Dominican Republic: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

Essential data for planning your trip to Dominican Republic — from population and demographics to economic indicators, healthcare infrastructure, tourism trends, and digital connectivity.

Population & Geography

Population
10,627,165
#85 of 197 countries
Area
48,670 km²
#134 of 248 countries
Density
218.4 / km²
#62 of 245 countries

Dominican Republic has a population of 10,627,165 spread across 48,670 km², giving it an average density of 218.4 people per km². This moderate density means a mix of bustling cities and quieter rural areas to explore.

Demographics

Median Age
29.6
Life Expectancy
72.6 yrs
Literacy Rate
94.0%
Government
presidential republic
Ethnic Groups
Religions
GDP by Sector

Population Trends

How a country's age structure is shifting tells you a lot about what to expect on the ground. A growing elderly population often means better healthcare and higher costs, while a young population signals energy and growth but potentially less developed infrastructure.

Age Structure Over Time
Population Growth Rate (%)
Urban vs Rural (%)
Birth & Death Rates (per 1,000)

Economy & Cost of Living

Understanding the local economy helps travellers budget effectively and set expectations. Dominican Republic is classified as an upper middle income country by the World Bank. Prices are roughly 41% of US levels, meaning costs are moderate and most travellers will find it reasonably affordable.

Income Level
Upper middle income
GDP per Capita
$10,630
Cost of Living
41% of US
Inflation
4.8%
Inequality
38.4
Moderate
GDP per Capita (USD)
GDP Growth (%)
Inflation Rate (%)
Employment
GDP/Capita (PPP)
$24,200
Unemployment
5.5%

Tourism

Tourism data reveals how popular a destination is and how much infrastructure exists to support visitors. Tourism accounts for 37.7% of Dominican Republic's total exports, making it a major pillar of the economy — expect well-developed tourist infrastructure, but also crowded hotspots.

Tourism % of Exports
37.7%
Outbound Tourists
210,000
Air Passengers
996,238
International Tourist Arrivals
Tourism Receipts (USD)
Air Passengers Carried
Tourism as % of Exports

Health & Safety Infrastructure

Healthcare quality matters when you're far from home. These indicators help gauge what level of medical care is available — Dominican Republic has 2.43 physicians per 1,000 people, near the global average. Standard travel insurance should suffice.

Physicians
2.43/1k
Hospital Beds
0.75/1k
Health Spend
$489/person
Infant Mortality
28.4/1k
Immunization
89%
Safe Drinking Water
97.5%
Basic Sanitation
90.1%
Health Expenditure per Capita (USD)
Hospital Beds per 1,000

Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure

Staying connected while travelling is essential for navigation, communication, and remote work. In Dominican Republic, 85% of the population uses the internet — expect widely available WiFi in hotels, cafes, and public spaces. There are 92 mobile subscriptions per 100 people.

Internet Users
84.6%
Mobile Subs
92/100
Broadband
11.1/100
Electricity Access
99.6%
Internet Users (%)
Urbanization (%)

Source: World Bank Open Data