WILLEMSTAD – Approximately 30 percent of Curaçao’s population is living below the poverty line, according to figures presented during a recent seminar, where experts warned that the issue remains deeply structural and insufficiently addressed.
The seminar, organized by the Association of Dutch Caribbean Economists, brought together representatives from the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), the Social and Economic Council (SER), and the Ombudsman. Their findings pointed to a consistent conclusion: poverty on the island is widespread and affects multiple layers of society.
Data presented during the event showed that poverty is not limited to the unemployed. A growing number of people with jobs are also struggling to make ends meet, highlighting that economic growth does not automatically translate into improved living conditions for households.
An alternative measurement by CBS, the multidimensional poverty index, identified neighborhoods such as Paradijs, Scharloo, Wishi, Otrobanda and Westpunt as among the most affected areas.
Participants stressed that poverty is a systemic issue requiring coordinated policies across multiple ministries. Key concerns include access to basic needs such as clean drinking water, housing, food, and stable income. Children growing up in poverty were highlighted as particularly vulnerable, often starting life with significant disadvantages.
The Ombudsman’s office noted that concerns raised in a 2022 letter to the government have yet to receive a formal response, although recent discussions in Curaçao Parliament suggest that a reply may be forthcoming.
Speakers emphasized the urgent need for action, warning that continued delays in implementing known solutions risk allowing poverty to persist and expand further across the island.