WILLEMSTAD - A new CBS analysis reveals stark inequalities between migrant communities when it comes to education, income, and employment on Curaçao. The report, based on Census 2023, provides the clearest picture yet of which groups are integrating successfully — and which are being left behind.
School Participation: A Mixed Picture
Data shows:
High attendance among youth from Aruba and the Dominican Republic
Lower attendance, especially in the 16–24 age group, among Colombians and Haitians
Lowest primary–secondary attendance among Jamaican children
Overall school participation has dropped since 2011
Analysts warn that low participation can lead to long-term employment disadvantages, especially for communities already struggling with economic stability.
Income and Employment: A Growing Gap
The groups with the highest unemployment remain:
Dominicans
Venezuelans
Haitians
These communities also dominate the lower income brackets, making them more vulnerable to poverty and economic shocks.
By contrast, Dutch migrants typically earn salaries that are closely aligned with their professional qualifications, reflecting easier access to skilled jobs and better integration into Curaçao’s formal labor market.
Health Patterns Reveal Additional Risks
CBS highlights clear differences in health outcomes:
High blood pressure & diabetes: more common in Dominicans and Colombians
Obesity: more common among Dominicans, Dutch and Venezuelans
Glaucoma: highest among Dominicans and BES-island migrants
These conditions, coupled with lower income and education levels, amplify social vulnerability.
CBS: Policies Must Target Vulnerable Communities
The report suggests that Curaçao’s demographic and social landscape is becoming more complex and that policymakers should develop targeted strategies to support communities most at risk of falling behind.
Experts recommend focusing on:
school participation programs
early health screening
language support
pathways to legal employment
integration initiatives
CBS says the full findings are intended to help government agencies, NGOs and community organizations tailor their policies to Curaçao’s shifting demographic reality.