Dominican Republic leads Latin America in low inequality and steady economic growth

Santo Domingo.- The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) reported that the Dominican Republic has sustained an average economic growth rate of 5% over the past decade—more than double the regional average—while reducing poverty to 18.2% and extreme poverty to 4.9%. The report also highlights that the country achieved the lowest inequality index (Gini coefficient of 0.39) in Latin America by 2023.

These findings are included in the ECLAC document “Strengthening Protection to Eradicate Poverty and Advance Towards Inclusive Social Development in the Dominican Republic,” presented to President Luis Abinader. ECLAC’s Social Development Division director, Alberto Arenas de Mesa, outlined three policy priorities: expanding and modernizing the social protection system, promoting labor inclusion for women, youth, and informal workers, and reinforcing social institutions through a comprehensive protection law and stronger intersectoral coordination.

According to Dominican economic authorities, national growth is expected to reach 3.5% this year, following a 5% increase in 2024, maintaining the Dominican Republic’s position as the largest economy in the Caribbean and the seventh in Latin America.