Читать книгу The 2009 CIA World Factbook - United States. Central Intelligence Agency - Страница 451

Flag description:

a centered white cross that extends to the edges divides the flag into four rectangles - the top ones are blue (hoist side) and red, and the bottom ones are red (hoist side) and blue; a small coat of arms featuring a shield supported by an olive branch (left) and a palm branch (right) is at the center of the cross; above the shield a blue ribbon displays the motto, DIOS, PATRIA, LIBERTAD (God, Fatherland, Liberty), and below the shield, REPUBLICA DOMINICANA appears on a red ribbon

Economy ::Dominican Republic

Economy - overview:

The Dominican Republic has enjoyed strong GDP growth since 2005 and continued to post sound gains through mid-2008. The global recession, however, had a significant impact on GDP growth in the latter half of the year as tourism and remittances, two of the Dominican Republic's most important economic contributors, showed signs of slowing. The economy is highly dependent upon the US, the destination for about two-thirds of exports. Remittances from the US amount to about a tenth of GDP, equivalent to almost half of exports and three-quarters of tourism receipts. The country has long been viewed primarily as an exporter of sugar, coffee, and tobacco but in recent years the service sector has overtaken agriculture as the economy's largest employer due to growth in tourism and free trade zones. Although 2007 saw inflation around 6%, the rate grew to over 12% in 2008. High food prices, driven by the effects of consecutive tropical storms on agricultural products, and education prices were significant contributors to the jump. The effects of the global financial crisis and the US recession are projected to negatively affect GDP growth in 2009 with a rebound expected in 2010. Although the economy is growing at a respectable rate, high unemployment and underemployment remains an important challenge. The country suffers from marked income inequality; the poorest half of the population receives less than one-fifth of GNP, while the richest 10% enjoys nearly 40% of national income. The Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) came into force in March 2007, which should boost investment and exports and reduce losses to the Asian garment industry.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$78.19 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 $74.25 billion (2007 est.)

$68.43 billion (2006 est.)

note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):

$44.44 billion (2008 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

5.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 8.5% (2007 est.)

10.7% (2006 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$8,200 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 119 $7,900 (2007 est.)

$7,400 (2006 est.)

note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 10.8%

industry: 22.9%

services: 66.3% (2008 est.)

Labor force:

4.119 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 86

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: 14.6%

industry: 22.3%

services: 63.1% (2005)

Unemployment rate:

14.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 149 15.6% (2007 est.)

Population below poverty line:

42.2% (2004)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: 1.5%

highest 10%: 38.7% (2005)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

49.9 (2005) country comparison to the world: 25 47.4 (1998)

Investment (gross fixed):

19.4% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 117

Budget:

revenues: $7.46 billion

expenditures: $9.027 billion (2008 est.)

Public debt:

37.4% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 61.1% of GDP (2004 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

10.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 155 6.1% (2007 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate:

19.95% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 39 15.83% (31 December 2007)

Stock of money:

$3.619 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 62 $4.074 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of quasi money:

$5.902 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 61 $5.631 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of domestic credit:

$17.37 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 62 $15.92 billion (31 December 2007)

Market value of publicly traded shares: