WILLEMSTAD – Poverty in Curaçao is not evenly distributed, with specific neighborhoods and districts showing significantly higher levels of deprivation, according to a new analysis of the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI).
The report reveals that while some areas have relatively small populations, they experience disproportionately high levels of poverty. In particular, the neighborhood of Vers recorded the highest MPI score, with nearly one in three residents classified as multidimensionally poor.
However, despite its high poverty rate, Vers contributes only a limited share to the island’s overall poverty figures due to its smaller population size. In contrast, larger neighborhoods such as Brievengat, Ser’i Papaya, and Suffisant contribute more significantly to total poverty levels, even though their individual poverty rates are lower.
This distinction highlights an important policy challenge: areas with the highest intensity of poverty are not always the ones that contribute most to the national total.
At the district level, areas such as Paradijs, Scharloo, Wishi, Otrobanda, and Westpunt recorded the highest poverty levels in 2023. Notably, Paradijs showed a sharp deterioration, rising from a relatively low ranking in 2011 to the highest MPI score among districts in 2023.
The data also shows that while the severity of poverty—measured by how many deprivations households face—has remained relatively stable, the number of people affected has fluctuated over time. This suggests that shifts in poverty are driven more by how many households fall into deprivation rather than how severe their conditions are.
The geographic disparities underline the need for targeted, location-specific policies. Experts argue that a one-size-fits-all approach may fail to address the unique challenges faced by different communities.
With poverty concentrated in certain areas and driven by factors such as employment conditions, education, and access to services, policymakers are now under increasing pressure to design interventions that reflect these local realities.