National Identity
- Official name
- Commonwealth of Dominica
- Name etymology
the island was named by explorer Christopher COLUMBUS for the day of the week on which he spotted it, Sunday (Domingo in Spanish, dominica dies in Latin), 3 November 1493
Sources:- The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Dominica ↗ - Public and Police Service Commissions - Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica
- The World Factbook: Dominica - CIA
- Coat of arms
- Coat of Arms
- National flag
- The flag of the Commonwealth of Dominica consists of a circular emblem of red bearing a Sisserou parrot (Amazona imperialis) standing on a twig encircled by ten lime green stars. This is superimposed on three vertical and three horizontal stripes of yellow, black and white forming a triple coloured cross against a general background of forest green.
- The size of the Flag should be in the proportion 2:1 (width twice the height)
As published by the Office of the President of the Commonwealth of Dominica As published in EnglishAs published by the Office of the President of the Commonwealth of Dominica As published in EnglishAs published by the Office of the President of the Commonwealth of Dominica (2) The central emblem presents the National Bird of Dominica, the Sisserou parrot, also a symbol of flight toward greater heights and fulfilment of aspiration. The Parrot also comes from the Dominica Coat of Arms, thus symbolising the official Seal of the country.
(3) The ten lime green stars - the traditional symbol of hope - represent the ten parishes of the country, each with equal status, thus the equality of our people. The red central emblem symbolises Dominica's commitment to social justice.
(4) The yellow, black and white stripes from a triple coloured cross representing the Trinity of God. The cross itself demonstrates belief in God since the Commonwealth of Dominica is founded upon the principles that acknowledge the supremacy of God.
(5) The yellow stripe represents the sunshine of our land, our main agricultural produce: Citrus and Bananas; and is also a symbol of the Carib and Arawak people, the first inhabitants of the Island.
(6) The White stripe represents the clarity of our rivers and waterfalls and the purity of aspiration of our people.
(7) The black stripe represents the rich black soil of our island on which our agriculture is based as well as our African heritage.
(8) The general background of dark green symbolises our rich verdant forest and the general lushness of the island.
As published in EnglishAs published by the Office of the President of the Commonwealth of Dominica Before achieving independence in 1978, Dominica was an Associated State with Britain. A Coat of Arms was granted in July 1961, and after 1967, the Dominica State Flag consisted of the Blue Ensign with the whole Arms in the fly. On achieving Independence a completely new flag was adopted.
As published in EnglishAs published by the Office of the President of the Commonwealth of Dominica This flag is an adaptation of a design submitted at a national flag competition
As published in EnglishAs published by the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica The National Flag of Dominica was designed by Mr. Alwin Bully.
As published in EnglishAs published by the Office of the President of the Commonwealth of Dominica We proudly witnessed this at midnight on 2nd November, 1978, when our National Flag was hoisted, to the strains of our National Anthem, "Isle of Beauty."
At the stroke of the midnight hour chiming in our Independence, our National Flag was unfurled for the first time, ushering in the dawn of a new era. Immediately before this the Union Jack and our Associate Statehood Flag were lowered, reverently and with dignity, closing another chapter of our history.
As published in EnglishSources:- presidentoffice.gov.dm ↗ - the Office of the President of the Commonwealth of Dominica
- presidentoffice.gov.dm ↗ - the Office of the President of the Commonwealth of Dominica
- presidentoffice.gov.dm ↗ - the Office of the President of the Commonwealth of Dominica
- presidentoffice.gov.dm ↗ - the Office of the President of the Commonwealth of Dominica
- dominica.gov.dm ↗ - the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica
- National anthem
- Isle of Beauty, Isle of Splendour0:49
- Title
- Isle of Beauty, Isle of Splendour
- Lyrics
- English
1Isle of beauty, isle of splendor, Isle to all so sweet and fair, All must surely gaze in wonder At thy gifts so rich and rare. Rivers, valleys, hills and mountains, All these gifts we do extol. Healthy land, so like all fountains, Giving cheer that warms the soul.
2Dominica, God hath blest thee With a clime benign and bright, Pastures green and flowers of beauty Filling all with pure delight, And a people strong and healthy, Full of godly, rev’rent fear. May we ever seek to praise Thee For these gifts so rich and rare.
3Come ye forward, sons and daughters Of this gem beyond compare. Strive for honour, sons and daughters, Do the right, be firm, be fair. Toil with hearts and hands and voices. We must prosper! Sound the call, In which ev’ryone rejoices, “All for Each and Each for All.”
