First published in Diario Libre.
Every October 17, the world observes the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, a date that encourages us to reflect on the progress and challenges in the fight against inequality. In the Dominican Republic, this day holds special significance, as the country has made remarkable strides in reducing poverty, driven by sustained economic growth and inclusive policies.
As the new World Bank representative in the Dominican Republic, I view with enthusiasm and deep respect the transformative moment the country is experiencing. In these first weeks, I have witnessed the commitment and vision of the authorities, the dynamism of the private sector, and the energy of civil society as they work to lead the Dominican Republic to higher levels of development for a more inclusive future.
Over the past decades, the Dominican Republic has shown a strong track record in poverty reduction. In 2024, GDP per capita grew by 4.1 percent (more than twice the regional average of 1.6), enabling poverty to fall from 23 to 19 percent and extreme poverty to decline from 3.2 to 2.4 percent nationwide. Today, the middle class surpasses the poor population in size, with improvements in access to basic services, housing, and education.
These achievements reflect inclusive policies and an expanding labor market. In 2024, more than 170,000 formal jobs were created, making formal employment account for more than half of the labor market. In the Dominican Republic, obtaining a job increases the likelihood of escaping poverty by 13.5 percentage points and the likelihood of joining the middle class by 21.3 percentage points. When people secure quality jobs, they can invest in their families, educate their children, and actively contribute to their communities.
However, challenges remain. Many Dominicans only have access to informal, low-productivity jobs, and women are underrepresented in the labor market—a challenge linked to barriers in access to education and health services, especially for young women.
In this context, the private sector emerges as the main engine of job creation, representing more than 85 percent of total employment. Sectors such as tourism, local manufacturing, and agribusiness have shown how entrepreneurship can transform industries, generate jobs, and stimulate the economy. Investing in entrepreneurial talent is key to unlocking the country’s economic potential.
For employment to continue serving as an agent of change, it is necessary to strengthen the environment that drives it and remove barriers such as limited access to financing, bureaucracy, and lack of technical training.
Meta RD2036, the Dominican Republic’s vision to become a high-income country, is clear: to double real GDP by 2036 through accelerated, sustainable, and inclusive economic growth that creates quality jobs and better public services. Achieving this vision will require investing in people and improving their productivity. To do so, among other measures, it will be essential to modernize education, close skills gaps, facilitate business formalization, and strengthen public-private partnerships in strategic sectors.
The Dominican Republic’s progress in poverty reduction is a testament to what can be achieved through sound economic management and a commitment to social inclusion. The future demands joint efforts from the government, private sector, civil society, and the international community, so that economic growth translates into more and better formal jobs that empower individuals and strengthen communities.
The commitment of all sectors will be key to ensuring prosperity reaches every corner of the country and that decent work becomes the gateway to a more prosperous and equitable future.
