The Dominican Republic is among the five most prosperous countries in Latin America.

In a regional and global environment marked by economic slowdown and financial uncertainty, the Dominican Republic has managed to advance in the most recent Prosperity Index, ranking among the five most prosperous economies in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The country ranks fifth among 23 nations in the region, with a score of 37.4 out of 100, according to the index compiled with data from the World Bank and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). Only Chile, Uruguay, Panama, and Argentina surpass the Dominican Republic , which ranks higher than larger economies such as Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, and Costa Rica.

The report highlights Dominican progress in economic growth and poverty reduction . These results reflect the strong performance of two of the main drivers of the national economy: tourism and remittances .

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In the first four months of 2025, the country welcomed 4.3 million visitors , a figure that far exceeds pre-pandemic records. In April alone, more than one million tourists arrived, making it the best month in history for the sector. Currently, tourism contributes more than 15% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and has been responsible for nearly 40% of economic growth in recent years, according to official data.

Role of remittances

For their part, remittances continue to play a key role in sustaining domestic consumption . In 2024, remittances from Dominicans living abroad exceeded $10 billion , providing a fundamental support for millions of households.

This performance contrasts with the regional outlook. Economic growth projections for Latin America in 2025 are around 2%, according to the latest reports from the International Monetary Fund ( IMF ) and the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). The region's major economies face weak investment, moderate trade, and growing risks from global trade tensions and financial volatility.

• Globally, the IMF forecasts growth of just 2.8% in 2025, the lowest level outside of recession since the 2008 financial crisis. Tariff disputes, particularly those driven by the United States, continue to disrupt supply chains and complicate the recovery of emerging economies.

Despite the complexities of the international environment, the Dominican Republic maintains solid growth and a dynamic economy . However, experts warn that to sustain this pace in the medium term, it will be necessary to further diversify the productive base, strengthen institutions, and improve the quality of public services, especially in education, health, and infrastructure.

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