Although the Dominican population is growing every year, there has been a marked reduction in the birthrate, and this will be reflected in the fact that between the years 2000 and 2015 the median age of the population will climb from 22.8 years of age to 25.4 years of age. This news comes from the National Statistical Office (ONE). In 1950 the average couple had 7.5 children and by the year 2050, the average will be just two children per family. The current figures place the average number of children per family at 2.83, and that number is expected to continue to fall throughout the XXI century.
Another interesting bit of information coming from the ONE publication quoted in El Caribe is the fact that by 2010 there will be 5.08 million men and just 4.98 million women in the Dominican Republic. In 2050 the median age is expected to reach 34.7 years. Total population figures for the upcoming years are pegged at 10.9 million in 2015, 13.4 million in 2030 and 16 million in 2050. The ONE also reported that the use of contraceptives is reported by 61% of the population. The average life span has also shown considerable change over the past 57 years. In 1950, the average expected life span was placed at 44 for men and 47 for women born in the Dominican Republic. In 1980, the figures rose to 62/66 and currently they are at 69/75 for men and women born in the country. For 2015 the ONE estimates that life expectancy will have improved to 70/76.