ARCHIVE // AW // 2016

Aruba

2016 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 [time series]
total: 99,000 | percent of population: 88.7% (July 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 172
Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]
general assessment: modern fully automatic telecommunications system | domestic: increased competition through privatization has increased mobile-cellular teledensity to over 125 per 100 persons; 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 (2015)
Telephones - fixed lines [time series]
total subscriptions: 35,000 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 31 (July 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 169
Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]
total: 141,000 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 126 (July 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 185
Economy
Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]
aloes; livestock; fish
Budget [time series]
revenues: $676.3 million | expenditures: $784.5 million (2015 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]
-4.3% of GDP (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 146
Central bank discount rate [time series]
1% (31 December 2010) | 3% (31 December 2009) | country comparison to the world: 123
Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]
8.25% (31 December 2015 est.) | 8.23% (31 December 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 101
Debt - external [time series]
$693.2 million (31 December 2014 est.) | $666.4 million (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 172
Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]
Tourism, petroleum bunkering, hospitality, and financial and business services are the mainstays of the small open Aruban economy. | Tourist arrivals have rebounded strongly following a dip after the 2008 global financial crisis. Tourism now accounts for a majority of economic activity. Over 1 million tourists per year visit Aruba, with the large majority of those from the US. The rapid growth of the tourism sector has resulted in a substantial expansion of other activities. Construction continues to boom with hotel capacity five times the 1985 level. | Aruba is heavily dependent on imports and is making efforts to expand exports to achieve a more desirable trade balance. Almost all consumer and capital goods are imported, with the US, the Netherlands, and Panama being the major suppliers. | Aruba weathered two major shocks in recent years: fallout from the global financial crisis, which had its largest impact on tourism, and the closure of its oil refinery in 2009. However, tourism and related industries have continued to grow, and the Aruban government is working to attract more diverse industries. Aruba's banking sector withstood the recession well, and unemployment has significantly decreased.
Exchange rates [time series]
Aruban guilders/florins per US dollar - | 1.79 (2015 est.) | 1.79 (2014 est.) | 1.79 (2013 est.) | 1.79 (2012 est.) | 1.79 (2011 est.)
Exports [time series]
$333.2 million (2015 est.) | $258.2 million (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 181
Exports - commodities [time series]
live animals and animal products, art and collectibles, machinery and electrical equipment, transport equipment
Exports - partners [time series]
Colombia 28.2%, Netherlands Antilles 18.1%, US 14.3%, Netherlands 10.1%, Mexico 6.5%, Venezuela 6.3%, Panama 4.1% (2015)
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.) | $2.258 billion (2005 est.) | $2.205 billion (2004 est.) | country comparison to the world: 190
GDP - composition, by end use [time series]
household consumption: 63.3% | government consumption: 28.3% | investment in fixed capital: 22.9% | investment in inventories: 0% | exports of goods and services: 68.1% | imports of goods and services: -82.6% (2015 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: 75
Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]
2.4% (2005 est.) | country comparison to the world: 129
Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]
lowest 10%: NA% | highest 10%: NA%
Imports [time series]
$1.269 billion (2015 est.) | $1.35 billion (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 176
Imports - commodities [time series]
machinery and electrical equipment, refined oil for bunkering and reexport, chemicals; foodstuffs
Imports - partners [time series]
US 55.4%, Netherlands 11.2% (2015)
Industrial production growth rate [time series]
NA%
Industries [time series]
tourism, petroleum transshipment facilities, banking
Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]
0.5% (2015 est.) | 0.4% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 64
Labor force [time series]
51,610 | 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.) | country comparison to the world: 191
Labor force - by occupation [time series]
agriculture: NA% | industry: NA% | services: NA% | note: most employment is in wholesale and retail trade, followed by hotels and restaurants
Population below poverty line [time series]
NA%
Public debt [time series]
67% of GDP (2013) | 55% of GDP (2012) | country comparison to the world: 49
Stock of broad money [time series]
$1.942 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $1.838 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 158
Stock of domestic credit [time series]
$1.768 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | $1.754 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 144
Stock of narrow money [time series]
$1.151 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 147
Taxes and other revenues [time series]
26.9% of GDP (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 106
Unemployment rate [time series]
6.9% (2005 est.) | country comparison to the world: 84
Energy
Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]
900,000 Mt (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 169
Crude oil - exports [time series]
0 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 92
Crude oil - imports [time series]
0 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 32
Crude oil - production [time series]
0 bbl/day (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 102
Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]
0 bbl (1 January 2016 es) | country comparison to the world: 102
Electricity - consumption [time series]
800 million kWh (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 156
Electricity - exports [time series]
0 kWh (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 95
Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]
90.6% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 73
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 154
Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 34
Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]
9.4% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 39
Electricity - imports [time series]
0 kWh (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 112
Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]
300,000 kW (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 148
Electricity - production [time series]
900 million kWh (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 149
Electricity access [time series]
population without electricity: 11,364 | electrification - total population: 91% | electrification - urban areas: 100% | electrification - rural areas: 80% (2012)
Natural gas - consumption [time series]
1 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 114
Natural gas - exports [time series]
1 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 52
Natural gas - imports [time series]
1 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 75
Natural gas - production [time series]
1 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 96
Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]
0 cu m (1 January 2014 es) | country comparison to the world: 107
Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]
7,500 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 163
Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]
0 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 30
Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]
7,661 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 150
Refined petroleum products - production [time series]
0 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 48
Geography
Area [time series]
total: 180 sq km | land: 180 sq km | water: 0 sq km | country comparison to the world: 218
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 [time series]
mean elevation: NA | elevation extremes: 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]
agricultural land: 11.1% | arable land 11.1%; permanent crops 0%; permanent pasture 0% | forest: 2.3% | other: 86.6% (2011 est.)
