2016 Census of Population and Dwellings 

The Census of Population and Dwellings is a five yearly stock take of people in the Cook Islands and their housing. It is the primary source of information on the size, composition, distribution, economic activities and state of well being of the population. 

The Census of Population and Dwellings 2016 is being conducted under the authority of the Statistics Act 2016. The particular provisions relating to this census is set out in sections 18 and 19 of the Act. Other sections of the Act that apply are the secrecy provisions that provide against the release or publication of any individual particulars.

On 1 December 2016 the Cook Islands total population count was 17,434, decreasing by 2 per cent when compared to the 2011 Census.  This figure consists of residents and non-residents (mostly tourists) in the Cook Islands on Census night.

Rarotonga remains the most populous island of the Cook Islands with 75 per cent of the population residing there.  The Southern Group islands account for 19 per cent of the population while 6 per cent were in the Northern Group islands on Census night. 

On Census night there were 8,520 males and 8,914 females in the Cook Islands, a decrease of 295 males and a decrease of 65 females since 2011.  In a change from the previous years, prior 2011, there is now parity in the gender makeup of the Cook Islands, whereas previously males made up a slightly larger proportion of the population.

2016 Census Full Report and section tables are now available for download below: