Cook Islands

Broadcast media

1 privately owned TV station broadcasts from Rarotonga providing a mix of local news and overseas-sourced programs; a satellite program package is available; 6 radio stations broadcast with 1 reportedly reaching all of the islands (2009)

Internet country code

.ck

Internet users

total: 674 | percent of population: 6.7% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 216

Radio broadcast stations

AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (2004)

Telephone system

general assessment: Telecom Cook Islands offers international direct dialing, Internet, email, fax, and Telex | domestic: individual islands are connected by a combination of satellite earth stations, microwave systems, and VHF and HF radiotelephone; within the islands, service is provided by small exchanges connected to subscribers by open-wire, cable, and fiber-optic cable | international: country code - 682; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)

Telephones - fixed lines

total: 7,200 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 61 (2009) | country comparison to the world: 202

Telephones - mobile cellular

total: 7,800 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 66 (2009) | country comparison to the world: 213

Television broadcast stations

1 (outer islands receive satellite broadcasts) (2004)

Agriculture - products

copra, citrus, pineapples, tomatoes, beans, pawpaws, bananas, yams, taro, coffee; pigs, poultry

Budget

revenues: $70.95 million | expenditures: $69.05 million (FY05/06)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

1% of GDP (FY05/06 est.) | country comparison to the world: 29

Current account balance

$26.67 million (2005) | country comparison to the world: 59

Debt - external

$141 million (1996 est.) | country comparison to the world: 192

Economy - overview

Like many other South Pacific island nations, the Cook Islands' economic development is hindered by the isolation of the country from foreign markets, the limited size of domestic markets, lack of natural resources, periodic devastation from natural disasters, and inadequate infrastructure. Agriculture, employing more than one-quarter of the working population, provides the economic base with major exports of copra and citrus fruit. Black pearls are the Cook Islands' leading export. Manufacturing activities are limited to fruit processing, clothing, and handicrafts. Trade deficits are offset by remittances from emigrants and by foreign aid overwhelmingly from New Zealand. In the 1980s and 1990s, the country lived beyond its means, maintaining a bloated public service and accumulating a large foreign debt. Subsequent reforms, including the sale of state assets, the strengthening of economic management, the encouragement of tourism, and a debt restructuring agreement, have rekindled investment and growth.

Exchange rates

NZ dollars (NZD) per US dollar - | 1.2039 (2014 est.) | 1.2187 (2013 est.) | 1.23 (2012 est.) | 1.263 (2011 est.) | 1.3874 (2010)

Exports

$3,000 (2011 est.) | $5.222 million (2005 est.) | country comparison to the world: 222

Exports - commodities

copra, papayas, fresh and canned citrus fruit, coffee; fish; pearls and pearl shells; clothing

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP (official exchange rate)

$183.2 million (2005 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$183.2 million (2005 est.) | country comparison to the world: 220

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 5.1% | industry: 12.7% | services: 82.1% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$9,100 (2005 est.) | country comparison to the world: 139

GDP - real growth rate

0.1% (2005 est.) | country comparison to the world: 197

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA% | highest 10%: NA%

Imports

$83.49 million (2011 est.) | $80.55 million (2010 est.) | country comparison to the world: 218

Imports - commodities

foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timber, capital goods

Industrial production growth rate

1% (2002) | country comparison to the world: 132

Industries

fruit processing, tourism, fishing, clothing, handicrafts

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.2% (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 109

Labor force

6,820 (2001) | country comparison to the world: 219

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 29% | industry: 15% | services: 56% (1995)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Stock of broad money

$148.2 million (31 December 2011 est.) | $170.9 million (31 December 2010 est.) | country comparison to the world: 191

Stock of narrow money

$38.99 million (31 December 2011 est.) | $38.99 million (31 December 2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 190

Taxes and other revenues

38.7% of GDP (FY05/06 est.) | country comparison to the world: 43

Unemployment rate

13.1% (2005) | country comparison to the world: 142

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

150,300 Mt (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 204

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 114

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 179

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 123

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 122

Electricity - consumption

28.95 million kWh (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 211

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 129

Electricity - from fossil fuels

99.5% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 46

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 168

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 76

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0.5% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 101

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 139

Electricity - installed generating capacity

8,040 kW (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 209

Electricity - production

31.13 million kWh (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 211

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 135

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 85

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 186

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 176

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 129

Refined petroleum products - consumption

500 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 208

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 170

Refined petroleum products - imports

484.7 bbl/day (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 205

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 172

Area

total: 236 sq km | land: 236 sq km | water: 0 sq km | country comparison to the world: 215

Area - comparative

1.3 times the size of Washington, DC

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

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m | highest point: Te Manga 652 m

Environment - current issues

NA

Environment - international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection

Geographic coordinates

21 14 S, 159 46 W

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

Irrigated land

NA

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

agricultural land: 8.4% | arable land 4.2%; permanent crops 4.2%; permanent pasture 0% | forest: 64.6% | other: 27% (2011 est.)

