World Happiness Report for Dominican Republic 2024
- Overall Happiness Rank Dominican Republic: 69
- Happiness Score Dominican Republic:5.823
Happiness is a subjective concept that has long been debated by philosophers, psychologists, and economists alike. However, in recent years, there has been a growing interest in quantifying happiness and using it as a measure of a nation’s overall well-being. This is where the concept of the Happiness Index comes into play.
What is the Happiness Index?
The Happiness Index is a measure that attempts to quantify the overall happiness and life satisfaction of a country’s population. It is based on the idea that traditional economic indicators, such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), do not fully capture the overall well-being of a society. The Happiness Index takes into account various factors that contribute to an individual’s sense of happiness and life satisfaction, including social support, freedom to make life choices, healthy life expectancy, and perceptions of corruption.
How is the Happiness Index Calculated?
The Happiness Index is calculated through a combination of subjective and objective data. The primary source of data is the Gallup World Poll, which is a survey conducted in over 160 countries. The survey asks respondents to rate their overall life satisfaction on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being the worst possible life and 10 being the best possible life.
In addition to the life satisfaction score, the Happiness Index also takes into account the following factors:
- GDP per capita: This is a measure of a country’s economic output and standard of living.
- Social support: This factor measures the extent to which individuals have supportive relationships and love in their lives.
- Healthy life expectancy: This is a measure of the number of years an individual is expected to live in good health.
- Freedom to make life choices: This factor measures the extent to which individuals are able to make decisions about their lives without external constraints.
- Generosity: This factor measures the extent to which individuals engage in charitable activities and donate to others.
- Perceptions of corruption: This factor measures the extent to which individuals perceive their society to be free from corruption.
These factors are weighted and combined to produce an overall Happiness Index score for each country.
What Does the Happiness Index Affect?
The Happiness Index has significant implications for policymaking and societal well-being. Countries with higher Happiness Index scores are generally considered to have better overall quality of life and well-being for their citizens. This can have positive impacts on various aspects of society, including:
- Economic productivity: Happier individuals tend to be more productive and engaged in their work, which can contribute to a country’s economic growth.
- Public health: Higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction are associated with better physical and mental health outcomes, which can reduce healthcare costs and improve overall well-being.
- Social cohesion: Societies with higher levels of happiness tend to have stronger social bonds and lower levels of conflict and crime.
- Environmental sustainability: Happier individuals may be more likely to engage in environmentally-friendly behaviors and support policies that promote sustainability.
By focusing on the factors that contribute to happiness and well-being, policymakers can develop strategies to improve the overall quality of life for their citizens. The Happiness Index provides a valuable tool for measuring progress and identifying areas where improvements can be made.
Short information
- Abbreviation of Dominican Republic. DO.
Dominican Republic is a representative democracy with a president as the head of state and government.
- best known for its vibrant music and dance, including merengue and bachata.
- the largest economy in the Caribbean and one of the fastest-growing in the region.
Dominican Republic – A Comprehensive Overview
Early History: The Dominican Republic was originally inhabited by the Taíno indigenous people. The country was colonized by Spain in 1492 after Christopher Columbus arrived on the island of Hispaniola.
Kingdoms and Empires: The Spanish colonial rule over the territory lasted for over three centuries until the early 19th century.
Colonial Period: The territory was a Spanish colony known as Santo Domingo and was part of the Spanish Empire’s wealth from the New World.
Independence and Modern Era: The Dominican Republic gained independence from Spain in 1844 after a long struggle. The country faced political instability, military coups, and foreign interventions throughout much of the 20th century. It has been a democratic republic since the late 20th century.
Current Political Situation: The Dominican Republic is a representative democracy with a presidential system. Luis Abinader has been the President since 2020.
International Relations: The country maintains close ties with the United States and has good relations with neighboring Caribbean nations. It is a member of various international organizations, including the United Nations and the Organization of American States.
Human Development and Economy: The Dominican Republic has a upper-middle-income economy driven by services, manufacturing, and tourism. It has made significant strides in human development but still faces challenges with poverty and inequality.
Cultural Highlights: The Dominican Republic has a rich cultural heritage influenced by its indigenous, Spanish, and African roots. Popular elements include merengue music, bachata dance, and distinctive cuisine featuring plantains, rice, and beans.
