ARCHIVE // AW // 2013

Aruba

2013 Edition — territory

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Communications
Broadcast media [time series]
2 commercial TV 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]
40,560 (2012) country comparison to the world: 101
Internet users [time series]
24,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 188
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]
43,000 (2012) country comparison to the world: 169
Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]
135,000 (2012) country comparison to the world: 188
Economy
Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]
aloes; livestock; fish
Budget [time series]
revenues: $568.3 million expenditures: $815.3 million (2012 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]
-9.8% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 198
Central bank discount rate [time series]
1% (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 102 3% (31 December 2009 est.)
Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]
8.4% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 99 9% (31 December 2011 est.)
Debt - external [time series]
$533.4 million (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 174
Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]
Tourism and offshore banking are the mainstays of the small open Aruban economy. 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. Aruba is heavily dependent on imports and is making efforts to expand exports to achieve a more desirable trade balance. The government has also made cutting the budget and international development high priorities.
Exchange rates [time series]
Aruban guilders/florins per US dollar - 1.79 (2012 est.) 1.79 (2011 est.)
Exports [time series]
$1.389 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 148 $5.18 billion (2011 est.)
Exports - commodities [time series]
live animals and animal products, art and collectibles, machinery and electrical equipment, transport equipment
Exports - partners [time series]
Colombia 39.4%, Venezuela 29.3%, US 13%, Netherlands Antilles 4.1% (2012)
Fiscal year [time series]
calendar year
GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]
$2.516 billion (2009 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]
$2.516 billion (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 186 $2.258 billion (2005 est.) $2.205 billion (2004 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin [time series]
agriculture: 0.4% industry: 33.3% services: 66.3% (2002 est.)
Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]
$25,300 (2011 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: 126
Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]
lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Imports [time series]
$2.039 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 163 $5.917 billion (2011 est.)
Imports - commodities [time series]
machinery and electrical equipment, crude oil for refining and reexport, chemicals; foodstuffs
Imports - partners [time series]
US 46.4%, Netherlands 11.5%, UK 5.4% (2012)
Industrial production growth rate [time series]
NA%
Industries [time series]
tourism, transshipment facilities, banking
Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]
0.6% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 4.4% (2011 est.)
Labor force [time series]
51,610 country comparison to the world: 190 note: of the 51,610 workers aged 15 and over in the labor force, 32,252 were born in Aruba and 19,353 came from abroad; foreign workers are 38% of the employed population (2007 est.)
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
Population below poverty line [time series]
NA%
Public debt [time series]
46.3% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 72
Stock of broad money [time series]
$1.765 billion (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 153 $1.762 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
Stock of domestic credit [time series]
$1.594 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 137 $1.448 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of narrow money [time series]
$1.022 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 149 $868.5 million (31 December 2011 est.)
Taxes and other revenues [time series]
22.6% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 148
Unemployment rate [time series]
6.9% (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 73
Energy
Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]
1.237 million Mt (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 161
Crude oil - exports [time series]
0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 75
Crude oil - imports [time series]
228,800 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 30
Crude oil - production [time series]
2,811 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 104
Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]
0 bbl (1 January 2013 es) country comparison to the world: 100
Electricity - consumption [time series]
911.4 million kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 152
Electricity - exports [time series]
0 kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 152
Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]
88.7% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 79
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 150
Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 31
Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]
11.3% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 23
Electricity - imports [time series]
0 kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 152
Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]
266,000 kW (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 151
Electricity - production [time series]
980 million kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 148
Natural gas - consumption [time series]
1 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 114
Natural gas - exports [time series]
1 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 53
Natural gas - imports [time series]
1 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 78
Natural gas - production [time series]
1 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 96
Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]
0 cu m (1 January 2013 es) country comparison to the world: 107
Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]
5,661 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 163
Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]
234,200 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 27
Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]
6,725 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 137
Refined petroleum products - production [time series]
234,200 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 52
Geography
Area [time series]
total: 180 sq km country comparison to the world: 218 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]
NA
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]
NA
Land boundaries [time series]
0 km
Land use [time series]
arable land: 11.11% permanent crops: 0% other: 88.89% (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]
previous 1947, 1955; latest drafted and approved August 1985, enacted 1 January 1986 (regulates governance of Aruba, but is subordinate to the Charter for the Kingdom of the Netherlands); note - in October 2010, following dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles, Aruba became a constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands (2013)
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, currently Consul General Valerie BELON, 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: King WILLEM-ALEXANDER of the Netherlands (since 30 April 2013); represented by Governor General Fredis REFUNJOL (since 11 May 2004) head of government: Prime Minister Michiel "Mike" Godfried 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 on 25 September 2009 (next to be held by September 2013) election results: Michiel "Mike" Godfried 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 (NGOs), UNESCO (associate), UNWTO (associate), UPU
Judicial branch [time series]
highest court(s): Joint Court of Justice of Aruba, Curacao, Sint Maarten, and of Bonaire, Sint Eustatitus and Saba or "Joint Court of Justice" (consists of the presiding judge, NA members, and NA substitutes); final appeals heard by the Supreme Court, in The Hague, Netherlands note - prior to 2010, the Joint Court of Justice was the Common Court of Justice of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba judge selection and term of office: Joint Court judges appointed by the monarch for life subordinate courts: Courts in First Instance
Legal system [time series]
civil law system based on the Dutch civil code
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 27 September 2013 (next to be held in 2017) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - AVP 13, MEP 8
National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]
name: "Aruba Deshi Tera" (Aruba Precious Country)
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 [Michiel "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: 24,891 females age 16-49: 26,202 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service [time series]
males age 16-49: 20,527 females age 16-49: 21,493 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]
male: 767 female: 743 (2010 est.)
Military - note [time series]
defense is the responsibility of the Netherlands; the Aruba security services focus on organized crime and terrorism (2011)
Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]
no regular military forces (2011)
People and Society
Age structure [time series]
0-14 years: 17.9% (male 9,786/female 9,735) 15-24 years: 13.6% (male 7,427/female 7,405) 25-54 years: 43.4% (male 22,938/female 24,467) 55-64 years: 13.2% (male 6,492/female 7,891) 65 years and over: 11.9% (male 5,113/female 7,899) (2013 est.)
Birth rate [time series]
12.72 births/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 156
Death rate [time series]
8 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 99
Dependency ratios [time series]
total dependency ratio: 44.3 % youth dependency ratio: 28 % elderly dependency ratio: 16.4 % potential support ratio: 6.1 (2013)
Drinking water source [time series]
improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population (2010 est.)
Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]
6.7% of GDP (2010) country comparison to the world: 26
Ethnic groups [time series]
mixed white/Caribbean Amerindian 80%, other 20%
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]
NA
Infant mortality rate [time series]
total: 12.12 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 129 male: 15.97 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 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: 76.14 years country comparison to the world: 85 male: 73.09 years female: 79.25 years (2013 est.)
Literacy [time series]
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 96.8% male: 96.9% female: 96.7% (2010 est.)
Major urban areas - population [time series]
ORANJESTAD (capital) 37,000 (2011)
Median age [time series]
total: 38.6 years male: 36.8 years female: 40.4 years (2013 est.)
Nationality [time series]
noun: Aruban(s) adjective: Aruban; Dutch
Net migration rate [time series]
9.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 13
Population [time series]
109,153 (July 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 191 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
Population growth rate [time series]
1.39% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 88
Religions [time series]
Roman Catholic 80.8%, Protestant 7.8% (Evangelist 4.1%, Methodist 1.2%, other Protestant 2.5%), Jehovah's Witnesses 1.5%, 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: 13 years (2011)
Sex ratio [time series]
at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.81 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.65 male(s)/female total population: 0.9 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate [time series]
1.84 children born/woman (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 149
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) (Unemployment, youth ages 15-24) [time series]
total: 23.2% country comparison to the world: 42 male: 24.1% female: 22.9% (2007)
Urbanization [time series]
urban population: 47% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 0.6% annual rate of change (2010-15 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 (2013) country comparison to the world: 210
Airports - with paved runways [time series]
total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2013)
Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]
major seaport(s): Barcadera, Oranjestad oil terminal(s): Sint Nicolaas cruise port(s): Oranjestad