Aruba Rate of Natural Increase

Aruba’s rate of natural increase (RNI)—the difference between its birth rate and death rate—has been notably low in recent years, often hovering around zero or even turning negative. This is largely due to Aruba’s relatively low birth rate and an aging population, which leads to fewer births and more deaths. In comparison, neighboring countries in the Caribbean and northern South America, such as Curaçao and Venezuela, generally exhibit higher RNIs. For instance, Venezuela still maintains a positive RNI due to higher fertility rates, despite recent emigration trends. Similarly, other Caribbean islands like the Dominican Republic and Trinidad and Tobago also have higher RNIs than Aruba, though they too are experiencing gradual declines as fertility rates drop. Overall, Aruba’s low or negative RNI sets it apart from many of its neighbors, indicating slower natural population growth and a greater reliance on migration for demographic change.

Data from US Census International Database