Country Profile: Aruba

Aruba is a small island located in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela, known for its picturesque beaches and tropical marine climate. With a population of approximately 125,000, the island relies heavily on tourism, oil refining, and gold mining, which have shaped its economic landscape since the 17th century. A parliamentary democracy and a member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Aruba boasts a semi-autonomous governance structure that has evolved since its separation from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986.

Geography

Aruba is situated in the Caribbean, characterized by its flat terrain, white sandy beaches, and a tropical marine climate with minimal seasonal temperature variation. The island's highest elevation is Ceru Jamanota at 188 meters. Although it has no rivers, Aruba is known for its significant coastline of 68.5 kilometers.

180 sq km: Total area, making it slightly larger than Washington, D.C.
12 nm: Territorial sea boundary.
200 nm: Exclusive economic zone.
68.5 km: Length of the coastline.
Rarely threatened: Aruba lies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt.

People and Society

As of 2024, Aruba has an estimated population of 125,063, predominantly of Dutch descent with a diverse mix of other nationalities. The official languages are Papiamento and Dutch, while Roman Catholicism is the most prevalent religion. The island features a balanced age distribution, with a median age of 41.2 years.

44.3%: Proportion of the urban population (2023).
11.44 births/1,000: Birth rate (2025).
78.5 years: Life expectancy at birth (2024).
1.05%: Population growth rate (2025).
98.8%: Access to improved sanitation facilities (2022).

Economy

The Aruban economy is predominantly driven by tourism, which has partially rebounded post-COVID-19. With a Real GDP of approximately $4.35 billion in 2023, the island is also considering reopening its oil refinery to diversify its economic activities. The public debt is notably high, reflecting a reliance on external economic factors.

4.3%: Real GDP growth rate (2023).
$40,500: Real GDP per capita (2023).
78.3%: Contribution of services to GDP (2019).
$3.649 billion: GDP at official exchange rate (2023).
1.1%: Remittances as a percentage of GDP (2023).

Government

Aruba operates as a parliamentary democracy with autonomy in internal affairs as part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The governance structure includes a legislature known as Staten and a cabinet led by a Prime Minister. The latest constitutional framework was enacted on January 1, 1986.

21: Seats in the unicameral legislature.
18 years: Minimum voting age.
Prime Minister: Mike Eman (since March 28, 2025).
Governor General: Alfonso Boekhoudt (since January 1, 2017).
National holiday: Celebrated on March 18, marking National Anthem and Flag Day.

Military and Security

Aruba does not maintain regular military forces; however, it has local security forces, including the Aruban Militia. The Kingdom of the Netherlands is responsible for defense, and the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard ensures maritime security. Local law enforcement is supported by the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee.

No regular military forces: Security focuses on local law enforcement and organized crime.
Defense responsibility: Managed by the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Presence of Dutch military: Includes a marine company and naval base on the island.

Energy

Electricity access in Aruba is almost universal, with 99.9% of the population connected. The island's energy generation relies primarily on fossil fuels, though there is a growing interest in renewable sources.

305,000 kW: Installed generating capacity (2023).
99.9%: Electrification rate (2022).
83.6%: Percentage of electricity generation from fossil fuels (2023).
824.036 million kWh: Total electricity consumption (2023).
153.952 million Btu/person: Total energy consumption per capita (2023).

Environment

Aruba faces environmental challenges primarily related to waste disposal and water pollution. The island's tropical climate is prone to natural hazards, although it lies outside the most active hurricane zones.

88,100 tons: Annual municipal solid waste generated (2024 est.).
1.163 million metric tonnes: Carbon dioxide emissions (2023 est.).
11.1%: Land used for agriculture (2023 est.).

Transportation

Aruba has a limited transportation infrastructure with one airport and a few small ports. The island relies heavily on maritime and air travel for connectivity and trade.

1: Major airport (2025).
2: Total ports (2024).
1: Civil aircraft registration code prefix (P4).
1: Merchant marine vessel (2023).

Communications

Telecommunications in Aruba are well developed, with a high rate of mobile and internet subscriptions. The island has a vibrant media scene, including television and radio broadcasting.

97%: Internet penetration rate (2017).
140,815: Total mobile cellular subscriptions (2022).
35,000: Fixed-line subscriptions (2021).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	125,063	Estimated for 2024
Area	180 sq km	Total land area
GDP	$4.35 billion	Estimated for 2023
Energy Consumption	824.036 million kWh	Total electricity consumption (2023)
Birth Rate	11.44 births/1,000	Estimated for 2025
Life Expectancy	78.5 years	Estimated for 2024
Unemployment Rate	Not provided	N/A
Electrification Rate	99.9%	Total population (2022)
Carbon Dioxide Emissions	1.163 million metric tonnes	Estimated for 2023
Annual Municipal Waste Generated	88,100 tons	Estimated for 2024