The Dominican Republic faces challenges related to corruption, crime, and environmental sustainability while striving for continued economic growth and social progress.
Travel Tips for the Dominican Republic
– Best times to visit are December to April for ideal weather and fewer crowds.
– Respect local customs and dress modestly, especially in religious sites.
– Exercise caution in urban areas and avoid isolated areas, especially at night.
– Visit colonial cities like Santo Domingo and Altos de Chavón for historical landmarks.
– Try local dishes like la bandera (rice, red beans, meat, plantains), and mamajuana (a spiced drink).
Living in the Dominican Republic
– Cost of living is relatively low, but housing costs can be high in urban areas.
– Healthcare is a mix of public and private systems, with quality varying.
– Education options include public schools, private schools, and international schools.
– Adapt to the relaxed Caribbean lifestyle and be prepared for a slower pace.
– Familiarize yourself with local laws and regulations, including residency requirements.
Doing Business in the Dominican Republic
– Business culture values personal relationships and networking.
– Key industries include tourism, manufacturing, agriculture, and services.
– Understand local labor laws, tax regulations, and bureaucratic processes.
– Build trust and maintain good relationships with local partners and authorities.
– Be prepared for a more relaxed attitude towards time and scheduling.
Studying in the Dominican Republic
– The educational system includes public and private universities.
– Top universities include Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo and Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra.
– Student life often revolves around campus activities and local cultural events.
– International students may need to apply for a student visa and meet language requirements.
– Opportunities exist for internships, language learning, and cultural immersion.
Main facts
1. Location
The Dominican Republic is a Caribbean nation situated on the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, which it shares with Haiti. It is located between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Cuba and Jamaica.
2. Map References
The Dominican Republic is a country in the Caribbean region of the Americas.
3. Area – Comparative
The Dominican Republic has an area slightly smaller than the U.S. state of Georgia.
4. Land Boundaries and Border Countries
The Dominican Republic shares a 376 km border with Haiti, which is the only country it borders.
5. Coastline
The Dominican Republic has a total coastline of 1,288 km, featuring several bays and inlets, including the Bahía de Samaná and the Bahía de Ocoa.
6. Maritime Claims
The Dominican Republic claims a territorial sea of 12 nautical miles, a contiguous zone of 24 nautical miles, and an exclusive economic zone of 200 nautical miles.
7. Climate
The Dominican Republic has a tropical maritime climate, with little seasonal temperature variation. The inland areas experience a more subtropical climate, while the coastal regions are moderated by the ocean.
8. Terrain
The Dominican Republic’s terrain is mostly rugged highlands and mountains, with fertile valleys and plains in between. The Cordillera Central mountain range runs through the center of the country.
9. Elevation Extremes
The highest point in the Dominican Republic is Pico Duarte at 3,175 meters, while the lowest point is the Caribbean Sea at 0 meters.
10. Natural Resources
The Dominican Republic’s major natural resources include nickel, gold, silver, bauxite, limestone, and arable land.
11. Major Bodies of Water
The Dominican Republic’s major bodies of water include the Caribbean Sea, the Atlantic Ocean, and several lakes and rivers, such as Lago Enriquillo, Río Yaque del Norte, and Río Yaque del Sur.
12. Natural Hazards
The Dominican Republic is prone to hurricanes, flooding, and periodic droughts.
13. Geography – Notes
The Dominican Republic shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, and the countries’ border is marked by a series of mountains, rivers, and lakes. The country’s diverse geography and tropical climate make it a popular tourist destination, with numerous beaches, mountains, and natural attractions.
- Forest Area (% of land area): 41.70%. This is the percentage of a country’s total land area that is covered by natural or planted forests.
- Co2 Emissions: 25,258. CO2 emissions refer to the release of carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere, primarily from the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) for energy production, transportation, and industrial processes.
- Agricultural Land( %). 48.70%. Agricultural land refers to the share of land area that is arable and used for cultivating crops or raising livestock.
- Geographic Coordinates: 18.735693-70.162651.
