Quick facts
Cayman Islands population overview
The Cayman Islands is the 28th most populous of 41 countries and territories in North America. The United Nations put the population at 77,340 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +1.7% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 4 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 843 births (10.9 per 1,000 people) and 387 deaths (5 per 1,000), plus net immigration of roughly 889 people. The infant mortality rate is 1.1 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 8,428 in 1960 to 75,844 in 2025 — a change of +799.9%, or +3.4% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 39.1 years; life expectancy at birth is 80.9 years; women have on average 1.5 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 16.1% of residents are under 15 and 9.5% are 65 or older (2025); 100% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is George Town. The Cayman Islands covers 264 km², giving a population density of about 297 people per km². GDP was $7.77B in 2024 — about $104,293 per person (World Bank classification: high income).
Cayman Islands population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 78,407 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 77,340 |
| World rank | #206 of 238 |
| Rank in North America | #28 of 41 |
| Share of world population | less than 0.001% |
| Annual growth rate | +1.7% |
| Births per year est. | 843 |
| Deaths per year est. | 387 |
| Net migration per year est. | +889 |
| Birth rate | 10.9 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 5 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 1.1 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 100.7 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 39.1 years |
| Life expectancy | 80.9 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 1.5 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 100% |
| Surface area 2023 | 264 km² |
| Population density | 297 per km² |
| Capital | George Town |
| GDP (current US$) 2024 | $7.77B |
| GDP per capita 2024 | $104,293 |
| Income group World Bank | High income |
Cayman Islands population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 78,407 | – | – |
| 2025 | 75,844 | +1,387 | +1.9% |
| 2024 | 74,457 | +1,419 | +1.9% |
| 2023 | 73,038 | +1,447 | +2% |
| 2022 | 71,591 | +1,483 | +2.1% |
| 2021 | 70,108 | +1,424 | +2.1% |
| 2020 | 68,684 | +7,042 | +2.2% |
| 2015 | 61,642 | +7,543 | +2.6% |
| 2010 | 54,099 | +7,311 | +2.9% |
| 2005 | 46,788 | +7,114 | +3.4% |
| 2000 | 39,674 | +6,931 | +3.9% |
| 1995 | 32,743 | +6,744 | +4.7% |
| 1990 | 25,999 | +4,675 | +4% |
| 1985 | 21,324 | +4,245 | +4.5% |
| 1980 | 17,079 | +3,291 | +4.4% |
| 1975 | 13,788 | +3,271 | +5.6% |
| 1970 | 10,517 | +1,156 | +2.4% |
| 1965 | 9,361 | +933 | +2.1% |
| 1960 | 8,428 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Cayman Islands
Population over time
- From 8,428 in 1960 to 78,407 today — up 830.3%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +2.1% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 80.5 years (2024), up 21.8 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 1.5 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 11.6 births vs 4.9 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 6.7 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 16.1% of the population is under 15 and 9.5% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 7% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 0.37 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 0.39 Mt in 2019 — down 5.5% since.
- Per person: 5 t in 2024, vs 2.45 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Renewables supplied 0% of final energy in 2022 (+0 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 52.5% of land area (2023).
- Net deforestation: cover fell from 54.7% to 52.5% since 1990 — roughly 6 km² of forest lost.
Urban population (% of total)
- 100% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 100% in 1960 (+0 points).
- Majority-urban for the whole period covered.
Economy
- GDP: $7.77B in 2024.
- Nominal GDP is up 70.2% since 2014.
- That works out to $104,293 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Consumer-price inflation: -0.6% in 2016.
Internet & mobile
- 81.1% of people used the internet in 2017.
- Mobile subscriptions: 139.3 per 100 people (2022) — more subscriptions than people.
Cayman Islands in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of the Cayman Islands in 2026?
As of October 2026, the Cayman Islands has an estimated population of 78,407. The United Nations estimated 77,340 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +1.7% annual growth rate.
Is the population of the Cayman Islands growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +1.7% per year — roughly 4 more people every day. Each year there are about 843 births and 387 deaths, with net migration of +889.
What is the population density of the Cayman Islands?
About 297 people per square kilometre: 78,407 people living on 264 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in the Cayman Islands?
The median age is 39.1 years, and life expectancy at birth is 80.9 years. 16.1% of the population is under 15 and 9.5% is 65 or older (2025).
How does the Cayman Islands rank by population?
The Cayman Islands is the 206th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 28th in North America, with less than 0.001% of the global population.
How has the population of the Cayman Islands changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 8,428; by 2025 it had grown to 75,844 (+799.9%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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DominicaSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+1.7%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.