2017 Edition

Background

The Taino - indigenous inhabitants of Hispaniola prior to the arrival of the Europeans - divided the island into five chiefdoms and territories. Christopher COLUMBUS explored and claimed the island on his first voyage in 1492; it became a springboard for Spanish conquest of the Caribbean and the American mainland. In 1697, Spain recognized French dominion over the western third of the island, which in 1804 became Haiti. The remainder of the island, by then known as Santo Domingo, sought to gain its own independence in 1821 but was conquered and ruled by the Haitians for 22 years; it finally attained independence as the Dominican Republic in 1844. In 1861, the Dominicans voluntarily returned to the Spanish Empire, but two years later they launched a war that restored independence in 1865. A legacy of unsettled, mostly non-representative rule followed, capped by the dictatorship of Rafael Leonidas TRUJILLO from 1930 to 1961. Juan BOSCH was elected president in 1962 but was deposed in a military coup in 1963. In 1965, the US led an intervention in the midst of a civil war sparked by an uprising to restore BOSCH. In 1966, Joaquin BALAGUER defeated BOSCH in the presidential election. BALAGUER maintained a tight grip on power for most of the next 30 years when international reaction to flawed elections forced him to curtail his term in 1996. Since then, regular competitive elections have been held in which opposition candidates have won the presidency. Former President Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna (first term 1996-2000) won election to a new term in 2004 following a constitutional amendment allowing presidents to serve more than one term, and was later reelected to a second consecutive term. In 2012, Danilo MEDINA Sanchez became president; he was reelected in 2016.

Area

48,670 sq km 48,320 sq km 350 sq km

land

48,320 sq km

total

48,670 sq km

water

350 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly more than twice the size of New Jersey

Climate

tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation; seasonal variation in rainfall

Coastline

1,288 km

Elevation

424 m lowest point: Lago Enriquillo -46 m highest point: Pico Duarte 3,098 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Lago Enriquillo -46 m

highest point

Pico Duarte 3,098 m

mean elevation

424 m

Environment - current issues

water shortages; soil eroding into the sea damages coral reefs; deforestation

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands Law of the Sea

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

Law of the Sea

Geographic coordinates

19 00 N, 70 40 W

Geography - note

shares island of Hispaniola with Haiti (eastern two-thirds makes up the Dominican Republic, western one-third is Haiti); the second largest country in the Antilles (after Cuba); geographically diverse with the Caribbean's tallest mountain, Pico Duarte, and lowest elevation and largest lake, Lago Enriquillo

Irrigated land

3,070 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

376 km Haiti 376 km

border countries (1)

Haiti 376 km

total

376 km

Land use

51.5% arable land 16.6%; permanent crops 10.1%; permanent pasture 24.8% 40.8% 7.7% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

51.5%

forest

40.8%

other

7.7% (2011 est.)

Location

Caribbean, eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Haiti

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims

measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines 12 nm 24 nm 200 nm 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

contiguous zone

24 nm

continental shelf

200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severe storms from June to October; occasional flooding; periodic droughts

Natural resources

nickel, bauxite, gold, silver, arable land

Population - distribution

coastal development is significant, especially in the southern coastal plains and the Cibao Valley, where population density is highest; smaller population clusters exist in the interior mountains (Cordillera Central)

Terrain

rugged highlands and mountains interspersed with fertile valleys

Age structure

26.63% (male 1,454,527/female 1,404,538) 18.18% (male 993,642/female 957,466) 39.66% (male 2,178,477/female 2,078,371) 7.9% (male 426,810/female 421,727) 7.63% (male 378,226/female 440,463) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

26.63% (male 1,454,527/female 1,404,538)

15-24 years

18.18% (male 993,642/female 957,466)

25-54 years

39.66% (male 2,178,477/female 2,078,371)

55-64 years

7.9% (male 426,810/female 421,727)

65 years and over

7.63% (male 378,226/female 440,463) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

18.4 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

4% (2013)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

69.5% (2014)

Death rate

4.7 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Dependency ratios

57.8 47.3 10.5 9.5 (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

10.5

potential support ratio

9.5 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

57.8

youth dependency ratio

47.3

Drinking water source

urban: 85.4% of population rural: 81.9% of population total: 84.7% of population urban: 14.6% of population rural: 18.1% of population total: 15.3% of population (2015 est.)

