Updated
Overview
Haiti and the Dominican Republic are nearly matched in population: 11.91 million versus 11.52 million people (2025).
The Dominican Republic's economy is 4.0 times the size of Haiti's, at $127.41B versus $32.08B.
Per person, the Dominican Republic is the wealthier of the two: $11,059 against $2,694 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Haiti | Dominican Republic | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $32.08B | Higher: $127.41B | 2025 | $25.22B / $124.28B |
| GDP per capita | $2,694 | Higher: $11,059 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | -2.7% | Higher: 2.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 28.6% | Lower: 3.9% | 2025 | 26.9% / 3.3% |
| Unemployment | 14.9% | Lower: 5.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 86 | 39 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | — | $485 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $135 | Higher: $327 | 2024 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 11.91 million | 11.52 million | 2025 | 11.90 million / 10.90 million |
| Population growth | 1.1% | 0.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 24.1 yrs | 28.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.59 | 2.19 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 65.1 yrs | Higher: 73.9 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 56% | 73% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 48% | Higher: 91% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 27,750 km² | 48,671 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 429.0/km² | 236.7/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 2.97 Mt | 33 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 0.3 t | 2.9 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $19.75M | $980.99M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.1% | 0.8% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 1,000 | 71,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
The Dominican Republic grew while the other economy contracted: 2.1% against -2.7%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Haiti at 28.6%, while the other economy sits at 3.9%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in the Dominican Republic: a price level of 39 versus 86 on a US=100 scale.
People and society
Haiti is the younger society: median age 24.1 versus 28.3 years.
Life expectancy is 8.7 years longer in the Dominican Republic (73.9 vs 65.1).
The Dominican Republic is considerably more urbanized: 73% of people live in cities, against 56%.
Internet adoption is higher in the Dominican Republic (91% vs 48% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Haiti is 43% smaller than the Dominican Republic: 27,750 km² versus 48,671 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
The Dominican Republic spends 50 times as much on defence as Haiti: $980.99M versus $19.75M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
The Dominican Republic fields the larger armed forces: 71,000 personnel against 1,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Haiti bigger than the Dominican Republic?
- The Dominican Republic is larger by land area. Haiti covers 27,750 km² while the Dominican Republic covers 48,671 km², so the Dominican Republic is 75% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Haiti or the Dominican Republic?
- Haiti has the larger population: 11.91 million versus 11.52 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Haiti richer than the Dominican Republic?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the Dominican Republic is richer: $11,059 against $2,694. Total GDP tells the same story: $32.08B for Haiti versus $127.41B for the Dominican Republic.
- Who spends more on their military, Haiti or the Dominican Republic?
- The Dominican Republic spends more: $980.99M versus $19.75M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
Related comparisons
This is the only published comparison for either country. Build any other pair from the same data.
Full profiles
Every comparison for Haiti · Dominican Republic