The Dominican Republic received the highest ratings in the recently published Florida International University Adam Smith Center for Economic Freedom 2025 Latin America Country Risk Index and Analysis. The second edition of the comprehensive study analyzes the key political, economic, social, and international risks in 12 Latin American countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, and Peru. This year’s study introduces the Trust-O-Meter, a diagnostic tool measuring confidence in political leaders and institutions throughout the region.
The analysis features data compiled as recently as November 2025.
Many respondents reported the belief that economic resurgence hinges on implementing necessary reforms in a polarized political environment, reducing bureaucratic obstacles, and enhancing legal certainty. Experts in the Dominican Republic were particularly optimistic about their economic outlook, citing the political stability following President Luis Abinader’s reelection last year and a favorable investment climate for businesses.
Overall, the Dominican Republic scored best in Latin America in a majority of the categories analyzed:
Average country risk level
Country risk trends
Annual political risk score
Risk score for two-to-five year economic growth outlooks
Risk levels of transnational organized crime
Social risk
International risk
Most favorable investment recommendations from experts
Annual investment risk level
Investment risk
Executive editor of Diario Libre, Anibal de Castro applauded the findings of the Florida university.
Read more:
Florida International University
FIU report
Diario Libre
12 November 2025