Dominican Republic financial savings grow 240% over 11 years

The Dominican Republic's financial system has seen significant growth, with total savings increasing by 240% from RD$1.15 trillion in 2015 to RD$3.91 trillion by February 2026. According to the Association of Multiple Banks (ABA), commercial banks led this expansion, with deposits growing 292% to reach RD$2.5 trillion. Notably, investment fund management companies (SAFI) experienced a surge of over 8,000%, while the relative market share of cooperatives declined from 40.8% to 15.98%.

Despite these macroeconomic indicators, there is a noted disconnect between official statistics and the lived reality of citizens. While the Central Bank reports positive GDP growth and controlled inflation, many residents report a loss of purchasing power and difficulty meeting basic needs due to stagnant real wages and the high cost of living.

Furthermore, economic informality remains a structural challenge. Data from 2025 indicates that 54.1% of the Dominican workforce is engaged in informal employment, which impacts social security access and tax compliance. Additionally, the public sector workforce has grown, with government employees representing 14.6% of the total workforce in early 2026.