WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao plans total ordinary and capital expenditures of approximately XCG 2.503 billion in 2027, with family, community and security representing by far the largest policy area in the government’s new thematic budget structure.
For the first time, the government has structured much of the budget around six broad policy themes rather than presenting spending only through individual ministries. The government says the approach is intended to make it easier to connect policy objectives with actual spending.
Family, Community and Security receives approximately XCG 890 million in 2027.
Good Governance follows at approximately XCG 498.8 million, while Education, Education and Development receives XCG 389.2 million.
Government Operations accounts for XCG 361.8 million, Economy and Employment XCG 277.9 million and Health and Environment XCG 85.7 million.
Within Family, Community and Security alone, XCG 400.2 million is associated with social security, XCG 105.2 million with safety, XCG 100.2 million with law enforcement, XCG 82.2 million with infrastructure and XCG 71.4 million with humane detention.
Education itself accounts for approximately XCG 252.4 million within the education theme, while sport receives XCG 11.9 million, culture XCG 13 million and science XCG 17.9 million.
The thematic structure is one of the major changes in the 2027 budget. The government says it is also introducing performance indicators and risk analyses as an initial step toward a more results-oriented budgeting system.
The complete budget covers the period through 2030, when combined ordinary and capital spending is projected to rise above XCG 3.1 billion.
There are still many publishable stories deeper in the 420-page document, particularly individual capital projects under VVRP, Justice, GMN, education, government buildings, ambulance modernization, housing, infrastructure, environmental projects and the detailed financial risks. I can continue through the report and extract the next batch without repeating the subjects above.