The population of the Ca­ribbean Netherlands stood at nearly 32,000 at the begin­ning of this year, an increase of five percent or 1,583 peo­ple compared to the previous year, according to figures from the Dutch Central Bu­reau of Statistics (CBS). Most of the increase was attrib­uted to Bonaire, the largest of the three so-called BES islands. Bonaire’s population stood at 26,552 on January 1, a rise of 6% or 1,419 people compared to the preceding year.

The island’s growth was mostly due to positive net migration. Some 1,220 more people immigrated to Bo­naire than moved abroad in 2024. Bonaire also recorded a modest natural population growth, with 82 more births than deaths last year.

The number of Bonaire residents born outside of the Caribbean Netherlands rose by more than 1,345 in 2024. Of these, most were born in the Netherlands, Colombia, Curacao and the Dominican Republic.

St. Eustatius had a total of 3,270 residents on January 1, an increase of 2% or 66 peo­ple compared to the previous year. Like Bonaire, this was due to more people settling on the island than leaving.

The number of St. Eusta­tius residents born outside of the Caribbean Nether­lands rose by more than 60 in 2024. Those born in St. Maarten grew in particular, while there were declines in the number of those born in Curacao and the United States (US).

Saba’s population stood at 2,158 on January 1, an in­crease of 5% or 98 people compared to the previous year. Exactly 213 people moved to the island in 2024, while 105 people left, result­ing in a positive net migra­tion rate of 108.

The number of Saba resi­dents born outside of the Caribbean Netherlands in­creased by more than 90 in 2024. The number of residents born in the Netherlands, St. Maarten and Suriname rose, and there was a drop in those born in Curacao.

The Daily Herald.