Quick facts
Dominican Republic population overview
The Dominican Republic is the 6th most populous of 41 countries and territories in North America. The United Nations put the population at 11,566,660 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +0.8% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 238 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 196,633 births (17 per 1,000 people) and 74,027 deaths (6.4 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 34,700 people. The infant mortality rate is 24.2 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 3,268,336 in 1960 to 11,520,487 in 2025 — a change of +252.5%, or +2% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 28.7 years; life expectancy at birth is 74.1 years; women have on average 2.2 children (2024, above the 2.1 replacement level); 26.2% of residents are under 15 and 8.2% are 65 or older (2025); 72.5% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Santo Domingo. The Dominican Republic covers 146,839 km², giving a population density of about 79.2 people per km². GDP was $127.41B in 2025 — about $11,059 per person (World Bank classification: upper middle income).
Dominican Republic population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 11,635,840 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 11,566,660 |
| World rank | #84 of 238 |
| Rank in North America | #6 of 41 |
| Share of world population | 0.1% |
| Annual growth rate | +0.8% |
| Births per year est. | 196,633 |
| Deaths per year est. | 74,027 |
| Net migration per year est. | -34,700 |
| Birth rate | 17 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 6.4 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 24.2 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 98.8 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 28.7 years |
| Life expectancy | 74.1 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 2.2 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 72.5% |
| Surface area 2023 | 146,839 km² |
| Population density | 79.2 per km² |
| Capital | Santo Domingo |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $127.41B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $11,059 |
| Income group World Bank | Upper middle income |
Dominican Republic population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 11,635,840 | – | – |
| 2025 | 11,520,487 | +92,930 | +0.8% |
| 2024 | 11,427,557 | +96,292 | +0.8% |
| 2023 | 11,331,265 | +100,531 | +0.9% |
| 2022 | 11,230,734 | +107,258 | +1% |
| 2021 | 11,123,476 | +115,176 | +1% |
| 2020 | 11,008,300 | +573,471 | +1.1% |
| 2015 | 10,434,829 | +614,654 | +1.2% |
| 2010 | 9,820,175 | +595,141 | +1.3% |
| 2005 | 9,225,034 | +640,844 | +1.5% |
| 2000 | 8,584,190 | +696,075 | +1.7% |
| 1995 | 7,888,115 | +736,949 | +2% |
| 1990 | 7,151,166 | +720,762 | +2.1% |
| 1985 | 6,430,404 | +701,367 | +2.3% |
| 1980 | 5,729,037 | +682,261 | +2.6% |
| 1975 | 5,046,776 | +647,486 | +2.8% |
| 1970 | 4,399,290 | +590,327 | +2.9% |
| 1965 | 3,808,963 | +540,627 | +3.1% |
| 1960 | 3,268,336 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Dominican Republic
Population over time
- From 3,268,336 in 1960 to 11,635,840 today — up 256%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +1% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 73.9 years (2024), up 22.2 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 2.2 births per woman (2024) — above the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 17.6 births vs 6.2 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 11.4 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 26.2% of the population is under 15 and 8.2% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 2.6% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 34.22 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions are at or near their historical peak.
- Per person: 2.99 t in 2024, vs 0.88 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 1,011.6 kg of oil equivalent per person (2023), up 80.3% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 14.8% of final energy in 2021 (-13.2 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 45% of land area (2023).
- Net afforestation: cover grew from 33% to 45% since 1990 — roughly 17,584 km² of forest gained.
Urban population (% of total)
- 72.5% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 30.2% in 1960 (+42.3 points).
- Became majority-urban around 1979.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: medium–high — freshwater withdrawals are 30.4% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 2,092 m³ in 2022, down 70% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $127.41B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 79.5% since 2015.
- That works out to $11,059 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 5.1% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 3.9% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 91% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 93.7 per 100 people (2024).
Dominican Republic in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of the Dominican Republic in 2026?
As of October 2026, the Dominican Republic has an estimated population of 11,635,840. The United Nations estimated 11,566,660 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +0.8% annual growth rate.
Is the population of the Dominican Republic growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +0.8% per year — roughly 238 more people every day. Each year there are about 196,633 births and 74,027 deaths, with net migration of -34,700.
What is the population density of the Dominican Republic?
About 79.2 people per square kilometre: 11,635,840 people living on 146,839 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in the Dominican Republic?
The median age is 28.7 years, and life expectancy at birth is 74.1 years. 26.2% of the population is under 15 and 8.2% is 65 or older (2025).
How does the Dominican Republic rank by population?
The Dominican Republic is the 84th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 6th in North America, with 0.1% of the global population.
How has the population of the Dominican Republic changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 3,268,336; by 2025 it had grown to 11,520,487 (+252.5%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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HaitiSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+0.8%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.