Location

Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand

Map references

Oceania

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm | exclusive economic zone: 200 nm | continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Natural hazards

typhoons (November to March)

Natural resources

coconuts (copra)

Terrain

low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south

Administrative divisions

none

Capital

name: Avarua | geographic coordinates: 21 12 S, 159 46 W | time difference: UTC-10 (5 hours behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Constitution

4 August 1965 (Cook Islands Constitution Act 1964); amended many times, last in 2004 (2015)

Country name

conventional long form: none | conventional short form: Cook Islands | etymology: named after Captain James COOK, the British explorer who visited the islands in 1773 and 1777

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

none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)

Executive branch

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Tom J. MARSTERS (since 9 August 2013); New Zealand High Commissioner Joanna KEMPKERS (since 19 July 2013) | head of government: Prime Minister Henry PUNA (since 30 November 2010) | 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

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

Government type

self-governing parliamentary democracy

Independence

none (became self-governing in free association with New Zealand on 4 August 1965 and has the right at any time to move to full independence by unilateral action)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration (New Zealand normally retains responsibility for external affairs); accepts ICCt jurisdiction

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

Judicial branch

highest resident 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 brought before 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

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 Queen's representative serves as a consultative body to the Parliament | elections: last held on 9 July 2014 (next to be held by 2018) | election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CIP 13, Demo 8, One Cook Islands Movement 2, 1 undecided

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

National holiday

Constitution Day, first Monday in August (1965)

National symbol(s)

a circle of 15, five-pointed, white stars on a blue field; national colors: blue, white

Political parties and leaders

Cook Islands Party or CIP [Henry PUNA] | Democratic Party or Demo [William HEATHER] | One Cook Islands Movement [Teina BISHOP]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Reform Conference (lobby for political system changes) | other: various groups lobbying for political change

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Background

Named after Captain COOK, who sighted them in 1770, the islands became a British protectorate in 1888. By 1900, administrative control was transferred to New Zealand; in 1965, residents chose self-government in free association with New Zealand. The emigration of skilled workers to New Zealand, government deficits, and limited natural resources are of continuing concern.

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 2,198 | females age 16-49: 2,156 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 127 | female: 107 (2010 est.)

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of New Zealand in consultation with the Cook Islands and at its request

Military branches

no regular military forces; National Police Department (2009)

Age structure

0-14 years: 22.15% (male 1,154/female 1,025) | 15-24 years: 17.64% (male 929/female 806) | 25-54 years: 38.05% (male 1,876/female 1,867) | 55-64 years: 10.81% (male 569/female 494) | 65 years and over: 11.36% (male 551/female 567) (2015 est.)

Birth rate

14.33 births/1,000 population (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 137

Death rate

8.03 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 97

Drinking water source

urban: 99.9% of population | rural: 99.9% of population | total: 99.9% of population | urban: 0.1% of population | rural: 0.1% of population | total: 0.1% of population (2015 est.)

Education expenditures

3.1% of GDP (2011) | country comparison to the world: 137

Ethnic groups

Cook Island Maori (Polynesian) 81.3%, part Cook Island Maori 6.7%, other 11.9% (2011 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Health expenditures

3.1% of GDP (2013) | country comparison to the world: 175

Infant mortality rate

total: 13.87 deaths/1,000 live births | male: 16.86 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 10.73 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 109

Languages

English (official) 86.4%, Cook Islands Maori (Rarotongan) (official) 76.2%, other 8.3% | note: shares sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 75.6 years | male: 72.78 years | female: 78.56 years (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 96

Median age

total: 35.25 years | male: 34.6 years | female: 35.7 years (2015 est.)

Nationality

noun: Cook Islander(s) | adjective: Cook Islander

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

50% (2014) | country comparison to the world: 3

Physicians density

1.33 physicians/1,000 population (2009)

Population

9,838 | note: the Cook Islands' Ministry of Finance & Economic Management estimated the resident population to have been 13,700 in September 2013 (July 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 224

Population growth rate

-2.95% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 233

Religions

Protestant 62.8% (Cook Islands Christian Church 49.1%, Seventh Day Adventist 7.9%, Assemblies of God 3.7%, Apostolic Church 2.1%), Roman Catholic 17%, Mormon 4.4%, other 8%, none 5.6%, no response 2.2% (2011 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 97.6% of population | rural: 97.6% of population | total: 97.6% of population | urban: 2.4% of population | rural: 2.4% of population | total: 2.4% of population (2015 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 15 years | male: 16 years | female: 15 years (2012)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female | 0-14 years: 1.13 male(s)/female | 15-24 years: 1.15 male(s)/female | 25-54 years: 1.01 male(s)/female | 55-64 years: 1.15 male(s)/female | 65 years and over: 0.97 male(s)/female | total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2015 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.23 children born/woman (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 98

Urbanization

urban population: 74.5% of total population (2015) | rate of urbanization: 0.88% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Disputes - international

none

Airports

11 (2013) | country comparison to the world: 153

Airports - with paved runways

total: 1 | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 10 | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 | 914 to 1,523 m: 7 | 1 (2013)

Merchant marine

total: 35 | by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 25, passenger 1, refrigerated cargo 6, roll on/roll off 1 | foreign-owned: 23 (Estonia 1, Germany 1, Lithuania 1, Norway 8, NZ 2, Russia 1, Sweden 3, Turkey 4, UK 2) (2010) | country comparison to the world: 81

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s): Avatiu

Roadways

total: 320 km | paved: 33 km | unpaved: 287 km (2003) | country comparison to the world: 205