Statistical information Christmas Island 2023
Christmas Island in the World
Christmas Island - Introduction 2023
top of pageBackground:
Although Europeans sighted the island as early as 1615, it was only named in 1643 by English Captain William MYNORS for the day of its rediscovery. Another English ship sailed by the island in 1688 and found it uninhabited. Attempts to explore the island over the next two centuries were hampered by steep cliffs and dense jungle. The discovery of phosphate on the island in 1887 led to the UK annexing it the following year. In 1898, the Christmas Island Phosphate Company brought in 200 Chinese indentured servants to work the mines, along with Malays, Sikhs, and a small number of Europeans. The UK administered Christmas Island from Singapore.
Japan invaded the island in 1942, but islanders sabotaged Japanese mining operations, making the mines relatively unproductive. After World War II, Australia and New Zealand bought the Christmas Island Phosphate Company, and in 1958, the UK transferred sovereignty from Singapore to Australia in exchange for $20 million for the loss of future phosphate income. In 1980, Australia set up the Christmas Island National Park and expanded its boundaries throughout the 1980s until it covered more than 60% of the island’s territory. The phosphate mine was closed in 1987 because of environmental concerns and Australia has rejected several efforts to reopen it.
In the 1980s, boats of asylum seekers started landing on Christmas Island and the migrants claimed refugee status since they were on Australian territory. In 2001, Australia declared Christmas Island outside the Australian migration zone and built an immigration detention center on the island. Completed in 2008, the controversial detention center was officially closed in 2018, but then reopened in early 2019. In 2020, the center served as a coronavirus quarantine facility for Australian citizens evacuated from China.
Japan invaded the island in 1942, but islanders sabotaged Japanese mining operations, making the mines relatively unproductive. After World War II, Australia and New Zealand bought the Christmas Island Phosphate Company, and in 1958, the UK transferred sovereignty from Singapore to Australia in exchange for $20 million for the loss of future phosphate income. In 1980, Australia set up the Christmas Island National Park and expanded its boundaries throughout the 1980s until it covered more than 60% of the island’s territory. The phosphate mine was closed in 1987 because of environmental concerns and Australia has rejected several efforts to reopen it.
In the 1980s, boats of asylum seekers started landing on Christmas Island and the migrants claimed refugee status since they were on Australian territory. In 2001, Australia declared Christmas Island outside the Australian migration zone and built an immigration detention center on the island. Completed in 2008, the controversial detention center was officially closed in 2018, but then reopened in early 2019. In 2020, the center served as a coronavirus quarantine facility for Australian citizens evacuated from China.
Christmas Island - Geography 2023
top of pageLocation: Southeastern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia
Geographic coordinates: 10 30 S, 105 40 E
Map reference: Southeast Asia
Area
Total: 135 km²
Land: 135 km²
Water: 0 km²
Comparative: about three-quarters the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries
Total: 0 km
Coastline: 138.9 km
Maritime claims
Territorial sea: 12 nm
Contiguous zone: 12 nm
Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate: tropical with a wet season (December to April) and dry season; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds
Terrain: steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau
Elevation
Highest point: Murray Hill 361 m
Lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
Natural resources: phosphate, beaches
Land use
Land use
Agricultural land: 0% (2018 est.)
Other: 100% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: NA
Major rivers
Major watersheds area km²
Total water withdrawal
Total renewable water resources
Natural hazards: the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard
Geography
Note: located along major sea lanes of the Indian Ocean
Christmas Island - People 2023
top of pagePopulation
Distribution: majority of the population lives on the northern tip of the island: 2,205 (2016 est.)
Growth rate: 1.11% (2014 est.)
Nationality
Noun: Christmas Islander(s)
Adjective: Christmas Island
Ethnic groups: Chinese 70%, European 20%, Malay 10% (2001)
Note: no indigenous population
Languages: English (official) 27.6%, Mandarin 17.2%, Malay 17.1%, Cantonese 3.9%, Min Nan 1.6%, Tagalog 1%, other 4.5%, unspecified 27.1% (2016 est.)
