History of Dominican Republic in Timeline
The Dominican Republic, located on the eastern side of Hispaniola in the Caribbean, is the second largest nation in the Antilles in terms of both area and population. It shares the island with Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands shared by two sovereign nations. With a landmass of 48,671 square kilometers, it boasts approximately 11.4 million residents, with a significant portion residing in the capital city Santo Domingo.
1902: Political Instability and Short-Lived Governments
From 1902 onward, the Dominican Republic experienced a period of significant political instability, with short-lived governments and the rise of caudillos in various parts of the country.
1902: Previous Presidency of Vásquez
Horacio Vásquez had previously served as president of the Dominican Republic from 1902 to 1903.
1902: Previous Presidency of Jimenes
Juan Isidro Jimenes Pereyra had previously served as president of the Dominican Republic from 1899 to 1902.
1905: U.S. Intervention and Customs Administration
In 1905, the United States intervened in the Dominican Republic to prevent European intervention and assumed control of Dominican customs, the primary source of government revenue, under the Dominican agreement.
1906: Extension of U.S. Customs Control
An agreement in 1906 extended the U.S. administration of Dominican customs for 50 years, ensuring continued American influence over Dominican finances.
1907: Missionary Work Expands in the Dominican Republic
By 1907, missionaries from various churches, including the Episcopal, Free Methodist, Seventh-day Adventist, and Moravians, had established a presence and begun their work in the Dominican Republic.
1911: Assassination of President Cáceres
The assassination of Dominican President Ramón Cáceres in 1911 triggered several years of political turmoil and civil war, further destabilizing the country.
1914: U.S. Ultimatum and Election of Jimenes
In 1914, the United States issued an ultimatum to the Dominican Republic, demanding the selection of a president to end the political deadlock. This led to the election of Juan Isidro Jimenes Pereyra.
May 7, 1916: Resignation of Jimenes
Facing political pressure and a potential coup by Desiderio Arias, Dominican President Juan Isidro Jimenes Pereyra resigned from office on May 7, 1916, despite a U.S. offer of military support.
May 16, 1916: U.S. Occupation of the Dominican Republic
Following the resignation of President Jimenes, the United States ordered the occupation of the Dominican Republic on May 16, 1916. U.S. Marines landed, secured key cities, and faced resistance from forces loyal to General Arias.
1916: U.S. Occupation and Attacks on Arab Vendors
During the U.S. occupation of the Dominican Republic, which began in 1916, Gavilleros (peasants) not only resisted U.S. Marines but also targeted and killed Arab vendors traveling in rural areas.
1916: Introduction of Volleyball to the Dominican Republic
Volleyball was introduced to the Dominican Republic in 1916 by members of the United States Marine Corps.
1918: Expansion of Education during U.S. Occupation
Between 1918 and 1920, the Dominican education system underwent significant expansion under the U.S. occupation regime, with the establishment of over three hundred schools across the country.
1920: Shift in Dominican Art Towards Realism and Impressionism
Between 1920 and 1940, Dominican art witnessed a shift towards realism and impressionism, moving away from earlier academic styles.
1920: End of Education Expansion Period
The period of rapid expansion in the Dominican education system, supported by local communities and U.S. officials, concluded in 1920, leaving a lasting impact on the nation's educational infrastructure.
October 1922: End of U.S. Occupation Regime
The U.S. military occupation of the Dominican Republic officially ended in October 1922, paving the way for the restoration of Dominican governance.
March 1924: Dominican Presidential Elections
Presidential elections were held in the Dominican Republic in March 1924, resulting in the victory of Horacio Vásquez.
July 13, 1924: Inauguration of President Vásquez
Horacio Vásquez, elected president of the Dominican Republic, was inaugurated on July 13, 1924, marking the end of the U.S. occupation.
1930: Trujillo's Rise to Power
General Rafael Trujillo, who had received training from the U.S. Marines during the occupation, seized power in the Dominican Republic in 1930 after a military coup against the government of Vásquez.
1930: Beginning of Trujillo's Dictatorship
The dictatorship of Rafael Leónidas Trujillo began in 1930, marking a period of authoritarian rule in the Dominican Republic.
1931: Failed Revolt against Trujillo
Desiderio Arias led an unsuccessful revolt against Rafael Trujillo's regime in 1931 and was killed near Mao.
