WILLEMSTAD – Multidimensional poverty in Curaçao reached its highest level in 2017 before declining slightly in recent years, according to a new CBS (Central Bureau of Statistics) report analyzing data from 2011, 2017 and 2023.
The Multidimensional Poverty Index rose from 1.6 in 2011 to 2.9 in 2017, before falling to 2.5 in 2023.
While the overall situation has improved slightly since its peak, the report indicates that poverty levels have not returned to those seen in 2011.
Researchers note that the changes are driven mainly by fluctuations in how many households are affected, rather than the severity of deprivation itself. The intensity of poverty has remained relatively stable at around 30 percent.
The findings suggest that while fewer households may be falling into poverty compared to 2017, a significant portion of the population continues to face persistent structural challenges.