Aruban youth face mental decline after COVID, survey shows resilience amid challenges

Oranjestad, Aruba - March 6, 2025 - A groundbreaking report, "Quality of Life of Aruban Youth: The Follow-Up Post-COVID Youth Monitor 2024," published today by the Instituto Pedagogico Arubano and the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, paints a mixed picture of Aruban youth ages 10-14. Although 81% still rate their mental health positively, the survey reveals a worrisome decline since the 2019 pre-COVID measurement, with increasing anxiety, declining enjoyment of school and socioeconomic pressures casting a shadow over the island's future.

The report, commissioned by the Weaver-Croes II administration, surveyed 2,344 students in all 43 elementary school and interviewed parents and teachers. It notes a deterioration in mental health, with 33.9% worried about the future and girls disproportionately affected - 26.7% reported problems such as loneliness and nervousness, compared with 11.7% among boys. School well-being plummeted, with only 54.5% feeling positive (down from 68% in 2019), and 59.8% disliking school amid criticism of outdated resources and too little support from teachers.

The economic aftermath of COVID-19, which affected Aruba's tourism economy, exacerbated family stress, with 15.6% of students having insufficient food at home and 39.2% living in single-parent households. Risk behavior rose slightly to 15.7%, linked to strict parenting and unsafe neighborhoods with drugs and gangs. Still, there is hope: schools remain a familiar "second home," access to care has improved, and initiatives such as "bario watches" are strengthening safety in some areas.

Lead researcher Dr. Paula Kibbelaar emphasized, "Although many youth are resilient, the decline following COVID requires action. We recommend monitoring every three years and targeted support for mental health, education and community programs." The findings, in line with UNICEF's children's rights agenda, call for policy measures to ensure a sustainable future for Aruban youth.

Summary of the Report: "Quality of Life of Aruban Youth: The Follow-Up Post-COVID Youth Monitor 2024"

The report "Quality of Life of Aruban Youth: The Follow-Up Post-COVID Youth Monitor 2024" is a national research project commissioned by the Aruban government under the Wever-Croes II administration, focusing on the well-being of Aruban youth aged 10-14 years during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Conducted by a multidisciplinary team from the Instituto Pedagogico Arubano (IPA) and the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU), it builds on a 2019 pre-COVID pilot, with expansion to all elementary school, parent perspectives and a stronger focus on mental health after COVID.

The Good Points

1. Comprehensive Research Approach: The study combines qualitative interviews with school professionals and parents with quantitative surveys of 2,344 students, providing a robust dataset. All 43 elementary schools are involved, ensuring broad representation.
2. Positive Mental Health Base: Despite challenges, 81% of students rate their mental health positively in 2023, with 90.4% feeling happy often or very often, indicating resilience in many.
3. Strengths in Education and Community: Schools are often seen as a "second home," with confidence in teachers. Some districts, such as Oranjestad West, report higher school well-being (65.4%). Community events and "bario watches" enhance safety and cohesion in some districts.
4. Improved Access to Health Care: Parents note that access to health care after COVID has become faster and more affordable for documented residents, a bright spot of the pandemic.
5. Policy relevance: The monitor aligns with UNICEF goals and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), providing evidence-based insights for sustainable youth policy, with recommendations for monitoring every three years.

The Bad Points

1. Declining Mental Health and Well-Being at School: Compared to 2019, mental health deteriorated, with more anxiety (18.6% often/wholly afraid in 2023 vs. 14% in 2019) and worry about the future (33.9% in 2023). School well-being decreased significantly, with only 54.5% feeling positive (vs. 68% in 2019), and 59.8% not liking school (vs. 42.6%).
2. Socioeconomic Problems: Financial stress, poverty and single-parent households (39.2% live with one parent) exacerbate challenges for young people. The economic aftermath of COVID, especially in tourism-dependent Aruba, has increased family stress, with 15.6% reporting insufficient food at home (up from 11.2% in 2019).
3. Increasing Risk Behavior: Risk behavior increased slightly to 15.7% in 2023 from 15% in 2019, linked to low self-control, strict discipline (23.2% reports strict parenting vs. 16.7% in 2019) and unsafe neighborhoods with drugs and gangs.
4. Educational Differences: Parents and professionals criticize declining school quality, lack of resources and outdated materials. Only 40.2% like school, and 51.7% feel too little attention from teachers (down from 40.4% in 2019). School recommendations tend toward lower levels (e.g., MAVO), frustrating parental expectations.
5. Gender Gap in Mental Health: Girls report significantly more mental problems (26.7%) than boys (11.7%), such as loneliness (23.2% vs. 12.6%) and nervousness (30.7% vs. 17.1%), highlighting a gender-specific crisis.