Page last updated on December 17, 2013

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Discovered and claimed for Spain in 1499, Aruba was acquired by the Dutch in 1636. The island's economy has been dominated by three main industries. A 19th century gold rush was followed by prosperity brought on by the opening in 1924 of an oil refinery. The last decades of the 20th century saw a boom in the tourism industry. Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986 and became a separate, autonomous member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Movement toward full independence was halted at Aruba's request in 1990.
Geography:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
12 30 N, 69 58 W
Map references:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
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total: 180 sq km
country comparison to the world: 218
land: 180 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
slightly larger than Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 km
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
68.5 km
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
flat with a few hills; scant vegetation
Elevation extremes:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Ceru Jamanota 188 m
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NEGL; white sandy beaches
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 11.11%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 88.89% (2005)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
hurricanes; lies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt and is rarely threatened
Environment - current issues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Geography - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
a flat, riverless island renowned for its white sand beaches; its tropical climate is moderated by constant trade winds from the Atlantic Ocean; the temperature is almost constant at about 27 degrees Celsius (81 degrees Fahrenheit)
People and Society:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: Aruban(s)
adjective: Aruban; Dutch
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mixed white/Caribbean Amerindian 80%, other 20%
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Papiamento (a Spanish-Portuguese-Dutch-English dialect) 66.3%, Spanish 12.6%, English (widely spoken) 7.7%, Dutch (official) 5.8%, other 2.2%, unspecified or unknown 5.3% (2000 census)
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Roman Catholic 80.8%, Protestant 7.8% (Evangelist 4.1%, Methodist 1.2%, other Protestant 2.5%), Jehovah's Witnesses 1.5%, Jewish 0.2%, other 5.1%, none or unspecified 4.6%
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
109,153 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191
note: estimate based on a revision of the base population, fertility, and mortality numbers, as well as a revision of 1985-99 migration estimates from outmigration to inmigration, which is assumed to continue into the future; the new results are consistent with the 2000 census
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0-14 years: 17.9% (male 9,786/female 9,735)
15-24 years: 13.6% (male 7,427/female 7,405)
25-54 years: 43.4% (male 22,938/female 24,467)
55-64 years: 13.2% (male 6,492/female 7,891)
65 years and over: 11.9% (male 5,113/female 7,899) (2013 est.)
population pyramid: "> Dependency ratios:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total dependency ratio: 44.3 %
youth dependency ratio: 28 %
elderly dependency ratio: 16.4 %
potential support ratio: 6.1 (2013)
Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 38.6 years
male: 36.8 years
female: 40.4 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.39% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
12.72 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
9.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 47% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 0.6% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
ORANJESTAD (capital) 37,000 (2011)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.94 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.81 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.65 male(s)/female
total population: 0.9 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 12.12 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 129
male: 15.97 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 8.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 76.14 years
country comparison to the world: 85
male: 73.09 years
female: 79.25 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.84 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149
Drinking water source:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.7% of GDP (2010)
country comparison to the world: 26
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 96.8%
male: 96.9%
female: 96.7% (2010 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 13 years
male: 13 years
female: 13 years (2011)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 23.2%
country comparison to the world: 42
male: 24.1%
female: 22.9% (2007)
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Aruba
Dependency status:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; full autonomy in internal affairs obtained in 1986 upon separation from the Netherlands Antilles; Dutch Government responsible for defense and foreign affairs
Government type:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: Oranjestad
geographic coordinates: 12 31 N, 70 02 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
Independence:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Flag Day, 18 March (1976)
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
previous 1947, 1955; latest drafted and approved August 1985, enacted 1 January 1986 (regulates governance of Aruba, but is subordinate to the Charter for the Kingdom of the Netherlands); note - in October 2010, following dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles, Aruba became a constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands (2013)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
civil law system based on the Dutch civil code
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of state: King WILLEM-ALEXANDER of the Netherlands (since 30 April 2013); represented by Governor General Fredis REFUNJOL (since 11 May 2004)
head of government: Prime Minister Michiel "Mike" Godfried EMAN (since 30 October 2009)
cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the Staten
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed for a six-year term by the monarch; prime minister and deputy prime minister elected by the Staten for four-year terms; election last held on 25 September 2009 (next to be held by September 2013)
election results: Michiel "Mike" Godfried EMAN elected prime minister; percent of legislative vote - NA
Legislative branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
unicameral Legislature or Staten (21 seats; members elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 27 September 2013 (next to be held in 2017)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - AVP 13, MEP 8
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
highest court(s): Joint Court of Justice of Aruba, Curacao, Sint Maarten, and of Bonaire, Sint Eustatitus and Saba or "Joint Court of Justice" (consists of the presiding judge, NA members, and NA substitutes); final appeals heard by the Supreme Court, in The Hague, Netherlands
judge selection and term of office: Joint Court judges appointed by the monarch for life
subordinate courts: Courts in First Instance
Political parties and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Aliansa/Aruban Social Movement or MSA [Robert WEVER]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
other: environmental groups
