ORANJESTAD / THE BOTTOM – The populations of Sint Eustatius and Saba grew modestly in 2024, mainly due to migration. As of January 1st, 2025, Statia had 3,270 residents (an increase of 66 people, or 2 percent), while Saba counted 2,158 residents (an increase of 98 people, or 5 percent). This is according to new figures published by Statistics Netherlands (CBS).
The increase on both islands was largely the result of more people moving in than leaving. Natural population growth—births minus deaths—played a limited role.
On Sint Eustatius, the number of residents born outside the Caribbean Netherlands rose by 64. Most of the new residents came from Sint Maarten, while the number of people born in Curaçao and the United States slightly declined.
Saba saw a net migration gain of 108 people. The number of residents born outside the Caribbean Netherlands increased by 94. Newcomers were mostly from the European Netherlands, Sint Maarten, and Suriname, while the number of residents born in Curaçao decreased slightly.
Meanwhile, Bonaire—the largest island in the Caribbean Netherlands—also experienced strong growth, gaining 1,419 new residents (6 percent increase), bringing its total population to 26,552. Migration was again the main driver, particularly from the European Netherlands, Colombia, Curaçao, and the Dominican Republic.
Across the Caribbean Netherlands, the total population increased by 1,583 people (5 percent), reaching nearly 32,000 residents as of January 1st, 2025.
