Country Profile: Aruba

Aruba is a small, picturesque island located in the Caribbean Sea, just north of Venezuela, known for its stunning white sand beaches and tropical marine climate. With a population of approximately 125,063, Aruba boasts a diverse society influenced primarily by Dutch, Colombian, and Venezuelan heritage. The economy is heavily reliant on tourism, alongside some contributions from oil refining and mining, and the island enjoys a semi-autonomous status within the Kingdom of the Netherlands since 1986. Governance is structured as a parliamentary democracy, with local autonomy in internal affairs while defense and foreign relations remain under Dutch control.

Geography

Aruba is a flat island with a total area of 180 sq km, slightly larger than Washington, D.C. The island's highest point is Ceru Jamanota, reaching 188 meters, while it is surrounded by a coastline of 68.5 km. The terrain boasts a tropical marine climate with constant trade winds, leading to minimal seasonal temperature variation. Despite being outside the Caribbean hurricane belt, Aruba does experience occasional hurricanes, and it is characterized by limited vegetation.

12°30'N, 69°58'W - Geographic coordinates
0 km - Land boundaries
11.1% - Agricultural land as of 2023
2.7% - Forested area, as of 2023
99.9% - Population electrification rate as of 2022

People and Society

The population of Aruba stands at 125,063 as of 2024, with a median age of 41.2 years. The island's inhabitants are primarily Dutch (78.7%), followed by Colombians (6.6%) and Venezuelans (5.5%). The official language is Papiamento, a creole that incorporates elements from various languages, while Spanish and English are also widely spoken. The predominant religion is Roman Catholicism, with 75.3% of the population adhering to this faith.

44.3% - Urban population in 2023
1.05% - Population growth rate (2025 est.)
78.5 years - Life expectancy at birth (2024 est.)
11.44 - Birth rate (per 1,000 population, 2025 est.)
98.8% - Access to improved sanitation facilities (2022 est.)

Economy

Aruba's economy is characterized as small and tourism-dependent, contributing significantly to public revenue. As of 2023, the Real GDP (purchasing power parity) is estimated at $4.35 billion, with a growth rate of 4.3%. The service sector, particularly tourism, dominates the economy, accounting for 78.3% of GDP, while industry and agriculture play lesser roles. The island is now considering reopening its oil refinery to bolster economic recovery post-COVID-19.

$40,500 - GDP per capita (2023 est.)
$3.153 billion - Exports (2023 est.)
$2.565 billion - Imports (2023 est.)
1.1% - Remittances as a percentage of GDP (2023 est.)
84.7% - Public debt as a percentage of GDP (2016 est.)

Government

Aruba operates as a parliamentary democracy within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, obtaining full internal autonomy in 1986. The government consists of an elected prime minister and a unicameral legislature (Staten) with 21 members. The Dutch monarch is the head of state, represented by a governor-general. The legal framework is based on Dutch civil law, and citizens enjoy universal suffrage starting at age 18.

Oranjestad - Capital city
King WILLEM-ALEXANDER - Head of state since 2013
Prime Minister Mike EMAN - Head of government since March 2025
18 March - National holiday, celebrating the national anthem and flag
38.1% - Percentage of women in the legislature

Military and Security

Aruba does not have a regular military; however, it maintains a local militia (ARUMIL) and a police department for law enforcement. The Kingdom of the Netherlands is responsible for defense and foreign affairs, with the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard ensuring maritime security. The security services are focused on combating organized crime and terrorism.

No military forces - Aruba relies on the Kingdom for defense
Police Department - Local law enforcement agency
Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard - Provides maritime security

Energy

As of 2022, Aruba has an electrification rate of 99.9%, with total electricity consumption at 824.036 million kWh in 2023. The energy generation primarily relies on fossil fuels, which account for 83.6% of installed capacity. Efforts are being made to diversify energy sources, including the development of solar and wind energy.

305,000 kW - Installed generating capacity (2023 est.)
8,000 bbl/day - Refined petroleum consumption (2023 est.)
153.952 million Btu/person - Energy consumption per capita (2023 est.)

Environment

Aruba faces environmental challenges, particularly regarding waste disposal and pollution stemming from tourism activities. The island produces around 88,100 tons of municipal solid waste annually. Its ecosystems are affected by factors such as air pollution from waste burning and water pollution due to plastics. Despite these issues, Aruba is committed to environmental sustainability while promoting its natural beauty.

1.163 million metric tonnes - CO2 emissions (2023 est.)
2.7% - Forest cover as of 2023
11.1% - Land designated for agriculture (2023 est.)

Transportation

Aruba's transportation infrastructure includes 1 airport and a small merchant marine fleet. The island has two ports, one of which is equipped with oil terminals. Civil aircraft are registered under the prefix P4. Most transportation options cater to tourists, contributing to the local economy.

2 ports - Total number of ports (2024)
1 - Merchant marine vessel (2023)
100% - Electrification in urban areas

Communications

Aruba has a well-developed communication network, with a high mobile cellular subscription rate of 131 per 100 inhabitants as of 2022. The internet penetration rate is significant, with 97% of the population using the internet as of 2017. Local media includes newspapers in Papiamento and a variety of radio stations, alongside access to foreign television.

35,000 - Fixed-line telephone subscriptions (2021 est.)
19,000 - Fixed broadband subscriptions (2022 est.)
2 commercial TV stations - Available on the island

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	125,063	Estimate for 2024
Area	180 sq km	Total area
GDP (PPP)	$4.35 billion	Estimate for 2023
Energy Consumption	824.036 million kWh	Total consumption for 2023
Birth Rate	11.44 births/1,000	Estimated for 2025
Unemployment	Not specified	Data not available
Life Expectancy	78.5 years	Estimate for 2024
Urban Population	44.3%	Total urban population (2023)
CO2 Emissions	1.163 million metric tonnes	Total emissions for 2023
Public Debt	84.7% of GDP	As of 2016