Public Lecture Series

Organizers:

Date:

April 29, 2026

Time:

6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

Fee:

Free Entrance

Location:

Aula, LSB Building, University of Aruba

Public Lecture Series: Is the Middle Class Being Squeezed? The case of inflation inequality in Aruba

Description

Inflation affects everyone in society—but not in the same way. This lecture elaborates on how inflation in Aruba affects income groups differently, focusing on different income quartiles during the 2016-2022 period. What the study finds is that because of their spending patterns, middle-income households often experience higher effective inflation than headline figures suggest. In contrast to other groups in society which may benefit from government support, or which may have more of a cushion to keep up with rising costs, the result is a middle class experiencing reduced purchasing power and increased financial pressure. Join us to uncover hidden patterns in how inflation affects different households, and why it matters more than you might think.

Speaker

Daniella van den Berg is an economist at the Centrale Bank van Aruba. She holds an MSc in Economic Policy from Utrecht University, and a BSc in Finance from the Florida State University. Her research focuses on the social dimensions of economics, with a particular interest in how economic policies affect communities. Her work has covered topics such as savings behavior, human development, the labor market, and the economic impact of heat. Prior to joining the Centrale Bank van Aruba, Daniella worked at a local commercial bank.

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