Manufacturing leads employment for Dominican Republic formal exporters

Manufacturing industries remain the primary driver of employment among formal exporters in the Dominican Republic. According to the 2025 Exporting Companies Profile published by the National Statistics Office (ONE), the manufacturing sector accounted for 56.3% of the average employment associated with formal exporters.

The total average number of employees in formal exporting companies rose to 414,262 in 2025, marking an 8% year-on-year increase from 383,699 in 2024. While manufacturing leads in the export sector, the commerce and services sectors saw the largest absolute increases in new jobs, with commerce adding 12,128 employees and services adding 11,010.

On a broader national scale, the commerce sector continues to be a dominant force in the Dominican labor market. During the second quarter of 2025, the commerce sector employed 1,052,002 workers, representing approximately 19.96% of the country's total workforce. This follows a 2025 average of 1,037,060 workers in the same sector, highlighting the significant role of domestic consumption and distribution in the national economy.