Diplomatic representation in the US: none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)
Flag description: blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large circle of 15 white five-pointed stars (one for every island) centered in the outer half of the flag
Cook Islands Economy
Economy - overview: Like many other South Pacific island nations, the Cook Islands' economic development is hindered by the isolation of the country from foreign markets, the limited size of domestic markets, lack of natural resources, periodic devastation from natural disasters, and inadequate infrastructure. Agriculture provides the economic base with major exports made up of copra and citrus fruit. Manufacturing activities are limited to fruit processing, clothing, and handicrafts. Trade deficits are made up for by remittances from emigrants and by foreign aid, overwhelmingly from New Zealand. In the 1980s and 1990s, the country lived beyond its means, maintaining a bloated public service and accumulating a large foreign debt. Subsequent reforms, including the sale of state assets, the strengthening of economic management, the encouragement of tourism, and a debt restructuring agreement, have rekindled investment and growth.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $100 million (1999 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: NA%
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $5,000 (1999 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 18%
industry: 9%
services: 73% (1995)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.6% (1999 est.)
Labor force: 6,601 (1993)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 29%, industry 15%, services 56% (1995) note - shortage of skilled labor
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues: $25 million
expenditures: $23 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY 99/00)
Industries: fruit processing, tourism, fishing
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity - production: 21 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100%
hydro: 0%
nuclear: 0%
other: 0% (1999)
Electricity - consumption: 19.5 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (1999)
Agriculture - products: copra, citrus, pineapples, tomatoes, beans, pawpaws, bananas, yams, taro, coffee; pigs, poultry
Exports: $3 million (f.o.b., 1999 est.)
Exports - commodities: copra, papayas, fresh and canned citrus fruit, coffee; fish; pearls and pearl shells; clothing
Exports - partners: Japan 42%, New Zealand 25%, US 9%, Australia 9% (1999)
Imports: $85 million (c.i.f., 1994)
Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timber, capital goods
Imports - partners: NZ 70%, Australia 8% (1999)
Debt - external: $141 million (1996 est.)
Economic aid - recipient: $13.1 million (1995); note - New Zealand continues to furnish the greater part
Currency: New Zealand dollar (NZD)
Currency code: NZD
Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars per US dollar - 2.2502 (January 2001), 2.1863 (2000), 1.8886 (1999), 1.8632 (1998), 1.5083 (1997), 1.4543 (1996)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Cook Islands Communications
Telephones - main lines in use: 5,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular: 0 (1994)
Telephone system: general assessment: NA
domestic: the individual islands are connected by a combination of satellite earth stations, microwave systems, and VHF and HF radiotelephone; within the islands, service is provided by small exchanges connected to subscribers by open wire, cable, and fiber-optic cable
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios: 14,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 2 (plus eight low-power repeaters) (1997)
Televisions: 4,000 (1997)
Internet country code: .ck
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 3 (2000)
Internet users: NA
Cook Islands Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 320 km (1992)
paved: NA
unpaved: NA
Waterways: none
Ports and harbors: Avarua, Avatiu
Merchant marine: total: 1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,310
GRT/2,181 DWT
ships by type: cargo 1 (2000 est.)
Airports: 7 (2000 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2000 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 6
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2000 est.)
Cook Islands Military
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of New Zealand, in consultation with the Cook Islands and
