LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE AMERICA 2017 ISSUE 2017 | Page 137

LIFEStyLES MAgAzInE
ISLAnD PrOFILED

Demographics of Aruba

Aruba OnE HAPPy ISLAnD

Population of Aruba 1961–2003, according to the FAO in 2005;
number of inhabitants given in thousands. The population is
estimated to be 80% mixed White/Caribbean Native Americans, 5% Africans and 15% other ethnicities. The Arawak heritage is stronger on Aruba than on most Caribbean islands.
Although no full-blooded Aboriginals remain, the features of
the islanders clearly indicate their genetic Arawak heritage.
Most of the population is descended from Caquetio Indians
and Dutch and to a lesser extent of Africans, Spanish, Portuguese, English, French, and Sephardic Jewish ancestors.

Recently, there has been substantial immigration to the island
from neighboring American and Caribbean nations, possibly
attracted by the higher paid jobs. In 2007, new immigration
laws were introduced to help control the growth of the population by restricting foreign workers to a maximum of