The working population aged 15 to 75 in the Caribbean Netherlands increased to 17,500 in 2024. This is 12 percent more than in 2022. Especially in Bonaire, more people were employed. In Saba, more people worked, but it was a relatively small increase. In St. Eustatius, the number of workers decreased. This is shown by the latest Labor Force Survey Caribbean Netherlands from CBS.
In Bonaire, the working population increased by 1,800 (+14 percent) to 14,700 people. In Bonaire, 73.8 percent of all 15 to 75-year-olds were employed. In 2022, this net labor participation was still 72.5 percent. The net labor participation is the share of people with jobs within the total population aged 15 to 75.
In St. Eustatius, 1,800 people were employed, 3 percent less than in 2022. The net labor participation thus decreased from 72.9 percent to 71.4 percent. In Saba, 67.2 percent of the population aged 15 to 75 were employed. 1,100 people were employed, 90 more than in 2022.
More Local People and More Immigrants at Work
The number of local workers in the Caribbean Netherlands increased from 2022 to 2024 by 1,100 to 9,300. Local workers are those born on one of the islands of the former Netherlands Antilles (Caribbean Netherlands or Aruba, Curaçao, or Sint Maarten).
Additionally, 8,300 people who were not born on one of the islands worked [explanation of workers born elsewhere] of the former Netherlands Antilles. This is 800 more than in 2022.
Relatively Large Growth of Workers Born Outside Bonaire
In 2024, 10,200 people not born in Bonaire worked on Bonaire, 1,500 more than in 2022. Of these, 20 percent were born in Curaçao and 15 percent in the European Netherlands.
Three out of ten workers in Bonaire were born Bonairians. They worked relatively often in public administration and government services, in health and welfare, and in construction and trade. Compared to born Bonairians, immigrants worked relatively often in construction and hospitality.
In St. Eustatius, Relatively Many Workers from the Dominican Republic
Of the workers on Sint Eustatius, 37 percent were born Statian. In 2022, that was 40 percent. They worked mainly in public administration and government services, as well as in education and industry.
In addition to born Statians, relatively many people born in the Dominican Republic worked (14 percent). Immigrants worked compared to born Statians relatively often in construction.
Share of Born Sabanen Among Workers in Saba Decreases
Of the working population in Saba, 29 percent were born Saban. In 2022, that was 31 percent. Almost half of the Sabanen (45 percent) worked in public administration and government services.
Of all workers, 780 people were not born in Saba. In 2022, there were still 700. About 1 in 10 workers were born in Colombia. Immigrants worked compared to born Sabanen relatively often in construction, trade, hospitality, and education.
Sources
StatLine - Caribbean Netherlands; labor participation, key figures
https://opendata.cbs.nl/statline/#/CBS/nl/dataset/83165NED/table?dl=C34C9
StatLine - Caribbean Netherlands; labor participation, country of birth
https://opendata.cbs.nl/statline/#/CBS/nl/dataset/83167NED/table?dl=C34CA
StatLine- Caribbean Netherlands; working population, company SBI 2008
https://opendata.cbs.nl/statline/#/CBS/nl/dataset/83169NED/table?dl=C34CB
Relevant Links
Explanation
When an employer in the Caribbean Netherlands wants to hire someone who does not hold Dutch or American nationality, they are required to first demonstrate efforts to fill the vacancy locally or within the mentioned nationalities.
Only when this is unsuccessful, and no suitable candidates are available, may the employer – under strict conditions and temporarily hire a foreign worker. A work permit is required for this.