WILLEMSTAD - The Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) has released the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures for July and August 2025, showing modest price increases and a slight easing of inflation.
In July, prices on Curaçao rose by 0.2 percent compared to June, bringing the CPI to 105.4. Inflation for July stood at 2.0 percent year-on-year. In August, prices increased by 0.1 percent compared to July, with the CPI reaching 105.5. Inflation eased slightly to 1.8 percent.
July Price Developments
In July, five spending categories saw price increases. Housing rose by 0.7 percent, food by 0.3 percent, clothing and footwear by 0.2 percent, household furnishings by 0.1 percent, and transport and communication also by 0.1 percent. Meanwhile, declines were recorded in alcohol and tobacco (-0.8 percent), healthcare (-0.3 percent), and recreation and education (-0.1 percent). Other categories remained largely unchanged.
August Price Developments
In August, four categories experienced higher costs. Transport and communication jumped by 1.2 percent, alcohol and tobacco by 1.1 percent, healthcare by 0.3 percent, and miscellaneous expenses by 0.2 percent. On the other hand, clothing and footwear fell by 0.6 percent, housing by 0.4 percent, and food by 0.1 percent. Prices for household furnishings, recreation, and education remained stable.
Long-Term Inflation Trends
CBS highlights that inflation reflects the long-term loss of purchasing power as prices for goods and services rise. It is often used to index wages, pensions, social benefits, and the minimum wage.
Measured over twelve months, consumer prices in Curaçao rose by an average of 2.0 percent in July 2025 compared to the same period a year earlier, and by 1.8 percent in August. The 12-month average CPI increased from 101.9 in July 2024 to 104.0 in July 2025, and from 102.2 in August 2024 to 104.1 in August 2025.
The CBS figures suggest that while inflation pressures remain present, Curaçao is experiencing relatively moderate increases in the cost of living compared to previous years.