Note: data represent language spoken at home
Religions: Muslim 19.4%, Buddhist 18.3%, Roman Catholic 8.8%, Protestant 6.5% (includes Anglican 3.6%, Uniting Church 1.2%, other 1.7%), other Christian 3.3%, other 0.6%, none 15.3%, unspecified 27.7% (2016 est.)
Demographic profile
Age structure
Age structure
0-14 years: 12.79% (male 147/female 135)
15-64 years: 12.2% (male 202/female 67)
65 years and over: 5.44% (male 84/female 36) (2017 est.)
Dependency ratios
Total dependency ratio: NA
Youth dependency ratio: NA
Elderly dependency ratio: NA
Potential support ratio: NA
Median age
Population growth rate: 1.11% (2014 est.)
Birth rate: NA
Death rate: NA
Net migration rate
Population distribution: majority of the population lives on the northern tip of the island
Urbanization
Major urban areas
Environment
Current issues: loss of rainforest; impact of phosphate mining
Air pollutants
Sex ratio: NA
Mothers mean age at first birth
Maternal mortality ratio
Infant mortality rate
Total: NA
Male: NA
Female: NA
Life expectancy at birth
Total population: NA
Male: NA
Female: NA
Total fertility rate: NA
Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA
Drinking water source
Improved urban: NA
Improved rural: NA
Improved total: NA
Unimproved urban: NA
Unimproved rural: NA
Unimproved total: NA
Current health expenditure: NA
Physicians density
Hospital bed density
Sanitation facility access
Hiv/Aids
Major infectious diseases
Obesity adult prevalence rate
Alcohol consumption
Tobacco use
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA
Education expenditures: NA
Literacy
School life expectancy primary to tertiary education
Youth unemployment
Christmas Island - Government 2023
top of pageCountry name
Conventional long form: Territory of Christmas Island
Conventional short form: Christmas Island
Etymology: named by English Captain William MYNORS for the day of its rediscovery, Christmas Day (25 December 1643); the island had been sighted by Europeans as early as 1615
Government type: non-self-governing overseas territory of Australia
Capital
Name: The Settlement (Flying Fish Cove)
Geographic coordinates: 10 25 S, 105 43 E
Time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Etymology: self-descriptive name for the main locus of population
Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia)
Dependent areas
Independence: none (territory of Australia)
National holiday: Australia Day (commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet of Australian settlers), 26 January (1788)
Constitution
History: 1 October 1958 (Christmas Island Act 1958)
Amendments: amended many times, last in 2020
Legal system: legal system is under the authority of the governor general of Australia and Australian law
International law organization participation
Citizenship: see Australia
Suffrage: 18 years of age
Executive branch
Chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia General David HURLEY (since 1 July 2019)
Head of government: Administrator Ms. Farzian ZAINAL (since 11 May 2023)
Cabinet: NA
Elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the Australian prime minister; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia for a 2-year term and represents the monarch and Australia
Legislative branch
Description: unicameral Christmas Island Shire Council (9 seats; members directly elected by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms)
Elections: held every 2 years with half the members standing for election; last held in October 2023 (next to be held in October 2025)
Election results: percent of vote - NA; seats by party - independent 9; composition as of October 2023 - men 7, women 2, percent of women 22%
Judicial branch
Highest courts: under the terms of the Territorial Law Reform Act 1992, Western Australia provides court services as needed for the island, including the Supreme Court and subordinate courts (District Court, Magistrate Court, Family Court, Children's Court, and Coroners' Court)
Political parties and leaders: none
International organization participation: none
Diplomatic representation
In the us: none (territory of Australia)
From the us embassy: none (territory of Australia)
Flag description
