Country Profile: Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic occupies the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean, sharing a border with Haiti to the west. With a population of approximately 10.8 million, it is home to a diverse mix of ethnic backgrounds, predominantly of mixed heritage. The economy has shown resilience and growth largely driven by tourism, construction, and telecommunications, supported by a stable democratic governance structure established after decades of political upheaval. The country operates as a presidential republic with regular competitive elections since the late 1990s.

Geography

The Dominican Republic is characterized by its rugged highlands, fertile valleys, and a tropical maritime climate. It features the Caribbean’s tallest mountain, Pico Duarte, and the lowest point in the region, Lago Enriquillo. The country experiences significant coastal development and is prone to natural hazards, particularly hurricanes from June to October.

Total area: 48,670 sq km, slightly larger than New Jersey.
Coastline: 1,288 km.
Natural resources include nickel, bauxite, gold, and silver.
Land use: 55.4% of its area is used for agriculture.
Major lakes: Lago de Enriquillo, the largest saltwater lake in the Caribbean at 500 sq km.

People and Society

The Dominican Republic has a population estimated at 10,815,857 in 2024, with a median age of 29.2 years. The primary language is Spanish, and the society is predominantly of mixed ethnicity. The country has a rich cultural tapestry, with a significant percentage of the population identifying as Evangelical or Roman Catholic.

Urbanization rate: 84.4% of the population lives in urban areas.
Literacy rate: 94% of the total population is literate (2024).
Population growth rate: 0.76% (2024).
Life expectancy: 72.6 years (2024).
Death rate: 7.1 deaths/1,000 population.

Economy

The Dominican economy is marked by a growth in middle-income sectors such as tourism, construction, and telecommunications. In 2024, the economy is projected to grow by 5%, supported by robust foreign investment and increasing exports.

Real GDP (PPP): $276.884 billion (2024).
GDP per capita: $24,200 (2024).
Unemployment rate: 5.5% (2024).
Exports: Estimated at $28.563 billion (2024).
Poverty rate: Approximately 23% of the population lives below the national poverty line.

Government

The Dominican Republic is a presidential republic with a legal system based on the French civil code. The current president, Luis Rodolfo Abinader Corona, has been in office since August 16, 2020. The government is characterized by a commitment to democratic processes and regular elections.

Capital: Santo Domingo.
Provinces: The country is divided into 31 provinces and 1 district.
Suffrage: Universal and compulsory at 18 years.
Legislature: Bicameral National Congress composed of the Chamber of Deputies and Senate.
Latest election: May 19, 2024.

Military and Security

The Dominican Republic maintains a military force that includes an army, navy, and air force, with additional specialized units for border security. The military plays a crucial role in national defense and internal security, particularly along its border with Haiti.

Total military personnel: Approximately 55,000–60,000.
Military expenditures: 0.8% of GDP (2024).
Voluntary military service age: 16-23 years.
Military equipment: Largely sourced from the US, with acquisitions from countries like Brazil and Spain.
Focus areas: Securing the 350 km border with Haiti.

Energy

Energy access is widespread in the Dominican Republic, with over 98% of the population electrified. The electricity generation is predominantly reliant on fossil fuels, while there is a growing interest in renewable sources such as solar and wind.

Installed electricity capacity: 6.581 million kW (2023).
Electricity consumption: 22.193 billion kWh (2023).
Access to electricity: 98.1% of the population (2022).
Fossil fuels contribution to capacity: 82.7% (2023).
Natural gas consumption: 2.277 billion cubic meters (2023).

Environment

The Dominican Republic faces environmental challenges, including soil erosion and deforestation. The country is party to numerous international environmental agreements aimed at tackling these issues.

Urban population: 84.4% (2023).
Carbon emissions: 29.713 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023).
Municipal solid waste generated: 4.064 million tons (2024).
Recycling rate: 11.6% of municipal solid waste (2022).
Total renewable water resources: 23.5 billion cubic meters (2022).

Transportation

The Dominican Republic is well-connected via air and road, with several airports and a network of roads facilitating travel and trade.

Total airports: 32 (2025).
Railways: 496 km of track (2014).
Total merchant marine: 40 vessels (2023).
Major ports: 17 total, including Santo Domingo and Puerto Plata.
Heliports: 8 (2025).

Communications

The communications infrastructure is robust, with high mobile and internet penetration rates enhancing connectivity across the country.

Mobile subscriptions: 10.4 million (2023).
Fixed-line subscriptions: 1.144 million (2023).
Internet users: 85% of the population (2023).
Broadband subscriptions: 1.26 million (2023).
Telephones per 100 inhabitants: 90 mobile and 10 fixed (2023).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	10,815,857	Estimated for 2024
Area	48,670 sq km	Slightly larger than New Jersey
GDP (PPP)	$276.884 billion	Estimated for 2024
Energy Consumption per Capita	39.329 million Btu/person	Estimated for 2023
Birth Rate	17.3 births/1,000	Estimated for 2024
Unemployment Rate	5.5%	Estimated for 2024
Life Expectancy	72.6 years	Estimated for 2024
Urban Population	84.4%	Percentage of total population (2023)
Literacy Rate	94%	Estimated for 2024
Military Expenditures	0.8% of GDP	Estimated for 2024