Dominican Republic Population
The Dominican Republic has undergone several periods of dictatorship-like regimes. Today, poverty is widespread, and the social divisions in the country are great. The tourism industry is growing strongly and is an important source of income for the country.
Key figures and facts
- Capital: Santo Domingo
- Ethnic groups: European + African origin 70.4%, African origin 15.8%, European origin 13.5%, other 0.3%
- Language: Spanish (official)
- Religion: Roman Catholic 95%, other 5%
- Population: 10 882 996 (2017)
- Area: 48 670 Km2
- Currency: Dominican Peso
- GNP per capita: 15 205 PPP $
- National Day: February 27th
Dominican Republic Population
The population of the Dominican Republic is estimated at 10 404 000 (World Bank 2013) and population growth at 1.2% per year. About 30% of the population is under 15 (2013). Life expectancy is 76.5 years for women and 70.2 years for men. Many have emigrated to the United States, especially to New York. An important part of the country’s income comes in the form of money transfers from Dominicans abroad. At the same time, many immigrants, legally and illegally, come from Haiti. Until the 1990s, they worked primarily on the sugar plantations, but in recent decades this has changed. The Haitians now work mainly in the construction industry, in tourism, as well as in agriculture and industry.
The population is mainly of mixed African and European origin. 73% are considered mixed (mestizos), 16% white (blancos) and 11% black (negros). The whites descend to the majority of Spanish colonists and immigrants, the blacks being descendants of the many African slaves brought here to work on the sugar plantations. Prior to the Spanish conquest, Hispaniola was populated by Arab-speaking Indigenous peoples and groups of guanahatabey (or ciboney), whose linguistic affiliation is unknown. The last, representing the indigenous people, were hunters and sankers, while the arawakers engaged in farming.
Population density averages 215.3 per km² (2013). The most densely populated area is the Ciba Valley, where nearly half of the country’s population lives. About 66% live in cities and towns. The largest cities are (2000): the capital Santo Domingo (approximately 2.7 million residents) and Santiago de los Caballeros (580 700 residents).
Population of Dominican Republic by Year (Historical)
| Year | Population | Annual Growth Rate | Population Density | Global Rank |
| 2020 | 10,847,799 | 1.010% | 224.5015 | 85 |
| 2019 | 10,738,847 | 1.050% | 222.2466 | 85 |
| 2018 | 10,627,030 | 1.090% | 219.9325 | 86 |
| 2017 | 10,512,993 | 1.110% | 217.5725 | 87 |
| 2016 | 10,397,630 | 1.130% | 215.1850 | 87 |
| 2015 | 10,281,569 | 1.180% | 212.7831 | 87 |
| 2010 | 9,695,010 | 1.280% | 200.6441 | 86 |
| 2005 | 9,097,146 | 1.440% | 188.2711 | 87 |
| 2000 | 8,471,210 | 1.620% | 175.3171 | 84 |
| 1995 | 7,819,136 | 1.850% | 161.8222 | 85 |
| 1990 | 7,133,383 | 1.990% | 147.6303 | 88 |
| 1985 | 6,464,118 | 2.180% | 133.7796 | 87 |
| 1980 | 5,803,816 | 2.440% | 120.1144 | 87 |
| 1975 | 5,144,526 | 2.720% | 106.4701 | 85 |
| 1970 | 4,499,609 | 3.020% | 93.1233 | 90 |
| 1965 | 3,877,654 | 3.320% | 80.2518 | 92 |
| 1960 | 3,294,113 | 3.440% | 68.1752 | 94 |
| 1955 | 2,781,225 | 3.300% | 57.5608 | 97 |
| 1950 | 2,364,543 | 0.000% | 48.9374 | 100 |
Major Cities in Dominican Republic by Population
| Rank | City | Population |
| 1 | Santo Domingo | 2,201,830 |
| 2 | Santiago de los Caballeros | 1,199,889 |
| 3 | Santo Domingo Oeste | 701,158 |
| 4 | Santo Domingo Este | 699,889 |
