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Economy of Dominican Republic vs Jamaica compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Dominican Republic has a GDP of $124B compared to $22B for Jamaica, ranking 63/197 and 124/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Dominican Republic has $73.1B in government debt (58.8% of GDP), compared to $14B (63.4% of GDP) in Jamaica.

Dominican Republic vs Jamaica GDP by year

Dominican Republic
Jamaica
1x
Year GDP, current $
Dominican Republic Jamaica
2024 $124,282,245,639 $22,014,397,090
2023 $120,456,239,154 $21,418,804,320
2022 $113,478,087,135 $18,813,516,805
2021 $94,850,719,517 $15,963,885,376
2020 $78,546,672,407 $15,000,214,216
2019 $89,146,130,745 $17,026,269,263
2018 $84,994,732,049 $16,855,447,986
2017 $79,070,274,743 $15,783,583,237
2016 $75,552,902,636 $14,898,999,754
2015 $70,966,782,572 $14,963,589,916
2014 $67,014,329,100 $13,899,217,680
2013 $62,555,417,415 $14,264,205,153
2012 $60,561,635,556 $14,807,086,556
2011 $57,948,261,616 $14,444,661,522
2010 $53,801,053,353 $13,220,549,908
2009 $48,223,781,477 $12,120,458,115
2008 $48,091,433,554 $13,709,401,520
2007 $43,965,458,509 $12,799,600,047
2006 $37,879,830,084 $11,930,179,090
2005 $35,777,560,684 $11,243,865,778
2004 $22,322,387,382 $10,174,664,854
2003 $21,403,167,848 $9,430,234,811
2002 $27,137,440,786 $9,719,009,495
2001 $25,601,823,688 $9,194,727,831
2000 $24,305,780,629 $9,005,064,475
1999 $22,136,579,397 $8,887,057,997
1998 $21,672,215,547 $8,787,195,622
1997 $20,017,450,041 $8,400,041,724
1996 $18,241,622,548 $7,393,891,921
1995 $16,637,370,839 $6,577,520,643
1994 $14,644,734,599 $5,452,558,947
1993 $13,081,042,400 $5,440,075,676
1992 $11,605,382,504 $3,535,460,090
1991 $9,824,483,340 $4,106,207,649
1990 $7,073,675,545 $4,592,208,087
1989 $6,686,593,060 $4,404,937,853
1988 $5,374,299,981 $3,828,342,820
1987 $5,827,050,753 $3,287,007,322
1986 $6,122,128,558 $2,754,549,582
1985 $5,044,579,979 $2,100,239,019
1984 $11,594,000,000 $2,373,564,549
1983 $9,220,600,000 $3,619,262,277
1982 $8,267,400,000 $3,293,496,312
1981 $7,561,300,000 $2,979,027,966
1980 $6,761,300,000 $2,679,379,372
1979 $5,498,800,000 $2,425,064,229
1978 $4,734,400,000 $2,644,527,822
1977 $4,587,100,000 $3,249,733,140
1976 $3,951,500,000 $2,966,042,856
1975 $3,599,200,000 $2,860,442,750
1974 $2,925,700,000 $2,375,122,375
1973 $2,344,800,000 $1,905,917,553
1972 $1,987,400,000 $1,875,146,587
1971 $1,666,500,000 $1,539,861,816
1970 $1,485,500,000 $1,404,720,442
1969 $1,230,500,000 $1,191,239,047
1968 $1,079,100,000 $1,083,839,133
1967 $1,034,800,000 $1,148,014,311
1966 $983,900,000 $1,096,759,561
1965 $888,100,000 $972,159,611
1964 $1,025,599,900 $897,949,001
1963 $940,799,900 $826,706,669
1962 $824,100,000 $777,727,689
1961 $654,100,200 $748,043,501
1960 $672,399,700 $699,064,380

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/dominican-republic/jamaica | CC BY