- Capital: The capital of Dominican Republic is Santo Domingo
- Major Cities:
- Santo Domingo – Population: 2,908,607
- Santiago – Population: 1,112,247
- La Romana – Population: 251,535
- San Pedro de Macorís – Population: 217,899
- San Francisco de Macorís – Population: 174,725
- Population: 10,738,958
- Area(Km2): 48670
- Population Density( P/Km²):225. This is the number of people living per square kilometer of land area in a given region or country.
- Calling Code:1
- Official Language(s):Dominican Republic is Spanish (100%)
- Currency: DOP
Main Economic Indicators
The Dominican Republic has a free market economy driven primarily by the services sector, particularly tourism, which accounts for a significant portion of GDP and employment. Other key economic activities include mining, agriculture, and manufacturing. The country has achieved relatively high growth rates in recent years, but still faces challenges such as income inequality, high unemployment, and dependence on remittances. The government has implemented policies to promote foreign investment and diversify the economy.
Inflation Rate (Consumer Prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
2022: 7.8% (Source: Central Bank of the Dominican Republic)
2021: 8.4% (Source: Central Bank of the Dominican Republic)
Credit Ratings
Fitch: BB- (Stable)
Moody’s: Ba3 (Stable)
Standard & Poor’s: BB- (Stable)
GDP – Composition by Sector of Origin
Agriculture: 6% of GDP
Industry: 26.7% of GDP
Services: 67.3% of GDP
Key Agricultural and Industrial Products
Agricultural Products: sugarcane, coffee, tobacco, cocoa, vegetables, fruits, beef, and dairy products.
Industrial Products: textiles and apparel, cement, tourism, sugar refining, ferronickel, and gold mining.
Labor Force
Total Labor Force: 4.94 million (2022 est.)
Comparative Ranking: 83rd globally
Current Account Balance
2022: -$2.81 billion (Source: Central Bank of the Dominican Republic)
2021: -$3.39 billion (Source: Central Bank of the Dominican Republic)
Comparative Ranking: 154th globally (2022 est.)
Exports and Imports
Exports: $12.8 billion (2022 est.)
Key Partners: United States, Haiti, Canada, India
Main Commodities: gold, medical instruments, electrical circuits, bananas, cigars
Imports: $27.6 billion (2022 est.)
Key Partners: United States, China, Mexico, Brazil
Main Commodities: refined petroleum, pharmaceuticals, machinery, vehicles, electrical machinery
Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold
Foreign Exchange Reserves: $14.7 billion (December 2022)
Gold Reserves: 3.42 million troy ounces (December 2022)
- GDP (Current US$):$88,941,298,258. It represents a country’s gross domestic product measured in current US dollars. Higher values indicate a larger economy and economic output.
- Tax Revenue (% of GDP): 13.00%. It refers to the amount of tax revenue collected by the government, expressed as a percentage of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Higher values indicate a higher tax burden relative to the size of the economy.
- Total Tax Rate (% of commercial profits): 48.80%. This is the sum of all taxes payable by businesses, expressed as a percentage of their commercial profits. Higher values indicate a higher tax burden on businesses.
- Gasoline Price. $1.07. It refers to the cost of one liter or gallon of gasoline/petrol. Higher values indicate more expensive gasoline prices for consumers and businesses.
- Minimum wage. $0.40. It refers to the lowest legally mandated hourly wage that employers must pay their workers. Higher values indicate a higher minimum level of pay for low-wage workers.
- Unemployment Rate (%): 5.84%. It represents the percentage of the labor force that is unemployed and actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate more joblessness in the economy.
Social Indicators
1. National Identity
Nationality: noun – Dominican(s), adjective – Dominican
2. Ethnic Groups
– Mixed 73%
– European 16%
– Black 11%
3. Religions
– Roman Catholic 47.9%
– Evangelical 21.3%
– Other Protestant 4.1%
– Other 1.1%
– None 25.6%
4. Age Structure
– 0-14 years: 25.59%
– 15-64 years: 66.42%
– 65 years and over: 7.99%
5. Dependency Ratios
– Total dependency ratio: 50.8
– Youth dependency ratio: 40.4
– Elderly dependency ratio: 10.3
6. Median Age
– Total: 28.3 years
– Male: 27.6 years
– Female: 29.1 years
7. Lifestyle Indicators
– Obesity rate: 28.6%
– Alcohol consumption: 6.8 liters per capita (2019)
– Tobacco use: 11.9% (2020)
- Life Expectancy at Birth: 73.9. Life Expectancy at Birth refers to the estimated average number of years a newborn is expected to live based on current mortality rates. Higher values indicate better health outcomes and living conditions in a country or region.