1932: Birth of Oscar de la Renta
Dominican fashion designer Oscar de la Renta was born in the Dominican Republic in 1932.
1935: Border Agreement with Haiti
Rafael Trujillo successfully negotiated an undisputed border between the Dominican Republic and Haiti in 1935, resolving a long-standing issue.
1936: Establishment of Distrito Nacional
The Distrito Nacional in the Dominican Republic was established in 1936, replacing the old Santo Domingo Province.
October 1937: Parsley Massacre
In October 1937, under the orders of Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo, Dominican troops massacred an estimated 40,000 Haitians along the Haitian-Dominican border. This event is known as the Parsley Massacre.
1937: International Promotion of Merengue Music
Between 1937 and 1950, merengue music gained international recognition through the efforts of Dominican music groups such as Billo's Caracas Boys, Chapuseaux and Damiron "Los Reyes del Merengue", and Joseito Mateo.
1940: Caribbean Migration to the Dominican Republic
Up until around 1940, the Dominican Republic saw an influx of immigrants from other Caribbean islands, driven by economic hardship and social unrest, who settled primarily in cities like San Pedro de Macorís and Puerto Plata.
1940: Shift in Dominican Art Towards Realism and Impressionism
Between 1920 and 1940, Dominican art witnessed a shift towards realism and impressionism, moving away from earlier academic styles.
1941: End of Customs Agreement
The 50-year customs agreement between the Dominican Republic and the United States, originally set to expire in 1956, was terminated early in 1941 under Trujillo's rule.
1947: Dominican Republic Becomes Debt-Free
Under Trujillo's regime, the Dominican Republic became free of foreign debt in 1947, marking a significant economic achievement despite the dictator's repressive policies.
1950: International Promotion of Merengue Music
Between 1937 and 1950, merengue music gained international recognition through the efforts of Dominican music groups such as Billo's Caracas Boys, Chapuseaux and Damiron "Los Reyes del Merengue", and Joseito Mateo.
1950: Population at 2,380,000
In 1950, the Dominican Republic's population was 2,380,000.
September 23, 1956: Ozzie Virgil Sr. Becomes First Dominican-born MLB Player
Ozzie Virgil Sr. made history on September 23, 1956, by becoming the first Dominican-born player to participate in Major League Baseball (MLB).
1956: Original End Date for Customs Agreement
The 50-year customs agreement between the Dominican Republic and the United States was originally scheduled to end in 1956, but Trujillo negotiated an early termination.
August 13, 1959: Trujillo's Failed Coup Attempt Against Fidel Castro
On August 13, 1959, Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo's plan to overthrow Cuban leader Fidel Castro was foiled. Trujillo had hired mercenaries led by Major William Morgan to carry out the coup, but Castro, aware of the plot, used Morgan to deceive Trujillo. A plane carrying supplies and advisors for the coup landed in Cuba, where Castro's forces seized it, exposing Trujillo's plan and leading to arrests.
June 1960: Trujillo's Unsuccessful Attempt to Align with the Soviet Bloc
In June 1960, Trujillo made an unsuccessful attempt to establish closer political ties with the Soviet Bloc. This move, combined with his role in the attempted assassination of Venezuelan President Rómulo Betancourt, drew condemnation from Latin America and led to sanctions from the Organization of American States (OAS).
August 26, 1960: US Severs Diplomatic Ties with Dominican Republic
On August 26, 1960, the United States officially severed diplomatic relations with the Dominican Republic in response to Trujillo's involvement in the attempted assassination of Venezuelan President Rómulo Betancourt and his efforts to align with the Soviet Bloc. This move demonstrated a significant shift in US policy towards Trujillo's regime.
November 25, 1960: Assassination of the Mirabal Sisters
On November 25, 1960, three of the four Mirabal sisters, activists who opposed Trujillo's regime, were brutally murdered by his agents. The sisters, known as "Las Mariposas" (The Butterflies), were involved in a plot to overthrow the dictatorship. This day is now commemorated as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
1960: Deterioration of US-Trujillo Relations
The year 1960 marked a turning point in US-Dominican relations. After years of support despite Trujillo's brutality, the US finally broke ties with the dictator following his agents' attempt to assassinate Venezuelan President Rómulo Betancourt, a vocal critic of Trujillo's regime.
