WILLEMSTAD – Nearly four in ten Curaçao residents aged 15 and older have primary education or lower vocational education as their highest completed level of schooling, according to new figures published by the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS). The findings provide an updated picture of educational attainment on the island and raise important questions about the population's educational qualifications and future workforce development.
The figures are presented in the CBS publication "Education in Curaçao: From Attendance to Completion," based on the 2025 Social Survey, known as Enkuesta Sosial 2025.
According to the report, 19.1 percent of residents aged 15 and older have foundational education (FO) as their highest completed educational level, while another 18.1 percent have completed lower vocational education (LBO).
Combined, these two categories account for 37.2 percent of the population aged 15 and older.
The figures show that a substantial portion of Curaçao's population has not completed education beyond the primary or lower vocational levels.
The third-largest category consists of residents who have completed intermediate vocational education at MBO/SBO levels 2 through 4. This group represents 16.3 percent of the population.
Another 15.4 percent have completed MAVO, VMBO, VSBO, or comparable secondary education as their highest qualification.
Together, these four educational categories account for 68.9 percent of residents aged 15 and older.
University and Higher Education Qualifications Less Common
The CBS findings also provide insight into the proportion of residents who have completed higher education.
According to the publication, 11.9 percent of residents aged 15 and older have a bachelor's degree from a university of applied sciences or academic university as their highest completed qualification.
Another 6.1 percent have completed a master's degree, while just 0.1 percent have earned a doctorate or PhD.
Combined, these three categories represent 18.1 percent of the population aged 15 and older.
The figures indicate that higher education qualifications are less common than primary, lower vocational, and intermediate educational qualifications.
However, CBS emphasizes that the statistics describe the highest level of education completed by residents. They do not necessarily indicate whether individuals are currently enrolled in further education or whether they have attended higher educational programs without graduating.
The distinction is particularly important when interpreting the educational profile of younger residents who may still be studying.
Survey Covered Approximately 3,100 Households
The findings are based on the Enkuesta Sosial 2025, conducted by CBS between September and November 2025.
Approximately 3,100 households participated in the survey, which collected information about the social and demographic characteristics of Curaçao's population.
Where relevant, CBS also compares the results with data collected during the 2023 Census.
The updated figures are intended to provide policymakers, educational institutions, employers, and researchers with a clearer understanding of the educational qualifications represented within the population.
CBS says this information is important for developing education policy, assessing labor market needs, and supporting economic planning.
The distribution of educational qualifications can help authorities identify areas requiring further attention, including vocational training, access to higher education, and opportunities for continued learning.
The figures alone, however, do not establish why individuals stopped studying at a particular level or whether the distribution has improved or deteriorated over time.
The publication also includes comparisons with the Caribbean Netherlands and countries belonging to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), providing a broader international perspective on Curaçao's educational profile.
The full report, "Education in Curaçao: From Attendance to Completion," is available through the CBS website at www.cbs.cw.