SANTO DOMINGO- The Central Bank of the Dominican Republic (BCRD) reported that, between January and September 2025, remittances received reached US$8,912.8 million, increasing US$914.1 million (11.4%) compared to the same period of the previous year.
The agency highlighted that in September, US$991.8 million, an increase of US$105.6 million (11.9%) compared to September 2024, emphasizing that these resources provided by the Dominican diaspora abroad have a multiplier effect on consumption, investment, and financing of the country's most vulnerable sectors.
The Central Bank of the Dominican Republic (BCRD) explained that the economic performance of the United States was one of the main factors influencing remittance flows, as 80.5% of formal flows in September, totaling US$729 million, originated from that country. Additionally, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago estimated that overall unemployment in the United States stood at 4.3% in September, a slight increase from the 4.2% recorded in August, but still close to full employment levels.
Meanwhile, the non-manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) registered a value of 50.0 in September, down from 51.7 in August; however, it indicates that there is still dynamism in the services sector, which employs a large part of the Dominican diaspora.
The Central Bank of the Dominican Republic (BCRD) also noted the receipt of remittances through formal channels from other countries in September, such Spain, which received US$68.1 million, representing 7.5% of the total. Spain is the second largest recipient of remittances from the Dominican diaspora abroad. Other countries receiving remittances include Italy, Haiti, and Switzerland, with 1.5%, 1.4%, and 1.3% of the total flows, respectively. Other countries receiving remittances include Canada and France.
Regarding the distribution of remittances received by province, the Central Bank of the Dominican Republic (BCRD) indicates that the National District received 47.2% during September, followed by the provinces of Santiago and Santo Domingo, with 10.7% and 7.1%, respectively. This suggests that approximately two-thirds of remittances (65.0%) are received in the country's metropolitan areas.
Analyzing recent external sector performance, the Central Bank of the Dominican Republic (BCRD) anticipates favorable growth in foreign exchange earnings throughout2025, with tourism, exports, and foreign direct investment (FDI), along with remittances, being the most significant contributors. Remittances and FDI flows are projected to reach approximately US$11.7 billion and US$4.8 billion, respectively, by the end of the year. Furthermore, the foreign exchange earnings from gold exports are expected to exceed US$2 billion by the end of 2025, supported by prices near US$4,000 per troy ounce.
These foreign exchange inflows contribute to maintaining the current relative stability of the exchange rate, such that as of September 30, 2025, the national currency depreciated by 2.3% compared to the end of 2024. These higher external flows have also allowed for maintaining an adequate level of international reserves, which at the end of September stood at US$13,294.8 million, representing 10.4% of GDP and covering about 4.9 months of imports, above the thresholds recommended by the IMF.
The Central Bank reaffirms its commitment to monitoring the current economic environment in order to continue taking the necessary measures to counteract the impact of the challenging international landscape on the Dominican economy, thereby ensuring price and exchange market stability.
