Dominican Republic: health and care

What is the life expectancy in the Dominican Republic?

Life expectancy at birth in the Dominican Republic was 73.9 years in 2024, according to the World Bank, up from 73.7 years in 2023.

The estimate comes from the UN Population Division's World Population Prospects, which models mortality from censuses, surveys and civil registration. Period life expectancy shows how long a newborn would live if that year's death rates applied throughout life. The National Statistics Office publishes national population estimates and vital statistics.

Official sources: World Bank: life expectancy at birth, Dominican Republic

What is the maternal mortality rate in the Dominican Republic?

The Dominican Republic's maternal mortality ratio was 124 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2023, unchanged from 2022, according to the UN inter-agency estimate published by the World Bank.

The ratio counts deaths of women during pregnancy or within 42 days of its end from related causes. It is modelled by WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, the World Bank and the UN Population Division, so it can differ from the maternal deaths counted by the Ministry of Public Health.

Official sources: World Bank: maternal mortality ratio, Dominican Republic

What is the child mortality rate in the Dominican Republic?

30.6 of every 1,000 children born in the Dominican Republic died before their fifth birthday in 2024, according to the UN inter-agency estimate published by the World Bank. The rate was 31.5 in 2023.

The estimate is produced by the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation from household surveys and civil registration. It is the probability of dying between birth and age five at that year's death rates. Year-to-year changes are small and fall within the margins of uncertainty.

Official sources: World Bank: under-five mortality rate, Dominican Republic

How many doctors does the Dominican Republic have?

The Dominican Republic had 2.43 doctors per 1,000 people in 2023, according to WHO data published by the World Bank, up from 2.23 in 2022.

The figure comes from the WHO National Health Workforce Accounts and counts generalist and specialist medical doctors in the public and private sectors. A rate of 2.43 per 1,000 is about 243 doctors for every 100,000 people. Health policy is set by the Ministry of Public Health.

Official sources: World Bank: physicians per 1,000 people, Dominican Republic

How much does the Dominican Republic spend on health?

Current health spending in the Dominican Republic was 4.6% of GDP in 2023, according to WHO data published by the World Bank. The 2027 budget bill allocates RD$198,727.0 million to the Ministry of Public Health, according to DIGEPRES.

The WHO figure covers public and private spending, including insurance and out-of-pocket payments, and excludes capital investment. DIGEPRES says the 2027 allocation emphasises primary care and the hospital network.

Official sources: World Bank: current health expenditure, Dominican Republic · DIGEPRES: 2027 budget bill

What is life expectancy in the Dominican Republic?

According to the UN Population Division, life expectancy at birth in the Dominican Republic was 73.9 years in 2024. Since 2005 it has ranged from 71.0 years (2005) to 74.2 years (2022). Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 74.0 years, and the Dominican Republic placed 18th highest of 33. World rank, highest first: 95th of 193.

What is the infant mortality rate in the Dominican Republic?

In 2024, the infant mortality rate in the Dominican Republic was 27.7 per 1,000, according to the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation. No year since 2005 has been lower. Latin America & Caribbean median: 12.1 per 1,000; the Dominican Republic is 3rd highest of 33. Worldwide: 51st of 192.

What is the maternal mortality rate in the Dominican Republic?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2023, is 124 per 100,000. The peak was 153 per 100,000 in 2021 and the low 83.0 per 100,000 in 2005. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 55.0 per 100,000, and the Dominican Republic placed 5th highest of 33. Of 192 countries with 2023 data, 58th highest.

What is the Dominican Republic's health spending?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2023, is 4.6% of GDP. Its high point since 2005 was 2021, at 5.1% of GDP; its low point was 2006, at 4.0% of GDP. Latin America & Caribbean median: 6.8% of GDP; the Dominican Republic is 27th highest of 33. World rank, highest first: 132nd of 191.

How much of health care in the Dominican Republic do patients pay for?

According to the WHO, out-of-pocket health spending in the Dominican Republic was 25.1% in 2023. Its high point since 2005 was 2006, at 54.7%; its low point was 2021, at 23.3%. It is 25th highest of 33 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 29.3%. World rank, highest first: 111th of 191.

What is the doctor to patient ratio in the Dominican Republic?

According to the WHO, the number of doctors per 1,000 people in the Dominican Republic was 2.4 per 1,000 in 2023. No year since 2008 has been higher. Latin America & Caribbean median: 2.4 per 1,000; the Dominican Republic is 4th highest of 9. World rank, highest first: 23rd of 58.

What is hospital capacity in the Dominican Republic?

0.75 per 1,000: that is hospital beds per 1,000 people in the Dominican Republic for 2023, according to the WHO. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2007. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 2.1 per 1,000, and the Dominican Republic placed 20th highest of 22. Of 73 countries with 2023 data, 64th highest.

What is the measles vaccination rate in the Dominican Republic?

The latest figure from WHO and UNICEF, for 2024, is 89.0%. Since 2005 it has ranged from 76.0% (2020) to 90.0% (2019). Latin America & Caribbean median: 89.5%; the Dominican Republic is 17th highest of 32. Of 191 countries with 2024 data, 103rd highest.