Noise from neighbors, vehicles, and grocery stores is among the main problems in households.

Community environmental conditions directly influence the quality of life and mental health of the Dominican population, a topic addressed in detail in the ENHOGAR-MICS 2025 Basic Report.

 The results indicate that 48.9% of households in the country report being affected by at least one type of pollution or environmental nuisance in their immediate surroundings. 

The report’s geographical analysis reveals that large urban areas suffer more severely from these types of problems. 

In particular, in the Ozama region (which includes the National District and the province of Santo Domingo), the percentage of households disturbed by environmental problems rises to 57.5%. 

When detailing the specific sources of noise pollution, loud music from grocery stores, bars, or neighbors was identified as the main complaint, affecting 40.4% of homes. 

This annoyance slightly exceeds that of other urban noise sources, such as vehicular traffic, motorcycles, and power plants, which affect 38.0% of households. 

Alongside the noise problem, the report identifies inadequate solid waste management as another major factor affecting the community. 

The accumulation of garbage in public streets, sidewalks, or vacant lots was reported as a critical problem for 39.7% of the families surveyed nationwide. Finally, the ENHOGAR-MICS 2025 survey collected information on other forms of environmental pollution that degrade the Dominican residential environment. 

Among them, the presence of stagnant water or open ravines affects 26.3% of households, while the emission of smoke, dust, or industrial and vehicular gases was identified as a direct harm by 21.8% of those interviewed.