It is not but in the east and in the capital ,at least it has quickly grown into a middle income country .The proof of this is in the vast increase in the number of cars on the road ,that now have caused the traffic problems, the large increase in shopping malls with middle class goods and the large increase in middle class housing .Maybe the north is a bit behind at present but will catch up in time . There have been various postings about the improved housing in Higuey but you can also see the increase in wealth in El Seibo and Hato Mayor
