The indicators presented by the government paint a picture of progress. But when compared with independent sources, gaps, inconsistencies, and remaining challenges become evident.
SANTO DOMINGO.- The summary of the document Project Indicators: Five Years of Transformation, presented by the Directorate of Strategy and Government Communication, offers an optimistic overview of the 2020–2025 administration.
In the absence of the original document, comparing the figures presented by the presidential spokesperson with independent sources reveals nuances that invite us to look beyond the headline.
Economy and the middle class: real or unequal growth?
According to the official report, GDP per capita rose from US$8,603 in 2019 to over US$11,500 in 2024, representing a 34% increase. However, data from Trading Economics places Dominican GDP per capita at US$9,168 for that same year, suggesting a significant discrepancy in measurement.
This gap may be due to the use of different calculation methods (nominal vs. PPP), but it also raises doubts about the consistency of official data.
According to the government, the middle class has grown from 37.7% to 48.6% of the population. However, the Ministry of Economy has not published any recent studies confirming this increase. In fact, previous reports warn that the Dominican middle class is vulnerable to informal employment, inflation, and a lack of social protection.
The minimum wage, which according to the official document rose from US$248 to US$371, represents progress. However, when compared to the cost of the basic food basket, which exceeds RD$45,000 per month according to ProConsumidor, the increase does not guarantee sufficient purchasing power for an average family.
Trading Economics is an international economic analysis platform that compiles official data from more than 196 countries, including the Dominican Republic, using sources such as central banks, finance ministries, and multilateral organizations to provide up-to-date indicators on GDP, inflation, employment, health, and safety.
It is widely used by analysts, journalists, and academics to compare government figures with verifiable data, making it a key tool for data analysis.
Security: Perception and Reality
The government reports a homicide rate of 8.3 per 100,000 inhabitants, one of the lowest in the region. However, FINJUS and Participación Ciudadana warn that the perception of insecurity remains high, especially in urban and tourist areas.
The addition of 4,000 new officers and the salary increase are steps forward, but the Citizen Security Observatory points out that police reform still faces structural challenges: lack of continuous training, weakness in internal control systems, and poor coordination with communities.
Health: progress with persistent gaps
The report highlights a 30.8% reduction in infant mortality and an increase in life expectancy from 73.5 to 75.1 years. While positive, these figures contrast with reports from UNICEF and the World Bank, which still place the Dominican Republic below the regional average in primary health care coverage.
More than 2.5 million people joined the social security system, but the Superintendency of Health and Labor Risks (SISALRIL) has indicated that many members do not have effective access to specialized services, especially outside of major urban centers.
The delivery of 68 hospitals and 683 primary care centers is significant, but organizations such as the Public Policy Observatory have warned about the lack of medical personnel, equipment and maintenance in several of these infrastructures.
Transformation or statistical makeup?
The indicators presented by the government paint a picture of progress. But when compared with independent sources, gaps, inconsistencies, and remaining challenges become evident. Structural transformation isn't measured solely in numbers; it's validated through citizens' everyday experiences.
In a country where every official figure must be examined closely, because behind every number, there is a story that deserves to be told rigorously.
