Curaçao began in 2010 as an autonomous country with high ambitions: sound public finances, a reformed and structurally growing economy, and improved protection of the most vulnerable in society. In his contribution to the book De Prijs van Autonomie (edited by Eugene Rhuggenaath and René Zwart), Koert van Buiren concludes that these objectives have not yet been achieved, particularly in the social domain. The purchasing power of households dependent on the social safety net has deteriorated, poverty has increased, and income inequality has widened. To date, autonomy has yielded limited benefits for the population of Curaçao.

Van Buiren makes an urgent appeal to Curaçao’s policymakers: to take the responsibility that comes with autonomy, to protect the most vulnerable, and to address poverty in a structural and sustainable manner.

Read the chapter ‘Autonomie en Economie: de balans na vijftien jaar’ in the book ‘De Prijs van Autonomie’ here (Dutch only).