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 users

total: 99,000 | percent of population: 88.7% (July 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 172

Telephone system

general assessment: modern fully automatic telecommunications system | domestic: increased competition through privatization has increased mobile-cellular teledensity to over 125 per 100 persons; 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 (2015)

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 35,000 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 31 (July 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 169

Telephones - mobile cellular

total: 141,000 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 126 (July 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 185

Agriculture - products

aloes; livestock; fish

Budget

revenues: $676.3 million | expenditures: $784.5 million (2015 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-4.3% of GDP (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 146

Central bank discount rate

1% (31 December 2010) | 3% (31 December 2009) | country comparison to the world: 123

Commercial bank prime lending rate

8.25% (31 December 2015 est.) | 8.23% (31 December 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 101

Debt - external

$693.2 million (31 December 2014 est.) | $666.4 million (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 172

Economy - overview

Tourism, petroleum bunkering, hospitality, and financial and business services are the mainstays of the small open Aruban economy. | Tourist arrivals have rebounded strongly following a dip after the 2008 global financial crisis. Tourism now accounts for a majority of economic activity. Over 1 million tourists per year visit Aruba, with the large majority 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. Almost all consumer and capital goods are imported, with the US, the Netherlands, and Panama being the major suppliers. | 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. However, tourism and related industries have continued to grow, and the Aruban government is working to attract more diverse industries. Aruba's banking sector withstood the recession well, and unemployment has significantly decreased.

Exchange rates

Aruban guilders/florins per US dollar - | 1.79 (2015 est.) | 1.79 (2014 est.) | 1.79 (2013 est.) | 1.79 (2012 est.) | 1.79 (2011 est.)

Exports

$333.2 million (2015 est.) | $258.2 million (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 181

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Colombia 28.2%, Netherlands Antilles 18.1%, US 14.3%, Netherlands 10.1%, Mexico 6.5%, Venezuela 6.3%, Panama 4.1% (2015)

Fiscal year

calendar year

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.) | country comparison to the world: 190

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 63.3% | government consumption: 28.3% | investment in fixed capital: 22.9% | investment in inventories: 0% | exports of goods and services: 68.1% | imports of goods and services: -82.6% (2015 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: 75

GDP - real growth rate

2.4% (2005 est.) | country comparison to the world: 129

Household income or consumption by percentage share

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

Imports

$1.269 billion (2015 est.) | $1.35 billion (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 176

Imports - commodities

machinery and electrical equipment, refined oil for bunkering and reexport, chemicals; foodstuffs

Imports - partners

US 55.4%, Netherlands 11.2% (2015)

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Industries

tourism, petroleum transshipment facilities, banking

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

0.5% (2015 est.) | 0.4% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 64

Labor force

51,610 | 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.) | country comparison to the world: 191

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) | 55% of GDP (2012) | country comparison to the world: 49

Stock of broad money

$1.942 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $1.838 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 158

Stock of domestic credit

$1.768 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | $1.754 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 144

Stock of narrow money

$1.151 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 147

Taxes and other revenues

26.9% of GDP (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 106

Unemployment rate

6.9% (2005 est.) | country comparison to the world: 84

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

900,000 Mt (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 169

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 92

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 32

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 102

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2016 es) | country comparison to the world: 102

Electricity - consumption

800 million kWh (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 156

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 95

Electricity - from fossil fuels

90.6% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 73

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 154

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 34

Electricity - from other renewable sources

9.4% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 39

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 112

Electricity - installed generating capacity

300,000 kW (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 148

Electricity - production

900 million kWh (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 149

Electricity access

population without electricity: 11,364 | electrification - total population: 91% | electrification - urban areas: 100% | electrification - rural areas: 80% (2012)

Natural gas - consumption

1 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 114

Natural gas - exports

1 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 52

Natural gas - imports

1 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 75

Natural gas - production

1 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 96

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 es) | country comparison to the world: 107

Refined petroleum products - consumption

7,500 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 163

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 30

Refined petroleum products - imports

7,661 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 150

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 48

Area

total: 180 sq km | land: 180 sq km | water: 0 sq km | country comparison to the world: 218

Area - comparative

slightly larger than Washington, DC

Climate

tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation

Coastline

68.5 km

Elevation

mean elevation: NA | 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

agricultural land: 11.1% | arable land 11.1%; permanent crops 0%; permanent pasture 0% | forest: 2.3% | other: 86.6% (2011 est.)

