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Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

2 commercial television stations; cable TV subscription service provides access to foreign channels; about 20 commercial radio stations broadcast (2007)

Internet country code [time series]

.aw

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

25,080 (2010) country comparison to the world: 101

Internet users [time series]

24,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 187

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: modern fully automatic telecommunications system domestic: increased competition through privatization; 3 mobile-cellular service providers are now licensed international: country code - 297; landing site for the PAN-AM submarine telecommunications cable system that extends from the US Virgin Islands through Aruba to Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, and the west coast of South America; extensive interisland microwave radio relay links (2007)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

38,300 (2009) country comparison to the world: 169

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

128,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 180

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

aloes; livestock; fish

Central bank discount rate [time series]

3% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 85 5% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

10.77% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 11.23% (31 December 2008 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$478.6 million (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 164

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Tourism is the mainstay of the small open Aruban economy, together with offshore banking. Oil refining and storage ended in 2009. The rapid growth of the tourism sector over the last decade has resulted in a substantial expansion of other activities. Over 1.5 million tourists per year visit Aruba with 75% of those from the US. Construction continues to boom with hotel capacity five times the 1985 level. Tourist arrivals rebounded strongly following a dip after the 11 September 2001 attacks. The government has made cutting the budget and trade deficits a high priority.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

790.5 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 148

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

850 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 147

Exchange rates [time series]

Aruban guilders/florins (AWG) per US dollar - NA (2007), 1.79 (2006), 1.79 (2005), 1.79 (2004), 1.79 (2003)

Exports [time series]

$124 million (2006); note - includes oil reexports country comparison to the world: 188

Exports - commodities [time series]

live animals and animal products, art and collectibles, machinery and electrical equipment, transport equipment

Exports - partners [time series]

Panama 23.84%, Netherlands Antilles 20.49%, Colombia 17.48%, Venezuela 12.61%, US 9.12%, Netherlands 7.5% (2009)

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$2.258 billion (2005 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$2.258 billion (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 181 $2.205 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 0.4% industry: 33.3% services: 66.3% (2002 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$21,800 (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 59

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

2.4% (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 141

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports [time series]

$1.054 billion (2006) country comparison to the world: 169

Imports - commodities [time series]

machinery and electrical equipment, crude oil for refining and reexport, chemicals; foodstuffs

Imports - partners [time series]

US 49.51%, Netherlands 16.15%, UK 4.94% (2009)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

NA%

Industries [time series]

tourism, transshipment facilities

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

3.4% (2005) country comparison to the world: 100

Labor force [time series]

41,500 (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 194

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% note: most employment is in wholesale and retail trade and repair, followed by hotels and restaurants; oil refining

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 208

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 202

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 202

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 206

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 204

Oil - consumption [time series]

8,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 155

Oil - exports [time series]

231,100 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 50

Oil - imports [time series]

236,400 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 39

Oil - production [time series]

2,235 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 102

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 100

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA%

Public debt [time series]

46.3% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 57

Stock of broad money [time series]

$1.771 billion (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 $1.671 billion (31 December 2008 est.)

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$1.333 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 140 $1.321 billion (31 December 2008)

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$865 million (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 140 $781 million (31 December 2008)

Unemployment rate [time series]

6.9% (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 67

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 180 sq km country comparison to the world: 217 land: 180 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly larger than Washington, DC

Climate [time series]

tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation

Coastline [time series]

68.5 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Ceru Jamanota 188 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

Geographic coordinates [time series]

12 30 N, 69 58 W

Geography - note [time series]

a flat, riverless island renowned for its white sand beaches; its tropical climate is moderated by constant trade winds from the Atlantic Ocean; the temperature is almost constant at about 27 degrees Celsius (81 degrees Fahrenheit)

Irrigated land [time series]

0.01 sq km (1998 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

0 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 10.53% permanent crops: 0% other: 89.47% (2005)

Location [time series]

Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela

Map references [time series]

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 12 nm

Natural hazards [time series]

hurricanes; lies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt and is rarely threatened

Natural resources [time series]

NEGL; white sandy beaches

Terrain [time series]

flat with a few hills; scant vegetation

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)

Capital [time series]

name: Oranjestad geographic coordinates: 12 31 N, 70 02 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution [time series]

1 January 1986

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: none conventional short form: Aruba

Dependency status [time series]

constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; full autonomy in internal affairs obtained in 1986 upon separation from the Netherlands Antilles; Dutch Government responsible for defense and foreign affairs

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

the US does not have an embassy in Aruba; the Consul General to Curacao is accredited to Aruba

