This article is adapted from AQ’s special report on the Trump Doctrine
Dominican Republic
PRESIDENT
Luis Abinader
IN OFFICE
Since 2020
The Dominican Republic enters 2026 pursuing ambitious economic goals yet confronting significant security challenges. Abinader expects the country to achieve investment grade by 2028—and wants to double GDP, create 1.7 million new jobs, and eliminate extreme poverty by 2036. Despite steady growth, the tax-to-GDP ratio remains low, and the IMF has called for bolstering the electricity sector. Abinader’s broad reform agenda includes a new penal code taking effect in August that classifies new crimes and increases prison sentences. The administration has deported thousands of Haitians, designated Haitian gangs as terrorist organizations, and has authorized the U.S. military to operate in restricted areas of the country on a temporary basis, to assist U.S. efforts to combat drug trafficking. The Dominican Republic is set to host the Summit of the Americas this year, following its postponement in 2025 due to what the foreign ministry described as “deep differences” in the region.
TRENDS TO WATCH
- Security cooperation with the U.S.
- Deportation of Haitian migrants
- Summit of the Americas in 2026
GDP GROWTH
INFLATION RATE
KEY FIGURES
| Population (2026, millions) | 11.0 |
| Poverty rate (2026, World Bank definition, see note below) | 13.0% |
| Unemployment rate (2026) | 5.3% |
| Informal employment rate (2024) | 54.7% |
| Secondary education completion rate (2023) | 80.0% |
ECONOMIC INDICATORS (2026 PROJECTIONS)
| GDP growth (annual % change) | 4.5% |
| Inflation rate (annual % change) | 4.2% |
| Fiscal balance (% GDP) | -3.2% |
| China’s share of total export value (2024) | 2.8% |
| U.S. share of total export value (2024) | 59.0% |
NOTES: Poverty line is $8.30 per day in 2021 PPP. Percentages rounded to nearest decimal point.
SOURCES: Presidential approval: TResearch (Aug. 2025); GDP growth, inflation, fiscal balance, population, unemployment: IMF (Oct. 2025); Share of total export value: International Trade Centre; Poverty rate: World Bank (Oct. 2025); Informal employment rate: ILO; Secondary education completion rate: IDB.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Emilie Sweigart
Reading Time: 2 minutesSweigart is an editor at Americas Quarterly and a policy manager at the Americas Society/Council of the Americas
