10 answers, 3 from the Dominican Republic's own official bodies, with a link to each figure.
The 2027 budget bill gives the Ministry of Education RD$365,570.5 million, 10.1% more than the approved 2026 budget, according to the General Directorate of Budget (DIGEPRES). Together with the Ministry of Higher Education, education receives RD$391,303.1 million, or 4.1% of GDP.
The education function as a whole receives RD$364,399.5 million, which DIGEPRES says maintains the commitment of 4% of GDP. The bill includes RD$30,814.5 million for school meals for about 1.96 million students.
94.0% of people aged 15 and over in the Dominican Republic could read and write in 2024, according to UNESCO data published by the World Bank. The figure for 2023 was 94.3%.
UNESCO's adult literacy rate is the share of people who can read and write a short simple statement about their everyday life. Small changes between years can reflect survey sampling rather than a real change. The estimate is based on national household survey and census data.
The Dominican Republic's gross enrolment ratio in tertiary education was 57.7% in 2024, according to UNESCO data published by the World Bank. It was 58.2% in 2023.
The gross ratio divides all tertiary students, of any age, by the population in the five-year age group after secondary school, so it can include older students. Higher education is overseen by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (MESCyT).
The figures below use one definition for every country, so they can differ from national figures.
According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, net primary school enrolment in the Dominican Republic was 92.7% in 2018. Since 2005 it has ranged from 81.8% (2006) to 93.5% (2015). It is 11th highest of 17 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 92.9%. World rank, highest first: 37th of 69.
According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, gross secondary school enrolment in the Dominican Republic was 76.4% in 2024. Its high point since 2005 was 2019, at 81.9%; its low point was 2005, at 70.5%. Latin America & Caribbean median: 91.6%; the Dominican Republic is 19th highest of 22. Worldwide: 82nd of 100.
57.7%: that is gross tertiary enrolment in the Dominican Republic for 2024, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Its high point since 2012 was 2017, at 59.9%; its low point was 2012, at 48.6%. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 38.0%, and the Dominican Republic placed 3rd highest of 12. Worldwide: 37th of 90.
In 2024, the adult literacy rate in the Dominican Republic was 94.0%, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Since 2007 it has ranged from 88.2% (2007) to 94.3% (2023). Latin America & Caribbean median: 94.7%; the Dominican Republic is 8th highest of 13.
In 2023, government spending on education in the Dominican Republic was 3.8% of GDP, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. The peak was 4.5% of GDP in 2020 and the low 1.9% of GDP in 2011. Latin America & Caribbean median: 3.8% of GDP; the Dominican Republic is 14th highest of 26. Of 112 countries with 2023 data, 55th highest.
The latest figure from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, for 2018, is 19. Its high point since 2005 was 2010, at 26; its low point was 2015, at 18. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 18, and the Dominican Republic placed 8th highest of 18. Worldwide: 50th of 85.
The UNESCO Institute for Statistics puts the primary completion rate in the Dominican Republic at 90.0% in 2024. Since 2006 it has ranged from 85.9% (2006) to 99.7% (2015). Latin America & Caribbean median: 93.9%; the Dominican Republic is 13th highest of 19. Of 104 countries with 2024 data, 74th highest.
Read on 14 October 2026. Definitions · Report an error