Dominican Republic Remittances Reach US$7.32 Billion

Remittances to the Dominican Republic reached US$7.316 billion during the first seven months of 2026, an increase of US$442 million, or 6.4%, from the same period a year earlier. The latest figures underscore the continued importance of money sent by Dominicans abroad to the country’s foreign-currency supply and broader economic stability.

July alone generated US$1.097 billion in remittance inflows, US$49.3 million more than in July 2025. The 4.7% year-over-year increase extended the upward trend recorded during the year, despite an international environment marked by geopolitical tensions and higher energy costs.

United States Remains the Main Source

The United States continued to dominate the Dominican Republic’s formal remittance flows. Transfers from the country totaled US$814.7 million in July, representing 81.4% of all remittances received through formal channels.

The Central Bank of the Dominican Republic, or BCRD, linked the performance in part to economic conditions in the United States, where a large Dominican diaspora lives and works. The institution pointed to continued expansion in the services sector, with the nonmanufacturing purchasing managers’ index from the Institute for Supply Management registering 54.1 in July.

The U.S. unemployment rate also fell to 4.1% in July from 4.2% in June, although the U.S. economy recorded a net loss of 23,000 jobs during the month. For the Dominican economy, conditions in the United States remain particularly relevant because of the scale of financial transfers sent by Dominican workers and families there.

Spain Holds Second Place Among Remittance Sources

Spain was the second-largest source of formal remittances to the Dominican Republic in July, sending US$65.9 million, equivalent to 6.6% of the month’s total. The figure reflects the sizeable Dominican community established in Spain and the country’s longstanding role as an important destination for Dominican migration.

Italy followed with 1.4% of July’s inflows, while Haiti and Switzerland each accounted for 1.2%. The remaining transfers were distributed among countries including France, Canada and Germany, creating a broader geographic base for the country’s remittance income.

Most Remittances Flowed Into the Main Urban Centers

The geographic distribution of July’s remittances also showed a strong concentration in the Dominican Republic’s largest population centers. The National District received 50.4% of the total, while Santiago received 9.5% and Santo Domingo province accounted for 6.8%.

Together, those three areas absorbed 66.7% of all remittances received during the month. The concentration reflects the economic weight of the country’s principal metropolitan areas, where financial services, commerce and household consumption are heavily concentrated.

Remittances Support Foreign Exchange Stability

Beyond their effect on household finances, remittances provide the Dominican economy with a significant and recurring source of foreign currency. The BCRD said these inflows have contributed to relative exchange-rate stability, with the Dominican peso appreciating 8.0% against the U.S. dollar as of July 31 compared with December 2025.

Foreign-currency inflows have also helped maintain international reserves. Reserves stood at US$15.253 billion at the end of July, equivalent to 10.8% of gross domestic product and enough to cover about 5.5 months of imports, according to the central bank.

For businesses and investors, the combination of remittances, tourism earnings, exports and foreign investment is important because it strengthens the supply of dollars available to the domestic economy. That can help reduce pressure on the foreign-exchange market while supporting the country’s capacity to meet external payment needs.

BCRD Expects Foreign-Currency Inflows to Keep Growing

The central bank expects the Dominican Republic’s foreign-exchange earnings to continue expanding through the remainder of 2026. Its latest projections call for tourism revenue to exceed US$11.9 billion, while remittances are expected to surpass US$12.2 billion for the full year.

Total exports are projected at approximately US$17.3 billion, and foreign direct investment is expected to exceed US$5.3 billion. The BCRD also estimates around US$3.2 billion in additional earnings from other exported services.

Combined, those sources could generate more than US$50.2 billion in foreign-currency income during 2026. The central bank said it will continue monitoring international conditions and taking measures aimed at preserving price stability and an orderly foreign-exchange market as external risks remain elevated.