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 offset 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 - per capita | $5,000 (2001 est.) |
GDP - real growth rate (%) | 7.1% (2001 est.) |
Agriculture - products | copra, citrus, pineapples, tomatoes, beans, pawpaws, bananas, yams, taro, coffee; pigs, poultry |
GDP - composition by sector (%) | agriculture: 17%, industry: 7.8%, services: 75.2% (2000 est.) |
Industries | fruit processing, tourism, fishing, clothing, handicrafts |
Economic aid - recipient | $13.1 million; note - New Zealand continues to furnish the greater part (1995) |
Debt - external | $141 million (1996 est.) |
Population below poverty line (%) | NA |
Labor force - by occupation (%) | agriculture 29%, industry 15%, services 56% |