Country Profile: Dominica

Dominica, known as "The Nature Island of the Caribbean," is characterized by its rugged volcanic terrain and lush biodiversity. The island, located between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, has a population of approximately 74,661 people, predominantly of African descent. An agrarian economy focuses heavily on agriculture and emerging sectors such as ecotourism, while its governance is structured as a parliamentary republic. Dominica has faced significant challenges, including recovery from Hurricane Maria in 2017, which devastated much of its infrastructure and agricultural sectors.

Geography

Dominica is situated in the Caribbean, approximately halfway between Puerto Rico and Trinidad and Tobago. The island's total area is 751 square kilometers, characterized by rugged volcanic mountains and a tropical climate moderated by the northeast trade winds. The terrain includes Morne Diablotins, the highest peak at 1,447 meters, and it is surrounded by a coastline of 148 kilometers.

751 sq km: Total land area
148 km: Coastline
76.6% (2023): Forest cover
33.3% (2023): Agricultural land
5: Number of volcanoes, the most in the Caribbean

People and Society

As of 2024, Dominica has a population of approximately 74,661, with a diverse ethnic composition of mainly individuals of African descent (84.5%). The primary language is English, alongside French patois, and the population is predominantly Roman Catholic. The median age is 37.5 years, and urban areas contain about 72% of the population.

74,661: Population estimate for 2024
84.5%: Population of African descent
37.5 years: Median age (2025 est.)
72%: Urban population (2023)
2.01: Total fertility rate (2025 est.)

Economy

Dominica's economy is primarily agrarian, with the agricultural sector historically dominated by banana exports. The country is gradually diversifying into ecotourism and other service industries. As of 2024, the real GDP per capita is $18,700, showcasing incremental growth over the years.

$1.241 billion: Real GDP (PPP) for 2024
2.1%: Real GDP growth rate (2024 est.)
12.2%: Contribution of agriculture to GDP (2024 est.)
56.9%: Services sector contribution to GDP (2024 est.)
5.6%: Remittances as a percentage of GDP (2024 est.)

Government

Dominica is a parliamentary republic with a government type that reflects its British colonial heritage. The current President is Sylvanie Burton, and the Prime Minister is Roosevelt Skerrit, serving since 2004. The country achieved independence from the UK on November 3, 1978, and operates under a legal system based on English common law.

November 3, 1978: Independence from the UK
32: Total seats in the unicameral House of Assembly
18 years: Minimum voting age
40.6%: Percentage of women in the House of Assembly
5: Number of years for the presidential term

Military and Security

Dominica maintains no regular military forces and relies on the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force for security. The country is a member of the Caribbean Regional Security System, which facilitates cooperation among member states for national security and disaster response.

1982: Member of the Caribbean Regional Security System
No regular military forces: Security role of the police force

Energy

The nation boasts 100% electrification, with an installed electricity generation capacity of 41,000 kW as of 2023. The majority of electricity is generated from fossil fuels, alongside a notable contribution from hydroelectricity.

100%: Electrification rate (2022 est.)
84.3%: Fossil fuels contribution to installed capacity (2023)
145.827 million kWh: Electricity consumption (2023 est.)

Environment

Dominica faces several environmental challenges, including pollution from agricultural chemicals and deforestation caused by farming. The island is committed to various international environmental agreements aimed at conservation and sustainability.

33.3%: Agricultural land (2023 est.)
12.6%: Percentage of municipal solid waste recycled (2022 est.)
200 million cubic meters: Total renewable water resources (2022 est.)

Transportation

The island has a limited transportation infrastructure, featuring two airports and a small network of roads. It is serviced by a merchant fleet primarily consisting of general cargo vessels.

2: Airports (2025)
77: Total vessels in the merchant marine (2023)

Communications

Dominica has an expanding telecommunications sector with a significant percentage of the population using mobile phones and internet services. As of 2023, about 84% of the population has access to the internet.

84%: Internet penetration rate (2023 est.)
56,929: Mobile cellular subscriptions (2022 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	74,661 (2024 est.)
Area	751 sq km
Real GDP (PPP)	$1.241 billion (2024)
Real GDP per capita	$18,700 (2024 est.)
Birth rate	13.02 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Life expectancy at birth	78.7 years (2024 est.)
Urban population	72% (2023)
Electricity access	100% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate	2.6% (2024 est.)
Total fertility rate	2.01 children born/woman (2025 est.)