Population

Between the beginning of 2014 and the end of 2018, Bonaire’s population grew by 1.6 thousand to reach 20 thousand. This was mainly due to more immigration than emigration, while natural population growth contributed as well. Since 2011, the share of residents born in the European Netherlands has risen from 11 percent to 15 percent. The population share born in South and Central America has seen a rise. At the beginning of 2019, Bonaire had relatively fewer residents born in the former Netherlands Antilles and Aruba than in 2011.

Young adults (17 to 26 years) from highincome households, i.e. in the highest income half, are more likely to migrate to the European Netherlands than those from families in the lowest income half. Many of them settle in the European Netherlands for their education.

At the beginning of this year, Bonaire had 3 thousand inhabitants who were born in the European Netherlands, up from 1.7 thousand in 2011. According to the most recent demographic forecast, this will have risen to 4.9 thousand by the year 2050. In relative terms as well, the share of Dutch-born residents is increasing: from 11 percent in 2011 to 15 percent in 2019, with a projected 22 percent in 2050.