rural

18.1% of population

total

15.3% of population (2015 est.)

urban

14.6% of population

Education expenditures

2.1% of GDP (2007)

Ethnic groups

mixed 70.4% (mestizo/indio 58%, mulatto 12.4%), black 15.8%, white 13.5%, other 0.3% respondents self-identified their race; the term "indio" in the Dominican Republic is not associated with people of indigenous ancestry but people of mixed ancestry or skin color between light and dark (2014 est.)

note

respondents self-identified their race; the term "indio" in the Dominican Republic is not associated with people of indigenous ancestry but people of mixed ancestry or skin color between light and dark (2014 est.)

Health expenditures

4.4% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

1% (2016 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

2,200 (2016 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

67,000 (2016 est.)

Hospital bed density

1.7 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

17.5 deaths/1,000 live births 19.3 deaths/1,000 live births 15.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

15.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

19.3 deaths/1,000 live births

total

17.5 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Spanish (official)

Life expectancy at birth

78.3 years 76 years 80.6 years (2017 est.)

female

80.6 years (2017 est.)

male

76 years

total population

78.3 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 91.8% 91.2% 92.3% (2015 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

92.3% (2015 est.)

male

91.2%

total population

91.8%

Major infectious diseases

high bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever dengue fever active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus (2016)

degree of risk

high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

note

active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus (2016)

vectorborne disease

dengue fever

Major urban areas - population

SANTO DOMINGO (capital) 2.945 million (2015)

Maternal mortality rate

92 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

28.1 years 27.9 years 28.3 years (2017 est.)

female

28.3 years (2017 est.)

male

27.9 years

total

28.1 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

21.3 years median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2013 est.)

note

median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2013 est.)

Nationality

Dominican(s) Dominican

adjective

Dominican

noun

Dominican(s)

Net migration rate

-1.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

27.6% (2016)

Physicians density

1.49 physicians/1,000 population (2011)

Population

10,734,247 (July 2017 est.)

Population distribution

coastal development is significant, especially in the southern coastal plains and the Cibao Valley, where population density is highest; smaller population clusters exist in the interior mountains (Cordillera Central)

Population growth rate

1.18% (2017 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 95%, other 5%

Sanitation facility access

urban: 86.2% of population rural: 75.7% of population total: 84% of population urban: 13.8% of population rural: 24.3% of population total: 16% of population (2015 est.)

rural

24.3% of population

total

16% of population (2015 est.)

urban

13.8% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

13 years 13 years 14 years (2014)

female

14 years (2014)

male

13 years

total

13 years

Sex ratio

1.04 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.86 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.04 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.04 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.05 male(s)/female

55-64 years

1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.86 male(s)/female

at birth

1.04 male(s)/female

total population

1.03 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.29 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

10.8% 7.7% 15.8% (2015 est.)

female

15.8% (2015 est.)

male

7.7%

total

10.8%

Urbanization

80.6% of total population (2017) 2% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

2% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

80.6% of total population (2017)

Administrative divisions

10 regions (regiones, singular - region); Cibao Nordeste, Cibao Noroeste, Cibao Norte, Cibao Sur, El Valle, Enriquillo, Higuamo, Ozama, Valdesia, Yuma

Capital

Santo Domingo 18 28 N, 69 54 W UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

18 28 N, 69 54 W

name

Santo Domingo

time difference

UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

no at least one parent must be a citizen of the Dominican Republic yes 2 years

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

at least one parent must be a citizen of the Dominican Republic

dual citizenship recognized

yes

residency requirement for naturalization

2 years

Constitution

many previous (38 total); latest proclaimed 26 January 2010; note - the Dominican Republic Government has a practice of promulgating a "new" constitution whenever an amendment is ratified (2016)

Country name

Dominican Republic The Dominican Republica Dominicana La Dominicana the country name derives from the capital city of Santo Domingo (Saint Dominic)

conventional long form

Dominican Republic

conventional short form

The Dominican

etymology

the country name derives from the capital city of Santo Domingo (Saint Dominic)

local long form

Republica Dominicana

local short form

La Dominicana

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Robert COPLEY (since 21 July 2017) Av. Republica de Colombia Unit 5500, APO AA 34041-5500 [1] (809) 567-7775 [1] (809) 686-7437

