The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on October 17 serves as a time to reflect on global and national efforts to reduce inequality. In the Dominican Republic, recent years have seen significant progress in reducing poverty rates, attributed to economic growth and policies aimed at inclusion.
The World Bank’s new representative in the Dominican Republic commented on these developments, stating, "As the new World Bank representative in the Dominican Republic, I view with enthusiasm and deep respect the transformative moment the country is experiencing. In these first weeks, I have witnessed the commitment and vision of the authorities, the dynamism of the private sector, and the energy of civil society as they work to lead the Dominican Republic to higher levels of development for a more inclusive future."
Over several decades, poverty reduction has been notable in the country. In 2024, GDP per capita increased by 4.1 percent—more than double the regional average. This growth helped lower overall poverty from 23 percent to 19 percent and reduced extreme poverty from 3.2 percent to 2.4 percent across the nation. The middle class now outnumbers those living in poverty, alongside improved access to basic services such as housing and education.
Job creation has been central to this trend. During 2024 alone, over 170,000 formal jobs were added, pushing formal employment above half of all jobs nationwide. According to data presented by the World Bank representative: "In the Dominican Republic, obtaining a job increases the likelihood of escaping poverty by 13.5 percentage points and the likelihood of joining the middle class by 21.3 percentage points. When people secure quality jobs, they can invest in their families, educate their children, and actively contribute to their communities."
Despite these gains, challenges persist regarding informality in employment and gender disparities in labor force participation—issues connected to educational and health service barriers faced especially by young women.
The private sector continues as a primary driver of job creation in the country—accounting for more than 85 percent of total employment—with sectors like tourism, manufacturing, and agribusiness highlighted for their role in transforming industries through entrepreneurship.
However, sustaining progress will require removing obstacles such as limited financing options for businesses, bureaucratic hurdles, and insufficient technical training opportunities.
Looking ahead toward Meta RD2036—the national goal aiming for high-income status by doubling real GDP through inclusive growth—the need for investments that raise productivity is emphasized. The World Bank representative stated: "Meta RD2036... is clear: to double real GDP by 2036 through accelerated, sustainable, and inclusive economic growth that creates quality jobs and better public services." This vision involves modernizing education systems, closing skill gaps among workers, encouraging business formalization efforts, and building stronger public-private partnerships.
Concluding on a note about collaborative action needed going forward: "The Dominican Republic’s progress in poverty reduction is a testament to what can be achieved through sound economic management and a commitment to social inclusion... The future demands joint efforts from government, private sector, civil society—and international community—so that economic growth translates into more and better formal jobs that empower individuals and strengthen communities."
"The commitment of all sectors will be key to ensuring prosperity reaches every corner of the country and that decent work becomes the gateway to a more prosperous and equitable future."