- Literacy Rate (% of adults): 91%. It refers to the percentage of the population aged 15 and above who can read and write with understanding of a short simple statement about their everyday life. Higher literacy rates indicate better educational attainment within a population.
- Birth Rate:19.51. Birth Rate is the total number of live births per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher birth rates indicate a larger share of the population being born each year.
- Death Rate:7. Death Rate is the number of deaths per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher death rates indicate more people dying annually within a population.
- Fertility Rate: 2.35. Fertility Rate is the average number of children a woman would have over her reproductive years based on current birth rates. Higher fertility rates indicate larger family sizes and population growth.
- Internet Users (% of population): 69.2%. Internet Users (% of population) refers to the percentage of the total population in a country or region that has access to and uses the internet. Higher values indicate greater internet penetration and connectivity among the population.
- Urban Population: 8,787,475. Urban Population refers to the percentage or number of people living in urban areas or cities within a country or region. Higher urban population values indicate greater urbanization and concentration of people in cities compared to rural areas.
- Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure):43.70%. Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure) represents the portion of total health care costs that individuals pay directly out of their own pockets, rather than being covered by insurance or government programs. Higher values indicate greater personal financial burden for health care expenses.
Infrastructure and Services
Military and Security Forces
The Dominican Republic’s military and security forces comprise the following branches:
- Army – The largest branch, responsible for land-based operations and defense.
- Navy – Responsible for maritime security and coastal defense.
- Air Force – Handles air defense and aerial operations.
- Specialized Security Corps – Includes the Presidential Guard, Border Security Corps, and National Emergency Corps.
The National Police is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for maintaining internal security and public order.
Military Expenditures
The Dominican Republic’s military spending as a percentage of GDP for the last five years:
- 2017: 0.7%
- 2018: 0.8%
- 2019: 0.8%
- 2020: 0.7%
- 2021: 0.6%
The country’s military spending ranks relatively low globally, accounting for around 0.6% of GDP in recent years.
Personnel Strengths
The Dominican Republic has approximately 44,000 active-duty military personnel, with the following breakdown:
- Army: 25,000
- Navy: 8,000
- Air Force: 3,000
- Other Security Services: 8,000 (including the National Police and specialized security corps)
Military Equipment Inventories and Acquisitions
The Dominican Republic’s military equipment inventory includes a mix of domestically produced and imported hardware, such as:
- Armored vehicles (e.g., APCs, IFVs)
- Artillery systems
- Small arms and light weapons
- Transport aircraft and helicopters
- Patrol boats and coastal defense vessels
Future acquisitions and development programs are focused on modernizing and upgrading existing capabilities, particularly in areas like border security and maritime surveillance.
Military Service Age and Obligation
The Dominican Republic has a voluntary military service program. The age range for voluntary enlistment is 18-21 years old for men and women. There is no mandatory military service requirement.
Military Deployments
The Dominican Republic currently has a small military contingent deployed as part of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), consisting of around 200 personnel.
Strategic Military Notes
The Dominican Republic’s defense strategy focuses on maintaining territorial integrity, border security, and combating transnational threats like drug trafficking and organized crime. The military plays a supporting role in disaster relief and humanitarian assistance operations.
The country is a member of various regional security organizations, including the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Conference of Central American Armed Forces (CFAC). It also cooperates closely with the United States on security and counter-narcotics operations.
- Armed Forces Size: 56100. Armed Forces Size refers to the total number of active personnel serving in a country’s military forces, including the army, navy, air force, and other branches. Higher values indicate a larger military presence and personnel.
- Physicians per Thousand: Number of doctors per 1,000 people is 1.56
- Population: Labor Force Participation (%): 64.30%. This is the percentage of the total population aged 15 and older that is economically active, meaning they are either employed or actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate a greater proportion of the working-age population engaged in the labor force.