Curaçao - CW - CUW - Central America and the Caribbean

Last updated: May 07, 2025

Curacao Images

Spanish and Portuguese Jews from the Netherlands and Brazil built the Mikvé Israel-Emanuel (The Hope of Israel-Emanuel) synagogue in Willemstad, Curaçao. Consecrated in 1732, it is the oldest synagogue in continuous use in the Americas. Willemstad was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997 for its colorful and historical Dutch colonial architecture that includes the synagogue, one of the city’s major tourist sites.
Spanning St. Anna Bay, the Queen Emma floating bridge at Willemstad, Curaçao, is the oldest permanent wooden pontoon bridge in the world. Known as the “Swinging Old Lady,” the now-pedestrian-only bridge connects Willemstad's two halves, Punda and Otrobanda, and was named after Emma of Waldeck and Pyrmont, who was queen consort of the Netherlands during its construction in 1888.
Willemstad, Curaçao's capital city, began as Dutch colonial trading and administrative settlement in 1634, with the construction of Fort Amsterdam on Sint Anna Bay. The red, blue, yellow ochre, and green on Willemstad buildings date from 1817, when the previous white-lime finish was prohibited to protect eyesight from the glare.
Spanish and Portuguese Jews from the Netherlands and Brazil built the Mikvé Israel-Emanuel (The Hope of Israel-Emanuel) synagogue in Willemstad, Curaçao. Consecrated in 1732, it is the oldest synagogue in continuous use in the Americas. Willemstad was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997 for its colorful and historical Dutch colonial architecture that includes the synagogue, one of the city’s major tourist sites.
Spanning St. Anna Bay, the Queen Emma floating bridge at Willemstad, Curaçao, is the oldest permanent wooden pontoon bridge in the world. Known as the “Swinging Old Lady,” the now-pedestrian-only bridge connects Willemstad's two halves, Punda and Otrobanda, and was named after Emma of Waldeck and Pyrmont, who was queen consort of the Netherlands during its construction in 1888.

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Curacao Factbook Data

Legislative branch

legislature name: Parliament of Curacao

legislative structure: unicameral

number of seats: 21 (directly elected)

electoral system: proportional representation

scope of elections: full renewal

term in office: 4 years

most recent election date: 3/19/2021

parties elected and seats per party: MFK (9); PAR (4); PNP (4); MAN (2); KEM (1); TPK (1)

percentage of women in chamber: 28.6%

expected date of next election: 2025

Exchange rates

Netherlands Antillean guilders (ANG) per US dollar -

Exchange rates:
1.79 (2023 est.)
1.79 (2022 est.)
1.79 (2021 est.)
1.79 (2020 est.)
1.79 (2019 est.)

Background

The original Arawak Indian settlers who arrived on Curaçao from South America in about A.D. 1000 were largely enslaved by the Spanish early in the 16th century and forcibly relocated to other colonies where labor was needed. The Dutch seized Curaçao from the Spanish in 1634. Once the center of the Caribbean slave trade, Curaçao was hard hit economically when the Dutch abolished slavery in 1863. Its prosperity (and that of neighboring Aruba) was restored in the early 20th century with the construction of the Isla Refineria to service the newly discovered Venezuelan oilfields. In 1954, Curaçao and several other Dutch Caribbean colonies were reorganized as the Netherlands Antilles, part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. In referenda in 2005 and 2009, the citizens of Curaçao voted to become a self-governing country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The change in status became effective in 2010 with the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles.

