Cook Islands

1950

2025

2100

1950

2025

2100

Net emigration of 460 people per year—more people leaving than arriving.

Since 1950, Cook Islands has lost a cumulative 27,537 people through migration.

By 2100, projections show continued net immigration.

Net migrants

-460

Net migration rate

-34.6 per 1,000 people

Key terms

Net migration: — Immigrants minus emigrants. Positive = more people arriving, negative = more leaving.
Net migration rate: — Net migration per 1,000 population per year.
Immigration: — People entering the country from abroad.
Emigration: — People leaving the country to live abroad.

Migration flows

Net migration from 1950 to 2100 (projections after 2024)

Net migrants

-31,492

Cumulative over selected range

Peak immigration

320

Top year: 2010

Peak emigration

-1,162

Lowest year: 1973

Recent avg (10 yrs)

Per year

Cook Islands loses approximately 460 people per year to emigration (34.6 per 1,000 population). Peak immigration was 320 in 2010.

Migration flows in Cook Islands are relatively modest. The high emigration rate may reflect economic challenges or better opportunities abroad.

Source: UN World Population Prospects 2024. Historical estimates (1950–2024) and medium-variant projections (2025–2100).