Cook Islands Facts, Map, Population, GDP

Capital

Avarua

Population

7,592 (2025 est.)

Area

236 sq km

Location

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

🧭 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.

🗺️ Geography

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

Area — land

236 sq km

Area — 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

Maritime claims — exclusive economic zone

200 nm

Maritime claims — 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

Elevation — lowest point

Pacific Ocean 0 m

Natural resources

Coconuts (copra)

Land use — agricultural land

7.9% (2023 est.)

Land use — agricultural land: arable land

Arable land: 2.1% (2023 est.)

Land use — agricultural land: permanent crops

Permanent crops: 5.8% (2023 est.)

Land use — agricultural land: permanent pasture

Permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.)

Land use — forest

65% (2023 est.)

Land use — other

27.1% (2023 est.)

Irrigated land

NA

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 and Society⬆️ Top

Population — total

7,592 (2025 est.)

Population — male

3,890

Population — female

3,702

Nationality — noun

Cook Islander(s)

Nationality — 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)

Age structure — 15-64 years

65.9% (male 2,634/female 2,479)

Age structure — 65 years and over

16% (2024 est.) (male 608/female 631)

Dependency ratios — total dependency ratio

53 (2025 est.)

Dependency ratios — youth dependency ratio

27.4 (2025 est.)

Dependency ratios — elderly dependency ratio

25.5 (2025 est.)

Dependency ratios — potential support ratio

3.9 (2025 est.)

Median age — total

41.5 years (2025 est.)

Median age — male

40.7 years

Median age — 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)

Urbanization — rate of urbanization

0.52% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Sex ratio — at birth

1.04 male(s)/female

Sex ratio — 0-14 years

1.1 male(s)/female

Sex ratio — 15-64 years

1.06 male(s)/female

Sex ratio — 65 years and over

0.96 male(s)/female

Sex ratio — 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.)

Infant mortality rate — male

19 deaths/1,000 live births

Infant mortality rate — female

11.1 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth — total population

77.6 years (2024 est.)

Life expectancy at birth — male

74.8 years

Life expectancy at birth — 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

Drinking water source — improved: rural

Rural: NA

Drinking water source — improved: total

Total: 100% of population (2022 est.)

Drinking water source — unimproved: urban

Urban: NA

Drinking water source — unimproved: rural

Rural: NA

Drinking water source — unimproved: total

Total: 0% of population (2022 est.)

Health expenditure — Health expenditure (as % of GDP)

3.2% of GDP (2020)

Health expenditure — 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.)

Sanitation facility access — 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.)

Alcohol consumption per capita — beer

3.62 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Alcohol consumption per capita — wine

2.28 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Alcohol consumption per capita — spirits

7.07 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Alcohol consumption per capita — other alcohols

0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Tobacco use — total

24% (2025 est.)

Tobacco use — male

28.6% (2025 est.)

Tobacco use — 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 — Education expenditure (% national budget)

9.2% national budget (2025 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) — total

15 years (2023 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) — male

15 years (2023 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) — female

15 years (2023 est.)

🌿 Environment⬆️ Top

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

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

International environmental agreements — signed, but not ratified

None of the selected agreements

Climate

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

Land use — agricultural land

7.9% (2023 est.)

Land use — agricultural land: arable land

Arable land: 2.1% (2023 est.)

Land use — agricultural land: permanent crops

Permanent crops: 5.8% (2023 est.)

Land use — agricultural land: permanent pasture

Permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.)

Land use — forest

65% (2023 est.)

Land use — other

27.1% (2023 est.)

Urbanization — urban population

76.2% of total population (2023)

Urbanization — rate of urbanization

0.52% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions — total emissions

103,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions — from petroleum and other liquids

103,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Particulate matter emissions

7.8 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

🏛️ Government⬆️ Top

Country name — conventional long form

None

Country name — conventional short form

Cook Islands

Country name — former

Hervey Islands

Country name — 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

Capital — geographic coordinates

21 12 S, 159 46 W

Capital — time difference

UTC-10 (5 hours behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Capital — 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)

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

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)

Executive branch — head of government

Prime Minister Mark BROWN (since 1 October 2020)

Executive branch — cabinet

Cabinet chosen by the prime minister

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

Legislative branch — legislature name

Parliament

Legislative branch — legislative structure

Unicameral

Legislative branch — number of seats

24 (directly elected)

Legislative branch — electoral system

Plurality/majority

Legislative branch — scope of elections

Full renewal

Legislative branch — term in office

4 years

Legislative branch — most recent election date

8/1/2022

Legislative branch — parties elected and seats per party

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

Legislative branch — percentage of women in chamber

25%

Legislative branch — 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)

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

Judicial branch — 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"

National anthem(s) — lyrics/music

Unknown

National anthem(s) — history

Royal anthem

💹 Economy⬆️ Top

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) — Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023

$364.686 million (2023 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) — 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 — Real GDP growth rate 2021

-24.5% (2021 est.)

Real GDP growth rate — 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 — Real GDP per capita 2023

$25,700 (2023 est.)

Real GDP per capita — 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) — Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2021

1.9% (2021 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) — 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.)

Budget — 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 — Exchange rates 2024

1.652 (2024 est.)

Exchange rates — Exchange rates 2023

1.628 (2023 est.)

Exchange rates — Exchange rates 2022

1.577 (2022 est.)

Exchange rates — Exchange rates 2021

1.414 (2021 est.)

Exchange rates — Exchange rates 2020

1.542 (2020 est.)

⚡ Energy⬆️ Top

Electricity — installed generating capacity

17,000 kW (2023 est.)

Electricity — consumption

37.5 million kWh (2023 est.)

Electricity — transmission/distribution losses

3.2 million kWh (2023 est.)

Electricity generation sources — fossil fuels

60.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Electricity generation sources — 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.)

📡 Communications⬆️ Top

Telephones - fixed lines — total subscriptions

6,990 (2022 est.)

Telephones - fixed lines — subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

48 (2022 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular — total subscriptions

18,100 (2022 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular — 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.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions — subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

15 (2018 est.)

🚚 Transportation⬆️ Top

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

E5

Airports

10 (2025)

Merchant marine — total

190 (2023)

Merchant marine — by type

Bulk carrier 19, general cargo 44, oil tanker 58, other 69

Ports — total ports

1 (2024)

Ports — large

0

Ports — medium

0

Ports — small

0

Ports — very small

1

Ports — ports with oil terminals

1

Ports — key ports

Avatiu

🛡️ Military and Security⬆️ Top

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)