2020 Edition

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.

Area

land

236 sq km

total

236 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

1.3 times the size of Washington, D.C.

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

highest point

Te Manga 652 m

lowest point

Pacific Ocean 0 m

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

total

0 km

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.)

Location

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

Map references

Oceania

Maritime claims

continental shelf

200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

tropical cyclones (November to March)

Natural resources

coconuts (copra)

Population distribution

most of the population is found on the island of Rarotonga

Terrain

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

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)

Alcohol consumption per capita

beer

3.62 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols

0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits

7.07 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

total

12.97 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine

2.28 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Birth rate

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

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

53.2% (2021 est.)

Death rate

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

Dependency ratios

elderly dependency ratio

25.5 (2025 est.)

potential support ratio

3.9 (2025 est.)

total dependency ratio

53 (2025 est.)

youth dependency ratio

27.4 (2025 est.)

Drinking water source

improved: rural

rural: NA

improved: total

total: 100% of population (2022 est.)

improved: urban

urban: NA

unimproved: rural

rural: NA

unimproved: total

total: 0% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: NA

Education expenditure

Education expenditure (% GDP)

3.4% of GDP (2024 est.)

Education expenditure (% national budget)

9.2% national budget (2025 est.)

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.)

Gross reproduction rate

0.97 (2025 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.)

Hospital bed density

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

Infant mortality rate

female

11.1 deaths/1,000 live births

male

19 deaths/1,000 live births

total

14.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

female

80.6 years

male

74.8 years

total population

77.6 years (2024 est.)

Maternal mortality ratio

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

Median age

female

41.4 years

male

40.7 years

total

41.5 years (2025 est.)

Nationality

adjective

Cook Islander

noun

Cook Islander(s)

Net migration rate

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

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

55.9% (2016)

Physician density

1.67 physicians/1,000 population (2020)

Population

female

3,702

male

3,890

total

7,592 (2025 est.)

Population growth rate

-2.15% (2025 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.)

Sanitation facility access

improved: total

total: 96.8% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: total

total: 3.2% of population (2022 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

15 years (2023 est.)

male

15 years (2023 est.)

total

15 years (2023 est.)

Sex ratio

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

at birth

1.04 male(s)/female

total population

1.05 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Tobacco use

female

20.1% (2025 est.)

male

28.6% (2025 est.)

total

24% (2025 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.99 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

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

urban population

76.2% of total population (2023)

Capital

etymology

translates as "two harbors" in Maori

geographic coordinates

21 12 S, 159 46 W

name

Avarua

time difference

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

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

history

4 August 1965 (Cook Islands Constitution Act 1964)

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

former

Hervey Islands

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

Diplomatic representation from the US

embassy

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

cabinet

Cabinet chosen by the prime minister

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)

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

head of government

Prime Minister Mark BROWN (since 1 October 2020)

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 type

parliamentary democracy

Independence

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

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 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

Legal system

common law similar to New Zealand common law

Legislative branch

electoral system

plurality/majority

expected date of next election

2026

legislative structure

unicameral

legislature name

Parliament

most recent election date

8/1/2022

number of seats

24 (directly elected)

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%

scope of elections

full renewal

term in office

4 years

National anthem(s)

history

royal anthem

lyrics/music

unknown

title

"God Save the King"

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 color(s)

green, white

National holiday

Constitution Day, the first Monday in August (1965)

National symbol(s)

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

Political parties

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

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agricultural products

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

Budget

expenditures

$143.391 million (2022 est.)

revenues

$113.687 million (2022 est.)

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

Exchange rates

Currency

New Zealand dollars (NZD) per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2020

1.542 (2020 est.)

Exchange rates 2021

1.414 (2021 est.)

Exchange rates 2022

1.577 (2022 est.)

Exchange rates 2023

1.628 (2023 est.)

Exchange rates 2024

1.652 (2024 est.)

Exports - commodities

fish, ships, garments, shellfish (2023)

Exports - partners

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

GDP (official exchange rate)

$409.077 million (2024 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

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

Industries

fishing, fruit processing, tourism, clothing, handicrafts

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2020

1% (2020 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2021

1.9% (2021 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022

10.6% (2022 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022

$306.285 million (2022 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023

$364.686 million (2023 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024

$401.155 million (2024 est.)

Real GDP growth rate

Real GDP growth rate 2020

-5.2% (2020 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2021

-24.5% (2021 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2022

10.5% (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita

Real GDP per capita 2022

$19,700 (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2023

$25,700 (2023 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2024

$29,800 (2024 est.)

Coal

imports

1 metric tons (2022 est.)

Electricity

consumption

37.5 million kWh (2023 est.)

installed generating capacity

17,000 kW (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.)

Petroleum

refined petroleum consumption

700 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

15 (2018 est.)

total

2,700 (2018 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.)

Telephones - fixed lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

48 (2022 est.)

total subscriptions

6,990 (2022 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

123 (2022 est.)

total subscriptions

18,100 (2022 est.)

Airports

10 (2025)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

E5

Merchant marine

by type

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

total

190 (2023)

Ports

key ports

Avatiu

large

0

medium

0

ports with oil terminals

1

small

0

total ports

1 (2024)

very small

1

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 forces

no regular military forces; Cook Islands Police Service

Carbon dioxide emissions

from petroleum and other liquids

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

total emissions

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

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

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Particulate matter emissions

7.8 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)