GDP per capita in Dominican Republic vs Jamaica by year

Dominican Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Jamaica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Dominican Republic Jamaica
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $10,876 $27,542 $7,754 $12,890
2023 $10,630 $25,840 $7,542 $12,651
2022 $10,104 $24,626 $6,626 $11,888
2021 $8,527 $22,053 $5,626 $10,431
2020 $7,135 $18,998 $5,299 $9,764
2019 $8,183 $19,767 $6,031 $10,845
2018 $7,883 $17,995 $5,977 $10,753
2017 $7,413 $16,846 $5,605 $10,466
2016 $7,160 $16,282 $5,302 $9,948
2015 $6,801 $14,804 $5,339 $9,476
2014 $6,496 $13,465 $4,975 $9,210
2013 $6,137 $12,414 $5,124 $9,101
2012 $6,014 $11,777 $5,341 $8,831
2011 $5,827 $11,695 $5,233 $8,809
2010 $5,479 $11,246 $4,810 $8,521
2009 $4,974 $10,382 $4,428 $8,580
2008 $5,024 $10,346 $5,030 $8,952
2007 $4,650 $9,951 $4,716 $8,893
2006 $4,055 $9,130 $4,417 $8,577
2005 $3,878 $8,215 $4,184 $8,127
2004 $2,452 $7,375 $3,808 $7,854
2003 $2,383 $7,098 $3,550 $7,593
2002 $3,066 $7,158 $3,681 $7,226
2001 $2,936 $6,848 $3,504 $7,019
2000 $2,831 $6,639 $3,453 $6,816
1999 $2,621 $6,305 $3,432 $6,653
1998 $2,608 $5,963 $3,419 $6,543
1997 $2,449 $5,618 $3,297 $6,682
1996 $2,271 $5,161 $2,929 $6,706
1995 $2,109 $4,871 $2,631 $6,657
1994 $1,892 $4,599 $2,203 $6,435
1993 $1,722 $4,474 $2,221 $6,279
1992 $1,558 $4,151 $1,458 $5,664
1991 $1,346 $3,722 $1,710 $5,485
1990 $989 $3,641 $1,930 $5,106
1989 $955 - $1,865 -
1988 $784 - $1,632 -
1987 $868 - $1,411 -
1986 $932 - $1,191 -
1985 $784 - $917 -
1984 $1,844 - $1,048 -
1983 $1,500 - $1,619 -
1982 $1,376 - $1,494 -
1981 $1,288 - $1,370 -
1980 $1,180 - $1,249 -
1979 $984 - $1,144 -
1978 $868 - $1,262 -
1977 $863 - $1,569 -
1976 $763 - $1,450 -
1975 $713 - $1,417 -
1974 $595 - $1,193 -
1973 $490 - $972 -
1972 $427 - $971 -
1971 $368 - $809 -
1970 $338 - $748 -
1969 $287.7 - $642 -
1968 $259.6 - $591 -
1967 $256.2 - $633 -
1966 $250.9 - $612 -
1965 $233.2 - $549 -
1964 $277.3 - $514 -
1963 $262.2 - $480 -
1962 $236.8 - $458 -
1961 $193.9 - $447 -
1960 $205.7 - $424 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/dominican-republic/jamaica | CC BY

The Dominican Republic's GDP per capita is $10,876, ranking 83/197, compared to $7,754 in Jamaica, ranking 95/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Dominican Republic ranks 76th at $27,542, while Jamaica ranks 121st at $12,890.

Economic indicators

Dominican Republic Jamaica
Gross domestic product
$124B
2024
$22B
2024
GDP rank
63/197
2024
124/197
2024
GDP growth
4.95%
2023-2024
-0.54%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$10,876
2024
$7,754
2024
GDP per capita rank
83/197
2024
95/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$27,542
2024
$12,890
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
76/197
2024
121/197
2024
Government debt
$73.1B
2024
$14B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
58.8%
2024
63.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$6,394
2024
$4,917
2024
Government debt per person rank
71/185
2024
79/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,547
2026
$6,905
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$12.4B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
29.5%
2024
29.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.3%
2024
2.2%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.5%
2024
30.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.3%
2023-2024
5.41%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
5.5%
2025
5.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.31%
2024
3.02%
2023
Population
11637906
2834980

