KRALENDIJK – The population of Bonaire grew by more than a thousand people in 2025. On 1 January 2026, the island counted 27,611 residents, an increase of 1,059 compared to a year earlier. That is a rise of four percent. The growth is mainly the result of migration, according to new figures from Statistics Netherlands (CBS).
Migration draws people to Bonaire
Last year, 1,171 more people came to live on Bonaire than left the island. In addition, there was a slight birth surplus: 82 more people were born than died.
The growth occurred mainly among residents born outside the Caribbean Netherlands. This group increased by 924 persons. They are predominantly people from Colombia, the Dominican Republic, the European Netherlands, Curaçao and Venezuela.
