The cost of living in Aruba is rising drastically, and for the average worker, wages have not kept pace. From housing to basic goods and services, prices continue to climb while salaries remain stagnant or, at best, grow by a minimal amount. For many workers, the growing gap between what they earn and what they need to spend has become a daily struggle, leaving them financially constrained and with little hope for improvement.

The reality is harsh. Housing costs have surged in recent years, with rental and property prices driven up by external factors like tourism and the limited availability of homes. For workers earning close to the minimum wage or slightly more, it’s nearly impossible to afford decent living conditions. Even when salaries do increase, the raises are often so insignificant that their impact on workers’ wallets is minimal—far from enough to keep up with the relentless rise in expenses.

Inflation in essential goods and services has further eroded purchasing power. Groceries, utilities, and healthcare costs have risen steadily, leaving many families in Aruba struggling to make ends meet. A nominal wage increase of 1% or 2% is meaningless when inflation rates in key sectors surpass 4% or more. This is not wage growth—it’s a slow financial suffocation for workers who see their hard-earned money cover less and less each month.

The situation is particularly dire for low- and middle-income families, who must allocate a large portion of their income to basic needs. These households are forced to make tough decisions: cutting back on essential products, forgoing savings, or even postponing medical care to balance the financial burden. Meanwhile, wages remain stagnant, and even the smallest raise is nowhere near enough to keep up with the relentless rise in the cost of living.

The cruel truth is that Aruba’s workers are being left behind. Stagnant wages, combined with rising living costs, are crushing the financial stability of everyday citizens. The economy may be growing on the surface, but for the average Aruban, this growth is not reflected in their wages. Until salaries reflect the true cost of living, the majority of workers will continue to struggle, watching their purchasing power diminish year after year. The time for change is long overdue.