Dominican diaspora surpasses 3 million people across 129 countries, INDEX reports

A total of 3,030,647 Dominicans currently live in 129 countries and territories, according to the fifth edition of the Sociodemographic Registry of Dominicans Residing Abroad, released Wednesday by the Institute of Dominicans Abroad (INDEX).

For the first time, the report includes data on Dominican communities in Asia, Africa, and Oceania, expanding its geographic coverage beyond traditional destinations in North America and Europe. Newly incorporated countries include Angola, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Botswana, Guinea, Mauritius, Mozambique, Rwanda, Serbia, and Vietnam.

According to Anna Cristina Hernández, Director of Research and Studies at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, North America is home to 84.9% of Dominicans living abroad, while Europe accounts for 9.8% of the diaspora.

The registry also shows that more than one-third of Dominicans abroad are between 0 and 25 years old, highlighting the need to strengthen cultural ties and preserve national identity among younger generations.

Compiled using official national and international statistical sources, the report underwent validation and harmonization processes to ensure the reliability and comparability of the data.

INDEX Executive Director and Vice Minister for Dominican Communities Abroad Celinés Toribio said the registry provides a more accurate picture of the characteristics, needs, and potential of Dominican communities overseas.

This edition also introduces a new Demographic Opportunity Window indicator, designed to analyze the age structure of the Dominican diaspora and assess its working-age population potential.