Inflation in the Caribbean Netherlands is Up

SABA/SINT EUSTATIUS – Consumer prices on St Eustatius rose by 2.1 percent in Q1 2026 compared to Q4 2025. Just as on Bonaire, this was mainly due to higher prices for housing, water and energy.

Electricity became 16.1 percent more expensive, due to changes in energy subsidies and higher variable rates. Prices for drinking water rose by 12.9 percent. The variable rates have increased, but the fixed rates have been fully subsidised since the first quarter.

Prices for solid and liquid fuels also rose by 17 percent. On the other hand, prices for clothing and footwear fell by 2.2 percent.

Prices on Saba also up

Prices on Saba rose by 2.6 percent in Q1 2026 compared to Q4 2025. Just as on Bonaire and St Eustatius, this was mainly due to higher prices for housing, water and energy. Electricity became 38.8 percent more expensive. Both fixed rates and variable rates increased, as did prices for drinking water.

Just as on Bonaire and St Eustatius, prices for clothing and footwear fell in Q1 compared to the previous quarter. On Saba, prices for these items were down by 1.5 percent.

Prices on Bonaire rose by 3.4 percent

In the first quarter of 2026, prices on Bonaire were up by 3.4 percent on Q4 2025. This increase was mainly due to prices for housing, water and energy, which rose by 10.6 percent.

Prices for drinking water and electricity rose by 36.6 percent and 29.3 percent, respectively. This was because subsidies for drinking water and energy were reduced. This led to an increase in the fixed rates for both services. The variable rates for water and electricity also rose in Q1.

Health-related goods and services were 13.1 percent more expensive in Q1. Air passenger transport also became more expensive. Prices for clothing and footwear, on the other hand, were 1.9 percent lower. Prices for petrol were down by 4.6 percent from Q4 2025.