Demographics of Aruba

This article is about the demographic features of the population of Aruba, including population density, ethnicity, education level, health of the populace, economic status, religious affiliations and other aspects of the population.

Having poor soil and aridity, Aruba was saved from plantation economics and the slave trade. In 1515, the Spanish transported the entire population to Hispaniola to work in the copper mines; most were allowed to return when the mines were tapped out. The Dutch, who took control a century later, left the Arawaks to graze livestock, using the island as a source of meat for other Dutch possessions in the Caribbean. The Arawak heritage is stronger on Aruba than on most Caribbean islands. No full-blooded aboriginals remain, but the features of the islanders clearly indicate their genetic heritage. The majority of the population is descended mostly from Arawak, and to a lesser extent Dutch, Spanish, and African ancestors. Recently there has been substantial immigration to the island from neighboring Latin American and Caribbean nations, attracted by the lure of well-paying jobs.

The two official languages are the Dutch language and the predominant, national language Papiamento, which is classified as a creole language. This creole language is formed primarily from 16th century Portuguese, and several other languages. Spanish and English are also spoken. Islanders can often speak four or more languages and are mostly Roman Catholic.

Population

Population of Aruba in thousands, 1961-2003

Population pyramid of Aruba

The estimated mid-year population of 2014 is 103,400 (medium fertility scenario of The 2012 Revison of the World Population Prospects).^[2]

Vital statistics^[3][4]

Ethnic groups

• Mixed African, Caribbean Amerindian and white - 80%
• Other - 20%

Languages

• Papiamento (national language) 66.3%
• Spanish 12.6%
• English 7.7%
• Dutch (official) 5.8%
• Other 2.2%
• Unspecified or unknown 5.3% (2000 census)

Religions

• Roman Catholic - 80.8%
• Evangelist - 4.1%
• Protestant - 2.5%
• Jehovah's Witness - 1.5%
• Methodist - 1.2%
• Jewish - 0.2%
• Other - 5.1%
• unspecified or unknown - 5.3 (2000 census)

References

v t e Aruba topics History Geography Capital Cities Climate Islands Rivers Mammals Politics Coast guard Coat of arms Constitution Elections Estates (parliament) Flag Foreign relations Governor Military Monarch Police Political parties Prime Minister Visa policy Economy Airports Buildings Companies Currency Media Telecommunications Transport Culture Demographics Festivals Films Languages LGBT rights Music People Scouting Society Sport Association football Olympics Pan American Games Sportspeople See also Kingdom of the Netherlands Netherlands Antilles Outline Index Bibliography Category Portal WikiProject