WILLEMSTAD – Strong economic growth and rising government revenues helped Curaçao significantly improve its public finances in 2025, according to the latest Economic Bulletin released by the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten (CBCS). The report shows that the government not only increased its budget surplus but also reduced the island’s debt burden.
The CBCS reported that Curaçao’s current budget surplus rose from 1.0 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2024 to 3.1 percent in 2025. The improvement was driven by a combination of higher government revenues and lower current expenditures.
According to the central bank, stronger economic activity—particularly in tourism-related sectors—generated higher tax revenues. Continued efforts to improve tax compliance also contributed to the increase in government income. As tourism expanded and businesses benefited from increased visitor spending, government coffers received a corresponding boost.
The stronger fiscal performance translated into a reduction in the country’s debt burden. Despite taking on additional borrowing to finance capital investment projects, Curaçao’s debt-to-GDP ratio declined from 66 percent at the end of 2024 to 61 percent by the end of 2025. The decrease was primarily the result of a larger economy and stronger nominal GDP growth.
The figures are likely to be welcomed by policymakers and financial institutions, as reducing the debt ratio has been a key objective in Curaçao’s efforts to strengthen public finances and maintain fiscal sustainability.
The report also highlights the close connection between economic growth and government finances. As tourism continues to generate jobs, investment, and consumer spending, the resulting tax revenues are helping to improve the government's financial position without the need for significant tax increases.
The CBCS findings suggest that Curaçao’s economic recovery has moved beyond the tourism sector alone and is now producing tangible benefits for government finances, providing additional fiscal space as the island seeks to invest in infrastructure, public services, and long-term economic development.