As of 2024, the top 1% in Dominican Republic earned 16.87% of total national income, while the bottom 50% received just 11.42%. Dominican Republic’s income inequality has decreased since 1980, when the top 1% share was 22.79%.
Key Income Distribution Metrics for Dominican Republic in 2024
In 2024, income in Dominican Republic was distributed as follows: the wealthiest 1% of the population captured 16.87% of total national income, which is roughly on par with the global average of 16.17%. Meanwhile, the bottom half of earners received 11.42% of income, notably lower than the global average of 14.97%.
| Metric | Dominican Republic | Global Average |
|---|---|---|
| Top 1% Income Share | 16.87% | 16.17% |
| Top 10% Income Share | 44.69% | 45.21% |
| Bottom 50% Income Share | 11.42% | 14.97% |
| Gini Index | 38.97 | 40.77 |
How Has Income Inequality Changed in Dominican Republic?
Top 1% Income Share Trend (1980-2024)
The share of income going to Dominican Republic’s top 1% has decreased over the past 44 years. In 1980, the top 1% captured 22.79% of national income. By 2024, this figure had fallen by 5.92 percentage points to 16.87%.
Top 10% vs Bottom 50% Income Gap Over Time
The income gap between the top 10% and bottom 50% in Dominican Republic has narrowed over this period. In 1980, the top 10% earned 54.43% while the bottom 50% received 8.36%. By 2024, these figures shifted to 44.69% and 11.42% respectively.
| Year | Top 1% | Top 10% | Bottom 50% | Gap (Top 10 – Bottom 50) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 22.79% | 54.43% | 8.36% | 46.07 pp |
| 1986 | 22.79% | 54.43% | 8.36% | 46.07 pp |
| 1992 | 22.79% | 54.43% | 8.36% | 46.07 pp |
| 1998 | 22.79% | 54.43% | 8.36% | 46.07 pp |
| 2004 | 22.79% | 54.43% | 8.36% | 46.07 pp |
| 2010 | 22.79% | 54.43% | 8.36% | 46.07 pp |
| 2016 | 24.08% | 55.54% | 8.77% | 46.77 pp |
| 2022 | 18.70% | 45.42% | 11.52% | 33.90 pp |
How Dominican Republic Compares Globally
Dominican Republic vs North America Average
Compared to other countries in North America, Dominican Republic’s top 1% income share of 16.87% is slightly lower than the regional average of 20.66%. The bottom 50% in Dominican Republic receives 11.42% of income, compared to the North America average of 11.73%.
Where Dominican Republic Ranks Among All Countries
- Top 1% income concentration: Dominican Republic ranks 69th out of 184 countries (higher rank = more concentrated wealth at the top)
- Bottom 50% income share: Dominican Republic ranks 143rd out of 184 countries (higher rank = larger share for the bottom half)
Countries with similar income inequality levels to Dominican Republic include Israel's income inequality, Libya's income inequality, El Salvador.
Additional Economic Indicators for Dominican Republic
Poverty Rate
The poverty rate in Dominican Republic was recorded at 0.78% in 2024.
Gini Index
Dominican Republic’s Gini index of 38.97 indicates moderate inequality. The Gini index ranges from 0 (perfect equality) to 100 (maximum inequality).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income share of the top 1% in Dominican Republic?
As of 2024, the top 1% in Dominican Republic earned 16.87% of total national income. This level of concentration is considered high by international standards.
Is income inequality increasing or decreasing in Dominican Republic?
Income inequality in Dominican Republic has decreased since 1980. The top 1% income share moved from 22.79% in 1980 to 16.87% in 2024.
What percentage of income goes to the bottom 50% in Dominican Republic?
In 2024, the bottom 50% of earners in Dominican Republic received 11.42% of total national income. This compares with the top 10% who captured 44.69%.
What is the Gini coefficient of Dominican Republic?
Dominican Republic's Gini index was 38.97 as of 2024. A Gini of 0 represents perfect equality, while 100 represents maximum inequality.
What is the poverty rate in Dominican Republic?
The poverty rate in Dominican Republic was 0.78% as of 2024.
Last updated: April 8, 2026
Data source: World Inequality Database (WID). This dataset covers income distribution metrics for 199 countries from 1980 to 2024.