Of the students up to 18 years old in secondary education (vo) and intermediate vocational education (mbo) on Saba and Sint Eustatius, 91 percent in 2024 say they want to leave the island in the future to live elsewhere. On Bonaire, this is 81 percent.
Of the students on Bonaire who want to leave the island, 56 percent give the reason of wanting to see more of the world; on Saba this is nearly 60 percent, on Sint Eustatius less (45 percent).
Of the students up to 18 years old in secondary and vocational education on Bonaire, 42 percent want to pursue further education. For this, they often have to leave the island. On Saba and Sint Eustatius, 53 percent and 48 percent respectively want to pursue further education. Of the remaining students, the majority want to work or start their own business. A minority indicates they do not yet know.
Compared to 2020, students on Bonaire want to work or start their own business slightly more often. On Saba, students want to start their own business slightly less often than in 2020 and are more often still uncertain about their future plans.
Making plans for the future and moving to another place are important choices, where it can be useful to receive good advice. In 2024, 79 percent of students on Bonaire fully agreed with the statement “I receive good advice about important things in life.” On Saba and Sint Eustatius, this is almost the same. On all three islands, 5 percent or less fully disagreed with this statement.
The share of young people on the islands of Caribbean Netherlands is generally decreasing. In 2011, a quarter of the population on Bonaire was 19 years or younger; in 2025, this is 21 percent. According to the latest population forecast, this will be 18 percent in 2035.
On Sint Eustatius, the share of young people in the total population decreases less. A quarter of the population was 19 years or younger in 2011; it is expected that the share will be slightly lower in 2035 (23 percent).
In 2011, 21 percent of the population on Saba was 19 years or younger. This is expected to be 17 percent in ten years.
The Caribbean Netherlands in Numbers is an annual publication that provides an overview of the latest developments in Caribbean Netherlands society with stories, figures, infographics, and photos. This special edition pays extra attention to long-term trends. How have the islands developed since they officially became special municipalities of the Netherlands on October 10, 2010?
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