: territorial flag; divided diagonally from upper hoist to lower fly; the upper triangle is green with a yellow image of the Golden Bosun Bird superimposed; the lower triangle is blue with the Southern Cross constellation, representing Australia, superimposed; a centered yellow disk displays a green map of the islandNote: the flag of Australia is used for official purposes
National symbols: golden bosun bird
National anthem
Note: as a territory of Australia, "Advance Australia Fair" remains official as the national anthem, while "God Save the King" serves as the royal anthem (see Australia)
National heritage
Christmas Island - Economy 2023
top of pageEconomy overview: high-income Australian territorial economy; development through government services and phosphate mining; operates Australia’s Immigration Detention Centre; increasing tourism and government investments; sustained environmental protections
Real gdp purchasing power parity: NA
Real gdp growth rate
Real gdp per capita
Gross national saving
Gdp composition by sector of origin
Gdp composition by end use
Gdp composition by sector of origin
Agriculture products: NA
Industries: tourism, phosphate extraction (near depletion)
Industrial production growth rate
Labor force: NA
Labor force
Unemployment rate
Youth unemployment
Population below poverty line
Gini index
Household income or consumption by percentage share
Distribution of family income gini index
Budget
Revenues: NA
Expenditures: NA
Taxes and other revenues
Public debt
Revenue
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Inflation rate consumer prices
Central bank discount rate
Commercial bank prime lending rate
Stock of narrow money
Stock of broad money
Stock of domestic credit
Market value of publicly traded shares
Current account balance
Exports
Partners: Malaysia 36%, New Zealand 21%, Indonesia 20%, Australia 10% (2019)
Commodities: calcium phosphates, fertilizers, barometers, electrical transformers, sulfates (2021)
Imports: NA
Partners: Australia 80%, United States 7%, Canada 5% (2019)
Commodities: refined petroleum, cars, iron structures, aircraft, crustaceans (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Debt external
Stock of direct foreign investment at home
Stock of direct foreign investment abroad
Exchange rates:
Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - 1.311 (2017 est.)
1.3442 (2016 est.)
1.3442 (2015)
1.3291 (2014 est.)
1.1094 (2013 est.)
1.3442 (2016 est.)
1.3442 (2015)
1.3291 (2014 est.)
1.1094 (2013 est.)
Christmas Island - Energy 2023
top of pageElectricity
Coal
Petroleum
Crude oil
Refined petroleum
Natural gas
Carbon dioxide emissions
Energy consumption per capita
Christmas Island - Communication 2023
top of pageTelephones
Telephone system
Broadcast media: 1 community radio station; satellite broadcasts of several Australian radio and TV stations (2017)
Internet
Country code: .cx
Users total: 1,139 (2021 est.)
Users percent of population: 78.6% (2021 est.)
Broadband fixed subscriptions
Christmas Island - Military 2023
top of pageMilitary expenditures
Military and security forces
Military service age and obligation
Space program
Terrorist groups
Christmas Island - Transportation 2023
top of pageNational air transport system
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
Airports: 1 (2021)
With paved runways: 1
With paved runways note: paved runways have a concrete or asphalt surface but not all have facilities for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control; the length of a runway required for aircraft to safely operate depends on a number of factors including the type of aircraft, the takeoff weight (including passengers, cargo, and fuel), engine types, flap settings, landing speed, elevation of the airport, and average maximum daily air temperature; paved runways can reach a length of 5,000 m (16,000 ft.), but the “typical” length of a commercial airline runway is between 2,500-4,000 m (8,000-13,000 ft.)
Heliports
Pipelines
Railways
Total: 18 km (2017)
Standard gauge: 18 km (2017) 1.435-m (not in operation)
Note: the 18-km Christmas Island Phosphate Company Railway between Flying Fish Cove and South Point was decommissioned in 1987; some tracks and scrap remain in place
Roadways
Total: 142 km (2011)
Paved: 32 km (2011)
Unpaved: 110 km (2011)
Waterways
Merchant marine
Ports and terminals
Major seaports: Flying Fish Cove
Christmas Island - Transnational issues 2023
top of pageDisputes international: none
Refugees and internally displaced persons
Illicit drugs