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Dominican Republic
Spending

Debt
Jamaica
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Dominican Republic Jamaica
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.5% 58.8% 30.5% 63.4%
2023 19.1% 60.5% 28% 67.3%
2022 18.5% 59.6% 28.4% 73.5%
2021 18.4% 62.8% 29% 90.9%
2020 22.2% 71.8% 29.8% 100.1%
2019 17.8% 53.5% 27.8% 88.6%
2018 16.5% 50.8% 27.8% 89.2%
2017 17.3% 49.5% 27.3% 96.7%
2016 17% 46.7% 27% 109.1%
2015 16.7% 44.8% 26.3% 117.6%
2014 17% 45% 26.5% 136.7%
2013 18.5% 46.8% 26.9% 138.1%
2012 19.8% 42.4% 29.6% 143%
2011 16% 39.1% 31.7% 138.1%
2010 16.1% 37.4% 32.9% 140.1%
2009 16.2% 36.8% 38.6% 141.5%
2008 18.5% 33.6% 34.4% 125.6%
2007 16.3% 32.9% 31.6% 115.3%
2006 17% 36% 31.2% 118%
2005 15.5% 38.3% 29.3% 124.5%
2004 17.3% 34.3% 31.5% 120.1%
2003 17.2% 48.2% 32.5% 125.5%
2002 16.5% 21.5% 31.1% 119.1%
2001 14.9% 20.4% 28.5% 107.9%
2000 14.1% 16.7% 26.2% 91.3%
1999 13.4% 16% 28.9% 83.5%
1998 12.6% 13.2% 28.3% 75.6%
1997 13.2% 13.8% 28.3% 74.4%
1996 11.4% 23% 27.7% 70.2%
1995 11% 25.7% 23.1% 85.2%
1994 12.1% 28.5% 21.5% 90.4%
1993 13% 36.1% 21.5% 106.2%
1992 10.4% 38.5% 20% 100.4%
1991 8.65% 47.3% 24.5% 175.1%
1990 9.1% 84.7% 25.7% 128.8%
1989 11.3% 62.5% - -
1988 12.8% 77% - -
1987 11.2% 86.9% - -
1986 10.4% 63.8% - -
1985 9.8% 66.3% - -
1984 9.32% 28.9% - -
1983 10.2% 32.9% - -
1982 10.2% 33.1% - -
1981 12.1% 29.8% - -
1980 12.8% 15.2% - -
1979 13.8% 24% - -
1978 12.3% 20.9% - -
1977 11.4% 16.4% - -
1976 12.5% 15.6% - -
1975 13.7% 13.1% - -
1974 14.6% 14.6% - -
1973 13.7% 14.6% - -
1972 14.1% 16.4% - -
1971 13.8% 17.8% - -
1970 13.3% 18% - -
1969 15.5% 17.4% - -
1968 15.5% 18.1% - -
1967 15% 16.2% - -
1966 15.2% 14.5% - -
1965 12.8% - - -
1964 16.7% - - -
1963 15.1% - - -
1962 15.7% - - -
1961 20% - - -
1960 20.1% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/dominican-republic/jamaica | CC BY

In 2024, the Dominican Republic's government spending was $24.2B, accounting for 19.5% of its GDP, while Jamaica spent $6.72B, or 30.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 58.8% in the Dominican Republic and 63.4% in Jamaica, ranking 83/185 and 73/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Dominican Republic

Jamaica
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Dominican Republic Jamaica
2024 -3.09% 0.22%
2023 -3.28% 0.04%
2022 -3.25% 0.27%
2021 -2.92% 0.89%
2020 -7.94% -2.83%
2019 -3.46% 0.85%
2018 -2.17% 1.12%
2017 -3.12% 0.43%
2016 -3.11% -0.19%
2015 -0.03% -0.28%
2014 -2.76% -0.49%
2013 -4.41% 0.12%
2012 -6.26% -4.05%
2011 -3.07% -6.34%
2010 -2.97% -6.27%
2009 -2.9% -11.1%
2008 -3.43% -7.43%
2007 0.28% -3.82%
2006 -1.69% -4.9%
2005 -0.71% -3.3%
2004 -3.6% -4.68%
2003 -4.24% -5.67%
2002 -2.28% -6.77%
2001 -0.73% -4.89%
2000 -0.86% -0.8%
1999 -0.79% -3.53%
1998 -0.29% -5.82%
1997 -0.64% -6.54%
1996 0.14% -5.32%
1995 0.82% 1.6%
1994 -0.39% 2.59%
1993 -0.16% 2.6%
1992 2.35% 3.11%
1991 0.11% 3.87%
1990 0.39% 2.34%
1989 -0.09% -
1988 -1.68% -
1987 -0.75% -
1986 -0.57% -
1985 -1.27% -
1984 -0.95% -
1983 -1.74% -
1982 -2.4% -
1981 -1.92% -
1980 -1.82% -
1979 -3.26% -
1978 -0.82% -
1977 0.15% -
1976 -0.22% -
1975 1.37% -
1974 -0.93% -
1973 -0.53% -
1972 -1.73% -
1971 -0.85% -
1970 -0.68% -
1969 -0.99% -
1968 -0.99% -
1967 -1.68% -
1966 -2.14% -
1965 -1.84% -
1964 -1.36% -
1963 -0.39% -
1962 -1.17% -
1961 -3% -
1960 -0.61% -
1959 -0.29% -
1958 -1.29% -
1957 0.21% -
1956 -0.05% -
1955 1.47% -
1954 1.43% -
1953 2.79% -
1952 0% -
1951 -2.58% -
1950 -3.66% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/dominican-republic/jamaica | CC BY