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

none (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands); note - Mr. Henry BAARH, Minister Plenipotentiary for Aruba at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: Queen BEATRIX of the Netherlands (since 30 April 1980); represented by Governor General Fredis REFUNJOL (since 11 May 2004) head of government: Prime Minister Michiel Godfried (Mike) EMAN (since 30 October 2009) cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the Staten (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed for a six-year term by the monarch; prime minister and deputy prime minister elected by the Staten for four-year terms; election last held in 2009 (next to be held by 2013) election results: Mike EMAN elected prime minister; percent of legislative vote - NA

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

blue, with two narrow, horizontal, yellow stripes across the lower portion and a red, four-pointed star outlined in white in the upper hoist-side corner; the star represents Aruba and its red soil and white beaches, its four points the four major languages (Papiamento, Dutch, Spanish, English) as well as the four points of a compass, to indicate that its inhabitants come from all over the world; the blue symbolizes Caribbean waters and skies; the stripes represent the island's two main "industries": the flow of tourists to the sun-drenched beaches and the flow of minerals from the earth

Government type [time series]

parliamentary democracy

Independence [time series]

none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)

International organization participation [time series]

Caricom (observer), FATF, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ITUC, UNESCO (associate), UNWTO (associate), UPU

Judicial branch [time series]

Common Court of Justice, Joint High Court of Justice (judges appointed by the monarch)

Legal system [time series]

based on Dutch civil law system with some English common law influence

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral Legislature or Staten (21 seats; members elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held on 25 September 2009 (next to be held in 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - AVP 48%, MEP 35.9%, PDR 5.7%; seats by party - AVP 12, MEP 8, PDR 1

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

name: "Aruba Deshi Tera" (Aruba Precious Country) lyrics/music: Juan Chabaya 'Padu' LAMPE/Rufo Inocencio WEVER note: local anthem adopted 1986; as part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, "Het Wilhelmus" is official (see Netherlands)

National holiday [time series]

Flag Day, 18 March (1976)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Aliansa/Aruban Social Movement or MSA [Robert WEVER]; Aruban Liberal Organization or OLA [Glenbert CROES]; Aruban Patriotic Movement or MPA [Monica ARENDS-KOCK]; Aruban Patriotic Party or PPA [Benny NISBET]; Aruban People's Party or AVP [Mike EMAN]; People's Electoral Movement Party or MEP [Nelson O. ODUBER]; Real Democracy or PDR [Andin BIKKER]; RED [Rudy LAMPE]; Workers Political Platform or PTT [Gregorio WOLFF]

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

other: environmental groups

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

Discovered and claimed for Spain in 1499, Aruba was acquired by the Dutch in 1636. The island's economy has been dominated by three main industries. A 19th century gold rush was followed by prosperity brought on by the opening in 1924 of an oil refinery. The last decades of the 20th century saw a boom in the tourism industry. Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986 and became a separate, autonomous member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Movement toward full independence was halted at Aruba's request in 1990.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 24,779 females age 16-49: 26,090 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 20,398 females age 16-49: 21,371 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 738 female: 715 (2010 est.)

Military - note [time series]

defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

no regular military forces (2010)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 19.1% (male 9,921/female 9,758) 15-64 years: 70.3% (male 34,676/female 37,752) 65 years and over: 10.6% (male 4,351/female 6,607) (2010 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

12.77 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 157

Death rate [time series]

7.76 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 113

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

4.9% of GDP (2007) country comparison to the world: 74

Ethnic groups [time series]

mixed white/Caribbean Amerindian 80%, other 20%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 13.34 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 131 male: 17.65 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.94 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

Languages [time series]

Papiamento (a Spanish-Portuguese-Dutch-English dialect) 66.3%, Spanish 12.6%, English (widely spoken) 7.7%, Dutch (official) 5.8%, other 2.2%, unspecified or unknown 5.3% (2000 census)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 75.51 years country comparison to the world: 82 male: 72.47 years female: 78.61 years (2010 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: NA total population: 97.3% male: 97.5% female: 97.1% (2000 census)

Median age [time series]

total: 38 years male: 36.2 years female: 39.7 years (2010 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Aruban(s) adjective: Aruban; Dutch

Net migration rate [time series]

9.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 9

Population [time series]

104,589 country comparison to the world: 192 note: estimate based on a revision of the base population, fertility, and mortality numbers, as well as a revision of 1985-99 migration estimates from outmigration to inmigration, which is assumed to continue into the future; the new results are consistent with the 2000 census (July 2010 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

1.457% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 86

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic 80.8%, Evangelist 4.1%, Protestant 2.5%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.5%, Methodist 1.2%, Jewish 0.2%, other 5.1%, none or unspecified 4.6%

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2008)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.021 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female total population: 0.9 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.85 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 151

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 47% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

none

Illicit drugs [time series]

transit point for US- and Europe-bound narcotics with some accompanying money-laundering activity; relatively high percentage of population consumes cocaine

Transportation

Airports [time series]

1 (2010) country comparison to the world: 210

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2010)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Barcadera, Oranjestad, Sint Nicolaas