Dominican Population Overview
The Dominican Republic is a Caribbean nation located on the island of Hispaniola in the Greater Antilles archipelago. It occupies the eastern five-eighths of the island, which it shares with Haiti.
The Dominican Republic is the second-largest country by land area and the third-most populous nation in the Caribbean. According to the UN World Population Prospects, the population of the Dominican Republic in 2026 is estimated at 11,532,152, or approximately 11.5 million people.
Quick Facts & Demographics
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Population (2026 est.) | 11,532,152 |
| Caribbean Rank (by population) | 3 |
| Sovereignty | Independent |
| Land Area | 48,320 sq. km (18,660 sq. mi) |
| Area Rank (Global) | 128 |
| Population Density | 225 people per sq. km |
| Capital City | Santo Domingo |
Source: United Nations World Population Prospects
Dominican Population Abroad
The Dominican Republic has a large diaspora, particularly in the United States, where Dominicans form one of the largest Caribbean-origin communities.
Also read about the Dominican population in the United States.
Religion in Dominican Republic
Christianity is the majority religion in the Dominican Republic, followed by about 76% of the population. Among Christians, Roman Catholicism is the most prevalent, followed by various Protestant denominations.
The Roman Catholic Church estimates that 52.5% of Dominicans identify as Catholic. Protestants make up about 22.6% of the population and include Assembly of God, Church of God, Baptists, Pentecostals, Seventh-day Adventists, and Church of the Brethren.
Other Christian groups present include Mormons (0.5%) and Jehovah’s Witnesses (0.4%), which have had a growing presence in the country.
Afro-Caribbean Religions
Afro-Caribbean religions, which blend native African traditions with Roman Catholicism, are also practiced in the Dominican Republic. The most common sects include Santería and Vodou.
Other Religions and Unaffiliated
The Dominican Republic also has small communities of Jews, Hindus, Muslims, and followers of the Baháʼí Faith. A significant portion of the population is religiously unaffiliated, comprising 23.1%, including agnostics, atheists, and those with no religious affiliation.
Religion Percentage in the Dominican Republic
| Religion / Affiliation | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Christianity (Total) | 76% |
| – Catholic | 52.5% |
| – Evangelical (Protestant) | 18.6% |
| – Evangelical Methodist | 0.2% |
| – Evangelical Pentecostal | 2.5% |
| – Adventist | 0.9% |
| – Other Protestant | 0.4% |
| Jehovah’s Witnesses | 0.4% |
| Mormon | 0.5% |
| Others | 1.8% |
| Believer, not belonging to church | 0.8% |
| Other | 0.1% |
| Unaffiliated (Total) | 23.1% |
| – Agnostic | 0.1% |
| – Atheist | 0.4% |
| – None | 21.6% |
| – Don’t know | 0.5% |
| – No answer | 0.5% |
Source: Latinobarómetro 2023
Ethnicity in Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a multi-ethnic nation, home to people of diverse ethnic and national backgrounds. According to a 2015 genealogical DNA study, the population’s genetic makeup is predominantly European and Sub-Saharan African, with a smaller proportion of Native American ancestry.
Racial Composition
| Ethnic Group | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Mixed (Mestizo / Mulatto) | 70.4% |
| Black / African descent | 15.8% |
| White | 13.5% |
| Others | 0.3% |
Mixed (Mestizo and Mulatto / Indio)
In a 2014 population survey, 70.4% of Dominicans identified as mixed. Of these, approximately 58% identified as Mestizo/Indio (mixed European and Native American ancestry), and 12.4% as Mulatto (mixed European and African ancestry).
Historically, there has been a reluctance to explicitly identify as Black, with many individuals self-identifying or being classified as Mestizo or Indio instead of Mulatto or Black.
White Dominicans
About 13.5% of Dominicans self-identified as White in the 2014 survey. Most European ancestry comes from Spain, reflecting the colonial history. Other significant European groups include English, French, Germans, Irish, Italians, Poles, and Scots. The country also has a small European Jewish community.
Black Dominicans
Approximately 15.8% of the population self-identified as Black or of African ancestry. Many Afro-descendants are culturally identified as Mestizo or Indio, highlighting the country’s complex racial identification and historical social dynamics.
Other Ethnic Groups
Small communities of West Asian descent (mainly Lebanese, Syrians, and Palestinians) are present, along with East Asian groups, primarily Chinese and Japanese. These communities contribute to the Dominican Republic’s multicultural heritage.
Largest Cities in the Dominican Republic by Population
| # | City | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santo Domingo | 2,908,607 |
| 2 | Santiago | 553,091 |
| 3 | La Vega | 210,736 |
| 4 | San Cristóbal | 209,165 |
| 5 | San Pedro de Macorís | 205,911 |
| 6 | San Francisco de Macorís | 138,167 |
| 7 | La Romana | 130,842 |
| 8 | Higüey | 128,120 |
| 9 | Puerto Plata | 122,186 |
| 10 | Moca | 92,111 |
Note: City populations are estimates and may vary depending on administrative boundaries.
Dominican Republic Population FAQs
What is the population of the Dominican Republic in 2026?
The Dominican Republic’s population in 2026 is estimated at 11.53 million, according to the UN World Population Prospects.
Is the Dominican Republic the most populous country in the Caribbean?
No. It is the third-most populous country in the Caribbean, after Haiti and Cuba.
What is the main religion in the Dominican Republic?
Christianity is the main religion, followed by about 76% of the population, with Roman Catholicism being the largest denomination.
What percentage of Dominicans are Catholic?
Approximately 52.5% of Dominicans identify as Roman Catholic.
Are Afro-Caribbean religions practiced in the Dominican Republic?
Yes. Santería and Vodou are practiced by a small portion of the population alongside Christianity.
What is the ethnic composition of the Dominican Republic?
About 70% of Dominicans are mixed (Mestizo/Mulatto), 15.8% are Black, 13.5% are White, and 0.3% belong to other ethnic groups.
What is the largest city in the Dominican Republic?
Santo Domingo is the largest city, with a population of over 2.9 million people.
What languages are spoken in the Dominican Republic?
The official and most widely spoken language is Spanish.
Is the Dominican Republic mostly urban or rural?
The population is mixed, with significant urban centers like Santo Domingo and Santiago, but many people also live in smaller towns and rural areas.
Where do most Dominicans live outside the country?
A large Dominican diaspora resides in the United States, forming one of the largest Caribbean-origin communities abroad.
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