January 1961: US Imposes Economic Sanctions on the Dominican Republic
In January 1961, the United States escalated its response to Trujillo's actions by imposing economic sanctions on the Dominican Republic. These sanctions included suspending exports of crucial goods like vehicles, fuel, and significantly reducing sugar imports, a major blow to the Dominican economy.
May 30, 1961: Assassination of Rafael Trujillo
On May 30, 1961, Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo was assassinated by a group of dissidents, ending his 31-year rule. Despite his death, his son, Ramfis Trujillo, maintained control of the government and military for several months following the assassination.
November 18, 1961: US Warns Against Trujillo Family's Return to Power
On November 18, 1961, as the Trujillo family attempted to reclaim control in the Dominican Republic, US Secretary of State Dean Rusk issued a stern warning, stating that the US would not tolerate the family's return to a dictatorship. The US deployed a naval task force to demonstrate its seriousness.
1961: Emigration from the Dominican Republic Surges After Trujillo's Assassination
Following the assassination of dictator Trujillo in 1961, a wave of emigration from the Dominican Republic began, driven by fear of reprisals from Trujillo's allies and widespread political instability.
1961: Assassination of Trujillo
Rafael Leónidas Trujillo, the Dominican dictator, was assassinated in 1961, ending his rule.
January 4, 1962: OAS Lifts Sanctions on the Dominican Republic
On January 4, 1962, following the Trujillo family's departure from power and the restoration of a semblance of order, the Organization of American States (OAS) lifted the sanctions it had imposed on the Dominican Republic, signaling a hope for a more democratic future.
1962: Election of Juan Bosch
Juan Bosch was elected president of the Dominican Republic in 1962, bringing hope for democratic governance.
February 1963: Democratically Elected Government Overthrown
In February 1963, a democratically elected government led by Juan Bosch, a leftist figure, came to power in the Dominican Republic. However, this period of democratic rule was short-lived, as Bosch's government was overthrown in a military coup in September of the same year.
1963: Military Coup against Bosch
A military coup deposed Juan Bosch from the presidency in 1963, just a year after his election.
1963: Oscar de la Renta Launches His Own Fashion Label
By 1963, Oscar de la Renta had established his own fashion label and began producing designs under his own name.
1963: Dominican Revolutionary Party in Power
The social democratic Dominican Revolutionary Party briefly held power in the Dominican Republic in 1963.
April 24, 1965: Pro-Bosch Revolt Erupts in Santo Domingo
On April 24, 1965, after a period of military rule following the 1963 coup against democratically elected President Juan Bosch, a revolt erupted in Santo Domingo. Supporters of Bosch, known as Constitutionalists, took up arms against the military government.
1965: Dominican Civil War
A civil war erupted in the Dominican Republic in 1965, further destabilizing the nation.
1965: US Military Occupation of the Dominican Republic Facilitates Emigration
When the US initiated a military occupation of the Dominican Republic in 1965 to quell a civil war, it also relaxed travel restrictions, making it simpler for Dominicans to acquire visas for the US, further fueling emigration.
1966: Economic Hardship and Political Repression Drive Continued Emigration from Dominican Republic
From 1966 to 1978, the Dominican Republic experienced an ongoing exodus of citizens, driven by factors such as high unemployment rates and persistent political repression.
1966: Start of Balaguer's Rule
Joaquín Balaguer came to power in 1966, initiating a period of authoritarian rule that would last until 1978.
1966: Social Christian Reformist Party in Power
The conservative Social Christian Reformist Party held power in the Dominican Republic from 1966 to 1978.
1966: Joaquín Balaguer Wins Election Following US Intervention
In 1966, following a period of US military intervention in the Dominican Republic, elections were held, and Joaquín Balaguer emerged victorious. Balaguer, who had previously served as a puppet president under Trujillo, returned to power, ushering in an era marked by repression and human rights abuses.
1971: Oscar de la Renta Becomes a US Citizen
In 1971, Oscar de la Renta, originally from the Dominican Republic, became a citizen of the United States.
1973: Founding of the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD)
In 1973, Juan Bosch, a prominent figure in Dominican politics, founded the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) after breaking away from the Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD). This new party aimed to offer an alternative political voice and platform in the country.
