WILLEMSTAD – Poverty in Curaçao is increasingly no longer just about income, but about a wider range of social and economic challenges affecting households across the island, according to a new report by the Central Bureau of Statistics.
The study introduces the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), which measures deprivation not only in income, but also in health, education, employment conditions, and living standards. The findings suggest that many households experiencing hardship are not necessarily classified as poor based on income alone.
According to the report, some households with sufficient income still face serious disadvantages, such as lack of access to education, unstable employment, or limited access to essential services. At the same time, not all income-poor households experience the same level of deprivation in other areas.
This shift highlights a changing reality: poverty in Curaçao is becoming more complex and less visible when measured purely in financial terms.
Between 2011 and 2023, the share of households classified as multidimensionally poor increased, even as some traditional income-based poverty indicators improved. This suggests that underlying structural issues—such as job insecurity, limited access to technology, and social vulnerabilities—continue to affect large parts of the population.
The report also shows that the number of households considered “vulnerable” has risen significantly, indicating a growing segment of the population at risk of falling into poverty.
Experts say this trend underscores the need for a broader policy approach that goes beyond financial assistance. Instead, targeted interventions in education, employment stability, digital access, and healthcare are increasingly seen as essential to addressing the root causes of deprivation.
The findings are expected to play a key role in shaping future social and economic policy, as Curaçao seeks more effective ways to combat poverty in all its forms.