WILLEMSTAD – Multidimensional poverty in Curaçao is unevenly distributed, with several neighborhoods and geozones showing significantly higher levels of deprivation than others, according to CBS data.
In 2023, the geozones with the highest MPI scores were Paradijs, Scharloo, Wishi, Otrobanda and Westpunt. Paradijs recorded the highest overall score, reflecting both a high share of affected households and relatively deep deprivation.
At neighborhood level, Vers emerged as the most affected area, with nearly one in three residents classified as multidimensionally poor. However, CBS notes that larger neighborhoods such as Brievengat, Ser’i Papaya and Suffisant contribute more to overall poverty levels due to their population size, even if their MPI scores are slightly lower.
The report highlights the importance of geographically targeted social policies, as poverty dynamics vary significantly across the island.