Is the Dominican Republic a “third-world” country? 

The phrase “third-world country” still gets thrown around in headlines, social posts, and casual conversation — but it’s an outdated, often misleading label. If you’re asking “Is the Dominican Republic a third-world country?”, the short answer is no — at least not by modern economic and development standards. Below we’ll explain why, how development is measured today, and what the Dominican Republic’s real strengths and challenges are.

What “third-world” originally meant — and why the phrase is problematic today

“Third-world” originated during the Cold War to describe countries that were not aligned with either the U.S. (the “First World”) or the Soviet bloc (the “Second World”). Over time, the term was widely adopted in popular speech to mean “poor” or “underdeveloped,” but that usage conflates political alignment with economic conditions.

Today, development specialists, economists, and international organizations avoid “third-world” because it’s imprecise and carries stigma. Instead, they use quantitative classifications — such as World Bank income groups, Human Development Index (HDI) categories from the UNDP, and poverty or inequality metrics — which give a clearer picture of a country’s economic and social conditions.

How development is measured now (short primer)

These are the common, modern measures people use to evaluate a country’s development:

• World Bank income classification — categorizes countries as low, lower-middle, upper-middle, or high income based on gross national income (GNI) per capita.

• Human Development Index (HDI) — produced by UNDP; combines life expectancy, education, and per capita income into a single index to classify countries into low, medium, high, and very high human development.

• GDP per capita and growth rates — measure overall economic output per person and how fast the economy is expanding.

• Poverty and inequality indicators — e.g., poverty headcount ratios, GINI coefficient, and multidimensional poverty indices.

These measures let us say more precisely where a country stands than the old “third-world” label ever could.

Where the Dominican Republic stands today — facts you can rely on

1. World Bank income classification: Upper-middle income

The World Bank classifies the Dominican Republic as an upper-middle income country. That classification reflects sustained economic growth over recent decades and places the Dominican Republic above the “low” and “lower-middle” income groups. This is a central reason why calling the Dominican Republic “third-world” is inaccurate in the modern sense.

2. GDP per capita and economic growth

Recent World Bank data show the Dominican Republic’s GDP per capita (current US$) rose significantly over recent years, with figures in the range of roughly US$10,000–11,000 per person in 2024, reflecting robust growth driven by tourism, remittances, construction, manufacturing, and services. Strong growth has translated into higher incomes for many Dominicans, though averages hide internal disparities.

3. Human Development Index (HDI): High human development

The United Nations Development Programme’s HDI indicates the Dominican Republic falls in the “high human development” category (HDI values in recent reports are around 0.77–0.78). That places the country ahead of many nations that would be classed as “low” or “medium” development, again undermining the blanket label of “third-world.”

So why do some people still call it “third-world”?

Even though macro data show progress, certain realities keep the old label alive in everyday speech:

• Visible inequality: Rapid growth hasn’t reached everyone equally. Poverty pockets, informal settlements, and uneven access to quality services make some areas look “developing.”

• Infrastructure hiccups: Events like power outages, transport disruptions, or natural-disaster damage can create short-term impressions of underdevelopment. (Recent news reports have documented grid and power challenges at times.)

• Historical narratives and stereotypes: Older portrayals of Caribbean and Latin American countries linger in media and perceptions.

• Comparative expectations: When people compare the Dominican Republic to the United States or Western Europe, differences can look stark — even if those differences don’t justify an outdated label.

So, the mismatch is often perceptual, not strictly factual: on macro metrics the country has advanced, even while on-the-ground disparities remain.

Strengths driving the Dominican Republic’s progress

• Sustained GDP growth: The country has had one of the faster growth rates in Latin America in recent years, helping fund services and jobs.

• Tourism and services: A booming tourism sector brings foreign exchange and jobs, while services and light manufacturing expand exports and employment.

• Remittances: Money sent home by Dominicans abroad supports consumption and household investment across the country.

• Policy focus and investment: Infrastructure projects, public investments, and reforms have improved digital connectivity, roads, and some public services.

These drivers helped the Dominican Republic move from the economic and development band often associated with the “developing country” label to a clearer upper-middle income and high-HDI placement.

Real challenges that still matter

Progress doesn’t mean the Dominican Republic is without serious challenges. Key issues include:

• Poverty and inequality: Despite gains, pockets of poverty remain; inequality (as measured by GINI) is a policy challenge. Targeted social programs are still needed.

• Governance and public services: Improving the quality and reach of health care, education, and public administration remains important for long-term inclusion.

• Environmental vulnerability: As a Caribbean country, the Dominican Republic is exposed to hurricanes, flooding, and climate impacts that can reverse development gains.

• Immigration and regional tensions: Events related to migration and cross-border issues with Haiti create humanitarian and political pressures.

Recognizing both the strengths and the challenges gives a balanced view: the Dominican Republic is not a “third-world” basket case, but it is a country still working to raise living standards for all its citizens.

Quick FAQ

Q: Is the Dominican Republic poor?
A: It is not among the world’s poorest countries. It is an upper-middle income country with notable poverty pockets and income inequality. Use World Bank income groups and national poverty data for details. World Bank+1

Q: Does the Dominican Republic have a high standard of living?
A: Standards vary. National averages (HDI, GDP per capita) point to improvements and a higher standard than in many lower-income countries, but access to services and incomes can differ sharply by region.

Q: Should I call it a “third-world” country in my writing?
A: No. The term is outdated and imprecise. Use current classifications like World Bank income group or HDI category instead.

A modern, data-driven answer

The Dominican Republic is not a “third-world” country by modern definitions. It is an upper-middle income nation with high human development metrics and a GDP per capita that reflects significant progress. That said, persistent inequality, regional disparities, environmental risks, and infrastructure challenges mean the government and civil society must continue working to make growth more inclusive. Using precise, up-to-date measures (World Bank, UNDP, national statistics) gives readers a clearer and fairer picture than outdated Cold War labels.