Country ISO code: CC

Official languages: English and Malay (Cocos Malay dialect)

Language ISO codes: en (English), ms (Malay)

Population and linguistic data of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands

• Estimated population in 2025: approximately 596 inhabitants.

• The population mainly consists of Cocos Malays, who speak a dialect of Malay as their first language and practice Sunni Islam.

• About 68.8% of the population speaks the local Malay dialect (Cocos Malay) daily, while around 22.3% regularly use English.

• English is the official language for administration, education, and formal communication, while the local Malay dialect predominates in informal community interactions.

• The population is mainly distributed between Home Island (around 466 inhabitants, Malay community) and West Island (around 133 inhabitants, administrative and residential area for officials).

Linguistic characteristics

• The Cocos Malay dialect is a variant of standard Malay, with simplified grammar and influences from English and Arabic, reflecting local Islamic traditions.

• English is widely understood and used in official and educational contexts, serving as the language of instruction in schools and public administration.

Summary

This report provides an official demographic and linguistic overview of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, highlighting the bilingualism between English and the local Malay dialect, Cocos Malay, and its importance for the cultural identity of the resident community.