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Robert COPLEY (since 21 July 2017)

embassy

Av. Republica de Colombia

FAX

[1] (809) 686-7437

mailing address

Unit 5500, APO AA 34041-5500

telephone

[1] (809) 567-7775

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Jose Tomas PEREZ Vazquez(since 23 February 2015) 1715 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 332-6280 [1] (202) 265-8057 Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Mayaguez (Puerto Rico), Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Juan (Puerto Rico) San Francisco

chancery

1715 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Jose Tomas PEREZ Vazquez(since 23 February 2015)

consulate(s)

San Francisco

consulate(s) general

Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Mayaguez (Puerto Rico), Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Juan (Puerto Rico)

FAX

[1] (202) 265-8057

telephone

[1] (202) 332-6280

Executive branch

President Danilo MEDINA Sanchez (since 16 August 2012); Vice President Margarita CEDENO DE FERNANDEZ (since 16 August 2012); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government President Danilo MEDINA Sanchez (since 16 August 2012); Vice President Margarita CEDENO DE FERNANDEZ (since 16 August 2012) Cabinet nominated by the president president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by absolute vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 4-year term (eligible for consecutive terms); election last held on 15 May 2016 (next to be held in 2020) Danilo MEDINA Sanchez reelected president; percent of vote - Danilo MEDINA Sanchez (PLD) 61.7%, Luis Rodolfo ABINADER Corona (PRM) 35%, other 3.3%; Margarita CEDENO DE FERNANDEZ (PLD) reelected vice president

cabinet

Cabinet nominated by the president

chief of state

President Danilo MEDINA Sanchez (since 16 August 2012); Vice President Margarita CEDENO DE FERNANDEZ (since 16 August 2012); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

election results

Danilo MEDINA Sanchez reelected president; percent of vote - Danilo MEDINA Sanchez (PLD) 61.7%, Luis Rodolfo ABINADER Corona (PRM) 35%, other 3.3%; Margarita CEDENO DE FERNANDEZ (PLD) reelected vice president

elections/appointments

president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by absolute vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 4-year term (eligible for consecutive terms); election last held on 15 May 2016 (next to be held in 2020)

head of government

President Danilo MEDINA Sanchez (since 16 August 2012); Vice President Margarita CEDENO DE FERNANDEZ (since 16 August 2012)

Flag description

a centered white cross that extends to the edges divides the flag into four rectangles - the top ones are ultramarine blue (hoist side) and vermilion red, and the bottom ones are vermilion red (hoist side) and ultramarine blue; a small coat of arms featuring a shield supported by a laurel branch (left) and a palm branch (right) is at the center of the cross; above the shield a blue ribbon displays the motto, DIOS, PATRIA, LIBERTAD (God, Fatherland, Liberty), and below the shield, REPUBLICA DOMINICANA appears on a red ribbon; in the shield a bible is opened to a verse that reads "Y la verdad nos hara libre" (And the truth shall set you free); blue stands for liberty, white for salvation, and red for the blood of heroes

Government type

presidential republic

Independence

27 February 1844 (from Haiti)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ACP, AOSIS, BCIE, Caricom (observer), CD, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA, MIGA, MINUSMA, NAM, OAS, OIF (observer), OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, Petrocaribe, SICA (associated member), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court of Justice or Suprema Corte de Justicia (consists of a minimum of 16 magistrates); Constitutional Court or Tribunal Constitucional (consists of 13 judges); note - the Constitutional Court was established in 2010 by constitutional amendment Supreme Court and Constitutional Court judges appointed by the National Council of the Judiciary comprised of the president, the leaders of both chambers of congress, the president of the Supreme Court, and a non-governing party congressional representative; Supreme Court judges appointed for 7-year terms; Constitutional Court judges appointed for 9-year terms courts of appeal; courts of first instance; justices of the peace; special courts for juvenile, labor, and land cases; Contentious Administrative Court for cases filed against the government

highest court(s)

Supreme Court of Justice or Suprema Corte de Justicia (consists of a minimum of 16 magistrates); Constitutional Court or Tribunal Constitucional (consists of 13 judges); note - the Constitutional Court was established in 2010 by constitutional amendment

judge selection and term of office

Supreme Court and Constitutional Court judges appointed by the National Council of the Judiciary comprised of the president, the leaders of both chambers of congress, the president of the Supreme Court, and a non-governing party congressional representative; Supreme Court judges appointed for 7-year terms; Constitutional Court judges appointed for 9-year terms

subordinate courts

courts of appeal; courts of first instance; justices of the peace; special courts for juvenile, labor, and land cases; Contentious Administrative Court for cases filed against the government