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 foster tourism
Population distribution (Population - distribution) [time series]
most residents live in or around Oranjestad and San Nicolaas; most settlments tend to be located on the less mountainous western side of the island
Terrain [time series]
flat with a few hills; scant vegetation
Government
Administrative divisions [time series]
none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) | note: Aruba is one of four constituent parts (countries) of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; the other three parts are the Netherlands, Curacao, and Sint Maarten
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)
Citizenship [time series]
see the Netherlands
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 (2016)
Country name [time series]
conventional long form: none | conventional short form: Aruba | etymology: the origin of the island's name is unclear; according to tradition, the name comes from the Spanish phrase "oro huba" (there was gold), but in fact no gold was ever found on the island; another possibility is the native word "oruba," which means "well situated"
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 - there is a 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 Legislature (Staten) | elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch for a 6-year term; prime minister and deputy prime minister indirectly elected by the Staten for 4-year tern; election last held on 25 September 2009 (next to be held by September 2013) | election results: Michiel "Mike" Godfried EMAN (AVP) 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 (Legislature); part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
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" (sits as a 3-judge panel); final appeals heard by the Supreme Court, in The Hague, Netherlands | 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]
description: unicameral Legislature or Staten (21 seats; members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-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) | 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)
National symbol(s) [time series]
Hooiberg (Haystack) Hill; national colors: blue, yellow, red, white
Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]
Aruban People's Party or AVP [Michiel "Mike" EMAN] | People's Electoral Movement Party or MEP [Evelyn WEVER-CROES] | Real Democracy or PDR [Andin BIKKER]
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 and Security
Military - note [time series]
defense is the responsibility of the Netherlands; the Aruba security services focus on organized crime and terrorism
Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]
no regular military forces (2011)
People and Society
Age structure [time series]
0-14 years: 17.66% (male 10,068/female 9,999) | 15-24 years: 13.03% (male 7,441/female 7,366) | 25-54 years: 42.16% (male 23,068/female 24,847) | 55-64 years: 14.01% (male 7,398/female 8,525) | 65 years and over: 13.14% (male 5,853/female 9,083) (2016 est.)
Birth rate [time series]
12.5 births/1,000 population (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 157
Death rate [time series]
8.3 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 86
Dependency ratios [time series]
total dependency ratio: 44% | youth dependency ratio: 26.4% | elderly dependency ratio: 17.6% | potential support ratio: 5.7% (2015 est.)
Drinking water source [time series]
urban: 98.1% of population | rural: 98.1% of population | total: 98.1% of population | urban: 1.9% of population | rural: 1.9% of population | total: 1.9% of population (2015 est.)
Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]
6% of GDP (2011) | country comparison to the world: 41
Ethnic groups [time series]
Dutch 82.1%, Colombian 6.6%, Venezuelan 2.2%, Dominican 2.2%, Haitian 1.2%, other 5.5%, unspecified 0.1% (2010 est.)
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: 11 deaths/1,000 live births | male: 14.5 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 7.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 127
Languages [time series]
Papiamento (official) (a creole language that is a mixture of Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, English, and, to a lesser extent, French, as well as elements of African languages and the language of the Arawak) 69.4%, Spanish 13.7%, English (widely spoken) 7.1%, Dutch (official) 6.1%, Chinese 1.5%, other 1.7%, unspecified 0.4% (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth [time series]
total population: 76.8 years | male: 73.7 years | female: 79.9 years (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 80
Literacy [time series]
definition: age 15 and over can read and write | total population: 97.5% | male: 97.5% | female: 97.5% (2015 est.)
Major infectious diseases [time series]
note: active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus (2016)
Major urban areas - population [time series]
ORANJESTAD (capital) 29,000 (2014)
Median age [time series]
total: 39.1 years | male: 37.3 years | female: 40.9 years (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 56
Nationality [time series]
noun: Aruban(s) | adjective: Aruban; Dutch
Net migration rate [time series]
8.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 12
Population [time series]
113,648 (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 190
Population distribution [time series]
most residents live in or around Oranjestad and San Nicolaas; most settlments tend to be located on the less mountainous western side of the island
Population growth rate [time series]
1.3% (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 88
Religions [time series]
Roman Catholic 75.3%, Protestant 4.9% (includes Methodist 0.9%, Adventist 0.9%, Anglican 0.4%, other Protestant 2.7%), Jehovah's Witness 1.7%, other 12%, none 5.5%, unspecified 0.5% (2010 est.)
Sanitation facility access [time series]
urban: 97.7% of population | rural: 97.7% of population | total: 97.7% of population | urban: 2.3% of population | rural: 2.3% of population | total: 2.3% of population (2015 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]
total: 14 years | male: 13 years | female: 14 years (2012)
Sex ratio [time series]
at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female | 0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female | 15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female | 25-54 years: 0.93 male(s)/female | 55-64 years: 0.87 male(s)/female | 65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female | total population: 0.9 male(s)/female (2016 est.)
Total fertility rate [time series]
1.84 children born/woman (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 146
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) (Unemployment, youth ages 15-24) [time series]
total: 28.9% | male: 29.9% | female: 27.5% (2010 est.) | country comparison to the world: 43
Urbanization [time series]
urban population: 41.5% of total population (2015) | rate of urbanization: -0.28% 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)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix [time series]
P4 (2016)
National air transport system [time series]
number of registered air carriers: 3 | inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 19 | annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 2,120,578 | annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 0 mt-km (2015)
Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]
major seaport(s): Barcadera, Oranjestad | oil terminal(s): Sint Nicolaas | cruise port(s): Oranjestad