4,600 Residents without health insurance, 7% of population experience hunger

(𝘌𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘰𝘳'𝘴 𝘕𝘰𝘵𝘦: 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘯 𝘔𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘕𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 2, 2026).

GREAT BAY--Approximately 4,600 residents of St. Maarten were living without health insurance in 2022, while more than one-third of the population reported having a long-term illness and approximately 7 percent experienced hunger because they lacked sufficient money to purchase food. These are among the findings released by the Department of Statistics (STAT) on November 2, 2026, providing a detailed picture of the health and living conditions of residents at the time of the 2022 Population and Housing Census.

The figures reveal a combination of progress and continuing challenges within the country's health and social protection systems. Although approximately 80 percent of residents described their health as good or very good, the census found that significant portions of the population were dealing with chronic medical conditions, limitations in everyday activities or difficulties obtaining basic necessities.

The island's population reached 41,902 in 2022, compared with 33,609 in 2011, an increase of 8,293 residents over the 11-year period. Census interviews began in September 2022, with final visits conducted in April and May 2023. More than 32,000 individuals participated in the exercise.

Health insurance coverage has improved considerably over the past two decades. In 2001, approximately 30 percent of residents were uninsured, compared with 11 percent in 2022. However, that remaining 11 percent represents approximately 4,600 people who reported having no health insurance coverage. The census found that gaps were particularly evident among working-age men and residents with low or no income. Most insured residents reported being covered through Social and Health Insurances (SZV).

Another significant finding concerns the prevalence of long-term illnesses. Approximately 35 percent of residents reported living with at least one chronic or long-term health condition, with high blood pressure, allergies and diabetes among the most frequently identified individual conditions. The figures point to the importance of prevention, regular medical monitoring and access to treatment, particularly as St. Maarten's population continues to age.

The census also found that approximately 22 percent of residents experienced some difficulty carrying out everyday activities, including seeing, walking or remembering. These challenges were more common among older residents and women. The findings highlight the importance of accessible healthcare, public facilities, transportation and support services for people who may require assistance with routine activities.

Among the most concerning results is the extent of food insecurity identified during the census. Approximately 7 percent of residents reported experiencing hunger during the preceding 12 months because they did not have enough money to purchase food. This represents roughly one in every 14 residents, indicating that difficulties meeting basic nutritional needs were affecting a portion of the population even before subsequent changes in living costs.

The situation varied considerably by district. In Great Bay, approximately 15 percent of residents reported experiencing hunger, while the figure reached 45 percent in Pond Island. Although the district-level results would benefit from closer examination of the number of respondents and the characteristics of households surveyed, they indicate considerable differences in reported food insecurity across communities. The census also found that residents who experienced hunger were more likely to lack health insurance, suggesting that financial hardship and limited access to healthcare may affect some of the same households.

Physical activity was another area of concern. Among residents who answered questions about exercise and sports, approximately 60 percent reported participating in neither sports nor other physical activity. The proportion increased to 79 percent among residents aged 75 and older. The findings may be relevant to public health initiatives aimed at encouraging exercise and reducing risks associated with sedentary lifestyles.

Smoking was reported by approximately 5 percent of residents, while only around 2 percent of the population rated their overall health as bad or very bad. However, the fact that most residents considered themselves healthy does not eliminate the significance of the long-term illnesses and other difficulties identified elsewhere in the census. Self-reported health reflects personal perceptions and may not capture every medical condition or health risk affecting an individual.

The findings come as St. Maarten continues to face questions about healthcare financing, insurance coverage, the accessibility of medical services and the long-term sustainability of its social protection systems. The combination of an ageing population, widespread chronic illness and gaps in insurance coverage could have implications for future healthcare demand and government expenditure.

The census results also demonstrate that public health cannot be considered separately from household income and living conditions. Residents experiencing food insecurity or lacking insurance may face additional barriers to obtaining medical care, maintaining a healthy diet and managing existing health conditions.

While the statistics reflect conditions recorded during the 2022 census and should not be presented as current 2026 rates, they provide an important baseline for government and public health organizations to assess progress, identify vulnerable groups and develop targeted responses. The findings place renewed attention on the importance of affordable healthcare, preventive services and measures aimed at improving the living conditions of residents facing financial hardship.

The full reports on Demography, Education and Health, including detailed statistical tables, are available on the Department of Statistics website: https://stats.sintmaartengov.org/

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