The Dominican Republic’s public debt has surged by more than US$3.75 billion in the first four months of 2025, marking a 6.52% increase so far this year, according to official data from the General Public Credit Agency under the Ministry of Hacienda, N Digital reports.
As of April 2025, the country’s non-financial public sector (NFPS) debt — which includes both external and domestic liabilities — reached US$61.34 billion. This figure underscores a sustained upward trend in public borrowing, particularly since 2022.
Between 2022 and 2025, the Caribbean nation’s public debt has grown by US$9.49 billion, an increase of over 18% in just three years. When including the US$16.29 billion in liabilities held by the Central Bank, the Dominican Republic’s consolidated public debt now totals approximately US$77.63 billion.
In recent years, the trajectory of the NFPS debt has followed a steady climb:
• 2022: US$51.85 billion
• 2023: US$54.83 billion
• 2024: US$57.59 billion
• 2025 (as of April): US$61.34 billion
Economists point to several factors behind this continued debt growth, including the financing of fiscal deficits, interest payments on existing debt, and the challenging global economic environment — particularly rising international interest rates.
The expanding debt burden has raised concerns across economic and social sectors, with analysts warning about its implications for the national budget, debt servicing costs, and the country’s fiscal flexibility.
PLD opposition party economist Ng Cortiñas has cautioned that the growing debt could increase the risk of refinancing pressures. Experts are calling for a more disciplined fiscal policy and sustainable financing strategies to prevent long-term economic setbacks.
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N Digital
24 June 2025