Aruban Florin

Overview

Economy

• Aruba is a member of Associated with Netherlands in EU, Caribbean organizations.
• Main industries include: Tourism, Oil refining, Offshore banking, Aloe processing, Small-scale manufacturing.
• Imports are food, consumer goods, machinery, chemicals, fuel.
• Major exports include live animals, art and collectibles, machinery, electrical equipment, transport equipment.
• GDP: $2.7 billion (2023 est.).
• GDP per capita: $25,300 (2023 est.).
• Unemployment rate: 7.7% (2023 est.).
• Inflation rate: 4.3% (2023 est.).
• Main trading partners: United States, Colombia, Netherlands, Venezuela, Jamaica.
• Trade agreements: EU agreements through Netherlands, Caribbean trade arrangements.

History

• Previous currencies used: Netherlands Antillean guilder, Dutch guilder.
• The Aruban florin was introduced on January 1, 1986, when Aruba achieved separate status within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, replacing the Netherlands Antillean guilder.
• 1986: Aruban florin introduced replacing Netherlands Antillean guilder
• 1990: Fixed exchange rate established with USD
• 2003: Coastal refinery closure and economic restructuring
• 2019: Central Bank independence enhanced
• Exchange rate peg: USD (1990-present) at 1.79 AWG = 1 USD.
• Currently pegged to USD at 1.79 AWG = 1 USD.

General Information

• ISO 4217 Code: AWG
• Symbols: AWG/ƒ
• Currency Subunits: 100 cents
• Central Bank: Central Bank of Aruba
• Monetary Policy: Currency board system maintaining USD peg. Focus on monetary stability and supporting tourism-dependent economy.
• Bills: 10 florin, 25 florin, 50 florin, 100 florin, 200 florin, 500 florin
• Coins: 5 cents, 10 cents, 25 cents, 50 cents, 1 florin, 2.5 florin, 5 florin
• USD Exchange Rate: 1.79
• Pegged To: USD at 1.79 AWG = 1 USD
• Capital: Oranjestad
• Population: 106,537 (2023 est.)
• Area: 180 km²
• Languages: Dutch (official), Papiamento (official), Spanish, English
• Time Zones: UTC-4 (Atlantic Standard Time)
• Government Type: Parliamentary democracy within Kingdom of the Netherlands
• Head of Government: Prime Minister (head of government), Governor (representing Dutch Crown)
• Independence: Autonomous country within Kingdom of the Netherlands since 1986
• Ethnic Groups: Aruban 66%, Colombian 9.1%, Dutch 4.3%, Dominican 4.1%, Venezuelan 3.2%, Curaçaoan 2.2%, Haitian 2.2%, Surinamese 2.1%, Peruvian 1.9%, Chinese 1.8%, Other 3.1%
• Religions: Roman Catholic 75.3%, Protestant 4.9%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.7%, Other Christian 4.4%, Other 2.4%, None 5.4%, Unspecified 5.9%
• Literacy Rate: 97.5% (2018 est.)
• Transport: Queen Beatrix International Airport, modern road network, cruise port facilities
• Communications: Advanced telecommunications, high internet penetration, 4G/5G networks
• Energy: Fossil fuels primary, growing renewable energy sector with solar and wind projects
• Countries Using This Currency: Aruba
• Data Sources: Central Bank: Central Bank of Aruba (cbaruba.org), Economic Data: Central Bureau of Statistics Aruba, Trade Data: Aruba Customs Department, Demographic Data: Central Bureau of Statistics Aruba, Geographic Data: Department of Infrastructure and Planning, Historical Data: Central Bank of Aruba archives
• Last Updated: 2025