More than 3 thousand European Dutch nationals moved to the Caribbean Netherlands over a period of 5 years

Between 2010 and 2014, in total 3.4 thousand residents of the European part of the Netherlands moved to one of the three islands of the Caribbean Netherlands. The other way around, 2.5 thousand people moved from the Caribbean Netherlands to the European Netherlands. On balance, more people moved from the European Netherlands to Bonaire, Saba or St Eustatius than vice versa, according to figures released by Statistics Netherlands (CBS).

Mainly native Dutch citizens move to Bonaire, Saba or St Eustatius

European Dutch nationals of native Dutch origin in particular emigrated relatively more often to one of the islands of the Caribbean Netherlands; nearly 800 more than in the opposite direction. This was also the case for second-generation Dutch nationals of Antillean origin, although in smaller numbers. As for first-generation Antilleans, there is no difference between the migration flows: similar numbers moved from the European to the Caribbean Netherlands as did vice versa.

Caribbean Netherlands popular among people in their twenties and forties

Among people from the European Netherlands between the ages of 20 and 30 especially, the Caribbean Netherlands are popular and larger numbers migrate to the Caribbean Netherlands than vice versa. Whereas net migration is generally highest among people in their twenties and decreases with age, a proportionately large number of people in their forties migrate to the Caribbean Netherlands.

European Netherlands popular among young Antilleans for studies

In the period 2010-2014, a significantly larger group of first-generation Antilleans – born on Aruba, Curaçao or St Maarten – moved to the European Netherlands than the other way around: 16 thousand against 11.5 thousand. These were mainly older teenagers and people in their twenties who came  to the Netherlands to study. The exact opposite applied to native Dutch and second-generation Antilleans: slightly more moved from the European Netherlands to Aruba, Curaçao or St Maarten than vice versa.

Between 2010 and 2014, the population of the Caribbean Netherlands increased by almost 3.8 thousand residents. This is largely attributable to positive net migration and was far less the result of natural growth (births). Apart from positive net migration from the European Netherlands (nearly one thousand), migration from Central and South America, the United States and Canada also contributed to this population growth.