The 65+ Population of Curaçao

As of January 1, 2026, Curaçao had a total population of 158,006, of whom 40,915 were aged 65 years and older. This means, 25.9% of the island's population was aged 65 years and older (Figure 1). 

Figure 1. Population 2026 per age group
 

Women continue to make up the majority of the elderly population. In 2026, 58.6% of all residents aged 65 years and older were women, compared with 41.4% men (Table 1). This difference in gender is consistent with the generally higher life expectancy of women (72.8 for men, vs 77.4 for women) and the fact that the population of Curacao consists of more women (86,743) than men (71,263).   

Table 1. Total population 65+ by gender per January 1st, 2026
 

total

%

Male 65+

16,954

41.4%

Female 65+

23,961

58.6%

Total 65+

40,915

100%

Source: CBS, 2026

Figure 2 provides a more detailed overview of the distribution of the population aged 65 years and older by age group and sex in 2026. The largest number of older adults is found in the youngest age category (65–69 years), after which the number gradually declines with increasing age for both men and women. This pattern reflects the fact that mortality increases with age, resulting in fewer people reaching the oldest age groups. In every age group, the number of women exceeds the number of men. 

Figure 2. Persons 65+ per age group

Increase during the years 

Figure 3 shows that the number of persons aged 65 years and older increased steadily between January 1, 2011, and January 1, 2026, for both men and women. The figure shows that the number of older adults increased from January 1st, 2011, to January 1st, 2026, for both men and women.   

Between 2011 and 2026, the number of people aged 65 years and older increased from 20,511 to 40,915. This represents an increase of 20,404 people, corresponding to a 99.5% increase over the 15-year period. Overall, the population aged 65 years and older almost doubled during the 15-year period. The difference between the number of women and men remained relatively stable between January 1, 2011, and January 1, 2026, with women consistently accounting for the larger share of the population aged 65 years and older. 

Differences within 10-year intervals 

Looking at ten-year intervals, the population aged 65 years and older increased from 20,511 to 29,424 between 2011 and 2021, representing an increase of 8,913 persons (43.5%). Between 2016 and 2026, the older population increased from 24,930 to 40,915, corresponding to an increase of 15,985 persons (64.1%). These findings indicate that population ageing accelerated during the latter part of the study period. 

January 1st, 2025 to January 1st 2026 

Between January 1, 2025, and January 1, 2026, the total population increased by 1,891 persons, from 156,115 to 158,006. During the same period, the number of residents aged 65 years and older increased by 1,463 people, from 39,452 to 40,915. Consequently, the share of the population aged 65 years and older increased from 25.3% to 25.9%, representing an increase of 0.6 percentage points. The number of older men increased by 596 persons (from 16,358 to 16,954), while the number of older women increased by 867 persons (from 23,094 to 23,961

The continued increase increase in the number of persons aged 65 years and older over the past decade reflects the ongoing ageing of Curaçao's population

Figure 3. Amount of people 65+ by gender