Sigma 2, a prestigious Spanish poll group, carried out a survey from 16-20 April whereby 60% of the 1,254 Dominicans over 18 years old surveyed said they feel they are worse off money-wise today than they were in 1996 when the Fernández administration took over the government. 19.3% of those interviewed feels the economic situation has stayed the same, while only 20% feel it has improved. This contrasts with macroeconomic figures from the Central Bank. In 1997, Central Bank data indicates that the Dominican economy grew 8.2%, the highest growth figure of the Gross Domestic Product for any Latin American nation in 1997. The Central Bank has forecast a growth of the GDP for 1998 of 7.1%. Inflation was 0.13% in the first trimester, and the Central Bank forecasts year’s end accumulated inflation will be around 5%.
