Quick facts
Curaçao population overview
Curaçao is the 21st most populous of 41 countries and territories in North America. The United Nations put the population at 186,283 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of 0% the live estimate on this page falls by roughly 0 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 1,416 births (7.6 per 1,000 people) and 1,937 deaths (10.4 per 1,000), plus net immigration of roughly 466 people. The infant mortality rate is 7.8 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 124,826 in 1960 to 156,263 in 2025 — a change of +25.2%, or +0.3% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 39 years; life expectancy at birth is 77.3 years; women have on average 1.4 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 14.6% of residents are under 15 and 17.3% are 65 or older (2025); 91.5% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Willemstad. Curaçao covers 444 km², giving a population density of about 419 people per km². GDP was $3.56B in 2024 — about $22,833 per person (World Bank classification: high income).
Curaçao population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 186,238 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 186,283 |
| World rank | #191 of 238 |
| Rank in North America | #21 of 41 |
| Share of world population | 0.002% |
| Annual growth rate | 0% |
| Births per year est. | 1,416 |
| Deaths per year est. | 1,937 |
| Net migration per year est. | +466 |
| Birth rate | 7.6 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 10.4 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 7.8 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 91.2 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 39 years |
| Life expectancy | 77.3 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 1.4 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 91.5% |
| Surface area 2023 | 444 km² |
| Population density | 419 per km² |
| Capital | Willemstad |
| GDP (current US$) 2024 | $3.56B |
| GDP per capita 2024 | $22,833 |
| Income group World Bank | High income |
Curaçao population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 186,238 | – | – |
| 2025 | 156,263 | +296 | +0.2% |
| 2024 | 155,967 | +1,313 | +0.8% |
| 2023 | 154,654 | +1,333 | +0.9% |
| 2022 | 153,321 | -627 | -0.4% |
| 2021 | 153,948 | -1,534 | -1% |
| 2020 | 155,482 | -2,498 | -0.3% |
| 2015 | 157,980 | +9,277 | +1.2% |
| 2010 | 148,703 | +11,045 | +1.6% |
| 2005 | 137,658 | +3,798 | +0.6% |
| 2000 | 133,860 | -11,279 | -1.6% |
| 1995 | 145,139 | -261 | 0% |
| 1990 | 145,400 | -7,311 | -1% |
| 1985 | 152,711 | +4,670 | +0.6% |
| 1980 | 148,041 | -1,088 | -0.1% |
| 1975 | 149,129 | +4,390 | +0.6% |
| 1970 | 144,739 | +9,473 | +1.4% |
| 1965 | 135,266 | +10,440 | +1.6% |
| 1960 | 124,826 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Curaçao
Population over time
- From 124,826 in 1960 to 186,238 today — up 49.2%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: -0.1% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 77 years (2024), up 11.6 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 1.4 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 7.2 births vs 10.1 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Deaths outnumber births — natural decrease of 2.9 per 1,000 a year.
Age structure
- 14.6% of the population is under 15 and 17.3% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 4.2% in 1960 — the population is aging.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 3,589.2 kg of oil equivalent per person (2023), down 58.3% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 2.8% of final energy in 2021 (+2.8 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 0.2% of land area (2023).
- Cover has been essentially stable since 2011 (+0 points).
Urban population (% of total)
- 91.5% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 75.2% in 1960 (+16.3 points).
- Majority-urban for the whole period covered.
Economy
- GDP: $3.56B in 2024.
- Nominal GDP is up 16.4% since 2014.
- That works out to $22,833 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Consumer-price inflation: 2.6% in 2019.
Internet & mobile
- 68.1% of people used the internet in 2017.
- Mobile subscriptions: 93.8 per 100 people (2023).
Curaçao in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Curaçao in 2026?
As of October 2026, Curaçao has an estimated population of 186,238. The United Nations estimated 186,283 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the 0% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Curaçao growing or shrinking?
It is shrinking at 0% per year — roughly 0 fewer people every day. Each year there are about 1,416 births and 1,937 deaths, with net migration of +466.
What is the population density of Curaçao?
About 419 people per square kilometre: 186,238 people living on 444 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Curaçao?
The median age is 39 years, and life expectancy at birth is 77.3 years. 14.6% of the population is under 15 and 17.3% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Curaçao rank by population?
Curaçao is the 191st most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 21st in North America, with 0.002% of the global population.
How has the population of Curaçao changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 124,826; by 2025 it had grown to 156,263 (+25.2%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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KiribatiSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (0%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.