THE HAGUE, WILLEMSTAD – A new public opinion study commissioned by the Dutch Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK) reveals that a significant portion of the Dutch population wants increased control over the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. While the Dutch public continues to support the Kingdom as a whole, concerns about corruption, governance, and financial management in Curaçao, Aruba, and Sint Maarten are fueling calls for reform and accountability.
The report, titled “Opinieonderzoek Koninkrijksrelaties”, surveyed over 2,600 Dutch citizens in the European Netherlands and 800 residents in the Caribbean Netherlands (Bonaire, Saba, and St. Eustatius), offering one of the most in-depth insights into how the public views the Kingdom’s structure and internal relations.
Strong Support for the Kingdom, But Skepticism Toward the Caribbean
An overwhelming 85% of Dutch citizens value the Kingdom's existence and believe it’s important that the Caribbean countries remain part of it. Yet, nearly half (49%) also believe that the Netherlands should have more say in how things are run in Curaçao, Aruba, and Sint Maarten, especially when Dutch financial support is involved.
This sentiment is largely driven by concerns over corruption (mentioned by 58% of respondents), poor governance (49%), and perceived misuse of Dutch tax money (48%). The Dutch public's image of the Caribbean countries is strongly shaped by negative media reports, with terms like “corruption,” “bankruptcy,” and “sun and vacation” dominating people’s spontaneous associations.
A Call for Conditional Aid and Reform
More than 60% of Dutch respondents support stricter conditions on financial aid to the Caribbean countries. There’s also growing interest in structural reforms, such as:
Strengthening the role of the Netherlands in enforcing good governance.
Making Dutch support conditional on measurable progress.
Reevaluating the autonomy of Curaçao, Aruba, and Sint Maarten.
Only 14% believe the Caribbean countries should receive unconditional financial aid, while 32% think aid should be temporary and only provided in crisis situations.
Caribbean Netherlands: Feeling Dutch but Not Treated Equally
In stark contrast, residents of the Caribbean Netherlands (Bonaire, Saba, and St. Eustatius) show strong identification with the Netherlands, with 82% saying they feel Dutch and want to remain part of the Netherlands. However, they also feel they are treated as second-class citizens.
More than half of respondents on the islands believe they receive worse public services than people in the European Netherlands. Concerns include high living costs, low wages, and inadequate access to healthcare and education.
A Growing Divide?
The study highlights a clear divide between the public perception in the Netherlands and the realities experienced in the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom. While people in the European Netherlands focus on governance issues and financial accountability, residents in the Caribbean stress inequality, high costs of living, and limited opportunities.
This disconnect risks widening tensions within the Kingdom unless addressed through more inclusive policies and transparent dialogue.
Recommendations for the Future
The report suggests a need for:
More positive and balanced media reporting about the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom.
Targeted information campaigns in the Netherlands to improve public understanding of the Caribbean context.
Continued investment in public services and infrastructure in the Caribbean Netherlands.
Structural reforms in Curaçao, Aruba, and Sint Maarten, with accountability mechanisms tied to Dutch financial support.
Minister of Kingdom Relations Hugo de Jonge has yet to publicly respond to the findings, but the data is expected to influence upcoming debates on the future of Kingdom relations in the Dutch Parliament.
As the Kingdom of the Netherlands nears a new political phase, the call for transparency, equality, and mutual respect across its four constituent countries grows louder than ever.