It no secret that some of the provinces along the border with Haiti are among the poorest in the Dominican Republic. Provinces like Bahoruco, Independencia, and Elias Piña have the smallest populations and a large number of low-income people. Other border provinces are joined by Santiago Rodriguez, Dajabon, Montecristi and Pedernales.
A recent study by the Ministry of the Economy, Planning and Development revealed that, on average, 17.7% of the population of these provinces is illiterate. The stat is well above the national average of 11%.
In the rural areas of these provinces, 28% do not know how to read or write, more than twice the 12% illiteracy rate in the urban areas. Adults and the elderly are the most limited with averages going between 12% and 20%.
However, the study also found that since 2010, the illiteracy rates had decreased by nearly 11%.
On the positive side, Montecristi and Pedernales are undergoing major infrastructure development as they are being prepared to benefit from tourism and major port venues.
Pedernales, the site of a major public-private partnership to launch the area as a tourist destination, is where the greatest advancement dropping its illiteracy rate by 21.5%.
Regarding a lack of reading and writing skills, Elias Piña and Independencia are the two areas with the very highest rates. The study notes that this situation seriously affects the possibilities of entering the job market and even participating in the electoral process.
These provinces have large populations of settlers from Haiti, many of whom are undocumented.
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Listin Diario
21 April 2025