Quick facts
Turks and Caicos Islands population overview
The Turks and Caicos Islands is the 32nd most populous of 41 countries and territories in North America. The United Nations put the population at 47,822 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +0.6% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 1 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 488 births (10.2 per 1,000 people) and 354 deaths (7.4 per 1,000), plus net immigration of roughly 153 people. The infant mortality rate is 4.4 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 5,599 in 1960 to 46,855 in 2025 — a change of +736.8%, or +3.3% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 39.6 years; life expectancy at birth is 78.5 years; women have on average 1.5 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 16% of residents are under 15 and 11.7% are 65 or older (2025); 94.4% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Grand Turk. The Turks and Caicos Islands covers 950 km², giving a population density of about 50.6 people per km². GDP was $1.75B in 2024 — about $37,507 per person (World Bank classification: high income).
Turks and Caicos Islands population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 48,047 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 47,822 |
| World rank | #212 of 238 |
| Rank in North America | #32 of 41 |
| Share of world population | less than 0.001% |
| Annual growth rate | +0.6% |
| Births per year est. | 488 |
| Deaths per year est. | 354 |
| Net migration per year est. | +153 |
| Birth rate | 10.2 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 7.4 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 4.4 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 100 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 39.6 years |
| Life expectancy | 78.5 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 1.5 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 94.4% |
| Surface area 2023 | 950 km² |
| Population density | 50.6 per km² |
| Capital | Grand Turk |
| GDP (current US$) 2024 | $1.75B |
| GDP per capita 2024 | $37,507 |
| Income group World Bank | High income |
Turks and Caicos Islands population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 48,047 | – | – |
| 2025 | 46,855 | +320 | +0.7% |
| 2024 | 46,535 | +337 | +0.7% |
| 2023 | 46,198 | +351 | +0.8% |
| 2022 | 45,847 | +604 | +1.3% |
| 2021 | 45,243 | +857 | +1.9% |
| 2020 | 44,386 | +7,781 | +3.9% |
| 2015 | 36,605 | +6,866 | +4.2% |
| 2010 | 29,739 | +5,751 | +4.4% |
| 2005 | 23,988 | +5,258 | +5.1% |
| 2000 | 18,730 | +3,678 | +4.5% |
| 1995 | 15,052 | +3,364 | +5.2% |
| 1990 | 11,688 | +2,167 | +4.2% |
| 1985 | 9,521 | +1,957 | +4.7% |
| 1980 | 7,564 | +1,101 | +3.2% |
| 1975 | 6,463 | +796 | +2.7% |
| 1970 | 5,667 | +9 | +0% |
| 1965 | 5,658 | +59 | +0.2% |
| 1960 | 5,599 | – | – |
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 Turks and Caicos Islands
Population over time
- From 5,599 in 1960 to 48,047 today — up 758.1%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +2.5% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 78.2 years (2024), up 21.9 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 1.5 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 10.5 births vs 7.4 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 3.1 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 16% of the population is under 15 and 11.7% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 5.3% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 0.23 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions are at or near their historical peak.
- Per person: 4.92 t in 2024, vs 0.58 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Renewables supplied 0.8% of final energy in 2022 (+0 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 11.1% of land area (2023).
- Cover has been essentially stable since 1990 (+0 points).
Urban population (% of total)
- 94.4% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 47.6% in 1960 (+46.8 points).
- Became majority-urban around 1968.
Economy
- GDP: $1.75B in 2024.
- Nominal GDP is up 82.5% since 2014.
- That works out to $37,507 per person.
Internet & mobile
- 0% of people used the internet in 1990.
- Mobile subscriptions: 109.8 per 100 people (2004) — more subscriptions than people.
Turks and Caicos Islands in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of the Turks and Caicos Islands in 2026?
As of October 2026, the Turks and Caicos Islands has an estimated population of 48,047. The United Nations estimated 47,822 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +0.6% annual growth rate.
Is the population of the Turks and Caicos Islands growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +0.6% per year — roughly 1 more people every day. Each year there are about 488 births and 354 deaths, with net migration of +153.
What is the population density of the Turks and Caicos Islands?
About 50.6 people per square kilometre: 48,047 people living on 950 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in the Turks and Caicos Islands?
The median age is 39.6 years, and life expectancy at birth is 78.5 years. 16% of the population is under 15 and 11.7% is 65 or older (2025).
How does the Turks and Caicos Islands rank by population?
The Turks and Caicos Islands is the 212th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 32nd in North America, with less than 0.001% of the global population.
How has the population of the Turks and Caicos Islands changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 5,599; by 2025 it had grown to 46,855 (+736.8%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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Northern Mariana IslandsSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+0.6%); 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.