WILLEMSTAD – With Curaçao facing long-term economic stagnation, business leaders and policymakers are increasingly pointing to the island’s diaspora as a potential driver of future growth.
Entrepreneur Luuk Weber and representatives from the Curaçao Investment & Export Promotion Agency argue that the island has an underutilized global network of talent and capital that could play a critical role in economic transformation.
Estimates suggest that around 585,000 people of Curaçaoan or broader Caribbean Dutch origin live abroad, with a combined income exceeding 4 billion dollars annually. In addition, approximately 41 percent of the second generation in the Netherlands has obtained a university degree.
According to Weber, this represents a largely untapped resource that could contribute to investment, innovation, and knowledge transfer back to the island.
The argument comes at a time when Curaçao’s economic model is under increasing pressure. Growth has lagged behind regional peers, and the economy has become increasingly dependent on tourism, raising concerns about long-term sustainability.
In a long-term scenario outlined by Weber, Curaçao could significantly improve its economic outlook through targeted investments and stronger engagement with its diaspora. Under such a strategy, purchasing power per capita could rise to around 101,000 dollars by 2045.
By contrast, maintaining the current economic model could see purchasing power remain closer to 21,000 dollars per person, highlighting the potential cost of inaction.
The debate reflects a broader shift in thinking about Curaçao’s economic future. Rather than relying primarily on traditional sectors, there is growing emphasis on diversification, innovation, and leveraging international networks.
As discussions intensify, the central question facing policymakers is not only how to address current challenges, but how to position Curaçao for sustainable growth in the decades ahead.
The outcome of that debate is likely to shape the island’s economic trajectory for years to come.