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Caricom (observer), FATF, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ITUC (NGOs), UNESCO (associate), UNWTO (associate), UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands); note - Mr. Henry BAARH, Minister Plenipotentiary for Aruba at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
the US does not have an embassy in Aruba; the Consul General to Curacao, currently Consul General Valerie BELON, is accredited to Aruba
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
blue, with two narrow, horizontal, yellow stripes across the lower portion and a red, four-pointed star outlined in white in the upper hoist-side corner; the star represents Aruba and its red soil and white beaches, its four points the four major languages (Papiamento, Dutch, Spanish, English) as well as the four points of a compass, to indicate that its inhabitants come from all over the world; the blue symbolizes Caribbean waters and skies; the stripes represent the island's two main "industries": the flow of tourists to the sun-drenched beaches and the flow of minerals from the earth
National anthem:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: "Aruba Deshi Tera" (Aruba Precious Country)
lyrics/music: Juan Chabaya 'Padu' LAMPE/Rufo Inocencio WEVER
note: local anthem adopted 1986; as part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, "Het Wilhelmus" is official (see Netherlands)
Economy:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Tourism and offshore banking are the mainstays of the small open Aruban economy. Oil refining and storage ended in 2009. The rapid growth of the tourism sector over the last decade has resulted in a substantial expansion of other activities. Over 1.5 million tourists per year visit Aruba with 75% of those from the US. Construction continues to boom with hotel capacity five times the 1985 level. Tourist arrivals rebounded strongly following a dip after the 11 September 2001 attacks. Aruba is heavily dependent on imports and is making efforts to expand exports to achieve a more desirable trade balance. The government has also made cutting the budget and international development high priorities.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$2.516 billion (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$2.516 billion (2009 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.4% (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$25,300 (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 0.4%
industry: 33.3%
services: 66.3% (2002 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
aloes; livestock; fish
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
tourism, transshipment facilities, banking
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA%
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
51,610
country comparison to the world: 190
note: of the 51,610 workers aged 15 and over in the labor force, 32,252 were born in Aruba and 19,353 came from abroad; foreign workers are 38% of the employed population (2007 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
note: most employment is in wholesale and retail trade and repair, followed by hotels and restaurants
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.9% (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $568.3 million
expenditures: $815.3 million (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
22.6% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-9.8% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198
Public debt:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
46.3% of GDP (2005)
country comparison to the world: 72
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.6% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
Central bank discount rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8.4% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
Stock of narrow money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1.022 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149
Stock of broad money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1.765 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153
Stock of domestic credit:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1.594 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1.389 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
live animals and animal products, art and collectibles, machinery and electrical equipment, transport equipment
Exports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Colombia 39.4%, Venezuela 29.3%, US 13%, Netherlands Antilles 4.1% (2012)
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$2.039 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
machinery and electrical equipment, crude oil for refining and reexport, chemicals; foodstuffs
Imports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
US 46.4%, Netherlands 11.5%, UK 5.4% (2012)
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$533.4 million (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Aruban guilders/florins per US dollar -
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
980 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
911.4 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
266,000 kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
88.7% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
11.3% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2,811 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
228,800 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 100
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
234,200 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5,661 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
234,200 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6,725 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 107
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.237 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
43,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 169
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
135,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 188
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
general assessment: modern fully automatic telecommunications system
domestic: increased competition through privatization; 3 mobile-cellular service providers are now licensed
international: country code - 297; landing site for the PAN-AM submarine telecommunications cable system that extends from the US Virgin Islands through Aruba to Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, and the west coast of South America; extensive interisland microwave radio relay links (2007)
Broadcast media:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2 commercial TV stations; cable TV subscription service provides access to foreign channels; about 20 commercial radio stations broadcast (2007)
Internet country code:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.aw
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
40,560 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 101
Internet users:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
24,000 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 188
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 210
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2013)
Ports and terminals:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
major seaport(s): Barcadera, Oranjestad
oil terminal(s): Sint Nicolaas
cruise port(s): Oranjestad
Military:
Military branches:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
no regular military forces (2011)
Manpower available for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 24,891
females age 16-49: 26,202 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 20,527
females age 16-49: 21,493 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 767
female: 743 (2010 est.)
Military - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
defense is the responsibility of the Netherlands; the Aruba security services focus on organized crime and terrorism (2011)
Transnational Issues:
Disputes - international:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none