CBS: Bonaire and St Eustatius economies grew in 2024, while Saba’s shrank

Gross domestic product grew by 4.0% in Bonaire and 1.6% in St Eustatius in 2024, while Saba’s GDP contracted by 4.4%, according to Statistics Netherlands (CBS). CBS said growth on St Eustatius was driven mainly by business services, public administration and construction. It said Saba’s decline was led by education and public administration.

CBS said Bonaire’s GDP, adjusted for price changes, was more than 40% higher than in 2014. St Eustatius’s GDP was nearly 30% lower than in 2014, mainly because value added declined at a limited number of large enterprises. Saba’s economy also contracted from its 2014 level, primarily due to a decline in education.

On Bonaire, CBS said value added in energy, water and waste management rose 11.0%, as electricity and water production increased. The island’s population grew 5.0%, tourist stays rose 7.4% from 2023 and household disposable income increased 15.0%.

CBS said value added in Bonaire’s accommodation and food services sector rose 8.0%, while trade and health care each rose 6.0%. Agriculture, mining and quarrying, construction and manufacturing declined. Construction production was unchanged, but consumption increased, resulting in lower value added.

In St Eustatius, CBS said transport and information and communication declined, despite growth in business services, public administration and construction. On Saba, a fall in student numbers reduced value added in education, while trade, health care, and accommodation and food services increased.