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 foster tourism

Population - distribution

most residents live in or around Oranjestad and San Nicolaas; most settlments tend to be located on the less mountainous western side of the island

Terrain

flat with a few hills; scant vegetation

Administrative divisions

none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) | note: Aruba is one of four constituent parts (countries) of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; the other three parts are the Netherlands, Curacao, and Sint Maarten

Capital

name: Oranjestad | geographic coordinates: 12 31 N, 70 02 W | time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

see the Netherlands

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 (2016)

Country name

conventional long form: none | conventional short form: Aruba | etymology: the origin of the island's name is unclear; according to tradition, the name comes from the Spanish phrase "oro huba" (there was gold), but in fact no gold was ever found on the island; another possibility is the native word "oruba," which means "well situated"

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 - there is a 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 Legislature (Staten) | elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch for a 6-year term; prime minister and deputy prime minister indirectly elected by the Staten for 4-year tern; election last held on 25 September 2009 (next to be held by September 2013) | election results: Michiel "Mike" Godfried EMAN (AVP) 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 (Legislature); part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

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" (sits as a 3-judge panel); 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

description: unicameral Legislature or Staten (21 seats; members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-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) | lyrics/music: Juan Chabaya 'Padu' LAMPE/Rufo Inocencio WEVER | note: local anthem adopted 1986; as part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, "Het Wilhelmus" is official (see Netherlands)

National holiday

Flag Day, 18 March (1976)

National symbol(s)

Hooiberg (Haystack) Hill; national colors: blue, yellow, red, white

Political parties and leaders

Aruban People's Party or AVP [Michiel "Mike" EMAN] | People's Electoral Movement Party or MEP [Evelyn WEVER-CROES] | Real Democracy or PDR [Andin BIKKER]

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.

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of the Netherlands; the Aruba security services focus on organized crime and terrorism

Military branches

no regular military forces (2011)

Age structure

0-14 years: 17.66% (male 10,068/female 9,999) | 15-24 years: 13.03% (male 7,441/female 7,366) | 25-54 years: 42.16% (male 23,068/female 24,847) | 55-64 years: 14.01% (male 7,398/female 8,525) | 65 years and over: 13.14% (male 5,853/female 9,083) (2016 est.)

Birth rate

12.5 births/1,000 population (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 157

Death rate

8.3 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 86

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 44% | youth dependency ratio: 26.4% | elderly dependency ratio: 17.6% | potential support ratio: 5.7% (2015 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 98.1% of population | rural: 98.1% of population | total: 98.1% of population | urban: 1.9% of population | rural: 1.9% of population | total: 1.9% of population (2015 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 deaths/1,000 live births | male: 14.5 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 7.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 127

Languages

Papiamento (official) (a creole language that is a mixture of Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, English, and, to a lesser extent, French, as well as elements of African languages and the language of the Arawak) 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: 76.8 years | male: 73.7 years | female: 79.9 years (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 80

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write | total population: 97.5% | male: 97.5% | female: 97.5% (2015 est.)

Major infectious diseases

note: active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus (2016)

Major urban areas - population

ORANJESTAD (capital) 29,000 (2014)

Median age

total: 39.1 years | male: 37.3 years | female: 40.9 years (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 56

Nationality

noun: Aruban(s) | adjective: Aruban; Dutch

Net migration rate

8.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 12

Population

113,648 (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 190

Population distribution

most residents live in or around Oranjestad and San Nicolaas; most settlments tend to be located on the less mountainous western side of the island

Population growth rate

1.3% (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 88

Religions

Roman Catholic 75.3%, Protestant 4.9% (includes Methodist 0.9%, Adventist 0.9%, Anglican 0.4%, other Protestant 2.7%), Jehovah's Witness 1.7%, other 12%, none 5.5%, unspecified 0.5% (2010 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 97.7% of population | rural: 97.7% of population | total: 97.7% of population | urban: 2.3% of population | rural: 2.3% of population | total: 2.3% of population (2015 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 14 years | male: 13 years | female: 14 years (2012)

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: 0.87 male(s)/female | 65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female | total population: 0.9 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.84 children born/woman (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 146

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 28.9% | male: 29.9% | female: 27.5% (2010 est.) | country comparison to the world: 43

Urbanization

urban population: 41.5% of total population (2015) | rate of urbanization: -0.28% 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)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

P4 (2016)

National air transport system

number of registered air carriers: 3 | inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 19 | annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 2,120,578 | annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 0 mt-km (2015)

Ports and terminals

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