Standard of living of the Cayman Islands is high in comparison to the neighboring countries in the Caribbean. This is reflected in the standard of the housing product, poverty levels and health status. No formal population policy has been adopted. But recent pressures on the Caymanian population caused by rapid economic growth, labour shortage and consequential large scale immigration have led the Government to articulate development strategies aimed at addressing economic growth and immigration. Cayman is now a leading international off-shore financial centre.
Tourism is the second largest industry.
Cayman's rapid population growth between 1960 and the 1980s has created pressures on the Cayman population. In this regard the central challenge is for strengthening the planning capacity of the public sector. Health services cover primary health care at the district and hospital levels and secondary care at two hospitals on the island. Most tertiary care and highly specialized care is dealt with overseas. The cost of overseas tertiary care is advanced as a loan to those unable to pay at the time care is provided.