1978: Dominican Communities in US Provide Support for New Arrivals
By 1978, the communities established in the US by earlier waves of Dominican immigrants had created networks that provided vital support and assistance to newly arriving Dominicans.
1978: Antonio Guzmán Fernández Elected President
In 1978, Antonio Guzmán Fernández of the Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD) won the presidential election, marking the end of Joaquín Balaguer's rule and a shift towards a more democratic system in the Dominican Republic.
1978: Transition to Democracy
The Dominican Republic began its transition towards representative democracy in 1978, marking a turning point in its political history.
1978: Dominican Revolutionary Party Regains Power
The Dominican Revolutionary Party took back control in 1978 and maintained its hold on power until 1986.
August 1979: Hurricane David Devastates Dominican Republic
In August 1979, Hurricane David caused widespread devastation in the Dominican Republic. The hurricane resulted in the loss of over 2,000 lives, displaced hundreds of thousands of people, and caused significant economic damage exceeding $1 billion.
1982: Salvador Jorge Blanco Elected President
In 1982, Salvador Jorge Blanco, also a member of the Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD), won the presidential election, succeeding Antonio Guzmán Fernández. This victory marked a continuation of PRD leadership in the Dominican Republic.
1985: Exchange Rate Liberalized
The Dominican Republic liberalized its exchange rate to the U.S. dollar in 1985.
August 1986: Exchange Rate Liberalization
Following the liberalization of the exchange rate to the U.S. dollar in 1985, the Dominican peso stood at 2.70 pesos per dollar in August 1986.
1986: Balaguer Returns to Presidency
In 1986, Joaquín Balaguer returned to the presidency after winning the election. This marked the beginning of his third period in office, characterized by a focus on infrastructure development but also continued repression and human rights concerns.
1986: Balaguer Returns to Power
Joaquín Balaguer returned to power in 1986, resuming his authoritarian rule after a break.
1986: Social Christian Reformist Party Returns to Power
The Social Christian Reformist Party returned to power in the Dominican Republic in 1986 and remained there until 1996.
1990: Balaguer Re-elected for a Fourth Term
In 1990, Joaquín Balaguer secured re-election for a fourth term as president of the Dominican Republic, further extending his long and controversial political career.
1990: Economic Challenges
During the late 1980s and into 1990, the Dominican Republic faced severe economic difficulties, with the gross domestic product shrinking by up to 5% and consumer price inflation reaching an alarming 100%.
1992: Completion of the Columbus Lighthouse
In 1992, during one of Joaquín Balaguer's later terms as president of the Dominican Republic, the massive Columbus Lighthouse was completed. This ambitious project, a prominent landmark in Santo Domingo, was part of Balaguer's infrastructure development program.
1992: Economic Growth Period Begins
The Dominican Republic's economy began to experience rapid growth in 1992, marking the start of a period of significant economic expansion.
1993: Exchange Rate at 14.00 Pesos
The exchange rate between the Dominican peso and the U.S. dollar reached 14.00 pesos in 1993.
1994: Balaguer Wins Controversial Election
In 1994, Joaquín Balaguer won another presidential election, defeating PRD candidate José Francisco Peña Gómez. However, the election was marred by accusations of fraud and irregularities, drawing international criticism.
1996: Leonel Fernández Wins Presidential Election
In 1996, Leonel Fernández of the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) won the presidential election, marking the first-ever victory for the party founded by Juan Bosch. Fernández's win signaled a shift in Dominican politics and a departure from traditional parties.
1996: Balaguer Schedules New Presidential Election
In 1996, facing international pressure over the flawed 1994 election, Joaquín Balaguer announced a new presidential contest to be held that year. Balaguer himself did not stand as a candidate in this election.
1996: End of Balaguer's Rule
Joaquín Balaguer's rule came to an end in 1996, concluding his final term as president.
1996: Electoral Reform
Since 1996 in the Dominican Republic, international observers have found that presidential and congressional elections have been generally free and fair.
1996: Dominican Liberation Party's First Term
The Dominican Liberation Party first came into power in 1996, marking the start of their political dominance, which lasted until 2000.
1998: Hurricane Georges
In 1998, Hurricane Georges, a powerful and destructive hurricane, struck the Dominican Republic.
2000: Hipólito Mejía Elected President
In the 2000 presidential election, Hipólito Mejía of the Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD) emerged victorious. Mejía's presidency coincided with a period of economic challenges for the Dominican Republic.
