Dominican Republic Unemployment Rate
Unemployment as % of total labor force SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS
Dominican Republic's unemployment rate was 5.09% in 2025, ranked 91st globally. This represents a 1.1% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Dominican Republic's unemployment rate stood at 5.09% in 2025, a decline of +0.06pp from 2024. The IMF projects 5.30% by 2025. Dominican Republic ranked 91st globally.
The Dominican Republic’s unemployment rate has fallen to 5.09 % in 2025, placing it 91st in the world and just below New Zealand’s 5.08 % and Peru’s 5.12 % for the same year. After a high of 7.70 % in 2021, the labor market improved steadily, reversing the peak that followed the pandemic‑related disruptions. The lowest recorded level was 4.76 % in 2008, during a period of robust tourism growth and fiscal consolidation, after which the rate rose modestly through the 2010s before accelerating again in the early 2020s. Over the 35‑year series, the Dominican Republic has narrowed the gap with its peers, reflecting stronger job creation in services and manufacturing. Continued diversification of the economy and investment in skills development could sustain the downward trajectory, while external shocks or policy setbacks would risk reversing the gains.
Data & projection
| Year | Unemployment Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2030* IMF | 5.00% | - | - |
| 2029* IMF | 5.10% | - | - |
| 2028* IMF | 5.20% | - | - |
| 2027* IMF | 5.20% | - | - |
| 2026* IMF | 5.30% | - | - |
| 2025* IMF | 5.30% | - | - |
| 2025 | 5.09% | −0.06pp | #91 |
| 2024 | 5.31% | +0.01pp | #102 |
| 2023 | 5.56% | +0.26pp | #105 |
| 2022 | 5.50% | −1.88pp | #100 |
| 2021 | 7.70% | +1.87pp | #123 |
| 2020 | 6.13% | −0.04pp | #93 |
| 2019 | 6.36% | +0.70pp | #115 |
| 2018 | 5.86% | +0.35pp | #108 |
| 2017 | 5.83% | −1.25pp | #100 |
| 2016 | 7.28% | −0.04pp | #112 |
| 2015 | 7.61% | −0.93pp | #116 |
| 2014 | 6.72% | −2.48pp | #97 |
| 2013 | 7.35% | −1.06pp | #107 |
| 2012 | 6.72% | −0.89pp | #93 |
| 2011 | 6.09% | −0.43pp | #89 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Dominican Republic matched the Orthodox Tightening Cycle pattern in 2004. Historically, 57% of countries showing this pattern (177 out of 311) saw unemployment rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Dominican Republic's unemployment rate was 5.09% in 2025. Ranked 91st globally. This represents a 1.1% decrease from the previous year.
Dominican Republic's unemployment rate peaked at 7.70% in 2021.
The lowest unemployment rate in Dominican Republic was 4.76% in 2008.
Dominican Republic ranks 91st globally in unemployment rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Dominican Republic's unemployment rate is projected to reach 5.30% by 2025 based on IMF projection.
The unemployment rate of Dominican Republic in 2025 was 5.09%. This ranks 91st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_dominican-republic_unemployment-rate,
title = {Dominican Republic Unemployment Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/dominican-republic/unemployment-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}