2013 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

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

11.11% 0% 88.89% (2005)

arable land

11.11%

other

88.89% (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

17.9% (male 9,786/female 9,735) 13.6% (male 7,427/female 7,405) 43.4% (male 22,938/female 24,467) 13.2% (male 6,492/female 7,891) 11.9% (male 5,113/female 7,899) (2013 est.)

0-14 years

17.9% (male 9,786/female 9,735)

15-24 years

13.6% (male 7,427/female 7,405)

25-54 years

43.4% (male 22,938/female 24,467)

55-64 years

13.2% (male 6,492/female 7,891)

65 years and over

11.9% (male 5,113/female 7,899) (2013 est.)

Birth rate

12.72 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Death rate

8 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Dependency ratios

44.3 % 28 % 16.4 % 6.1 (2013)

elderly dependency ratio

16.4 %

potential support ratio

6.1 (2013)

total dependency ratio

44.3 %

youth dependency ratio

28 %

Drinking water source

urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population (2010 est.)

rural

100% of population

total

100% of population (2010 est.)

urban

100% of population

Education expenditures

6.7% of GDP (2010)

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

12.12 deaths/1,000 live births 15.97 deaths/1,000 live births 8.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

female

8.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

total

12.12 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

76.14 years 73.09 years 79.25 years (2013 est.)

female

79.25 years (2013 est.)

total population

76.14 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 96.8% 96.9% 96.7% (2010 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

96.7% (2010 est.)

male

96.9%

total population

96.8%

Major urban areas - population

ORANJESTAD (capital) 37,000 (2011)

Median age

38.6 years 36.8 years 40.4 years (2013 est.)

female

40.4 years (2013 est.)

male

36.8 years

total

38.6 years

Nationality

Aruban(s) Aruban; Dutch

adjective

Aruban; Dutch

noun

Aruban(s)

Net migration rate

9.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Population

109,153 (July 2013 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

1.39% (2013 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 (2011)

female

13 years (2011)

male

13 years

total

13 years

Sex ratio

1.02 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female 0.81 male(s)/female 0.65 male(s)/female 0.9 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

0-14 years

1.01 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.94 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.81 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 (2013 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.84 children born/woman (2013 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

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 (2013)

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, currently Consul General Valerie BELON, 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

King WILLEM-ALEXANDER of the Netherlands (since 30 April 2013); 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 on 25 September 2009 (next to be held by September 2013) Michiel "Mike" Godfried EMAN elected prime minister; percent of legislative vote - NA

cabinet

Council of Ministers elected by the Staten

chief of state

King WILLEM-ALEXANDER of the Netherlands (since 30 April 2013); represented by Governor General Fredis REFUNJOL (since 11 May 2004)

election results

Michiel "Mike" Godfried 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 on 25 September 2009 (next to be held by September 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

Joint Court of Justice of Aruba, Curacao, Sint Maarten, and of Bonaire, Sint Eustatitus and Saba or "Joint Court of Justice" (consists of the presiding judge, NA members, and NA substitutes); final appeals heard by the Supreme Court, in The Hague, Netherlands note - prior to 2010, the Joint Court of Justice was the Common Court of Justice of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba Joint Court judges appointed by the monarch for life Courts in First Instance

highest court(s)

Joint Court of Justice of Aruba, Curacao, Sint Maarten, and of Bonaire, Sint Eustatitus and Saba or "Joint Court of Justice" (consists of the presiding judge, NA members, and NA substitutes); 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

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 27 September 2013 (next to be held in 2017) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - AVP 13, MEP 8

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - AVP 13, MEP 8

elections

last held on 27 September 2013 (next to be held in 2017)

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 [Michiel "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

$568.3 million $815.3 million (2012 est.)

expenditures

$815.3 million (2012 est.)

revenues

$568.3 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-9.8% of GDP (2012 est.)

Central bank discount rate

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

Commercial bank prime lending rate

8.4% (31 December 2012 est.) 9% (31 December 2011 est.)

Debt - external

$533.4 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. Aruba is heavily dependent on imports and is making efforts to expand exports to achieve a more desirable trade balance. The government has also made cutting the budget and international development high priorities.

Exchange rates

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

Exports

$1.389 billion (2012 est.) $5.18 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Colombia 39.4%, Venezuela 29.3%, US 13%, Netherlands Antilles 4.1% (2012)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

0.4% 33.3% 66.3% (2002 est.)

agriculture

0.4%

industry

33.3%

services

66.3% (2002 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$25,300 (2011 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

2.4% (2005 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$2.516 billion (2009 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$2.516 billion (2009 est.) $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

$2.039 billion (2012 est.) $5.917 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

US 46.4%, Netherlands 11.5%, UK 5.4% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Industries

tourism, transshipment facilities, banking

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

0.6% (2012 est.) 4.4% (2011 est.)

Labor force

51,610 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.)

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

$1.594 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $1.448 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$1.022 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $868.5 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

22.6% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

6.9% (2005 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

1.237 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

228,800 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

2,811 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2013 es)

Electricity - consumption

911.4 million kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

88.7% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

11.3% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

266,000 kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

980 million kWh (2010 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

1 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

1 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - imports

1 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - production

1 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2013 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

5,661 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

234,200 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

6,725 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

234,200 bbl/day (2010 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

43,000 (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

135,000 (2012)

Airports

1 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2013)

2,438 to 3,047 m

1 (2013)

total

1

Ports and terminals

Barcadera, Oranjestad Sint Nicolaas Oranjestad

cruise port(s)

Oranjestad

major seaport(s)

Barcadera, Oranjestad

oil terminal(s)

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