Labor and income
The participation of the population 15 years and older in the labor market is measured during every Population and Housing Census and also measured yearly by means of a Labor Force Survey. This results in the percentage of the population 15 years and older that is either employed or actively seeking employment and ready to start working within 2 weeks of getting a job (unemployed).
In the last 6 decades, a decline can be observed in the labor participation of males and an increase in the labor participation of females. While in 1960, 84.1% of males 15 years and older participated in the labor market, in 2024, the participation of males in the labor market was 67.9%. On the other hand, the participation rate of females increased from 27.4% in 1960 to 59.6% in 2024. Consequently, the inactivity rate of males increased between 1960 and 2024 from 15.9% to 32.1% in 2024. The inactivity rate of females dropped from 72.6% in 1960 to 40.4% in 2024.
According to the results of the LFS in 2024, more females than males participated in the labor market, 29,364 females against 28,952 males. In addition, more females were inactive, 19,878 females and 13,660 males. The latter is related to the presence of more females in the older age categories.
Source: Population and Housing Census, 1960, 1972, 1981, 1991, 2000, 2010, 2020. Labour Force Surveys 2015-2024
Source: Population and Housing Census, 1960, 1972, 1981, 1991, 2000, 2010, 2020. Labour Force Surveys 2015-2024
The employment and unemployment rates of the population change according to the state of the economy. In 1960, and 1972, the unemployment rate of the population was particularly high amongst both males and females, as was the case in 2010. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, preventive measures implemented by the government of Aruba kept a significant rise in the unemployment rate at bay. In 2020, the unemployment rate of males equaled 9.2% and that of females 8.0%. After the pandemic, the unemployment rate increased again to reach pre-pandemic levels and then decreased in 2024 to 4.3%.