Economic contraction on St Eustatius, growth on Bonaire

© Hollandse Hoogte
On two of the three islands of the Caribbean Netherlands, the value of the gross domestic product (GDP) <hyperlink 1> increased in 2014. On Bonaire the increase was 4.1 percent, on Saba 1.8 percent. According to Statistics Netherlands (CBS), St Eustatius was the only island where the value of GDP declined relative to 2013, (-4.4 percent).

Adjusted for price changes, GDP volumes change. The figures for Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba are +1.6 percent, -6.8 percent and -0.2 percent respectively. The price correction is based on the consumer price index for households.
The GDP values on Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba were 403, 100 en 46 million American dollars (USD) respectively in 2014. The respective amounts per capita were 21,600, 25,300 and 25,100 USD.

Population growth

On average, the population on Bonaire was 17,911 in 2013, versus 18,659 in 2014. The population increase on Bonaire was more or less consistent with GDP growth. Consequently, the per capita value of GDP was also about the same as in 2013. On St Eustatius, the population hardly changed: 3,959 residents in 2013, versus 3,949 in 2014. This resulted in a GDP decline per capita of 4.2 percent. Saba’s population fell from 1.919 to 1.829, resulting in a GDP value increase per capita of 6.8 percent.

table bbp Caribic Netherlands