Curaçao profile

Demography and Health

Curaçao has a population of about 155,900 in 2024, ranking around 185 globally in population size. The demographic profile shows a low crude birth rate of 7.5 per 1,000 people (2023) alongside a crude death rate of 9.7 per 1,000 people (2023), suggesting a natural decrease unless offset by migration. In 2024, net migration is positive at 513 people, indicating that inward movement slightly contributes to population growth. Life expectancy at birth stands at 76.8 years (2023), which aligns with standards observed in small, middle-income economies in the region. Taken together, Curaçao exhibits an aging trend with modest overall population growth, where migration plays a crucial role in balancing natural declines. The relatively small population size and ranking emphasize the island’s scale, which has implications for the provision of health services, labor markets, and social support systems.

Economy

GDP per capita (current US$) is 21,062 in 2023, with GDP per capita at PPP (current international US$) of 30,716 in 2023. These figures place Curaçao among higher-income economies within the Caribbean context, reflecting a refined standard of living given its small population. The economy exhibits a robust per-capita income level that typically supports better health outcomes, education, and public services. However, the current account balance is negative, at −20.0% of GDP in 2023, signaling a sizeable external deficit that requires financing from abroad. The balance suggests substantial import needs or investment spending outpacing domestic savings, a common pattern for open, services-led economies. Net migration, at 513 in 2024, and a moderate population base interact with these macro figures to shape the macroeconomic environment. Overall, Curaçao presents as a small but relatively affluent economy with openness to capital and external financing, while contending with external account pressures that warrant prudent macroeconomic management and diversification.

Trade and Investment

Foreign direct investment net inflows amount to 4.16% of GDP in 2023, ranking 49th, indicating Curaçao remains an attractive destination for foreign capital relative to its size. This inflow supports investment in services, logistics, and possibly tourism-related activities, reinforcing the island’s position as an open, investment-friendly economy. At the same time, the current account deficit of −20.0% of GDP (2023) highlights a substantial external imbalance that must be financed through capital flows, remittances, or other inflows. A small economy with a notable deficit hinges on sustained external financing and favorable investment conditions to maintain stability. Taken together, the data imply a trade-and-investment environment characterized by openness to FDI, but with significant external financing needs that could magnify vulnerability to global financial cycles if capital conditions tighten.

Governance and Institutions

The provided dataset does not include governance or institutional indicators, so there is no direct measure here of governance quality, rule of law, regulatory efficiency, or public sector performance for Curaçao. Given Curaçao’s status as a constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, governance practices are often informed by Dutch standards and international norms, but concrete conclusions require data beyond what is supplied. For a fuller assessment, additional indicators—such as governance effectiveness, regulatory quality, control of corruption, and public financial management metrics—would be needed to evaluate how institutions support macroeconomic stability, investment climates, and service delivery in this small, open economy.

Infrastructure and Technology

The dataset does not provide explicit infrastructure or technology indicators. Nonetheless, the economy’s high per-capita income in a small population suggests a level of service-oriented infrastructure, financial services, and connectivity that supports international business. A notable data point is the renewable energy share, which is 2.8% of total final energy consumption in 2021, indicating a relatively low reliance on renewables in the energy mix and an ongoing dependence on imported energy sources. This profile points to opportunities for infrastructure investment in energy generation, grids, and storage, as well as digital and logistical infrastructure to enhance competitiveness, resilience, and diversification. The absence of detailed infrastructure or technology metrics signals room for expanding data collection on broadband, digital adoption, and transport/logistics capacity to better chart Curaçao’s development trajectory.

Environment and Sustainability

Renewable energy consumption accounts for 2.8% of total final energy consumption in 2021, revealing a small share of renewables in Curaçao’s energy mix. This limited transition to cleaner energy raises considerations about energy security, price volatility, and environmental resilience for a small island economy. Given its geographic exposure to climate risks and reliance on imported energy, accelerating the adoption of solar, wind, or other renewables—paired with energy efficiency measures—could reduce vulnerability, improve long-term sustainability, and support a resilient tourism- and service-led economy. Integrating sustainable energy with broader environmental and economic policy would help align Curaçao’s development with global climate and sustainability goals while preserving the natural assets that underpin its economic base.