2012 Edition

Background

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.

Area

180 sq km 180 sq km 0 sq km

total

180 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than Washington, DC

Climate

tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation

Coastline

68.5 km

Elevation extremes

Caribbean Sea 0 m Ceru Jamanota 188 m

highest point

Ceru Jamanota 188 m

lowest point

Caribbean Sea 0 m

Environment - current issues

NA

Geographic coordinates

12 30 N, 69 58 W

Geography - note

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

NA (1998 est.)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

10.53% 0% 89.47% (2005)

arable land

10.53%

other

89.47% (2005)

permanent crops

0%

Location

Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims

12 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

hurricanes; lies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt and is rarely threatened

Natural resources

NEGL; white sandy beaches

Terrain

flat with a few hills; scant vegetation

Age structure

18.1% (male 9,793/ female 9,713) 70.3% (male 36,364/ female 39,318) 11.6% (male 4,899/ female 7,548) (2012 est.)

0-14 years

18.1% (male 9,793/ female 9,713)

15-64 years

70.3% (male 36,364/ female 39,318)

65 years and over

11.6% (male 4,899/ female 7,548) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

12.76 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Death rate

7.92 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)

Education expenditures

5% of GDP (2008)

Ethnic groups

mixed white/Caribbean Amerindian 80%, other 20%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Infant mortality rate

12.51 deaths/1,000 live births 16.51 deaths/1,000 live births 8.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

female

8.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

total

12.51 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

75.93 years 72.89 years 79.04 years (2012 est.)

female

79.04 years (2012 est.)

total population

75.93 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 97.3% 97.5% 97.1% (2000 census)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

97.1% (2000 census)

male

97.5%

total population

97.3%

Major cities - population

ORANJESTAD (capital) 33,000 (2009)

Median age

38.4 years 36.6 years 40.2 years (2012 est.)

female

40.2 years (2012 est.)

male

36.6 years

total

38.4 years

Nationality

Aruban(s) Aruban; Dutch

adjective

Aruban; Dutch

noun

Aruban(s)

Net migration rate

9.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Population

107,635 (July 2012 est.) 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

1.413% (2012 est.)

Religions

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)

13 years 13 years 13 years (2009)

female

13 years (2009)

male

13 years

total

13 years

Sex ratio

1.02 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.92 male(s)/female 0.65 male(s)/female 0.9 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

0.92 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.65 male(s)/female

at birth

1.02 male(s)/female

total population

0.9 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.01 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

1.84 children born/woman (2012 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

23.2% 24.1% 22.9% (2007)

female

22.9% (2007)

total

23.2%

Urbanization

47% of total population (2010) 0.6% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

0.6% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

47% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)

Capital

Oranjestad 12 31 N, 70 02 W UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

12 31 N, 70 02 W

name

Oranjestad

time difference

UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

1 January 1986

Country name

none Aruba

conventional long form

none

conventional short form

Aruba

Dependency status

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

the US does not have an embassy in Aruba; the Consul General to Curacao is accredited to Aruba

Diplomatic representation in the US

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

Queen BEATRIX of the Netherlands (since 30 April 1980); represented by Governor General Fredis REFUNJOL (since 11 May 2004) Prime Minister Michiel "Mike" Godfried EMAN (since 30 October 2009) Council of Ministers elected by the Staten 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 in 2009 (next to be held by 2013) Mike EMAN elected prime minister; percent of legislative vote - NA

cabinet

Council of Ministers elected by the Staten

chief of state

Queen BEATRIX of the Netherlands (since 30 April 1980); represented by Governor General Fredis REFUNJOL (since 11 May 2004)

election results

Mike EMAN elected prime minister; percent of legislative vote - NA

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 in 2009 (next to be held by 2013)

head of government

Prime Minister Michiel "Mike" Godfried EMAN (since 30 October 2009)

Flag description

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

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 language

the flow of tourists to the sun-drenched beaches and the flow of minerals from the earth

Government type

parliamentary democracy

Independence

none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)

International organization participation

Caricom (observer), FATF, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ITUC (NGOs), UNESCO (associate), UNWTO (associate), UPU

Judicial branch

Common Court of Justice, Joint High Court of Justice (judges appointed by the monarch)