Legal system

civil law system based on the French civil code; Criminal Procedures Code modified in 2004 to include important elements of an accusatory system

Legislative branch

bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Senate or Senado (32 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Camara de Diputados (190 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms) Senate - last held on 15 May 2016 (next to be held in May 2020); House of Representatives - last held on 15 May 2016 (next to be held in May 2020) Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PLD 26, PRM 2, BIS 1, PLRD 1, PRD 1, PRSC 1 House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PLD 106, PRM 42, PRSC 18, PRD 16, PLRD 3, other 5

description

bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Senate or Senado (32 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Camara de Diputados (190 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms)

election results

Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PLD 26, PRM 2, BIS 1, PLRD 1, PRD 1, PRSC 1

elections

Senate - last held on 15 May 2016 (next to be held in May 2020); House of Representatives - last held on 15 May 2016 (next to be held in May 2020)

National anthem

"Himno Nacional" (National Anthem) Emilio PRUD'HOMME/Jose REYES adopted 1934; also known as "Quisqueyanos valientes" (Valient Sons of Quisqueye); the anthem never refers to the people as Dominican but rather calls them "Quisqueyanos," a reference to the indigenous name of the island

lyrics/music

Emilio PRUD'HOMME/Jose REYES

name

"Himno Nacional" (National Anthem)

note

adopted 1934; also known as "Quisqueyanos valientes" (Valient Sons of Quisqueye); the anthem never refers to the people as Dominican but rather calls them "Quisqueyanos," a reference to the indigenous name of the island

National holiday

Independence Day, 27 February (1844)

National symbol(s)

palmchat (bird); national colors: red, white, blue

palmchat (bird); national colors

red, white, blue

Political parties and leaders

Dominican Liberation Party or PLD [Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna] Dominican Revolutionary Party or PRD [Miguel VARGAS Maldonado] Institutional Social Democratic Bloc or BIS Liberal Reformist Party or PRL Modern Revolutionary Party or PRM [Andres BAUTISTA Garcia] National Progressive Front or FNP [Vinicio CASTILLO, Pelegrin CASTILLO] Social Christian Reformist Party or PRSC [Federico ANTUN]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Citizen Participation Group (Participacion Ciudadania) Collective of Popular Organizations or COP Foundation for Institution-Building and Justice or FINJUS

Suffrage

18 years of age, universal and compulsory; married persons regardless of age can vote; note - members of the armed forces and national police by law cannot vote

Agriculture - products

cocoa, tobacco, sugarcane, coffee, cotton, rice, beans, potatoes, corn, bananas; cattle, pigs, dairy products, beef, eggs

Budget

$10.59 billion $12.63 billion (2016 est.)

expenditures

$12.63 billion (2016 est.)

revenues

$10.59 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-2.8% of GDP (2016 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

15.08% (31 December 2016 est.) 14.88% (31 December 2015 est.)

Current account balance

$-1.066 billion (2016 est.) $-1.299 billion (2015 est.)

Debt - external

$27.7 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $26.63 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

47.1 (2013 est.) 45.7 (2012 est.)

Economy - overview

The Dominican Republic was for most of its history primarily an exporter of sugar, coffee, and tobacco, but in recent years the service sector has overtaken agriculture as the economy's largest employer, due to growth in construction, tourism, and free trade zones. The mining sector has also played a greater role in the export market since late 2012 with the commencement of the extraction phase of the Pueblo Viejo Gold and Silver mine, one of the largest gold mines in the world. The country suffers from marked income inequality; the poorest half of the population receives less than one-fifth of GDP, while the richest 10% enjoys nearly 40% of GDP. High unemployment, a large informal sector, and underemployment remain important long-term challenges. The economy is highly dependent upon the US, the destination for approximately half of exports. Remittances from the US amount to about 7% of GDP, equivalent to about a third of exports and two-thirds of tourism receipts. The Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement came into force in March 2007, boosting investment and manufacturing exports. The Dominican Republic's economy rebounded from the global recession in 2010-16, and the fiscal situation is improving. A tax reform package passed in November 2012, a reduction in government spending, and lower energy costs helped to narrow the central government budget deficit from 6.6% of GDP in 2012 to 2.6% in 2016. A liability management operation in January 2015, in which the government paid down over $4 billion of the country’s Petrocaribe debt at a discount of 52% with proceeds from the sale of $2.5 billion in global bonds, reduced the country’s debt load by approximately by 4% of GDP. Since 2015 the Dominican Republic has posted the fastest economic growth in Latin America.

