WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao is seeing a shift in the nature of poverty, with non-monetary deprivation becoming more widespread even as income-based poverty declines. That finding is highlighted in the new Multidimensional Poverty Index released by the Central Bureau of Statistics.
The analysis shows that fewer households are now classified as income-poor compared to previous years. However, the number of households experiencing multidimensional deprivation has increased, particularly in areas such as job security, disability, and access to digital resources.
CBS notes that many households above the income poverty line still face significant challenges related to unstable employment, lack of permanent contracts, limited internet access and disabilities within the household. These factors increasingly shape poverty outcomes on the island.
The findings suggest that traditional income-based indicators may underestimate the scale and complexity of social vulnerability in Curaçao, reinforcing calls for broader policy approaches that address structural and social determinants of well-being.