The Senate of the Republic fast-tracked and approved the 2026 General State Budget Bill on Tuesday, 16 December 2025. The bill, which remains unchanged from the version approved by the Chamber of Deputies last week, now moves to the Executive Branch for promotion into law.
The budget for the 2026 fiscal year totals RD$1.84 trillion in projected revenues and financing sources. It operates under a macroeconomic framework that anticipates a 4.5% GDP growth, an average inflation rate of 3.8%, and an estimated exchange rate of RD$65.50 per US dollar.
The approved plan projects a fiscal deficit equivalent to 3.2% of GDP. The government expects to collect RD$1.43 trillion in consolidated revenues, while requiring RD$401.76 billion in financing to cover the deficit and debt applications.
Total spending is estimated at RD$1.62 trillion (18.7% of GDP), distributed in RD$1.41 trillion (86.7%) for current expenditures and RD$215.28 billion (13.3%) for capital expenditures.
Social services remain the primary focus of the budget, accounting for 45.5% of total spending. The highest institutional allocations go to RD$362.55 billion for public debt management, RD$332.03 billion for the Ministry of Education and RD$180.68 billion for the Ministry of Public Health.
The government has earmarked RD$460.09 billion for investment projects aligned with the National Development Strategy (END 2030). Geographically, the border provinces of Dajabón, Pedernales, and Monte Cristi will receive the highest per capita investment to address historical regional disparities.
On the revenue side, taxes contribute 92.3% of current income, with VAT (ITBIS) remaining the leading source. The mining corporation Barrick Gold is projected to contribute US$475.5 million (approx. RD$31.15 billion), driven by high gold prices and increased production volume.
By the end of 2026, the central government’s total debt is projected to reach US$65.04 billion, representing 49.2% of GDP.
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El Dia
17 December 2025