147% Surge in St. Maarten Construction

A Dramatic Ascent

According to Governor Ajamu Baly’s address to Parliament, the value of the construction sector has soared from 30 million Caribbean Guilders in 2014 to 74.3 million in 2023 representing a massive increase of over 147% in under 10 years. This meteoric rise positions construction as the second-largest contributor to St. Maarten’s GDP, trailing only the accommodation and food services sector. In context, the economy overall grew by 3.4% in 2023, with a projection of 2.4% growth in 2025, while real estate transactions surged to 348.7 million Caribbean Guilders in 2025 and the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten's Real Property Price Index is at highs not seen since before Hurricane Irma in 2017.

Infrastructure and Spatial Planning Under Pressure

This unprecedented development boom is testing the island’s infrastructure to its limits. With a population density of 1,180 people per square kilometer, St. Maarten is the most densely populated territory in both the Caribbean and the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Combined with its hilly topography, this density makes thoughtful spatial planning a steep challenge.

Meanwhile, decades of underinvestment in critical public services have compounded the strain. Systems like water supply, sewage, and waste management have not kept pace with the island’s growth. In particular:

• Drainage and flood control: The rise of concrete and asphalt surfaces can exacerbate flooding risks, pushing drainage improvements to the top of the government’s priority list.
• Waste management: Current government spending on landfill operations is a mere 0.5% of the budget, a level described as “woefully inadequate,” raising alarm for both public health and ecological integrity. 
• Affordable housing: With real estate booming, many residents are finding it increasingly difficult to secure homes within reach, prompting the government to look for solutions.

Recognizing the urgency, the government has put forward several key strategic initiatives. These include the launch of spatial economic planning, a new land issuance policy, and enhanced zoning regulations - all designed to promote balanced and conscientious development that honors the island’s natural beauty.

Reimagining Governance and Environmental Stewardship

Governor Baly underscored that the government’s capacity has not matched the pace of construction growth. To address this, they are pursuing a two-pronged reform strategy:

1. Reassessing and digitalizing existing organizational frameworks to streamline operations, cut red tape, and boost efficiency 
2. Enhancing inter-ministerial collaboration to ensure planning, regulation, and enforcement work in harmony across governmental departments.

Environmental protection is at the core of the plan. The government is advancing its Nature Policy Plan and drafting zoning guidelines for environmentally sensitive areas. Importantly, planning now incorporates scientific studies focused on coastal erosion and landslide risks. A groundbreaking insight from the 2025 Coastal Resilience Assessment indicates that restoring coral reefs could reduce hurricane-related damage by up to two-thirds, making this an investment estimated to save over $200 million USD.

Complementary measures include initiatives to manage sargassum and a proposed “Plastic Free St. Maarten” law, reinforcing a strong commitment to protecting the island's ecosystems.

A Vision for a Stronger Future

This construction boom is emblematic of St. Maarten’s resilience and its economic revival. The surge has brought undeniable growth, but it has also shed a light on some potential vulnerabilities.

The government’s multi-layered response aligns sustainable financial policies, modern administrative tools, and environmental safeguards. This signals that St. Maarten is thinking long-term. The goal: not just to erect new buildings, but to build a stronger, more sustainable society for future generations.

To harness this boom as a force for enduring progress, St. Maarten must continue investing wisely, governing smartly, and embracing sustainable practices that benefit all.