Country Profile: Cocos (Keeling) Islands

The Cocos (Keeling) Islands, discovered in 1609, are a small group of tropical coral atolls located in the Indian Ocean, approximately halfway between Australia and Sri Lanka. This territory, governed as a non-self-governing overseas region of Australia, has a population of around 593 inhabitants primarily residing on two of its islands, Home Island and West Island. The economy is modest, heavily reliant on copra products and tourism, while being governed under Australian law following a referendum in 1984 that integrated the islands with Australia.

Geography

The Cocos (Keeling) Islands are situated in southeastern Asia, characterized by flat, low-lying coral atolls. The total area of the islands is just 14 square kilometers, with a coastline stretching 26 kilometers. The climate is tropical, with a rainy season influenced by southeast trade winds from October to April. The islands are vulnerable to natural hazards, particularly cyclones during the rainy season.

14 sq km – Total area of the islands.
26 km – Coastline length.
9 m – Highest point at South Point on South Island.
0% – Percentage of land used for agriculture (2018 est.).
27 – Number of coral islands in the group.

People And Society

The population of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands is approximately 593, composed mainly of Cocos Malays and Europeans. The community predominantly speaks Malay (Cocos dialect) and identifies as Muslim, with 75% adhering to Sunni Islam. The population's median age is 40 years, with a significant proportion aged between 15 to 64 years.

593 – Estimated total population (2021).
75% – Percentage of the population that practices Sunni Islam.
21.2% – Percentage of the population aged 0-14 years.
8.89 deaths/1,000 – Death rate (2021 est.).
16.7% – Percentage of women in the legislative chamber.

Economy

The economy of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands is primarily based on copra production and tourism. The main agricultural products include vegetables, bananas, and coconuts. Exports are primarily to the USA and Singapore, while most imports come from Australia. The islands rely on shipping and a limited export market for economic activity.

31% – Percentage of exports to the USA (2023).
87% – Percentage of imports from Australia (2023).
3% – Exports to the UK (2023).
1.505 AUD – Exchange rate of Australian dollars per US dollar (2023 est.).
0% – Agricultural land usage (2018 est.).

Government

Cocos (Keeling) Islands is a non-self-governing territory of Australia, administered from Canberra. The local governance is primarily through the Cocos (Keeling) Islands Shire Council, which has a unicameral legislative structure. The chief of state is represented by the King of Australia, while local administration is handled by an administrator appointed for a two-year term.

7 – Number of elected seats in the Shire Council.
18 – Minimum voting age.
4 years – Term length for council members.
10/21/2023 – Date of the most recent local election.
26 January – National holiday, Australia Day.

Military and Security

Defense duties for the Cocos (Keeling) Islands rest with Australia, reflecting its status as an overseas territory. There is no standing military presence on the islands, and local security matters are also managed through Australian oversight.

Energy

The specific details regarding energy consumption and production are not discussed in the provided sections.

Environment

Environmental challenges include limited freshwater resources and issues related to illegal fishing, impacting both the ecosystem and the local economy. The islands' tropical climate and unique geography require careful environmental management.

0% – Percentage of forested land (2018 est.).
100% – Land classified as 'other' (2018 est.).

Transportation

The transportation framework includes one airport, facilitating access to and from the islands. This limited infrastructure is essential for the movement of goods and tourists to the islands.

1 – Number of airports (2025).

Communications

Communications are modest; there is one local community radio station and access to satellite broadcasts from Australian networks. Internet penetration is low, with only 13.4% of the population utilizing the internet as of 2021.

13.4% – Percentage of the population with internet access (2021 est.).
.cc – Internet country code.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	593	Estimated total (2021)
Area	14 sq km	Total land area
GDP	Not available
Energy Consumption	Not available
Birth Rate	Not available
Unemployment	Not available
Median Age	40 years	Estimated median (2021)
Death Rate	8.89/1,000	Estimated deaths per 1,000 (2021)
Legal System	Common law	Based on the Australian model
Coastline	26 km	Total coastline length