The Central Bank of Aruba published its real sector tables for the third quarter of 2026, showing continued tourism growth alongside rising inflation and weaker business and consumer sentiment. Provisional annual figures indicate real gross domestic product growth of 3.7% for 2026, compared with 6.3% in 2025.
Tourist arrivals involving an overnight stay reached 421,125 in the third quarter, up 13.1% from a year earlier. Arrivals from Latin America increased 47%, compared with 5.4% growth from North America. Consumer prices were 3% higher than a year earlier at quarter end, up from 2.4% at the end of the second quarter.
The Business Perception Index fell to 106.1 from 107.5 in the second quarter, remaining above the neutral threshold of 100. Assessments of current conditions weakened, while expectations for the next six months held broadly steady. Consumer confidence slipped to 93.3 from 93.6, remaining in pessimistic territory. Among consumers surveyed, 90.4% reported being unable to purchase as much as six months earlier.