Aruba

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) country comparison to the world: 101

Internet users

24,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 188

Telephone system

general assessment: modern fully automatic telecommunications system domestic: increased competition through privatization; 3 mobile-cellular service providers are now licensed 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) country comparison to the world: 169

Telephones - mobile cellular

135,000 (2012) country comparison to the world: 188

Agriculture - products

aloes; livestock; fish

Budget

revenues: $625.1 million expenditures: $813.9 million (2013 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-7.5% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 189

Central bank discount rate

1% (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 3% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

10.5% (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 8.4% (31 December 2012 est.)

Debt - external

$533.4 million (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 173

Economy - overview

Tourism and offshore banking are the mainstays of the small open Aruban economy. Tourist arrivals have rebounded strongly following a dip after the 11 September 2001 attacks. Tourism now accounts for over 80 % of economic activity. Over 1.5 million tourists per year visit Aruba, with 75% of those from the US. The rapid growth of the tourism sector has resulted in a substantial expansion of other activities. Construction continues to boom with hotel capacity five times the 1985 level. Aruba is heavily dependent on imports and is making efforts to expand exports to achieve a more desirable trade balance. Aruba weathered two major shocks in recent years: fallout from the global financial crisis, which had its largest impact on tourism, and the closure of its oil refinery in 2009. Economic recovery is progressing gradually, but output is still 12% below its pre-crisis level. Aruba’s banking sector withstood the recession well, and unemployment has significantly decreased.

Exchange rates

Aruban guilders/florins per US dollar - 1.79 (2013 est.) 1.79 (2012 est.)

Exports

$2.222 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 142 $1.389 billion (2012 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 (official exchange rate)

$2.516 billion (2009 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$2.516 billion (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 186 $2.258 billion (2005 est.) $2.205 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 0.4% industry: 33.3% services: 66.3% (2002 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$25,300 (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 59

GDP - real growth rate

2.4% (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 133

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports

$3.162 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 $2.039 billion (2012 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)

-2% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 2 0.6% (2012 est.)

Labor force

51,610 country comparison to the world: 192 note: 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

agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% note: most employment is in wholesale and retail trade, followed by hotels and restaurants

Population below poverty line

NA%

Public debt

67% of GDP (2013) country comparison to the world: 42 55% of GDP (2012)

Stock of broad money

$1.91 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 153 $1.765 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$1.594 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 140 $1.448 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$1.022 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 150 $868.5 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

24.8% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 132

Unemployment rate

6.9% (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 72

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

1.237 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 75

Crude oil - imports

228,800 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 30

Crude oil - production

2,811 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 103

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 101

Electricity - consumption

911.4 million kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 153

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 92

Electricity - from fossil fuels

88.7% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 81

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 151

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 31

Electricity - from other renewable sources

11.3% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 25

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 110

Electricity - installed generating capacity

266,000 kW (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 153

Electricity - production

980 million kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 147

Natural gas - consumption

1 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 115

Natural gas - exports

1 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 53

Natural gas - imports

1 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 78

Natural gas - production

1 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 95

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 107

Refined petroleum products - consumption

5,661 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 163

Refined petroleum products - exports

234,200 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 26

Refined petroleum products - imports

6,725 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 137

Refined petroleum products - production

234,200 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 50

Area

total: 180 sq km country comparison to the world: 218 land: 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

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Ceru Jamanota 188 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

arable land: 11.11% permanent crops: 0% other: 88.89% (2005)

Location

Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims

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

Administrative divisions

none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)

Capital

name: Oranjestad geographic coordinates: 12 31 N, 70 02 W 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

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

chief of state: King WILLEM-ALEXANDER of the Netherlands (since 30 April 2013); represented by Governor General Fredis REFUNJOL (since 11 May 2004) head of government: Prime Minister Michiel "Mike" Godfried EMAN (since 30 October 2009) cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the Staten (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) 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) election results: Michiel "Mike" Godfried EMAN elected prime minister; percent of legislative vote - NA

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

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

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 note - prior to 2010, the Joint Court of Justice was the Common Court of Justice of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba 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) elections: last held on 27 September 2013 (next to be held in 2017) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - AVP 13, MEP 8

National anthem

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

other: environmental groups

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

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.

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 24,891 females age 16-49: 26,202 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 20,527 females age 16-49: 21,493 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 767 female: 743 (2010 est.)

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)

Age structure

0-14 years: 17.8% (male 9,852/female 9,797) 15-24 years: 13.5% (male 7,469/female 7,427) 25-54 years: 43% (male 22,981/female 24,615) 55-64 years: 13.5% (male 6,804/female 8,093) 65 years and over: 12.3% (male 5,346/female 8,279) (2014 est.)

Birth rate

12.65 births/1,000 population (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 158

Death rate

8.09 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 96

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 44.1 % youth dependency ratio: 27.1 % elderly dependency ratio: 16.9 % potential support ratio: 5.9 (2014 est.)

Drinking water source

improved: urban: 97.8% of population rural: 97.8% of population total: 97.8% of population unimproved: urban: 2.2% of population rural: 2.2% of population total: 2.2% of population (2012 est.)

Education expenditures

6% of GDP (2011) country comparison to the world: 41

Ethnic groups

Dutch 82.1%, Colombian 6.6%, Venezuelan 2.2%, Dominican 2.2%, Haitian 1.2%, other 5.5%, unspecified 0.1% (2010 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Infant mortality rate

total: 11.74 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 128 male: 15.44 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.97 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

Languages

Papiamento (a Spanish-Portuguese-Dutch-English dialect) 69.4%, Spanish 13.7%, English (widely spoken) 7.1%, Dutch (official) 6.1%, Chinese 1.5%, other 1.7%, unspecified 0.4% (2010 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 76.35 years country comparison to the world: 82 male: 73.3 years female: 79.47 years (2014 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 96.8% male: 96.9% female: 96.7% (2010 est.)

Major urban areas - population

ORANJESTAD (capital) 37,000 (2011)

Median age

total: 38.8 years male: 36.9 years female: 40.6 years (2014 est.)

Nationality

noun: Aruban(s) adjective: Aruban; Dutch

Net migration rate

9.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 15

Population

110,663 (July 2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 190

Population growth rate

1.36% (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 90

Religions

Roman Catholic 75.3%, Protestant 4.9% (includes Methodist .9%, Adventist .9%, Anglican .4%, other Protestant 2.7%), Jehovah's Witness 1.7%, other 12%, none 5.5%, unspecified 0.5% (2010 est.)

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban: 97.7% of population rural: 97.7% of population total: 97.7% of population unimproved: urban: 2.3% of population rural: 2.3% of population total: 2.3% of population (2012 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2011)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.65 male(s)/female total population: 0.9 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.84 children born/woman (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 150

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 23.2% country comparison to the world: 47 male: 24.1% female: 22.9% (2007)

Urbanization

urban population: 46.8% of total population (2011) rate of urbanization: 0.54% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

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

Airports

1 (2013) country comparison to the world: 210

Airports - with paved runways

total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2013)

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s): Barcadera, Oranjestad oil terminal(s): Sint Nicolaas cruise port(s): Oranjestad