Cook Islands

Australia and Oceania Avarua

Population

7.6K

Area

236 km²

GDP

$409.08M

GDP Per Capita

$29,800

Pop. Density

32/km²

Quick Facts

Currency

$Cook Islands dollar(CKD)

Calling Code

+682

Timezone

UTC-10:00

Languages

English, Cook Islands Māori

Driving Side

left

Demonym

Cook Islander

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.

Geography17

Location

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

Geographic coordinates

21 14 S, 159 46 W

Map references

Oceania

Area

total : 236 sq km
land: 236 sq km
water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative

1.3 times the size of Washington, D.C.

Land boundaries

total: 0 km

Coastline

120 km

Maritime claims

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

Climate

tropical oceanic; moderated by trade winds; a dry season from April to November and a more humid season from December to March

Terrain

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

Elevation

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

Natural resources

coconuts (copra)

Land use

agricultural land

7.9% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 2.1% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 5.8% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.)

forest

65% (2023 est.)

other

27.1% (2023 est.)

Irrigated land

Population distribution

most of the population is found on the island of Rarotonga

Natural hazards

tropical cyclones (November to March)

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

People & Society31

Population

total: 7,592 (2025 est.)
male: 3,890
female: 3,702

Nationality

noun: Cook Islander(s)
adjective: Cook Islander

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.)

Languages

English (official) 86.4%, Cook Islands Maori (Rarotongan) (official) 76.2%, other 8.3% (2011 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.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 18.2% (male 738/female 671)
15-64 years: 65.9% (male 2,634/female 2,479)
65 years and over: 16% (2024 est.) (male 608/female 631)

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 53 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 27.4 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 25.5 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio: 3.9 (2025 est.)

Median age

total: 41.5 years (2025 est.)
male: 40.7 years
female: 41.4 years

Population growth rate

-2.15% (2025 est.)

Birth rate

11.85 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Death rate

9.48 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Net migration rate

-23.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Population distribution

most of the population is found on the island of Rarotonga

Urbanization

urban population: 76.2% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 0.52% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.96 male(s)/female
total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Maternal mortality ratio

0 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Infant mortality rate

total: 14.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
male: 19 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 11.1 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 77.6 years (2024 est.)
male: 74.8 years
female: 80.6 years

Total fertility rate

1.99 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

0.97 (2025 est.)

Drinking water source

improved: urban

urban: NA

improved: rural

rural: NA

improved: total

total: 100% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: NA

unimproved: rural

rural: NA

unimproved: total

total: 0% of population (2022 est.)

Health expenditure

Health expenditure (as % of GDP): 3.2% of GDP (2020)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget): 11.9% of national budget (2022 est.)

Physician density

1.67 physicians/1,000 population (2020)

Hospital bed density

8.2 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Sanitation facility access

improved: total: total: 96.8% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total: total: 3.2% of population (2022 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

55.9% (2016)

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.)

Tobacco use

total: 24% (2025 est.)
male: 28.6% (2025 est.)
female: 20.1% (2025 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

53.2% (2021 est.)

Education expenditure

Education expenditure (% GDP): 3.4% of GDP (2024 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget): 9.2% national budget (2025 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 15 years (2023 est.)
male: 15 years (2023 est.)
female: 15 years (2023 est.)

Government22

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

Government type

parliamentary democracy

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 

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

Legal system

common law similar to New Zealand common law

Constitution

history: 4 August 1965 (Cook Islands Constitution Act 1964)
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

International law organization participation

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

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

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)
head of government: Prime Minister Mark BROWN (since 1 October 2020)
cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister
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

Legislative branch

legislature name

Parliament

legislative structure

unicameral

number of seats

24 (directly elected)

electoral system

plurality/majority

scope of elections

full renewal

term in office

4 years

most recent election date

8/1/2022

parties elected and seats per party

CIP (12); Demo (5); Cook Islands United Party (3); OCI (1); independent (3)

percentage of women in chamber

25%

expected date of next election

2026

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)
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

Political parties

Cook Islands Party or CIP
Democratic Party or Demo
One Cook Islands or OCI

Diplomatic representation in the US

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

Diplomatic representation from the US

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

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

Independence

4 August 1965 (Cook Islands became self-governing state in free association with New Zealand)

National holiday

Constitution Day, the first Monday in August (1965)

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

National symbol(s)

a circle of 15 five-pointed white stars on a blue field, tiare maori flower (Gardenia taitensis)

National color(s)

green, white

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

National anthem(s)

title: "God Save the King"
lyrics/music: unknown
history: royal anthem

Economy14

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

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024: $401.155 million (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023: $364.686 million (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022: $306.285 million (2022 est.)

Real GDP growth rate

Real GDP growth rate 2022: 10.5% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2021: -24.5% (2021 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2020: -5.2% (2020 est.)

Real GDP per capita

Real GDP per capita 2024: $29,800 (2024 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023: $25,700 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2022: $19,700 (2022 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$409.077 million (2024 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022: 10.6% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2021: 1.9% (2021 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2020: 1% (2020 est.)

Agricultural products

coconuts, vegetables, papayas, pork, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, fruits, mangoes/guavas, watermelons, chicken (2023)

Industries

fishing, fruit processing, tourism, clothing, handicrafts

Budget

revenues: $113.687 million (2022 est.)
expenditures: $143.391 million (2022 est.)

Exports - partners

Japan 33%, Thailand 15%, Greece 15%, France 11%, China 8% (2023)

Exports - commodities

fish, ships, garments, shellfish (2023)

Imports - partners

NZ 44%, Italy 26%, Fiji 9%, China 7%, Australia 3% (2023)

Imports - commodities

ships, refined petroleum, cars, plastic products, additive manufacturing machines (2023)

Exchange rates

Currency

New Zealand dollars (NZD) per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2024

1.652 (2024 est.)

Exchange rates 2023

1.628 (2023 est.)

Exchange rates 2022

1.577 (2022 est.)

Exchange rates 2021

1.414 (2021 est.)

Exchange rates 2020

1.542 (2020 est.)

Energy4

Electricity

installed generating capacity: 17,000 kW (2023 est.)
consumption: 37.5 million kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 3.2 million kWh (2023 est.)

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels: 60.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar: 39.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Coal

imports: 1 metric tons (2022 est.)

Petroleum

refined petroleum consumption: 700 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Communications6

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 6,990 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 48 (2022 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 18,100 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 123 (2022 est.)

Broadcast media

1 privately owned TV station in Rarotonga provides a mix of local news and overseas-sourced programs (2019)

Internet country code

.ck

Internet users

percent of population: 64.8% (2021 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total: 2,700 (2018 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 15 (2018 est.)

Transportation4

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

Airports

10 (2025)

Merchant marine

total: 190 (2023)
by type: bulk carrier 19, general cargo 44, oil tanker 58, other 69

Ports

total ports

1 (2024)

large

medium

small

very small

ports with oil terminals

key ports

Avatiu

Military & Security2

Military and security forces

no regular military forces; Cook Islands Police Service

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)

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