Location

Caribbean, an island in the Caribbean Sea, 55 km off the coast of Venezuela

Flag description

on a blue field a horizontal yellow band somewhat below the center divides the flag into proportions of 5:1:2; two five-pointed white stars - the smaller above and to the left of the larger - appear in the canton; the blue of the upper and lower sections symbolizes the sky and sea respectively; yellow represents the sun; the stars symbolize Curacao and its uninhabited smaller sister island of Klein Curacao; the five star points signify the five continents from which Curacao's people derive

Dependency status

constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands; full autonomy in internal affairs granted in 2010; Dutch Government responsible for defense and foreign affairs

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Consul General Margy BOND (since 20 January 2022); note - also accredited to Aruba and Sint Maarten

embassy: P.O. Box 158, J.B. Gorsiraweg 1

mailing address: 3160 Curacao Place, Washington DC 20521-3160

telephone: [599] (9) 461-3066

FAX: [599] (9) 461-6489

email address and website:
ACSCuracao@state.gov

https://cw.usconsulate.gov/

Age structure

0-14 years: 19.2% (male 15,069/female 14,337)

15-64 years: 62.3% (male 47,258/female 48,217)

65 years and over: 18.5% (2024 est.) (male 11,428/female 16,980)

This is the population pyramid for Curacao. A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends.

For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page.

Geographic coordinates

12 10 N, 69 00 W

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female

total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Natural hazards

Curacao is south of the Caribbean hurricane belt and is rarely threatened

Area - comparative

more than twice the size of Washington, D.C.

Environment - current issues

problems in waste management, including pollution of marine areas from domestic sewage, inadequate sewage treatment facilities, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff, mismanagement of toxic substances, and ineffective regulations; the refinery in Sint Anna Bay has caused environmental damage to the surrounding area because of neglect and a lack of controls

Administrative divisions

none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)

note: Curaçao is one of four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; the other three are the Netherlands, Aruba, and Sint Maarten

Military and security forces

no regular military forces; Curaçao Militia (CURMIL); Curaçao Volunteer Corps; Curacao Police Force (Korps Politie Curacao) (2025)

Capital

name: Willemstad

geographic coordinates: 12 06 N, 68 55 W

time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: the name means "William's Town" in Dutch; named after Prince WILLEM of Orange (1533-84), the first stadtholder of the United Provinces of the Netherlands

Climate

tropical marine climate, ameliorated by northeast trade winds, results in mild temperatures; semiarid with average rainfall of 60 cm/year

Coastline

364 km

Constitution

history: previous 1947, 1955; latest adopted 5 September 2010, entered into force 10 October 2010 (regulates governance of Curacao but is subordinate to the Charter for the Kingdom of the Netherlands)

Ethnic groups

Curacaoan 75.4%, Dutch 6%, Dominican 3.6%, Colombian 3%, Bonairean, Sint Eustatian, Saban 1.5%, Haitian 1.2%, Surinamese 1.2%, Venezuelan 1.1%, Aruban 1.1%, other 5%, unspecified 0.9% (2011 est.)

Executive branch

chief of state: King WILLEM-ALEXANDER of the Netherlands (since 30 April 2013); represented by Governor Lucille A. GEORGE-WOUT (since 4 November 2013)

head of government: Prime Minister Gilmar PISAS (since 14 June 2021)

cabinet: Cabinet sworn-in by the governor

elections/appointments: the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party usually elected prime minister by the Parliament of Curacao; last election held on 19 March 2021 (next to be held in 2025)

Independence

none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)

Judicial branch

highest court(s): Joint Court of Justice of Aruba, Curacao, Sint Maarten, and of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba or "Joint Court of Justice" (sits as a 3-judge panel); 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: first instance courts, appeals court; specialized courts

Land boundaries

Land use

agricultural land: 0% (2022 est.)

arable land: 10% (2018)

forest: 0.2% (2022 est.)

other: 99.8% (2022 est.)

Languages

Papiamento (official) (a creole language that is a mixture of Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, English, and, to a lesser extent, French, as well as elements of African languages and the language of the Arawak) 80%, Dutch (official) 8.8%, Spanish 5.6%, English (official) 3.1%, other 2.3%, unspecified 0.3% (2011 est.)

note: data represent most spoken language in household

Legal system

based on Dutch civil law

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

International organization participation

ACS (associate), Caricom (observer), FATF, ILO, ITU, UNESCO (associate), UPU

National holiday

King's Day (birthday of King WILLEM-ALEXANDER), 27 April (1967); note - King's or Queen's Day are observed on the ruling monarch's birthday; celebrated on 26 April if 27 April is a Sunday

