Aruba Population 2018

Aruba is a small island located nearly 1,600 kilometers west of the Lesser Antilles and 27 kilometers north of Venezuela. Along with Bonaire and Curacao, it forms the ABC islands. Aruba is one of 4 constituent countries that create the Kingdom of the Netherlands, thus its citizens are Dutch. The estimated 2018 population of Aruba is 105,670. This makes Aruba the 197th most populous country in the world.

Aruba has an estimated population of 105,670, up slightly from the 2013 estimate of 102,900. Despite having one of the world's smallest populations, Aruba does have a high population density at 575 people per square kilometer (or 1,490 per square mile). This ranks Aruba 22nd in the world.

The largest city and capital is Oranjestad, located near the western end of the island. Often called "Playa," it has a population estimated at 30,000.

Aruba Demographics

Aruba's population is believed to be 80% mixed Black/White/Caribbean Amerindian and 20% other ethnicities. Aruba has a very strong Arawak heritage compared to other Caribbean islands. The Arawak are a group of people indigenous to the Caribbean and are believed to be the natives Christopher Columbus encountered in 1492. While there are no full-blooded aboriginals remaining, the features of many islanders shows their heritage. Most of the population is descended from the Arawak, as well as Spanish, Italian, Dutch, French, British, Portuguese and African ancestors.

Many people in Aruba are descended from Venezuelan immigrants due to the island's close proximity to the country, and many Venezuelans own vacation homes on the island. The majority (81%) of Arubans are Roman Catholic.

Aruba has one of the highest standards of living in the Caribbean area with a low unemployment rate and well paying jobs, which means immigration to the area has been so strong the country had to pass legislation to limit immigration. Still, Aruba is a small country and it's population cannot exceed a certain level.

Components of Population Change