262/female 6,026)
15-64 years: 73.24% (male 21,860/female 21,619)
65 years and over: 6.06% (2023 est.) (male 1,741/female 1,859)
15-64 years: 73.24% (male 21,860/female 21,619)
65 years and over: 6.06% (2023 est.) (male 1,741/female 1,859)
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 (2023 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 (2023 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, DC
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 on 22 September 2017 resulting in loss of power and communications, as well as damage to housing and businesses.
Environment - current issues
limited natural freshwater resources, private cisterns collect rainwater
Population below poverty line
NA
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Exports - commodities
plastic building materials, stone processing machinery, iron structures, crustaceans, integrated circuits (2019)
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)
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)
etymology: named after Sir Francis COCKBURN, who served as governor of the Bahamas from 1837 to 1844
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, cars, jewelry, furniture, soybeans (2019)
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)
amendments: NA
amendments: NA
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
Fiscal year
calendar year
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); 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
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
Land boundaries
total: 0 km
Land use
agricultural land: 1.1% (2018 est.)
arable land: 1.1% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.)
forest: 36.2% (2018 est.)
other: 62.7% (2018 est.)
arable land: 1.1% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.)
forest: 36.2% (2018 est.)
other: 62.7% (2018 est.)
Legal system
mixed legal system of English common law and civil law
Legislative branch
description: unicameral House of Assembly (21 seats; 15 members in multi-seat constituencies and a single all-islands constituency directly elected by simple majority vote, 1 member nominated by the premier and appointed by the governor, 1 nominated by the opposition party leader and appointed by the governor, and 2 from the Turks and Caicos Islands Civic Society directly appointed by the governor, and 2 ex-officio members; members serve 4-year terms)
elections: last held on 19 February 2021 (next to be held in 2025)
election results:
percent of vote - NA; seats by party - PNP 14, PDM 1; composition as of mid-2022 (elected members) - men 12, women 3; percent of women 20%
elections: last held on 19 February 2021 (next to be held in 2025)
election results:
percent of vote - NA; seats by party - PNP 14, PDM 1; composition as of mid-2022 (elected members) - men 12, women 3; percent of women 20%
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 and leaders
People's Democratic Movement or PDM [Edwin ASTWOOD]
Progressive National Party or PNP [Washington MISICK]
Progressive National Party or PNP [Washington MISICK]
Ports and terminals
major seaport(s): Cockburn Harbour, Grand Turk, Providenciales
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: TCI
etymology: the Turks Islands are named after the Turk's cap cactus (native to the islands and appearing on the flag and coat of arms), while the Caicos Islands derive from the native term "caya hico" meaning "string of islands"
conventional short form: Turks and Caicos Islands
abbreviation: TCI
etymology: the Turks Islands are named after the Turk's cap cactus (native to the islands and appearing on the flag and coat of arms), while the Caicos Islands derive from the native term "caya hico" meaning "string of islands"
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)
$1.139 billion (2022 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: 100% (2021)
National air transport system
number of registered air carriers: 3 (2020)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 22
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 22
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)
Disputes - international
none identified
Elevation
highest point: Blue Hill on Providenciales and Flamingo Hill on East Caicos 48 m
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
Physicians density
NA
Contraceptive prevalence rate
34.4% (2019/20)
Current health expenditure
NA
Literacy
total population: NA
male: NA
female: NA
male: NA
female: NA
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 36.8
youth dependency ratio: 22.9
elderly dependency ratio: 13.9
potential support ratio: 7.2 (2021)
youth dependency ratio: 22.9
elderly dependency ratio: 13.9
potential support ratio: 7.2 (2021)
Drinking water source
improved: total: 94.3% of population
unimproved: total: 5.7% of population (2017)
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)
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
United States 76% (2019)
Exports - partners
France 31%, United States 16%, Zambia 13%, Singapore 9%, Republic of the Congo 8% (2019)
Air pollutants
carbon dioxide emissions: 0.22 megatons (2016 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: 100% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
solar: 0% 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: 0% 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: 1,600 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: 1,600 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
0.83 (2023 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
59.1% (2023 est.)
Remittances
0% of GDP (2022 est.)
0% of GDP (2021 est.)
0% of GDP (2020 est.)
note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
0% of GDP (2021 est.)
0% of GDP (2020 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.)
Net migration rate
8.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2023 est.)
Median age
total: 35.9 years (2023 est.)
male: 36.1 years
female: 35.7 years
male: 36.1 years
female: 35.7 years
Debt - external
NA
Refined petroleum products - imports
1,369 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Total fertility rate
1.7 children born/woman (2023 est.)
Population
59,367 (2023 est.)
Internet users
total: 37,008 (2022)
percent of population: 93.5% (2022)
percent of population: 93.5% (2022)
Carbon dioxide emissions
245,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 245,000 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: 245,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 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)
$946.893 million (2022 est.)
$891.613 million (2021 est.)
$817.993 million (2020 est.)
note: data in 2017 dollars
$891.613 million (2021 est.)
$817.993 million (2020 est.)
note: data in 2017 dollars
Roadways
total: 121 km
paved: 24 km
unpaved: 97 km (2003)
paved: 24 km
unpaved: 97 km (2003)
Airports
9 (2024)
Infant mortality rate
total: 11.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2023 est.)
male: 14.2 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 8.3 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 14.2 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 8.3 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.)
Refined petroleum products - exports
0 bbl/day (2015 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
$20,700 (2022 est.)
$19,800 (2021 est.)
$18,500 (2020 est.)
note: data in 2017 dollars
$19,800 (2021 est.)
$18,500 (2020 est.)
note: data in 2017 dollars
Energy consumption per capita
0 Btu/person (2019 est.)
Death rate
3.5 deaths/1,000 population (2023 est.)
Birth rate
13.2 births/1,000 population (2023 est.)
Electricity
installed generating capacity: 85,000 kW (2020 est.)
consumption: 231.618 million kWh (2019 est.)
exports: 0 kWh (2020 est.)
imports: 0 kWh (2020 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 12.5 million kWh (2019 est.)
consumption: 231.618 million kWh (2019 est.)
exports: 0 kWh (2020 est.)
imports: 0 kWh (2020 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 12.5 million kWh (2019 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 (2021 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 9 (2021 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production
0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 81 years (2023 est.)
male: 78.3 years
female: 83.9 years
male: 78.3 years
female: 83.9 years
Real GDP growth rate
6.2% (2022 est.)
9% (2021 est.)
-26.78% (2020 est.)
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
9% (2021 est.)
-26.78% (2020 est.)
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
Industrial production growth rate
5% (2021 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: 0.5% (2017 est.)
industry: 8.9% (2017 est.)
services: 90.6% (2017 est.)
industry: 8.9% (2017 est.)
services: 90.6% (2017 est.)
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
1.81% (2023 est.)