Nationality

noun: Curacaoan

adjective: Curacaoan; Dutch

Natural resources

calcium phosphates, protected harbors, hot springs

Geography - note

Curaçao is a part of the Windward Islands (southern) group in the Lesser Antilles

Political parties

Korsou di Nos Tur or KdnT
Korsou Esun Miho or KEM
Movementu Futuro Korsou or MFK
Movementu Progresivo or MP
Movishon Antia Nobo or MAN
Partido Antia Restruktura or PAR
Partido Inovashon Nashonal or PIN
Partido Nashonal di Pueblo or PNP
Pueblo Soberano or PS
Trabou pa Kòrsou or TPK
Un Korsou Hustu

Religions

Roman Catholic 72.8%, Pentecostal 6.6%, Protestant 3.2%, Adventist 3%, Jehovah's Witness 2%, Evangelical 1.9%, other 3.8%, none 6%, unspecified 0.6% (2011 est.)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Telecommunication systems

general assessment: fully automatic modern telecommunications system; telecom sector across the Caribbean region continues to be one of the growth areas; given the lack of economic diversity in the region, with a high dependence on tourism and activities such as fisheries and offshore financial services the telecom sector contributes greatly to the GDP (2020)

domestic: roughly 28 per 100 users for fixed-line and 88 per 100 users for cellular-mobile (2021)

international: country code - +599, PCCS submarine cable system to US, Caribbean and Central and South America (2019)

Terrain

generally low, hilly terrain

Government type

parliamentary democracy

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; the Dutch Government controls foreign and defense policy; local security forces are supported by the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee (Gendarmerie), the Dutch Caribbean Police Force (Korps Politie Caribisch Nederland, KPCN), and the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard (DCCG or Kustwacht Caribisch Gebied (KWCARIB)); there are two Dutch naval bases on Curaçao, and the Dutch Army maintains a small unit on a rotational basis (2025)

Country name

conventional long form: Country of Curacao

conventional short form: Curacao

local long form: Land Curacao (Dutch)/ Pais Korsou (Papiamento)

local short form: Curacao (Dutch)/ Korsou (Papiamento)

former: Netherlands Antilles; Curacao and Dependencies

etymology: the origin of the name is disputed; many historians now agree that the name derives from a similar-sounding word the original inhabitants used to describe themselves

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Irrigated land

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands)

Internet users

percent of population: 68% (2017 est.)

Internet country code

.cw

Total renewable water resources

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 17 years

male: 18 years

female: 18 years (2013)

Urbanization

urban population: 89% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 0.57% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Broadcast media

government-run TeleCuracao operates a TV station and a radio station; 2 other privately owned TV stations and several privately owned radio stations (2019)

National anthem

name: "Himmo di Korsou" (Anthem of Curacao)

lyrics/music: Guillermo ROSARIO, Mae HENRIQUEZ, Enrique MULLER, Betty DORAN/Frater Candidus NOWENS, Errol "El Toro" COLINA

note: adapted 1978; the lyrics, originally written in 1899, were rewritten in 1978 to make them less colonial in nature

Major urban areas - population

144,000 WILLEMSTAD (capital) (2018)

National symbol(s)

laraha (citrus tree); national colors: blue, yellow, white

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 60.6 (2024 est.)

youth dependency ratio: 30.8 (2024 est.)

elderly dependency ratio: 29.8 (2024 est.)

potential support ratio: 3.4 (2024 est.)

Citizenship

see the Netherlands

Population distribution

largest concentration on the island is Willemstad; smaller settlements near the coast can be found throughout the island, particularly in the northwest

Electricity access

electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

Imports - partners

USA 39%, Netherlands 24%, China 6%, Colombia 5%, Brazil 3% (2023)

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Economic overview

high-income island economy; developed infrastructure; tourism and financial services-based economy; investing in information technology incentives; oil refineries service Venezuela and China

GDP (official exchange rate)

$3.281 billion (2023 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 73.2% (2018 est.)

government consumption: 14.5% (2018 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 34% (2018 est.)