Exchange rates

Dominican pesos (DOP) per US dollar - 46.078 (2016 est.) 46.078 (2015 est.) 45.052 (2014 est.) 43.556 (2013 est.) 39.34 (2012 est.)

Exports

$9.86 billion (2016 est.) $9.442 billion (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities

gold, silver, cocoa, sugar, coffee, tobacco, meats, consumer goods

Exports - partners

US 47.3%, Haiti 12%, Canada 7.8%, India 6.2% (2016)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

69.7% 11% 22.4% 0.6% 25.2% -28.9% (2016 est.)

exports of goods and services

25.2%

government consumption

11%

household consumption

69.7%

imports of goods and services

-28.9% (2016 est.)

investment in fixed capital

22.4%

investment in inventories

0.6%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

5.5% 33.4% 61.1% (2016 est.)

agriculture

5.5%

industry

33.4%

services

61.1% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$16,100 (2016 est.) $15,200 (2015 est.) $14,400 (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

GDP - real growth rate

6.6% (2016 est.) 7% (2015 est.) 7.6% (2014 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$71.67 billion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$161.9 billion (2016 est.) $149.9 billion (2015 est.) $138.5 billion (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

1.9% 37.4% (2013 est.)

highest 10%

37.4% (2013 est.)

lowest 10%

1.9%

Imports

$17.48 billion (2016 est.) $16.91 billion (2015 est.)

Imports - commodities

petroleum, foodstuffs, cotton and fabrics, chemicals and pharmaceuticals

Imports - partners

US 40.4%, China 12.5%, Mexico 5.2% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

7.3% (2016 est.)

Industries

tourism, sugar processing, gold mining, textiles, cement, tobacco, electrical components, medical devices

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.6% (2016 est.) 0.8% (2015 est.)

Labor force

4.639 million (2016 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

14.4% 20.8% 64.7% (2014)

agriculture

14.4%

industry

20.8%

services

64.7% (2014)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

30.5% (2016 est.)

Public debt

47.4% of GDP (2016 est.) 44.7% of GDP (2015 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$6.134 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $5.266 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of broad money

$19.81 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $18.43 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$387.8 million (31 December 2016 est.) $272 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$33.56 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $31.04 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$33.6 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $30.9 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$6.491 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $5.986 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

14.7% of GDP (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

5.5% (2016 est.) 14% (2015 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

22 million Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - imports

27,440 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2017 es)

Electricity - consumption

13.25 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

80.8% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

16.1% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

5.7% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

3.732 million kW (2015 est.)

Electricity - production

15.53 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity access

300,000 98% 99% 97% (2013)

electrification - rural areas

97% (2013)

electrification - total population

98%

electrification - urban areas

99%

population without electricity

300,000

Natural gas - consumption

1.895 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - imports

1.108 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

114,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

84,370 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

27,060 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Broadcast media

combination of state-owned and privately owned broadcast media; 1 state-owned TV network and a number of private TV networks; networks operate repeaters to extend signals throughout country; combination of state-owned and privately owned radio stations with more than 300 radio stations operating (2015)

Internet country code

.do

Internet users

6,504,998 61.3% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

61.3% (July 2016 est.)

total

6,504,998

Telephone system

relatively efficient system based on island-wide microwave radio relay network fixed-line teledensity is about 13 per 100 persons; multiple providers of mobile-cellular service with a subscribership of over 80 per 100 persons country code - 1-809; 1-829; 1-849; landing point for the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1), Antillas 1, AMX-1, and the Fibralink submarine cables that provide links to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and US; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2016)

domestic

fixed-line teledensity is about 13 per 100 persons; multiple providers of mobile-cellular service with a subscribership of over 80 per 100 persons

general assessment

relatively efficient system based on island-wide microwave radio relay network

international

country code - 1-809; 1-829; 1-849; landing point for the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1), Antillas 1, AMX-1, and the Fibralink submarine cables that provide links to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and US; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2016)