2000: Start of Urban Population Growth Analysis
The United Nations analyzed the urban population growth rate in the Dominican Republic from 2000 to 2005.
2000: Dominican Revolutionary Party's Third Term
The Dominican Revolutionary Party assumed power for a third time in 2000 but lost it in 2004.
2000: 1.6 Million Phone Subscribers
In 2000, the Dominican Republic had 1.6 million phone subscribers.
2000: Exchange Rate at 16.00 Pesos
By 2000, the exchange rate had climbed to 16.00 Dominican pesos per U.S. dollar.
2001: Creation of New Santo Domingo Province
A new Santo Domingo Province was created in 2001, separate from the Distrito Nacional.
2002: Economic Recession
The Dominican economy experienced a recession in 2002 after a period of growth and reduced inflation.
2003: Bank Collapse and Economic Impact
The Dominican Republic's economy was significantly impacted in 2003 by the collapse of Baninter, the country's second-largest commercial bank. This collapse, resulting from a massive fraud case worth US$3.5 billion, led to a 1% decline in GDP and caused inflation to surge beyond 27%.
2003: Dominican Republic Participates in US-Led Invasion of Iraq
In 2003, the Dominican Republic, under the leadership of President Hipólito Mejía, joined the US-led coalition in the invasion of Iraq. The Dominican Republic contributed troops to the Multinational Plus Ultra Brigade, but did not suffer any casualties.
2003: Poverty and Illiteracy Rates High in Haiti
In 2003, Haiti faced significant challenges with 80% of its population living in poverty and 47.1% experiencing illiteracy.
2004: Drug Trafficking Through the Dominican Republic
By 2004, it was estimated that 8% of all cocaine trafficked into the United States had passed through the Dominican Republic.
2004: Dominican Liberation Party's Second Term
The Dominican Liberation Party returned to power in 2004 and governed until 2020.
2005: Dominican Republic Responds to Criticism over Treatment of Haitians
In 2005, the Dominican Republic faced criticism from the UN over its treatment of Haitian immigrants, with the Dominican Foreign Minister defending the country's actions by stating that while the border with Haiti had its challenges, it was important to differentiate national sovereignty from indifference and security concerns from xenophobia.
2005: UN Report on Human Development
The Annual Report of the United Nations Subcommittee on Human Development in 2005 ranked the Dominican Republic 71st globally for resource availability, 79th for human development, and 14th for resource mismanagement, highlighting concerns about government corruption, external economic influence, and the disparity between the wealthy and the poor.
2005: Urban Population Growth Rate
According to the United Nations, the urban population in the Dominican Republic grew at a rate of 2.3% between 2000 and 2005.
2006: Frank Báez Wins Santo Domingo Book Fair First Prize
Dominican writer Frank Báez was awarded the First Prize at the Santo Domingo Book Fair in 2006.
2006: Start of Population Growth Analysis
The Dominican Republic's annual population growth rate was analyzed between 2006 and 2007, revealing a rate of 1.5%.
2007: Population Density
In 2007, the Dominican Republic had a population density of 192 people per square kilometer (498 per square mile), with 63% residing in urban areas.
2007: End of Population Growth Analysis
The Dominican Republic's annual population growth rate was analyzed between 2006 and 2007, revealing a rate of 1.5%.
2008: Gabriel Mercedes Wins Olympic Silver Medal in Taekwondo
Dominican athlete Gabriel Mercedes earned an Olympic silver medal in the sport of taekwondo at the 2008 Olympic Games.
2008: Leonel Fernández Elected for Third Term
In 2008, Leonel Fernández of the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) was elected for a third non-consecutive term as president of the Dominican Republic. His administration focused on technological advancements and economic growth but faced accusations of corruption.
2008: Junot Díaz Wins Pulitzer Prize for Fiction
Junot Díaz, a Dominican-American writer, received the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2008 for his acclaimed novel "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao."
March 2009: 2,439,997 Internet Users
As of March 2009, there were 2,439,997 internet users in the Dominican Republic.
June 2009: Eight Million Phone Subscribers
By June 2009, the Dominican Republic had surpassed 8 million phone line subscribers, including both landline and mobile users. This represented 81% of the population and a fivefold increase from the 1.6 million subscribers in 2000.
