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Last update: January, 20 2021

Dominican Republic

flag of Dominican Republic
Government
NameDominican Republic
SpanishRepública Dominicana
Government typePresidential republic
CapitalSanto Domingo (2,908,607 (2015))
CurrencyPeso (DOP)
People
Population (2020)10,847,904 (88th)
Density of population220 P/km2 (65th)
NationalityDominican
Official languages
Spanish
Ethnic groups (2014)
Mixed70.4%
Mestizo/indio58%
Mulatto12.4%
Black15.8%
White13.5%
Other0.3%
Religions (2017)
Roman Catholic47.8%
Protestant21.3%
Other2.2%
None28%
Undefined0.7%
Life expectancy (2020)
Male70.3 years
Female73.8 years
Total population72 years (155th)
Homicides
Total (2018)10.0 per 100,000 people (35th)
Geography
Land area48,320 km2
water area350 km2
total area48,670 km2 (132nd)
Mean elevation424 m
Lowest point
Lago Enriquillo-46 m
Highest point
Pico Duarte3,098 m
Land use (2011)
Agricultural land51.5%
Arable land16.6%
Permanent crops16.6%
Permanent pasture24.8%
Forest40.8%
Other7.7%
Urbanization
Urban population (2020)82.5%
Rate of urbanization2.06% annual rate of change (2015 – 2020)
Economy
Labor force (2017)4.732 million  (85th)
Labor force by occupation (2014)
Agriculture14.4%
Industry20.8%
Services 64.7%
Unemployment rate (2017)5.1% (76th)
GDP (PPP) (estimate 2020)
Total$215.999 billion
Per capita$20,625
GDP (nominal) (estimate 2020)
Total$96.291 billion
Per capita$9,195
GDP by sector (estimate 2017)
Agriculture5.6%
Industry33%
Services61.4%
Exports (2017)$10.12 billion (91st)
Exports partners (2017)
US50.3%
Haiti9.1%
Canada8.2%
India5.6%
Imports (2017)$17.7 billion (82nd)
Imports partners (2017)
US41.4%
China13.9%
Mexico4.5%
Brazil4.3%

Dominican Republic on the world map

Dominican Republic on the world map

Dominican Republic top 10 largest cities (2015)

  1. Santo Domingo (2,908,607)
  2. Santiago de los Caballeros (553,091)
  3. La Vega (210,736)
  4. San Cristóbal (209,165)
  5. San Pedro de Macorís (205,911)
  6. San Francisco de Macorís (138,167)
  7. La Romana (130,842)
  8. Higüey (128,120)
  9. Puerto Plata (122,186)
  10. Moca (92,111)

Demography

Population pyramid

Population pyramid of Dominican Republic (2020)

Age structure data

Estimate for 2020:

  • 0-14 years: 26.85% (male 1,433,166/female 1,385,987)
  • 15-24 years: 18.15% (male 968,391/female 937,227)
  • 25-54 years: 40.54% (male 2,168,122/female 2,088,926)
  • 55-64 years: 8.17% (male 429,042/female 428,508)
  • 65 years and over: 6.29% (male 310,262/female 350,076)

Remark: the age structure of a population affects a nation’s key socioeconomic issues. Countries with young populations (high percentage under age 15) need to invest more in schools, while countries with older populations (high percentage ages 65 and over) need to invest more in the health sector. The age structure can also be used to help predict potential political issues. For example, the rapid growth of a young adult population unable to find employment can lead to unrest.

Population from 1950 to 2020

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Source: United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2019). World Population Prospects 2019, Online Edition. Rev. 1.


Evolution of the life expectancy from 1960 to 2018

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Source: World Development Indicators, The World Bank

Economy

Agriculture:

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

Industries:

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

Exports – commodities:

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

Imports – commodities:

petroleum, foodstuffs, cotton and fabrics, chemicals and pharmaceuticals

Time zone and current time in Dominican Republic

Go to our interactive map to get the current time in Dominican Republic

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