The Dominican Republic is one of the larger markets in Latin America. Following the economic turmoil of recent years, when the GDP fell by 5 per cent and inflation doubled, the Dominican Republic implemented a series of governmental reforms, eliminating many price controls and subsidy programs, in an attempt to stabilize its economy and put it on a free market basis. As a result, the GDP increased three per cent and inflation dropped to single-digit rates. However, increased government spending led to renewed inflationary pressures, the consumer price index jumped, and exchange rates fell. Today, the economy has stabilized and most prices are determined by market forces.

Ethnic Composition: European 16 per cent; African origin 11 per cent; Mixed 73 per cent

Languages Spoken: Spanish.

Education and Literacy: The government has focused on enrolling all children between 7 and 14 in school, and in keeping them there. Literacy for the adult population stands at 82 per cent of persons 15 and over.

Labor Force Total: 2,600,000; By occupation: agriculture 33 per cent, services and industry 67 per cent.