ORANJESTAD (AAN) – The Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) has published recent data indicating a widening gap between minimum wage earnings and the “Bestaansminimum” in Aruba. CBS defines the “Bestaansminimum” as the income level necessary for a person or family to function adequately and socially acceptably in society. The index is calculated based on the cost of essential resources consumed by an average adult, including food, clothing, housing, and transport, and is adjusted monthly according to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
According to the figures, the cost of maintaining a basic standard of living continues to rise. For a reference household consisting of two adults and two children, the required monthly income reached Afl. 5,602 in March 2026. This marks an increase of Afl. 95 compared to March 2025, driven primarily by higher expenses in food and non-alcoholic beverages, which accounted for an increase of Afl. 71 over the year.
Single adults face a significant financial deficit. In April 2026, the “Bestaansminimum” for a single-person household was Afl. 2,661. In contrast, the current minimum wage—updated on January 1 of this year to Afl. 11.58 per hour—totals Afl. 2,007.05 per month for a 40-hour work week. This results in a deficit of Afl. 654, the second highest recorded for the month of April in the last six years. The data suggests that despite a general moderation in inflation, specific essential costs are outpacing salary growth for lower-income earners.
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