November 2009: Gender Perspective in ICT
In a pioneering move for Latin America, the Dominican Republic committed in November 2009 to incorporate a "gender perspective" into all government-developed information and communications technology (ICT) policies and initiatives.
April 2010: Murder of Taxi Drivers by Teenagers in the Dominican Republic
In April 2010, five teenagers between the ages of 15 and 17 shot and killed two taxi drivers. They also killed another five individuals by forcing them to consume drain cleaner.
September 24, 2010: Sentencing of Teenagers for Murder in the Dominican Republic
On September 24, 2010, five teenagers, aged 15 to 17, were sentenced to three to five years in prison for the murder of two taxi drivers. The teenagers had shot the taxi drivers and forced another five to drink drain cleaner, resulting in their deaths.
2010: Dominican Immigration to Puerto Rico
By 2010, nearly 70,000 Dominicans were living in Puerto Rico, though this number started to decline due to Puerto Rico's economic crisis in 2016.
2010: Population of Santo Domingo
By 2010, the capital city of Santo Domingo had grown to a population of 2,907,100.
2010: Population Age Distribution
In 2010, the Dominican Republic's population distribution showed that 31.2% were under 15 years old, while 6% were over 65.
2010: Census Data Shows Haitian Population in Dominican Republic
The 2010 census in the Dominican Republic registered a significant Haitian population of 311,969 individuals, along with smaller numbers of Americans, Spaniards, Puerto Ricans, and Venezuelans.
2012: Murder Rate in the Dominican Republic
In 2012, the Dominican Republic experienced a murder rate of 22.1 per 100,000 people, with a total of 2,268 murders recorded that year.
2012: Dominican Government Conducts Survey on Immigrants
In 2012, the Dominican government conducted a survey which found a large Haitian-born population (329,281), followed by those born in the US (25,814), Spain (7,062), and other countries.
2012: Danilo Medina Elected President
In the 2012 presidential election, Danilo Medina, representing the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD), emerged victorious, succeeding Leonel Fernández.
2012: Metro Ridership Reaches 30,856,515
Before the second line's opening, the Santo Domingo Metro served 30,856,515 passengers in 2012.
2012: Dominican Emigration to the US
In 2012, there were about 1.7 million people of Dominican descent in the United States, including those born in the Dominican Republic and those born in the U.S.
April 2013: Second Metro Line Opens
The Santo Domingo Metro's second line, designed to alleviate traffic along the Duarte-Kennedy-Centenario Corridor, opened in April 2013.
August 2013: Metro Expands to 27.35 Kilometers
With the opening of sections in both lines, the Santo Domingo Metro reached a total length of 27.35 kilometers (16.99 miles) by August 2013.
2013: Dominican Republic Invests in Healthcare for Foreign Patients
Between 2013 and 2016, the Dominican Republic invested a significant amount of money, totaling $16 billion pesos, towards healthcare services provided to foreign patients, covering various medical expenses.
2013: Dominican Republic Wins World Baseball Classic
The Dominican Republic's national baseball team emerged victorious in the 2013 World Baseball Classic, completing an undefeated run throughout the tournament.
2013: Remittances at US$3333 Million
Remittances to the Dominican Republic in 2013 amounted to US$3333 million, according to the Inter-American Development Bank.
October 20, 2014: Death of Oscar de la Renta
Oscar de la Renta, a renowned fashion designer, passed away on October 20, 2014, due to complications arising from cancer.
2014: Religious Demographics of the Dominican Republic
As of 2014, the Dominican Republic's population was 57% Roman Catholic, 23% Protestant, and included smaller percentages of other religions such as Spiritism, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and others.
2014: Population Survey Reveals Racial Makeup of Dominican Republic
In 2014, a population survey in the Dominican Republic revealed that 70.4% of the population self-identified as mixed race, 15.8% as black, 13.5% as white, and 0.3% as "other".
2014: Increase in Remittances
Remittances to the Dominican Republic experienced a significant increase, reaching US$4571.30 million in 2014, up from US$3333 million in 2013, based on data from the Inter-American Development Bank.
2014: Record Economic Growth
The Dominican Republic achieved a 7.3% GDP growth rate in 2014, the highest in the Western Hemisphere that year.
