St. Eustatius residents most satisfied with life in the Caribbean Netherlands

KRALENDIJK – Residents of St. Eustatius are, on average, the most satisfied with their lives of the three islands of the Caribbean Netherlands. This is according to preliminary figures from Statistics Netherlands (CBS) for 2025.

Residents of Bonaire rate their happiness at an average of 8.0. On St. Eustatius it is 8.5 and on Saba 8.2. Overall life satisfaction scores an average of 7.9 on Bonaire, compared to 8.4 on St. Eustatius and 8.2 on Saba.

Satisfaction with various aspects

CBS also asked residents about their satisfaction with various aspects of daily life. On Bonaire, residents rate their satisfaction with work and daily activities at an average of 7.8. Their financial situation scores a 7.4 and educational opportunities a 7.5.

On St. Eustatius, the average scores for work and daily activities, financial situation and educational opportunities are 8.2, 7.6 and 7.7 respectively. On Saba, these scores are 7.8, 7.2 and 7.5 respectively.

Satisfaction with the financial situation on St. Eustatius has increased since 2021. On Bonaire and Saba, no clear change can be seen in life satisfaction and happiness.

Changes in daily life

Residents were also asked how they feel their daily lives have changed over the past five years. On Bonaire, 37 percent say life has improved or greatly improved. On St. Eustatius that is 60 percent and on Saba 33 percent.

At the same time, 29 percent of residents of Bonaire say that daily life has worsened or greatly worsened. On Saba that is 45 percent and on St. Eustatius 8 percent.

CBS did not investigate why residents feel their daily lives have improved or worsened.

Satisfaction with government

Satisfaction with the local government and the national government was also examined. On Bonaire, 25 percent of residents are (very) satisfied with the performance of the local government, while about a third are (very) dissatisfied.

On St. Eustatius, 54 percent are satisfied with the local government and on Saba 28 percent. On all three islands, a considerable share of residents are also neither satisfied nor dissatisfied with the performance of the national government.

The study covers residents aged 15 and older and was conducted in the second half of 2025 and early 2026.

The full study and the CBS figures can be read here.