Aruba Economy Enters 2026 on Strong Foundation, driven by sustainable growth, prudent financial management, and rising confidence among businesses, investors, and international partners. This was emphasized by Minister of Finance, Economic Affairs, and Primary Sector, Geoffrey Wever, during his opening address at the AVA Community Talk titled “New Year, New Risks – Outlook 2026” in Oranjestad.
Minister Wever stated that Aruba’s recent economic achievements are not just technical figures on paper, but real results that positively affect daily life, the business sector, and public finances. According to him, economic momentum does not happen by chance—it is built through stability, clear governance, and decisions aimed at removing unnecessary barriers for citizens and entrepreneurs, fostering confidence and opportunity.
Official figures from 2025 confirm robust economic growth. Business permits increased by 16 percent compared to 2024, while more than 3,000 new jobs were created during the year. The number of employers also continued to rise, reflecting resilient entrepreneurial activity despite global economic uncertainty.
Government revenues also showed strong improvement. Income from turnover tax (BBO), import duties, and corporate tax rose by approximately Afl. 80 million in the first three quarters of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. Combined with disciplined spending, this resulted in a budget surplus of Afl. 309 million, equal to 3.9 percent of Aruba’s Gross Domestic Product.
At the same time, Aruba continued to reduce public debt. By the third quarter of 2025, Afl. 405 million in debt and Afl. 194 million in interest had been repaid, lowering the debt-to-GDP ratio to 61 percent. These indicators, Minister Wever noted, confirm growing confidence in Aruba as a place to invest, work, and build a future.
Economic growth in 2025 exceeded expectations, reaching 5.9 percent instead of the projected 3.2 percent, largely driven by the private sector. Future projections indicate steady and sustainable growth, with estimates of 2.6 percent in 2026 and 1.9 percent in 2027.
The approved 2026 budget complies with fiscal rules set by law and anticipates a surplus of Afl. 215 million, with the debt-to-GDP ratio expected to decline further to 58 percent. The government remains focused on entrepreneurship, economic diversification, and investment facilitation, supported by four newly introduced tax incentives aimed at strengthening Aruba’s economic structure.
These initiatives target revitalizing Oranjestad and San Nicolas, encouraging new businesses in promising sectors, facilitating company establishment in the Free Zone, and motivating Arubans living abroad to return and contribute to the local economy.
Minister Wever concluded by calling for close cooperation between the public and private sectors, emphasizing that lasting progress can only be achieved through collaboration.
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