| 5 | San Pedro de Macoris | 217,788 |
| 6 | La Romana | 208,326 |
| 7 | Bella Vista | 175,572 |
| 8 | San Cristobal | 153,929 |
| 9 | Puerto Plata | 145,889 |
| 10 | San Francisco de Macoris | 124,652 |
| 11 | Salvaleon de Higueey | 123,676 |
| 12 | Concepcion de La Vega | 102,315 |
| 13 | Punta Cana | 99,912 |
| 14 | Santa Cruz de Barahona | 77,049 |
| 15 | Bonao | 73,158 |
| 16 | San Juan de la Maguana | 72,839 |
| 17 | Bajos de Haina | 66,673 |
| 18 | Bani | 66,598 |
| 19 | Moca | 61,723 |
| 20 | Azua | 59,028 |
| 21 | Villa Francisca | 50,074 |
| 22 | Mao | 48,186 |
| 23 | Boca Chica | 46,189 |
| 24 | Salcedo | 45,188 |
| 25 | Esperanza | 42,058 |
| 26 | Cotui | 41,530 |
| 27 | Villa Altagracia | 39,916 |
| 28 | Hato Mayor del Rey | 35,888 |
| 29 | Nagua | 33,751 |
| 30 | Villa Bisono | 33,026 |
| 31 | Jarabacoa | 29,872 |
| 32 | Constanza | 29,370 |
| 33 | Villa Consuelo | 28,510 |
| 34 | Santa Cruz de El Seibo | 23,436 |
| 35 | Tamboril | 23,193 |
| 36 | Las Matas de Farfan | 21,691 |
| 37 | San Jose de Ocoa | 21,037 |
| 38 | Bayaguana | 20,944 |
| 39 | Rio Grande | 20,043 |
| 40 | Monte Llano | 18,918 |
| 41 | Ciudad Nueva | 18,645 |
| 42 | Neiba | 18,559 |
| 43 | Quisqueya | 17,583 |
| 44 | San Fernando de Monte Cristi | 16,890 |
| 45 | Sabana Grande de Boya | 16,723 |
| 46 | Dajabon | 16,287 |
| 47 | Sabaneta | 16,269 |
| 48 | Monte Plata | 15,421 |
| 49 | Cristo Rey | 14,214 |
| 50 | Sabana de la Mar | 13,866 |
| 51 | San Carlos | 13,345 |
| 52 | Duverge | 13,294 |
| 53 | Cambita Garabitos | 13,271 |
| 54 | La Julia | 12,464 |
| 55 | Cabral | 12,192 |
| 56 | Comendador | 11,959 |
| 57 | Salsipuedes | 11,564 |
| 58 | Villa Vasquez | 11,531 |
| 59 | Yamasa | 11,484 |
| 60 | San Gregorio de Nigua | 11,431 |
| 61 | Samana | 11,321 |
| 62 | Sanchez | 11,254 |
| 63 | Pedernales | 10,961 |
| 64 | Vicente Noble | 10,949 |
| 65 | Sabana Yegua | 10,513 |
| 66 | La Agustina | 10,346 |
| 67 | Las Matas de Santa Cruz | 10,107 |
| 68 | Villa Gonzalez | 10,066 |
| 69 | Fantino | 9,913 |
| 70 | San Jose de Las Matas | 9,742 |
| 71 | Las Guaranas | 9,475 |
| 72 | Pimentel | 9,439 |
| 73 | Miches | 9,162 |
| 74 | Villa Jaragua | 9,137 |
| 75 | Rio San Juan | 8,872 |
| 76 | Ensanche Luperon | 8,465 |
| 77 | Piedra Blanca | 8,420 |
| 78 | Padre Las Casas | 8,374 |
| 79 | Imbert | 7,913 |
| 80 | Las Terrenas | 7,602 |
| 81 | Sosua | 7,602 |
| 82 | Laguna Salada | 7,490 |
| 83 | Tenares | 7,279 |
| 84 | Peralta | 7,125 |
| 85 | El Factor | 6,903 |
| 86 | Paya | 6,805 |
| 87 | Loma de Cabrera | 6,568 |
| 88 | Moncion | 6,514 |
| 89 | Jimani | 6,456 |
| 90 | Nizao | 6,419 |
| 91 | Gaspar Hernandez | 6,395 |
| 92 | Paraiso | 6,379 |
| 93 | Licey al Medio | 6,324 |
| 94 | Tamayo | 6,318 |
| 95 | Castillo | 6,217 |
| 96 | Jima Abajo | 6,188 |
| 97 | Guaymate | 6,113 |
| 98 | Otra Banda | 5,960 |
| 99 | Galvan | 5,916 |
| 100 | Rincon | 5,798 |
| 101 | Veragua Arriba | 5,747 |
| 102 | Villa Riva | 5,589 |
| 103 | Yayas de Viajama | 5,558 |
| 104 | El Valle | 5,555 |
| 105 | San Victor Arriba | 5,513 |
| 106 | Yaguate | 5,499 |
| 107 | Estebania | 5,480 |
| 108 | Juan de Herrera | 5,432 |
| 109 | Los Llanos | 5,418 |
| 110 | La Descubierta | 5,410 |
| 111 | Esperalvillo | 5,334 |
| 112 | Enriquillo | 5,312 |
| 113 | Cercado Abajo | 5,205 |
| 114 | San Rafael del Yuma | 5,174 |
| 115 | Vallejuelo | 5,106 |
| 116 | Sabana Iglesia | 5,024 |
Religion
About 91% of the population belongs to the Catholic Church; there are also Protestant and Jewish minorities.
Language
The official language is Spanish.
