Shailiny Tromp-Lee sounds the alarm following new figures from the Central Bank: The people have lost confidence in the economy and in their own pockets.
Looking at the latest report from the Central Bank of Aruba, published recently, the outlook is worrisome: consumer confidence fell by 3.7 points to reach 92.7 in the first quarter of 2026. In the Central Bank’s language, any figure below 100 signifies pessimism, and this drop is a warning sign for our country’s economic development.
Alarming Figures:
68% of the people foresee that the economy will worsen in the next 6 months. At the end of 2025, this stood at 36%.
53% fear that it will become harder to find a job.
35% anticipate that their personal financial situation will worsen.
41% believe that the government’s financial position will continue to decline.
What Does This Mean for the People?
Money is no longer enough: 93% of families declared that they cannot buy as much as they did 6 months ago. Furthermore, 96% fear that prices will continue to rise in the coming months.
Less capacity to save: 46% of households are saving less now compared to before. Families have fewer reserves for any emergency.
Consumption is slowing down: The Consumer Habit Index dropped by 4.4 points. The people lack the confidence and the means to spend in local commerce, which slows down Aruba’s economic dynamism.
Tromp-Lee: This Report Is Not Just Cold Figures
“This report is not just cold figures. It is the reflection of a population that feels there is no economic direction and that its purchasing power is not protected. The Central Bank measured the sentiment in every household in Aruba. The result is clear: the people are pessimistic.”
“As I have been doing through written questions and in my role as President of the Committee on Finance, Government Organization, Culture, and Sports, I will continue to emphasize that the Government must pay more attention to the declining purchasing power and the rising cost of living. Because if families cannot make ends meet at the end of the month, if youth have no hope of finding a job, and if businesses fear the future, then we as Parliament have a duty to act,” Tromp-Lee stated.