SANTO DOMINGO – The Dominican Republic has solidified its position as a regional leader in employment, maintaining one of Latin America’s lowest jobless rates according to newly released international data. Minister of Labor Eddy Olivares, citing the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Labour Panorama 2025 report, announced the national unemployment rate reached approximately 4.9% in 2025, significantly outperforming the regional average of 6%.
The nation’s economic resilience is largely attributed to robust expansion in labor-driven sectors including services, construction, and tourism. Minister Olivares credited this sustained employment recovery to the strategic public policies enacted under President Luis Abinader’s administration. These measures, which emphasize economic growth, social dialogue, and human-centric labor reforms, have collectively fortified the national job market.
Looking forward, government projections indicate optimism for further improvement, with unemployment potentially dipping below the current 4.9% threshold by 2026. Strategic priorities will focus on enhancing youth employment opportunities, addressing workforce gender disparities, and accelerating the formalization of jobs. In collaboration with private sector partners and worker representatives, the Ministry of Labor plans to expand initiatives such as job placement services, first-job programs, vocational skills training, and comprehensive labor inspections. These coordinated efforts aim to cultivate an inclusive and sustainable labor framework for the future.