The Ministry of Economy, Planning and Development (Mepyd) reports that official statistics and those of international organizations show that in the last five years, 240,000 people have been lifted out of poverty in the Dominican Republic. In an extensive paid advertisement in the media published on 13 March 2018, the Ministry of Economy says there has been a 14.2% reduction in the rate of poverty. The poverty rate has declined from 39.7% in 2012 to 25.5% last year, meaning that from 3.8 million people living in poverty in 2012 has been reduced to 2.6 million in 2017.
The Ministry reminded readers that the country had previously experienced robust economic growth that began to contribute to improved livelihoods for many low-income families. However, the banking crisis in 2003-2004 stopped this growth in its tracks and the poverty rate rose from of 32.4% to nearly 50%.
The economy began its long road to recovery during the period between 2004 and 2006 when the poverty rate began to decline. Despite the improved economic performance, the poverty rate remained above 32.4% from 2006 through 2014.
In 2015, the poverty rate dipped below that 32.4 % and now stands at the lowest ever recorded.
The Ministry of Economy says that homelessness has also decreased from 8% in 2000 to 3.8% in 20l7.
Households living in poverty are described as those with a per head income of less than US$4 a day.
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Ministry of Economy
14 March 2018
