KRALENDIJK – The Dutch government has made a correction for 2024 in the recent financial overview of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba. The previously published report contained several incorrect figures. According to the ministry, the error concerned the representation of income from special grants.
However, the correction has little impact on the overall financial picture for Bonaire. The key indicators, such as equity and total income, remain largely unchanged. For the other islands, Sint Eustatius and Saba, income from special grants turns out to be slightly lower than previously reported.
Strong growth in income
The updated financial overview shows that Bonaire has experienced clear growth in recent years. Between 2021 and 2024, equity rose from approximately 70 million dollars to over 115 million dollars.
Total income also increased significantly. In 2024, it amounted to nearly 160 million dollars, compared to approximately 86 million dollars in 2021. This growth is mainly due to higher contributions from the Netherlands and rising local revenues.
An important factor is the tourist tax, which has been in effect since July 2022 for visitors to the island. This measure has led to a significant increase in Bonaire’s own revenues.
More investments and expenditure
The rising income is also resulting in higher expenditure. According to the Dutch government, Bonaire is investing more in areas such as infrastructure, education, social services and healthcare. The overview shows that total expenditure has increased significantly since 2021, partly because greater financial scope has emerged to implement policy.
Importance of accurate figures
The correction is significant because the Dutch House of Representatives is informed annually about the financial situation of the Caribbean public bodies. By publishing accurate figures, the Netherlands Court of Audit can also correctly complete its investigation into the use of funds.
Positive development
Despite the error in the earlier report, the overall picture remains positive. According to the report, Bonaire shows a stable and growing financial position, with more income and investments in public services.
