Poverty Is the Norm in Curaçao

Poverty Is the Norm in Curaçao

23 October 2025

I recently came across the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten’s (CBCS) study on how inflation hits lower-income groups the hardest (Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten, 2025). Every study is welcome—there are far too few—but this one left me uneasy. Not because the findings are surprising—they’re common sense—but because the study doesn’t tell us how many people are actually struggling.

I looked at the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) report on income and income distribution (Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek Curaçao, 2023). That wasn’t encouraging either. Comparing the two reports, here’s the reality:

• Individuals: roughly 80–84 % earn less than ANG 5,000 per month.

• Households: about 60–65 % have a total monthly income below ANG 5,000.

• Below the poverty line: around 38 % of households.

Single-parent families and households with multiple children are the most at risk. So, when we read that “only 30 % of households live below the poverty line,” the picture is much too rosy.

Why do institutions work so hard to avoid mapping this correctly? Because poverty in Curaçao isn’t an exception—it’s the norm. Ignoring it risks policies that fail those who need help the most.

Miguel Goede