Telephones - fixed lines

1,345,091 13 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

13 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

1,345,091

Telephones - mobile cellular

8,708,131 82 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

82 (July 2016 est.)

total

8,708,131

Airports

36 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2017)

1,524 to 2,437 m

4

2,438 to 3,047 m

4

914 to 1,523 m

4

over 3,047 m

3

total

16

under 914 m

1 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways

18 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

1

total

20

under 914 m

18 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

HI (2016)

Heliports

1 (2013)

National air transport system

14,463 0 mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

0 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

14,463

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

6

number of registered air carriers

1

Pipelines

gas 27 km; oil 103 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Puerto Haina, Puerto Plata, Santo Domingo Punta Nizao oil terminal Andres LNG terminal (Boca Chica)

LNG terminal(s) (import)

Andres LNG terminal (Boca Chica)

major seaport(s)

Puerto Haina, Puerto Plata, Santo Domingo

oil terminal(s)

Punta Nizao oil terminal

Railways

496 km 354 km 1.435-m gauge 142 km 0.762-m gauge (2014)

narrow gauge

142 km 0.762-m gauge (2014)

standard gauge

354 km 1.435-m gauge

total

496 km

Roadways

19,705 km 9,872 km 9,833 km (2002)

paved

9,872 km

total

19,705 km

unpaved

9,833 km (2002)

Military branches

Army (Ejercito Nacional, EN), Navy (Marina de Guerra, MdG, includes naval infantry), Dominican Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Dominicana, FAD) (2017)

Military expenditures

0.64% of GDP (2016) 0.67% of GDP (2015) 0.67% of GDP (2014) 0.62% of GDP (2013) 0.65% of GDP (2012)

Military service age and obligation

17-21 years of age for voluntary military service; recruits must have completed primary school and be Dominican Republic citizens; women may volunteer (2012)

Disputes - international

Haitian migrants cross the porous border into the Dominican Republic to find work; illegal migrants from the Dominican Republic cross the Mona Passage each year to Puerto Rico to find better work

Illicit drugs

transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe; has become a transshipment point for ecstasy from the Netherlands and Belgium destined for US and Canada; substantial money laundering activity in particular by Colombian narcotics traffickers; significant amphetamine consumption

Refugees and internally displaced persons

133,770 (2016); note - a September 2013 Constitutional Court ruling revoked the citizenship of those born after 1929 to immigrants without proper documentation, even though the constitution at the time automatically granted citizenship to children born in the Dominican Republic and the 2010 constitution provides that constitutional provisions cannot be applied retroactively; the decision overwhelmingly affected people of Haitian descent whose relatives had come to the Dominican Republic since the 1890s as a cheap source of labor for sugar plantations; a May 2014 law passed by the Dominican Congress regularizes the status of those with birth certificates but will require those without them to prove they were born in the Dominican Republic and to apply for naturalization; the government has issued documents to thousands of individuals who may claim citizenship under this law, but no official estimate has been released revised estimate includes only individuals born to parents who were both born abroad; it does not include individuals born in the country to one Dominican-born and one foreign-born parent or subsequent generations of individuals of foreign descent; the estimate, as such, does not include all stateless persons (2015)

note

revised estimate includes only individuals born to parents who were both born abroad; it does not include individuals born in the country to one Dominican-born and one foreign-born parent or subsequent generations of individuals of foreign descent; the estimate, as such, does not include all stateless persons (2015)

stateless persons

133,770 (2016); note - a September 2013 Constitutional Court ruling revoked the citizenship of those born after 1929 to immigrants without proper documentation, even though the constitution at the time automatically granted citizenship to children born in the Dominican Republic and the 2010 constitution provides that constitutional provisions cannot be applied retroactively; the decision overwhelmingly affected people of Haitian descent whose relatives had come to the Dominican Republic since the 1890s as a cheap source of labor for sugar plantations; a May 2014 law passed by the Dominican Congress regularizes the status of those with birth certificates but will require those without them to prove they were born in the Dominican Republic and to apply for naturalization; the government has issued documents to thousands of individuals who may claim citizenship under this law, but no official estimate has been released