Communications: Broadband - fixed subscriptions: subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
15 (2018 est.)
Communications: Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total
2,700 (2018 est.)
Communications: Broadcast media
1 privately owned TV station in Rarotonga provides a mix of local news and overseas-sourced programs (2019)
Communications: Internet country code
.ck
Communications: Internet users: percent of population
64.8% (2021 est.)
Communications: Telephones - fixed lines: subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
48 (2022 est.)
Communications: Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions
6,990 (2022 est.)
Communications: Telephones - mobile cellular: subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
123 (2022 est.)
Communications: Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions
18,100 (2022 est.)
Economy: Agricultural products
coconuts, vegetables, papayas, pork, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, fruits, mangoes/guavas, watermelons, chicken (2023)
Economy: Budget: expenditures
$143.391 million (2022 est.)
Economy: Budget: revenues
$113.687 million (2022 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Currency
New Zealand dollars (NZD) per US dollar -
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2020
1.542 (2020 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2021
1.414 (2021 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2022
1.577 (2022 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2023
1.628 (2023 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2024
1.652 (2024 est.)
Economy: Exports - commodities
fish, ships, garments, shellfish (2023)
Economy: GDP (official exchange rate)
$409.077 million (2024 est.)
Economy: Imports - commodities
ships, refined petroleum, cars, plastic products, additive manufacturing machines (2023)
Economy: Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2020
1% (2020 est.)
Economy: Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2021
1.9% (2021 est.)
Economy: Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
10.6% (2022 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$306.285 million (2022 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$364.686 million (2023 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$401.155 million (2024 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2020
-5.2% (2020 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2021
-24.5% (2021 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2022
10.5% (2022 est.)
Economy: Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2022
$19,700 (2022 est.)
Economy: Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2023
$25,700 (2023 est.)
Energy: Coal: imports
1 metric tons (2022 est.)
Energy: Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels
60.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Energy: Electricity generation sources: solar
39.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Energy: Electricity: consumption
37.5 million kWh (2023 est.)
Energy: Electricity: installed generating capacity
17,000 kW (2023 est.)
Energy: Electricity: transmission/distribution losses
3.2 million kWh (2023 est.)
Energy: Petroleum: refined petroleum consumption
700 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Environment: Carbon dioxide emissions: from petroleum and other liquids
103,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Environment: Carbon dioxide emissions: total emissions
103,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Environment: Climate
tropical oceanic; moderated by trade winds; a dry season from April to November and a more humid season from December to March
Environment: Environmental issues
solid- and liquid-waste disposal; soil degradation; deforestation; use of pesticides; improper disposal of pollutants; overfishing and destructive fishing practices; over-dredging of lagoons and coral rubble beds; unregulated building
Environment: International environmental 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
Environment: International environmental agreements: signed, but not ratified
none of the selected agreements
Environment: Land use: agricultural land
7.9% (2023 est.)
Environment: Land use: agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 2.1% (2023 est.)
Environment: Land use: agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 5.8% (2023 est.)
Environment: Land use: agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.)
Environment: Land use: forest
65% (2023 est.)
Environment: Land use: other
27.1% (2023 est.)
Environment: Particulate matter emissions
7.8 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Environment: Urbanization: rate of urbanization
0.52% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Environment: Urbanization: urban population
76.2% of total population (2023)
Geography: Area - comparative
1.3 times the size of Washington, D.C.
Geography: Area: land
236 sq km
Geography: Area: water
0 sq km
Geography: Coastline
120 km
Geography: Elevation: highest point
Te Manga 652 m
Geography: Elevation: lowest point
Pacific Ocean 0 m
Geography: Geographic coordinates
21 14 S, 159 46 W
Geography: 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
Geography: Irrigated land
NA
Geography: Land boundaries: total
0 km
Geography: Land use: agricultural land
7.9% (2023 est.)
Geography: Land use: agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 2.1% (2023 est.)
Geography: Land use: agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 5.8% (2023 est.)
Geography: Land use: agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.)
Geography: Land use: forest
65% (2023 est.)
Geography: Land use: other
27.1% (2023 est.)