investment in inventories: 7% (2018 est.)

exports of goods and services: 63.2% (2018 est.)

imports of goods and services: -92% (2018 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

Agricultural products

aloe, sorghum, peanuts, vegetables, tropical fruit

Industries

tourism, petroleum refining, petroleum transshipment, light manufacturing, financial and business services

Exports - commodities

diamonds, refined petroleum, crude petroleum, gold, petroleum coke (2023)

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Imports - commodities

refined petroleum, cars, garments, plastic products, packaged medicine (2023)

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin): 14,000 (Venezuela) (2022)

Elevation

highest point: Mt. Christoffel 372 m

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

Contraceptive prevalence rate

Current health expenditure

Drinking water source

improved:

total: 100% of population

unimproved:

total: 0% of population (2017)

Sanitation facility access

improved:

total: 100% of population

unimproved:

total: 0% of population (2017)

Exports - partners

Armenia 57%, USA 15%, Guyana 5%, Dominican Republic 4%, Netherlands 2% (2023)

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually: 24,704 tons (2013 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 494 tons (2013 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 2% (2013 est.)

Air pollutants

carbon dioxide emissions: 5.39 megatons (2016 est.)

Trafficking in persons

tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Curaçao does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so, therefore Curaçao was upgraded to Tier 2 Watch List; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-trafficking-in-persons-report/curacao/

Illicit drugs

northbound transshipment points for cocaine from Colombia and Venezuela; cocaine is transported to the United States, other Caribbean islands, Africa, and Europe

National heritage

total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural); note - excerpted from the Netherlands entry

selected World Heritage Site locales: Historic Willemstad

Gross reproduction rate

0.96 (2024 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

49.7% (2023 est.)

Remittances

5.38% of GDP (2023 est.)
5.16% of GDP (2022 est.)
5.18% of GDP (2021 est.)

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Ports

total ports: 4 (2024)

large: 0

medium: 2

small: 1

very small: 1

ports with oil terminals: 3

key ports: Bullenbaai, Caracasbaai, Sint Michelsbaai, Willemstad

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

total: 42.2% (2020 est.)

male: 38.1%

female: 47.1%

Net migration rate

-1.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Median age

total: 37.8 years (2024 est.)

male: 35.5 years

female: 40.2 years

Total fertility rate

1.96 children born/woman (2024 est.)

Population

total: 153,289 (2024 est.)

male: 73,755

female: 79,534

Area

total : 444 sq km

land: 444 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$4.271 billion (2023 est.)
$4.099 billion (2022 est.)
$3.834 billion (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

Airports

1 (2025)

Infant mortality rate

total: 7.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

male: 8.3 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 6.7 deaths/1,000 live births

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 172,000 (2022 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 88 (2021 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.62% (2019 est.)
2.58% (2018 est.)
1.59% (2017 est.)

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

Current account balance

-$654.688 million (2023 est.)
-$822.667 million (2022 est.)
-$508.758 million (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

Real GDP per capita

$28,900 (2023 est.)
$27,300 (2022 est.)
$25,200 (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total: 61,000 (2022 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 33 (2022 est.)

Death rate

8.9 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Birth rate

12.9 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Merchant marine

total: 57 (2023)

by type: general cargo 5, oil tanker 1, other 51

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

Imports

$2.764 billion (2023 est.)
$2.891 billion (2022 est.)
$1.91 billion (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

Exports

$2.107 billion (2023 est.)
$2.046 billion (2022 est.)
$1.363 billion (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 51,000 (2022 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 27 (2022 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 79.9 years (2024 est.)

male: 77.6 years

female: 82.3 years

Real GDP growth rate

4.2% (2023 est.)
6.91% (2022 est.)
4.2% (2021 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Industrial production growth rate

4.3% (2014 est.)

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 0.3% (2023 est.)

industry: 11.7% (2023 est.)

services: 73.3% (2023 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

Revenue from forest resources

0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Revenue from coal

0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Education expenditures

7.4% of GDP (2020 est.)

Population growth rate

0.28% (2024 est.)

Sources: