4 GeoFroggy

Economy Overview

Tourism, petroleum bunkering, hospitality, and financial and business services are the mainstays of the small open Aruban economy. Tourist arrivals have rebounded strongly following a dip after the 2008 global financial crisis. Tourism now accounts for over 80% of economic activity. Over 1.5 million tourists per year visit Aruba, with 75% of those from the US. The rapid growth of the tourism sector has resulted in a substantial expansion of other activities. Construction continues to boom with hotel capacity five times the 1985 level. Aruba is heavily dependent on imports and is making efforts to expand exports to achieve a more desirable trade balance. Almost all consumer and capital goods are imported, with the US, the Netherlands, and Panama being the major suppliers. Aruba weathered two major shocks in recent years: fallout from the global financial crisis, which had its largest impact on tourism, and the closure of its oil refinery in 2009. However, tourism and related industries have continued to grow, and the Aruban government is working to attract more diverse industries. Aruba's banking sector withstood the recession well, and unemployment has significantly decreased.

Agriculture Products

aloes; livestock; fish

Industries

tourism, petroleum transshipment facilities, banking

Industrial Production Growth Rate

NA%

Labor Force

51,610

Labor Force by Occupation

Agriculture: NA%

Industry: NA%

Services: NA%

Note: most employment is in wholesale and retail trade, followed by hotels and restaurants

Unemployment Rate

6.9% (2005 est.)

Population Below Poverty Line

NA%

Household Income or Consumption by Percentage Share

Lowest 10%: NA%

Highest 10%: NA%

Budget

Revenues: $622.6 million

Expenditures: $849.4 million (2014 est.)

Public Debt

55% of GDP (2012)

Central Bank Discount Rate

3% (31 December 2009)

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

Stock of Narrow Money

$957.2 million (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of Broad Money

$1.838 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of Domestic Credit

$1.656 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Market Value of Publicly Traded Shares

Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold

Debt External

$666.4 million (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of Direct Foreign Investment at Home

Stock of Direct Foreign Investment Abroad

Exchange Rates

1.79 (2011 est.)
Year

GDP Official Exchange Rate

  • $2.516 billion 2009 est.

Taxes and Other Revenues

  • 24.7% of GDP (2014 est.)

Budget Surplus or Deficit

  • -9% of GDP (2014 est.)

Fiscal Year

  • calendar year

GDP Purchasing Power Parity

    $2.205 billion (2004 est.)

GDP Real Growth Rate

    2.4% (2005 est.)

GDP Per Capital

    $25,300 (2011 est.)

Gross National Saving

GDP Composition by end Use

  • Household consumption
    63.3%
  • Government consumption
    28.3%
  • Investment in fixed capital
    22.9%
  • Investment in inventories
    NA%
  • Exports of goods and services
    68.1%
  • Imports of goods and services
    -82.6%

GDP Composition by Sector of Origin

  • Agriculture
    0.4%
  • Industry
    33.3%
  • Services
    66.3% (2002 est.)

Inflation Rate Consumer Prices

    -2.4% (2013 est.)

Current Account Balance

Exports

    $278.5 million (2013 est.)

Exports Partners

  • Colombia
    31.2%
  • Netherlands
    Antilles
  • US
    15.7%
  • Venezuela
    12.4%
  • Netherlands
    6.1%

Exports Commodities

    Live animals and animal products, art and collectibles, machinery and electrical equipment, transport equipment

Imports

    $1.364 billion (2013 est.)

Imports Partners

  • US
    56%
  • Netherlands
    11.3%

Imports Commodities

    Machinery and electrical equipment, refined oil for bunkering and reexport, chemicals; foodstuffs