Summary

Based on the 2011 Census, CBS produces a series of thematic base publications. This publication is based on the theme “Labor Market”, and describes the economic status of the population of Curaçao 15 years and over. Main subjects that are analyzed here are the employed, unemployed and economically not-active population, and two special studies.

Overall Results
The 2011 Census counted 64.914 employed persons. More women (33.399) than men (31.515) are employed. The number of unemployed women also exceeds the number of unemployed men: 4.457 versus 2.666. The largest difference in numbers between the sexes can be seen at the economically not-active persons: females exceed men by more than 10.000 persons.

The Census counted 7.123 persons as being unemployed, which is 9,9 percent of all people in the labor force. The unemployment rate for women (11,8%) is much higher than for men (7,8%).

Highest unemployment rates are found among the youth (15-19 years of age). Rates are also remarkably higher than on average for the next two age groups (20-24 and 25-29 years).

Though more females than males are active on the labor market (the employed and unemployed together), the participation rate for women lags behind the rate for men (56,1 and 63,6 respectively).

Most of the difference can be explained by the fact that many economically not-active women indicate that they are working in the household and are not looking for work. Also, many more women than men are aged 60 and over and are retired.

Highest participation rates can be found in the age groups from 30 to 49 years, both for men as for women.

Comparison with Census 2001
Between the Census years 2001 and 2011, the total number of employed grew from 47.686 to 64.914, an increase of 36 percent. The average annual growth rate for this period is 3,1 percent.

The number of employed women grew between 2001 and 2011  from 23.138 to 33.399, an increase of  44 percent. This boils down to an annual growth rate of 3,7 percent. Consequently, the growth rate of the male employed grew at a less high pace.

In 2001, 56,8 percent of the population 15 years and over was economically active. In 2011, this participation rate almost reached 60 (59,5%). Though the participation rate for women was lower in both Census years than for men, the difference between the genders diminished. The male participation rate increased between 2001 and 2011 with just 0,2 percent point to 63,6. In contrast, the female rate grew with more than 4 percent points to 56,1. Employed women already outnumber the men, and they are also, as measured by the participation rates, catching up on men in relative terms.

In ten years time, the participation rate increased particularly for the higher age groups, 50 years and older. Mainly women became more economically active in these age groups.

Between 2001 and 2011, unemployment rates fell for all age groups, but above all for the youth (15-19 years).

De economische status van de bevolking van Curacao, Census 2011