Legal system

civil law system based on the Dutch civil code

Legislative branch

unicameral Legislature or Staten (21 seats; members elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms) last held on 25 September 2009 (next to be held in 2013) percent of vote by party - AVP 48%, MEP 35.9%, PDR 5.7%, other 10.4%; seats by party - AVP 12, MEP 8, PDR 1

election results

percent of vote by party - AVP 48%, MEP 35.9%, PDR 5.7%, other 10.4%; seats by party - AVP 12, MEP 8, PDR 1

elections

last held on 25 September 2009 (next to be held in 2013)

National anthem

"Aruba Deshi Tera" (Aruba Precious Country) Juan Chabaya 'Padu' LAMPE/Rufo Inocencio WEVER local anthem adopted 1986; as part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, "Het Wilhelmus" is official (see Netherlands)

lyrics/music

Juan Chabaya 'Padu' LAMPE/Rufo Inocencio WEVER

name

"Aruba Deshi Tera" (Aruba Precious Country)

National holiday

Flag Day, 18 March (1976)

Political parties and leaders

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 [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 pressure groups and leaders

environmental groups

other

environmental groups

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

aloes; livestock; fish

Budget

$568.4 million $735 million (2012 est.)

expenditures

$735 million (2012 est.)

revenues

$568.4 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-7.4% of GDP (2012 est.)

Central bank discount rate

1% (31 December 2010 est.) 3% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

10.4% (31 December 2012 est.) 9% (31 December 2011 est.)

Debt - external

$478.6 million (2005 est.)

Economy - overview

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. The government has made cutting the budget and trade deficits a high priority.

Exchange rates

Aruban guilders/florins (AWG) per US dollar - 1.79 (2012 est.) 1.79 (2011 est.) 1.79 (2010 est.)

Exports

$2.758 billion (2012 est.) $5.179 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

live animals and animal products, art and collectibles, machinery and electrical equipment, transport equipment

Exports - partners

Colombia 40.8%, Venezuela 20.5%, Netherlands Antilles 15.6%, US 8.9%, Netherlands 4.5% (2011)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition by sector

0.4% 33.3% 66.3% (2002 est.)

agriculture

0.4%

industry

33.3%

services

66.3% (2002 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$21,800 (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

2.4% (2005 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$2.258 billion (2005 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$2.258 billion (2005 est.) $2.205 billion (2004 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$3.476 billion (2012 est.) $5.892 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and electrical equipment, crude oil for refining and reexport, chemicals; foodstuffs

Imports - partners

US 50.6%, Netherlands 11.6%, UK 4.7% (2011)

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.3% (2012 est.) 4.4% (2011 est.)

Labor force

41,500 (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

NA% NA% NA% most employment is in wholesale and retail trade and repair, followed by hotels and restaurants

agriculture

NA%

industry

NA%

services

NA%

Population below poverty line

NA%

Public debt

46.3% of GDP (2005)

Stock of broad money

$1.765 billion (31 December 2011 est.) $1.762 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$1.448 billion (31 December 2011 est.) $1.42 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$868.5 million (31 December 2011 est.) $868.5 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

25.2% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

6.9% (2005 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

1.241 million Mt (2010 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - imports

227,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.)

Electricity - consumption

818.4 million kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

88.7% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

11.3% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

266,000 kW (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

880 million kWh (2009 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

1 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

1 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - imports

1 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - production

1 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

5,661 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

205,400 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

6,646 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

205,400 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Broadcast media

2 commercial TV stations; cable TV subscription service provides access to foreign channels; about 20 commercial radio stations broadcast (2007)

Internet country code

.aw

Internet hosts

40,560 (2012)

Internet users

24,000 (2009)

Telephone system

modern fully automatic telecommunications system increased competition through privatization; 3 mobile-cellular service providers are now licensed 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)

domestic

increased competition through privatization; 3 mobile-cellular service providers are now licensed

general assessment

modern fully automatic telecommunications system

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 - main lines in use

35,000 (2010)

Telephones - mobile cellular

131,800 (2010)

Airports

1 (2012)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2012)

2,438 to 3,047 m

1 (2012)

total

1

Ports and terminals

Barcadera, Oranjestad, Sint Nicolaas

Manpower available for military service

24,891 26,202 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

26,202 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

24,891

Manpower fit for military service

20,527 21,493 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

21,493 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

20,527

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

743 (2010 est.)

female

743 (2010 est.)

male

767

Military - note

Defense is the responsibility of the Netherlands. The Aruba security services focus on organized crime and terrorism (2011)

Military branches

no regular military forces (2011)

Disputes - international

none

Illicit drugs

transit point for US- and Europe-bound narcotics with some accompanying money-laundering activity; relatively high percentage of population consumes cocaine