Noticiacla Survey: Cost of living hits 45–54 group hardest

ORANJESTAD – The cost of living is by far the leading concern among participants in Noticiacla’s political survey. Of the 411 respondents who answered the question about Aruba’s biggest problem, 208, or 50.6%, selected the cost of living. No other issue came close.

The concern becomes even more pronounced when the results are broken down by age. Among respondents aged 45 to 54, 55 out of 83, or 66.3%, identified the cost of living as Aruba’s biggest problem.

That compares with 48.1% among those aged 55–64 and 43% among respondents 65 and older. Among the 35–44 group, 56.5% also selected the cost of living, although that age category included only 23 respondents.

The 18–34 age groups are too small to draw reliable conclusions, with only two respondents aged 18–24 and eight aged 25–34.

Geographically, Paradera recorded the highest level of concern, with 43 of 78 respondents, or 55.1%, naming the cost of living as Aruba’s biggest problem. Santa Cruz followed at 53.9%, while San Nicolas stood at 53.1%.

The percentage was 47.6% in Noord, 47% in Oranjestad and 46.2% in Savaneta.

The figures suggest that cost-of-living pressure is not confined to one area of Aruba. It is a nationwide concern, but appears particularly pronounced among people aged 45–54 and residents of Paradera, Santa Cruz and San Nicolas.

The 45–54 category is especially noteworthy because people in this stage of life often carry substantial household, family, transportation and other recurring expenses. The survey cannot establish why this group feels the pressure more strongly, but the difference compared with other age groups is large enough to warrant attention.

The issue also reappears when respondents are asked what government should prioritize, reinforcing the impression that purchasing power and the cost of living are among the most pressing social concerns in Aruba today.