2014: Metro Ridership Surges to 61,270,054
The Santo Domingo Metro's ridership significantly increased to 61,270,054 passengers in 2014, following the opening of both lines.
2015: Sustained High Growth
The Dominican Republic maintained a high GDP growth rate of 7.0% in 2015, further solidifying its economic progress.
2015: Projected Population
The Dominican Republic's population was projected to reach 10,121,000 in 2015.
2016: Dominican Republic Spends Billions on Healthcare for Foreign Patients, Including Pregnant Women
By 2016, data revealed that the Dominican Republic was spending more than five billion pesos each year on healthcare specifically for pregnant women who crossed the border seeking medical assistance for childbirth.
2016: Danilo Medina Re-elected for a Second Term
In 2016, Danilo Medina of the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) secured re-election for a second term as president. Despite some achievements, his administration faced growing concerns over issues like crime, corruption, and weaknesses in the justice system.
2016: Shift in Dominican Immigration to Puerto Rico
Dominican immigration to Puerto Rico began to reverse in 2016 as a result of the economic crisis in Puerto Rico.
2016: Joint Elections Implemented
Beginning in 2016, following a constitutional reform, the Dominican Republic started holding joint elections.
2016: Global Slavery Index
According to the 2016 Global Slavery Index, it was estimated that around 104,800 individuals in the Dominican Republic were subjected to modern slavery, accounting for 1.00% of the population.
2017: Haiti's GDP Per Capita Stands at a Fraction of Dominican Republic's
By 2017, Haiti's GDP per capita was only about one-tenth of the Dominican Republic's, highlighting the economic disparity between the two neighboring nations.
2017: Dominican Republic Government Estimates Population and Immigration Figures
In 2017, the Dominican government estimated that the country had a population of 10,189,895, of which 847,979 were immigrants or descendants of recent immigrants and 9,341,916 were ethnic Dominicans.
2017: Survey Reveals Majority of Foreign-Born Population in Dominican Republic is of Haitian Origin
In the latter half of 2017, a survey in the Dominican Republic estimated that out of a total population of 10,189,895, the majority of the 847,979 inhabitants with foreign background were of Haitian descent (751,080).
September 2018: Exchange Rate at 50.08 Pesos
By September 2018, the exchange rate had reached 50.08 Dominican pesos per U.S. dollar.
2018: Continued Economic Growth
The Dominican Republic continued to enjoy rapid economic growth until 2018, establishing itself as a regional economic leader.
2018: Dominican Republic Signs UN Treaty
The Dominican Republic joined the international effort to abolish nuclear weapons in 2018 when it signed the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
2019: Dominican Republic's Ranking in the Global Innovation Index
In 2019, the Dominican Republic held the 87th position in the Global Innovation Index.
2020: Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado Wins World and European Cyclo-cross Championship
Dominican cyclist Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado achieved victory in both the World and European Cyclo-cross Championships in 2020.
2020: Luis Abinader Elected President, Ending PLD Rule
In 2020, opposition candidate Luis Abinader won the presidential election, marking the end of the Dominican Liberation Party's (PLD) 16-year hold on power. Abinader's victory came amidst protests against the incumbent PLD government and signaled a desire for change among the electorate.
2020: Protests and Change in Leadership
In 2020, protests broke out in the Dominican Republic against the ruling Dominican Liberation Party. Luis Abinader, the presidential candidate for the opposition Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM), emerged victorious in the election, bringing an end to the PLD's reign.
2020: Sex Ratio
In 2020, the Dominican Republic had an estimated sex ratio of 102.3 males per 100 females.
2020: Birth and Death Rates in the Dominican Republic
In 2020, the Dominican Republic recorded an estimated birth rate of 18.5 per 1000 people and a death rate of 6.3 per 1000 people.
2021: Population Reaches 11,117,873
The Dominican Republic's population reached 11,117,873 in 2021, a substantial increase from 2,380,000 in 1950.
2023: Dominican Republic's Ranking in the Global Innovation Index
The Dominican Republic's ranking in the Global Innovation Index dropped to 94th in 2023, down from its 2019 ranking of 87th.
2024: Population of the Dominican Republic
In 2024, the Dominican Republic had an estimated population of 11.4 million people, with approximately 3.6 million residing in the metropolitan area of Santo Domingo, the capital city.