Country Profile: Aruba

Aruba is a small island nation located in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela. With a semi-autonomous status within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Aruba's economy is heavily reliant on tourism, supplemented by oil refining and historically, gold mining. The island features a population of approximately 125,063 people, predominantly of Dutch descent, and is governed by a parliamentary democracy. The geography consists of flat terrain, sandy beaches, and a tropical marine climate, making it a significant tourist destination.

Geography

Aruba is a flat island in the Caribbean, characterized by its white sandy beaches and few hills. It covers an area of 180 square kilometers and has a coastline of 68.5 kilometers. The island experiences a tropical marine climate with little seasonal temperature variation, which is moderated by constant trade winds. Most residents are concentrated in urban areas such as Oranjestad and San Nicolaas, located primarily on the less mountainous western side.

180 sq km - Total area
68.5 km - Coastline length
Ceru Jamanota - Highest point at 188 m
0 m - Lowest point (Caribbean Sea)

People and Society

The population of Aruba is estimated at 125,063 in 2024, with a gender distribution of approximately 47% male and 53% female. The predominant ethnic group is Dutch (78.7%), alongside others, including Colombian and Venezuelan communities. The official languages are Papiamento and Dutch, with English and Spanish widely spoken. The society is predominantly Roman Catholic, and the median age of the population is 41.2 years.

44.3% - Urban population as of 2023
11.44 births/1,000 population - Birth rate (2025 est.)
78.5 years - Life expectancy at birth (2024 est.)
99.9% - Electricity access (2022 est.)

Economy

Aruba's economy is small and highly dependent on tourism, which was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic but is recovering. The real GDP is projected at $4.35 billion for 2023, with a growth rate of 4.3%. The island is exploring the reopening of its oil refinery, previously a significant contributor to its economy. The services sector dominates, making up 78.3% of GDP, while the tourism industry remains a key driver.

$40,500 - GDP per capita (2023 est.)
1.1% - Remittances as a share of GDP (2023 est.)
$3.153 billion - Total exports (2023 est.)
$2.565 billion - Total imports (2023 est.)

Government

Aruba operates as a parliamentary democracy within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, obtaining significant autonomy in 1986. Its capital is Oranjestad, and the government is led by a Prime Minister and a unicameral legislature known as the Staten. Aruba has a legal system based on Dutch civil law, and its citizenship is linked to the Netherlands.

21 - Seats in the legislature (Staten)
18 March - National holiday (National Anthem and Flag Day)
Mike EMAN - Prime Minister since March 2025
Universal suffrage at 18 years of age

Military and Security

Aruba has no regular military forces. Instead, the island maintains an Aruban Militia (ARUMIL) for local security, with support from the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee, the Dutch Caribbean Police Force, and the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard. Defense responsibilities lie with the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which also influences foreign policy.

100% - Police coverage in urban areas
ARUMIL - Local militia for security
Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard - Provides maritime security

Energy

Energy access in Aruba is virtually universal, with nearly 99.9% of the population having electricity. The total installed electricity generation capacity is 305,000 kW, predominantly from fossil fuels. The island is transitioning towards renewable energy sources, including solar and wind.

83.6% - Fossil fuels in energy generation (2023)
824.036 million kWh - Total electricity consumption (2023)
8,000 bbl/day - Refined petroleum consumption (2023)

Environment

Aruba faces environmental challenges, particularly in waste management and pollution from tourism. Its tropical climate contributes to the difficulty in disposing of waste, leading to issues with water and air quality. The island's land use is predominantly dedicated to tourism and urban development.

88,100 tons - Municipal solid waste generated annually (2024 est.)
2.7% - Forest cover of total land area (2023 est.)
1.163 million metric tonnes - CO2 emissions (2023 est.)

Transportation

Aruba has a well-developed transportation infrastructure with one airport and two ports catering mainly to tourism and local use. The civil aircraft registration prefix is P4, indicating its aviation capabilities. The island's maritime activities include one merchant marine vessel.

1 - Airport active as of 2025
2 - Total ports (2024)
1 - Merchant marine vessel (2023)

Communications

Communication in Aruba is robust, with a high percentage of the population having access to mobile and internet services. The fixed-line subscriptions and mobile cellular subscriptions illustrate the connectivity available to residents. The island benefits from press freedom and a variety of media outlets.

97% - Internet user penetration (2017 est.)
140,815 - Total mobile cellular subscriptions (2022)
32 - Fixed-line subscriptions per 100 inhabitants (2022)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	125,063	2024 estimate
Area	180 sq km
GDP	$4.35 billion	2023 estimate
GDP per capita	$40,500	2023 estimate
Birth rate	11.44 births/1,000 population	2025 estimate
Life expectancy	78.5 years	2024 estimate
Unemployment	Not directly available