In 2024, the Dominican Republic's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $3.84B, equivalent to 3.09% of GDP. This compares to Jamaica's surplus of $49.1M, or 0.22% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, the Dominican Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 29 of those years, while Jamaica ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, the Dominican Republic posted an annual deficit equal to 2.01% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.14% of GDP for Jamaica.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Dominican Republic

Jamaica
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Dominican Republic Jamaica
2024 3.3% 5.41%
2023 4.79% 6.47%
2022 8.81% 10.3%
2021 8.24% 5.86%
2020 3.78% 5.23%
2019 1.81% 3.91%
2018 3.56% 3.74%
2017 3.28% 4.38%
2016 1.61% 2.35%
2015 0.84% 3.69%
2014 3% 8.27%
2013 4.83% 9.34%
2012 3.69% 6.87%
2011 5.8% 7.56%
2010 6.33% 12.6%
2009 1.44% 9.59%
2008 10.6% 22%
2007 6.14% 9.24%
2006 7.57% 8.56%
2005 4.19% 15.1%
2004 51.5% 13.6%
2003 27.4% 10.1%
2002 5.22% 7.08%
2001 8.88% 6.8%
2000 7.72% 8.17%
1999 6.47% 5.95%
1998 4.83% 8.63%
1997 8.3% 9.66%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/dominican-republic/jamaica | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Dominican Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7.64%, compared with 8.23% in Jamaica. In 2024, inflation was 3.3% in the Dominican Republic and 5.41% in Jamaica.

Top exports between countries

Dominican Republic
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $38.1M
Chemicals & pharma $27.6M
Raw materials & minerals $20.4M
Wood & paper products $17.4M
Textiles & consumer goods $5.48M
Metals $3.36M
Machinery & equipment $2.64M
Raw agricultural goods $2.15M
Miscellaneous $155K
Animal & marine products $129K
Jamaica
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $1.86M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.06M
Wood & paper products $635K
Machinery & equipment $404K
Textiles & consumer goods $261K
Metals $146K
Chemicals & pharma $123K
Animal & marine products $37K
Raw agricultural goods $27K
Miscellaneous $8K

Balance of trade

Dominican Republic Jamaica
Current account balance
-$4.17B
2024
$679M
2024
Current account balance ranking
163/190
2024
56/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.35%
2024
+3.08%
2024
Goods imports
$29.8B
2024
$6.07B
2024
Goods exports
$13.9B
2024
$1.87B
2024
Service imports
$6.34B
2024
$3.46B
2024
Service exports
$14.7B
2024
$5.26B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
29%
2024
52.1%
2019
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
22.8%
2024
38%
2019

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Dominican Republic Jamaica
Economic freedom 63.8 68.2
Economic freedom ranking 77/197 48/197
Property rights 53.9 66.8
Government integrity 39.8 49.4
Judicial effectiveness 58 75.6
Tax burden 84.4 76.3
Government spending 89.1 76
Fiscal health 76.6 92.2
Business freedom 71.4 68.5
Labor freedom 53.2 59.2
Monetary freedom 72.1 74.2
Trade freedom 67.4 70.4
Investment freedom 60 60
Financial freedom 40 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Dominican Republic
Jamaica
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Dominican Republic Jamaica
2026 63.8 68.2
2025 64.3 68.7
2024 62.9 68.1
2023 62.6 68.1
2022 63 67.4
2021 62.1 69
2020 60.9 68.5
2019 61 68.6
2018 61.6 69.1
2017 62.9 69.5
2016 61 67.5
2015 61 67.7
2014 61.3 66.7
2013 59.7 66.8
2012 60.2 65.1
2011 60 65.7
2010 60.3 65.5
2009 59.2 65.2
2008 57.7 65.7
2007 56.8 65.5
2006 56.3 66.4
2005 55.1 67
2004 54.6 66.7
2003 57.8 67
2002 58.6 61.7
2001 59.1 63.7
2000 59 65.5
1999 58.1 64.7
1998 58.1 67.1
1997 53.5 67.7
1996 58.1 66.7
1995 55.8 64.4

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/dominican-republic/jamaica | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for the Dominican Republic is 63.8, ranking 77/197, compared to 68.2 for Jamaica, ranking 48/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Dominican Republic Jamaica
Services, % of GDP
59.8%
2024
60%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
28.7%
2024
16.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.45%
2024
7.97%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$117B
2024
$20.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$26,050
2024
$12,690
2024
Total reserves including gold
$13.5B
2024
$5.63B
2024
Total reserves ranking
71/177
2024
93/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.52B
2024
-$304M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.48B
2024
$305M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$47.3M
2024
$1.07M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.62%
2024
11.3%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
19%
2024
8.2%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27%
2024
22.6%
2019

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/dominican-republic/jamaica | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.