Dominica: health and care

What is the life expectancy in Dominica?

Life expectancy at birth in Dominica was 71.3 years in 2024, 0.4 years lower than in 2000, according to the Pan American Health Organization's Health in the Americas country profile for Dominica, published in October 2024. PAHO says this is below the average for the Americas.

The same profile says infant mortality fell from 17.5 to 10.7 deaths per 1,000 live births between 2000 and 2022, and that 100% of births in 2022 were attended by skilled health staff. PAHO builds the profile from interagency estimates, and notes that its values can differ from the latest national data. The Central Statistics Office's health page holds 2011 census tables on chronic illness and disability but no life expectancy table.

Official sources: PAHO: Dominica country profile · CSO: Health statistics

How much does Dominica spend on health?

Public spending on health in Dominica was 4.17% of GDP in 2021 and 7.24% of total public spending, according to the Pan American Health Organization's Health in the Americas country profile for Dominica. Out-of-pocket payments made up 23.77% of total health spending that year.

Out-of-pocket spending is money patients pay directly for care, such as fees and medicines, without insurance or government cover. PAHO's figures come from international health accounts and may differ from the national budget. The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Social Services runs public hospitals and health centres; its website carries health notices and programmes.

Official sources: PAHO: Dominica country profile · Ministry of Health, Wellness and Social Services

How common are obesity and diabetes in Dominica?

59% of people over 15 in Dominica were overweight or obese in 2022, according to the Pan American Health Organization's Health in the Americas country profile for Dominica. The profile gives diabetes prevalence of 11.1% in 2014, up from 8.4% in 2000, and high blood pressure among adults aged 18 and over of 22.5% in 2015, down from 27% in 2000.

PAHO adds that 21.6% of the population reported too little physical activity in 2016. It says noncommunicable diseases account for about three quarters of all healthy life lost in Dominica. The figures come from different years and surveys, so compare each one with its own earlier value rather than with each other.

Official sources: PAHO: Dominica country profile

What is life expectancy in Dominica?

According to the UN Population Division, life expectancy at birth in Dominica was 71.3 years in 2024. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 72.0 years; its low point was 2017, at 68.6 years. Latin America & Caribbean median: 74.0 years; Dominica is 30th highest of 33. Worldwide: 123rd of 193.

How many babies die in Dominica?

In 2024, the infant mortality rate in Dominica was 33.3 per 1,000, according to the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation. No year since 2005 has been higher. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 12.1 per 1,000, and Dominica placed 2nd highest of 33. Worldwide: 39th of 192.

How many women die in childbirth in Dominica?

In 2023, the maternal mortality ratio in Dominica was 36.0 per 100,000, according to the WHO. That is the lowest since at least 2005. It is 26th highest of 33 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 55.0 per 100,000. Of 192 countries with 2023 data, 107th highest.

What is Dominica's health spending?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2023, is 5.0% of GDP. The peak was 6.3% of GDP in 2021 and the low 4.8% of GDP in 2006. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 6.8% of GDP, and Dominica placed 24th highest of 33. Worldwide: 123rd of 191.

How much of health care in Dominica do patients pay for?

The WHO puts out-of-pocket health spending in Dominica at 29.3% in 2023. Its high point since 2005 was 2008, at 44.4%; its low point was 2022, at 23.4%. Latin America & Caribbean median: 29.3%; Dominica is 17th highest of 33. Worldwide: 86th of 191.

How many doctors does Dominica have?

In 2018, the number of doctors per 1,000 people in Dominica was 1.2 per 1,000, according to the WHO. It was 1.8 per 1,000 in 2001. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 1.7 per 1,000, and Dominica placed 18th highest of 24. World rank, highest first: 91st of 156.

What is hospital capacity in Dominica?

The WHO puts hospital beds per 1,000 people in Dominica at 4.0 per 1,000 in 2023. Its high point since 2011 was 2011, at 4.0 per 1,000; its low point was 2019, at 3.2 per 1,000. It is 5th highest of 22 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 2.1 per 1,000. World rank, highest first: 22nd of 73.

What is measles vaccine coverage in Dominica?

The latest figure from WHO and UNICEF, for 2024, is 80.0%. The peak was 99.0% in 2008 and the low 77.0% in 2017. It is 25th highest of 32 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 89.5%. Of 191 countries with 2024 data, 144th highest.