Dominican Republic: immigration

How many refugees and Venezuelans live in the Dominican Republic?

UNHCR counted 99,484 other people in need of international protection in the Dominican Republic at the end of 2025, along with 1,029 asylum seekers and 20 recognised refugees, according to UNHCR population statistics. A year earlier the first group numbered 125,343.

The category 'other people in need of international protection' was created mainly for Venezuelans who left their country and have not applied for asylum. UNHCR publishes the end-year figures each June.

Official sources: UNHCR: Dominican Republic as country of asylum, 2025

How many immigrants live in the Dominican Republic?

738,667 people living in the Dominican Republic in 2024 had been born abroad, according to the UN international migrant stock estimate published by the World Bank. The estimate for 2020 was 603,794.

The UN Population Division bases the estimate on censuses and surveys. It counts residents by country of birth, regardless of legal status, and is updated every few years, so it does not show annual flows. Residence permits are issued by the General Directorate of Migration.

Official sources: World Bank: international migrant stock, Dominican Republic

How many Dominicans seek asylum abroad?

20,783 Dominicans had asylum claims pending in other countries at the end of 2025, up from 15,821 a year earlier, according to UNHCR population statistics. 1,240 Dominicans were recognised refugees abroad.

UNHCR counts people by country of origin from data supplied by the countries where they applied. The figures are stocks at the end of the year, not new applications during the year, and exclude Dominicans living abroad under other permits.

Official sources: UNHCR: Dominicans abroad, 2025

What share of the Dominican Republic's population are immigrants?

The latest figure from the UN Population Division, for 2024, is 6.5%. It was 5.3% in 2015. Latin America & Caribbean median: 4.8%; the Dominican Republic is 12th highest of 33. Worldwide: 79th of 193.

What is net migration in the Dominican Republic?

The UN Population Division puts net migration in the Dominican Republic at -35,306 in 2025. The peak was -17,957 in 2020 and the low -37,170 in 2006. It is 30th highest of 33 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is -967. Worldwide: 167th of 193.

How many refugees does the Dominican Republic host?

20: that is the number of refugees in the country in the Dominican Republic for 2025, according to UNHCR. Since 2010 it has ranged from 18 (2024) to 778 (2023). It is 22nd highest of 28 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 1,306. World rank, highest first: 150th of 169.

How many refugees come from the Dominican Republic?

According to UNHCR, the number of refugees from the country living abroad in the Dominican Republic was 1,240 in 2025. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Latin America & Caribbean median: 710; the Dominican Republic is 16th highest of 33. World rank, highest first: 102nd of 189.

How much are remittances to the Dominican Republic?

The World Bank puts personal remittances received in the Dominican Republic at 9.7% of GDP in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2021, at 11.3% of GDP; its low point was 2012, at 7.0% of GDP. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 3.3% of GDP, and the Dominican Republic placed 5th highest of 27. World rank, highest first: 18th of 127.