Dominican economy grows 3.9% in February, best performance in 11 months

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Republic’s economy recorded its strongest performance in nearly a year in February 2026, with a 3.9% year-on-year expansion, according to preliminary data from the Central Bank’s Monthly Indicator of Economic Activity (IMAE). This result brought average economic growth for the first two months of the year to 3.7%.

Growth was driven mainly by strong performances in key sectors, including mining (9.4%), construction (5.8%), and services (3.5%). Within services, notable gains were seen in education, health, tourism-related activities such as hotels, bars and restaurants, as well as financial services and professional activities. Additional contributions came from agriculture (3.2%), local manufacturing (2.4%), and free trade zone manufacturing (1.2%).

Construction activity was supported by increased public spending and private investment in residential, commercial, and tourism projects, along with more favorable lending rates. Meanwhile, mining expanded due to higher output of gold, silver, and construction materials, while tourism growth was fueled by a 10% rise in air arrivals, reaching nearly 1.65 million visitors in the first two months of the year.

Financial intermediation also strengthened, reflecting an 8.1% increase in private sector credit, while agriculture benefited from higher production and government support programs. Despite the positive outlook, the Central Bank noted ongoing global uncertainty linked to geopolitical tensions and rising oil prices, reaffirming its commitment to maintaining macroeconomic stability and controlling inflation.