Geography: Map references
Oceania
Geography: Maritime claims: continental shelf
200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Geography: Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone
200 nm
Geography: Maritime claims: territorial sea
12 nm
Geography: Natural hazards
tropical cyclones (November to March)
Geography: Population distribution
most of the population is found on the island of Rarotonga
Geography: Terrain
low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south
Government: Capital: etymology
translates as "two harbors" in Maori
Government: Capital: geographic coordinates
21 12 S, 159 46 W
Government: Capital: time difference
UTC-10 (5 hours behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Government: Constitution: amendment process
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
Government: Constitution: history
4 August 1965 (Cook Islands Constitution Act 1964)
Government: Country name: conventional short form
Cook Islands
Government: Country name: etymology
named after Captain James COOK, the British explorer who visited the islands in 1773 and 1777
Government: Country name: former
Hervey Islands
Government: Dependency status
self-governing in free association with New Zealand; Cook Islands is fully responsible for internal affairs and conducts its own international relations, including establishing diplomatic relationships with foreign countries; New Zealand has a constitutional responsibility to respond to requests for assistance with foreign affairs, disasters, and defense
Government: Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy
none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)
Government: Diplomatic representation in the US
none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)
Government: Executive branch: cabinet
Cabinet chosen by the prime minister
Government: 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 Catherine GRAHAM (since 8 September 2024)
Government: Executive branch: election/appointment process
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
Government: Executive branch: head of government
Prime Minister Mark BROWN (since 1 October 2020)
Government: Flag
description: blue with the UK flag in the upper-left quadrant and a large circle of 15 five-pointed white stars (one for each island) centered in the right half of the flag
Government: International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration (New Zealand normally retains responsibility for external affairs); accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Government: 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
Government: 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)
Government: Judicial branch: 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
Government: Judicial branch: subordinate courts
justices of the peace
Government: Legal system
common law similar to New Zealand common law
Government: Legislative branch: electoral system
plurality/majority
Government: Legislative branch: expected date of next election
2026
Government: Legislative branch: legislative structure
unicameral
Government: Legislative branch: legislature name
Parliament
Government: Legislative branch: most recent election date
8/1/2022
Government: Legislative branch: number of seats
24 (directly elected)
Government: Legislative branch: parties elected and seats per party
CIP (12); Demo (5); Cook Islands United Party (3); OCI (1); independent (3)
Government: Legislative branch: percentage of women in chamber
25%
Government: Legislative branch: scope of elections
full renewal
Government: Legislative branch: term in office
4 years
Government: National anthem(s): history
royal anthem
Government: National anthem(s): lyrics/music
unknown
Government: National coat of arms
the coat of arms was designed by Papa Motu Kora, a mataiapo (traditional chief) from the Matavera village in Rarotonga; the shield with a circle of 15 five-pointed white stars represents the protection of the people and the country; on each side of the shield is a flying fish ( maroro ) and a white tern ( kakaia ); a Rarotongan orator club above the fish represents local traditions, and a cross above the tern symbolizes Christianity; a red-feathered Ariki headdress ( pare kura ) at the top of the shield represents the country’s traditional ranking system
Government: National color(s)
green, white
Government: National holiday
Constitution Day, the first Monday in August (1965)
Government: National symbol(s)
a circle of 15 five-pointed white stars on a blue field, tiare maori flower ( Gardenia taitensis )
Government: Political parties
Cook Islands Party or CIP Democratic Party or Demo One Cook Islands or OCI
Government: Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Introduction: 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. 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.
Military and Security: 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 (2025)
Military and Security: Military and security forces
no regular military forces; Cook Islands Police Service
People and Society: Age structure: 0-14 years
18.2% (male 738/female 671)
People and Society: Age structure: 15-64 years
65.9% (male 2,634/female 2,479)
People and Society: Age structure: 65 years and over
16% (2024 est.) (male 608/female 631)
People and Society: Alcohol consumption per capita: beer
3.62 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
People and Society: Alcohol consumption per capita: other alcohols
0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
People and Society: Alcohol consumption per capita: spirits
7.07 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
People and Society: Alcohol consumption per capita: total
12.97 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
People and Society: Alcohol consumption per capita: wine
2.28 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
People and Society: Birth rate
11.85 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
People and Society: Currently married women (ages 15-49)
53.2% (2021 est.)
