WILLEMSTAD - Spanish is rapidly gaining ground as a home language on Curaçao, driven by a notable increase in residents born in Colombia, Venezuela and other Latin American countries. That is one of the key findings in the Census 2023 migration analysis released by the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS).
While Papiamentu remains dominant, the rise of Spanish represents one of the most significant cultural changes on the island in recent years. English and Dutch also maintain stable positions, but Spanish has seen the sharpest growth since the previous census in 2011.
Spanish Tops Home Language List for Migrants
According to Census 2023:
Most Colombians and Venezuelans speak Spanish at home
Haitians and Dominicans increasingly report speaking Papiamentu, reflecting deeper cultural integration
Dutch nationals speak mostly Dutch, while migrants from the BES islands split between Dutch and Papiamentu
CBS notes that the influence of Spanish is now visible in neighborhoods, schools, local commerce, and even public service communication.
Multi-Lingual Society Becoming the Norm
The data confirms that Curaçao is among the most multilingual territories in the Caribbean region. Schools and businesses now routinely navigate four major languages — Papiamentu, Spanish, English and Dutch — creating both opportunities and challenges.
The Cultural Landscape Is Changing
Researchers suggest that the growth of Spanish-speaking communities is reshaping aspects of everyday life:
Greater availability of Spanish-language media
More Spanish-speaking service workers
Increased demand for translation and bilingual services
A more diverse cultural mix in public spaces
Organizations working with migrants say integration is improving, but language barriers still affect access to jobs and education for some groups.
CBS emphasizes that Curaçao’s linguistic diversity is expected to grow further if current migration trends continue.