Total remittances in August 2025 represent 9.9% more than August 2024, exceeding the US$1 billion threshold for the third time this year.
SANTO DOMINGO. -The Central Bank of the Dominican Republic (BCRD) reported that, between January and August 2025, remittances received reached US$7,921.0 million, increasing US$808.5 million (11.4%) compared to the same period of the previous year.
During the month of August, US$1,046.5 million was received, an increase of US$94.2 million (9.9%) compared to August 2024. So far in 2025, August is the third month in which remittances received have exceeded US$1 billion, along with March and July. It is worth noting that these resources provided by the Dominican diaspora abroad have a multiplier effect on consumption, investment, and financing for the country's most vulnerable sectors.
The Central Bank of the Dominican Republic (BCRD) explains that the economic performance of the United States was one of the main factors influencing remittance flows, as 80.4% of formal flows in August, totaling US$751.2 million, originated from that country. Additionally, the overall unemployment rate in the United States reached 4.3% in August, a slight increase from the 4.2% recorded in July 2025, reflecting the addition of 22,000 new jobs.
Additionally, the Institute for Supply Management's (ISM) non-manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) registered a value of 52.0 in August, above the 50.1 observed in July, indicating the expansion of the services sector, where a large part of the Dominican diaspora is employed.
The Central Bank of the Dominican Republic (BCRD) also highlights the receipt of remittances through formal channels from other countries in August, such as Spain, which received US$71.4 million, representing 7.6% of the total. Spain is the second largest recipient of remittances from the Dominican diaspora abroad. Italy, Haiti, and Switzerland followed, receiving 1.5%, 1.3%, and 1.2% 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 47.5% during August, followed by the provinces of Santiago and Santo Domingo, with 10.6% and 7.0%, 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 during 2025, 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 reach US$2 billion by the end of 2025, supported by prices exceeding US$3,000 per troy ounce.
These foreign exchange inflows contribute to maintaining the current relative exchange rate stability, such that at the end of August 2025 the national currency depreciated by 3.3% compared to the end of 2024. These higher external flows have also allowed for maintaining an adequate level of international reserves, which reached US$13,887.6 million at the end of August, representing 10.7% of GDP and covering approximately 5.1 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.