People and Society: Death rate
9.48 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
People and Society: Dependency ratios: elderly dependency ratio
25.5 (2025 est.)
People and Society: Dependency ratios: potential support ratio
3.9 (2025 est.)
People and Society: Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio
53 (2025 est.)
People and Society: Dependency ratios: youth dependency ratio
27.4 (2025 est.)
People and Society: Drinking water source: improved: rural
rural: NA
People and Society: Drinking water source: improved: total
total: 100% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Drinking water source: improved: urban
urban: NA
People and Society: Drinking water source: unimproved: rural
rural: NA
People and Society: Drinking water source: unimproved: total
total: 0% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Drinking water source: unimproved: urban
urban: NA
People and Society: Education expenditure: Education expenditure (% GDP)
3.4% of GDP (2024 est.)
People and Society: Education expenditure: Education expenditure (% national budget)
9.2% national budget (2025 est.)
People and Society: 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.)
People and Society: Gross reproduction rate
0.97 (2025 est.)
People and Society: Health expenditure: Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
3.2% of GDP (2020)
People and Society: Health expenditure: Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
11.9% of national budget (2022 est.)
People and Society: Hospital bed density
8.2 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)
People and Society: Infant mortality rate: female
11.1 deaths/1,000 live births
People and Society: Infant mortality rate: male
19 deaths/1,000 live births
People and Society: Infant mortality rate: total
14.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
People and Society: Life expectancy at birth: female
80.6 years
People and Society: Life expectancy at birth: male
74.8 years
People and Society: Maternal mortality ratio
0 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
People and Society: Median age: female
41.4 years
People and Society: Median age: male
40.7 years
People and Society: Nationality: adjective
Cook Islander
People and Society: Net migration rate
-23.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
People and Society: Obesity - adult prevalence rate
55.9% (2016)
People and Society: Physician density
1.67 physicians/1,000 population (2020)
People and Society: Population distribution
most of the population is found on the island of Rarotonga
People and Society: Population growth rate
-2.15% (2025 est.)
People and Society: Population: female
3,702
People and Society: Population: male
3,890
People and Society: Sanitation facility access: improved: total
total: 96.8% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Sanitation facility access: unimproved: total
total: 3.2% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): female
15 years (2023 est.)
People and Society: School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): male
15 years (2023 est.)
People and Society: School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total
15 years (2023 est.)
People and Society: Sex ratio: 0-14 years
1.1 male(s)/female
People and Society: Sex ratio: 15-64 years
1.06 male(s)/female
People and Society: Sex ratio: 65 years and over
0.96 male(s)/female
People and Society: Sex ratio: at birth
1.04 male(s)/female
People and Society: Sex ratio: total population
1.05 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
People and Society: Tobacco use: female
20.1% (2025 est.)
People and Society: Tobacco use: male
28.6% (2025 est.)
People and Society: Tobacco use: total
24% (2025 est.)
People and Society: Total fertility rate
1.99 children born/woman (2025 est.)
People and Society: Urbanization: rate of urbanization
0.52% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
People and Society: Urbanization: urban population
76.2% of total population (2023)
Transportation: Airports
10 (2025)
Transportation: Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
E5
Transportation: Merchant marine: by type
bulk carrier 19, general cargo 44, oil tanker 58, other 69
Transportation: Merchant marine: total
190 (2023)
Transportation: Ports: key ports
Avatiu
Transportation: Ports: large
0
Transportation: Ports: medium
0
Transportation: Ports: ports with oil terminals
1
Transportation: Ports: small
0
Transportation: Ports: total ports
1 (2024)
Transportation: Ports: very small
1
Warning: Some information might be outdated or incorrect, please check statistics before using(most of the economical stats are correct, its mostly the Population stats that are incorrect). Some dates are listed but some are missed, if you have any issues please report it to the Github at github.com.