Source: - Citizens
- Dominicans
- Official name:The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Dominica ↗ - Public and Police Service Commissions - Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica
- Official name, Citizens:The World Factbook: Dominica - CIA
- National flag:presidentoffice.gov.dm ↗ - the Office of the President of the Commonwealth of Dominica
- National flag:presidentoffice.gov.dm ↗ - the Office of the President of the Commonwealth of Dominica
- National flag:presidentoffice.gov.dm ↗ - the Office of the President of the Commonwealth of Dominica
- National flag:presidentoffice.gov.dm ↗ - the Office of the President of the Commonwealth of Dominica
- National flag:dominica.gov.dm ↗ - the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica
- National anthem:nationalanthems.info ↗
Geography
- Location
- Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about halfway between Puerto Rico and Trinidad and Tobago
- Total area
- 751 km²
- Land area
- 751 km²
- Water area
- 0.00 km²
- Land borders
- None
- Coastline
- 148 km
- Terrain
Rugged mountains of volcanic origin - Highest point
- 1,447 mMorne Diablotins
- Lowest point
- 0 mCaribbean Sea
- Climate
Tropical moderated by northeast trade winds; heavy rainfall - Avg. temperature
- 25.7 °C
- Avg. daily range
- 25 to 26.3 °C
- Annual precipitation
- 1,121 mm
Temperature °CMeanDaily rangePrecipitation mmMonthly climate normals Month Avg. high, °C Mean, °C Avg. low, °C Precipitation, mm January 25.3 24.7 24 62 February 25 24.5 23.8 41 March 25.1 24.5 23.9 42 April 25.7 25.1 24.4 56 May 26.4 25.8 25.1 74 June 26.8 26.3 25.6 80 July 27 26.4 25.5 113 August 27.3 26.6 25.7 132 September 27.5 26.8 25.9 145 October 27.2 26.6 25.7 154 November 26.7 26 25.2 140 December 25.9 25.3 24.6 82 Country-wide averages over 1991–2020.
Sources:- The World Factbook: Dominica - CIA
- Climate Change Knowledge Portal (ERA5 reanalysis) ↗ - World Bank
- Weather
- Loading
- Land use2023
- Arable8.0%Perm. crops22.7%Pasture2.7%Forest76.6%
- Arable land
- 6,000 hectares (8.0%)
- Permanent crops
- 17,000 hectares (22.7%)
- Permanent meadows & pastures
- 2,000 hectares (2.7%)
- Forest
- 57,438 hectares (76.6%)
- Other land
- 0 hectares (0.0%)
Reported categories cover 109.9% of the land area.
Source: - Natural hazards2026
- Tropical cyclones7.8Very high#13/191Tsunamis5.5High#50/191Epidemics4.3Medium#116/191Earthquakes3.8Medium#90/191Coastal floods2.1Very low#122/191River floods0.0Very lowDrought0.0Very low
Scores out of 10, ranks out of 191 countries.
Source:- INFORM Risk Index ↗ - European Commission Joint Research Centre
- Location, Land borders, Coastline, Terrain, Highest point, Lowest point, Climate:The World Factbook: Dominica - CIA
- Climate:Climate Change Knowledge Portal (ERA5 reanalysis) ↗ - World Bank
- Land use:FAOSTAT Land Use domain ↗ - FAO
- Natural hazards:INFORM Risk Index ↗ - European Commission Joint Research Centre
Demographics
- Population change2026
- −0.55% per year−361 people/yearWorld Rank207thof 237
- Birth rate
- 10.7 per 1,000 population
- Death rate
- 12.4 per 1,000 population
- Net migration rate
- −3.7 per 1,000 population
- 2026
- 36.6 yearsWorld Rank97thof 237
- Age structure2026
- 0-14 years17.4%15-64 years69.2%65 years +13.5%
- Share aged 65 and over
- 13.5%
- Share aged under 18
- 21.3%
- Total dependency ratio
- 45
- Youth dependency ratio
- 25
- Elderly dependency ratio
- 19
- Sex ratio
- 0.99 male / female
MaleAgeFemalePopulation by age group, % of total population Age Male Female 80+ 1.0% 1.5% 70-79 2.9% 3.1% 60-69 5.7% 5.6% 50-59 6.8% 6.7% 40-49 6.8% 6.5% 30-39 8.1% 8.1% 20-29 6.7% 6.7% 10-19 6.4% 6.6% 0-9 5.6% 5.4% - 2026
- 0.64 below the replacement level for Dominica ()1.46 births per womanreplacement 2.10123World Rank179thof 237
- 0.69 daughters per woman0.31 below replacement, long-run each generation smaller than the lastreplacement 1.000.511.5
- 2026
- −1.8 per 1,000 populationfor every 1,000 people, 1.8 more deaths than births a year
- 2026
- −3.7 per 1,000 population
- Urbanization2026
- 74.4% live in 48,763 urban residents
- Largest places2011latest available
- Roseau, Portsmouth, Canefield, MarigotRankPlacePopulation (2011 census)1Roseau14,7252Portsmouth4,1673Canefield3,3244Marigot2,4115Salisbury2,1476Grand Bay2,1347Mahaut2,1138Saint Joseph1,7469Pointe Michel1,66410Massacre1,552Source:
- Government of Dominica (2011 census), via City Population by Thomas Brinkhoff ↗
- Population distribution
- Population is mostly clustered along the coast, with roughly a third living in the parish of St. George, in or around the capital of Roseau; the volcanic interior is sparsely populated.
- Ethnic groups2011
- African descent84.5%Mixed9.0%Indigenous3.8%Other2.1%Unspecified0.6%
- Religions2011
- Roman Catholic52.7%Protestant29.7%Jehovah's Witness1.3%Rastafarian1.1%Other4.3%None9.4%Unspecified1.4%
- Protestant
- 29.7%
- Seventh Day Adventist
- 6.7%
- Pentecostal
- 6.1%
- Baptist
- 5.2%
- Christian Union Church
- 3.9%
- Methodist
- 2.6%
- Gospel Mission
- 2.1%
- Other Protestant
- 3.1%
Source:- The World Factbook: Dominica - CIA
- Languages
- English
- Population, Population change, Median age, Age structure, Total fertility rate, Net reproduction rate, Natural change, Net migration rate:UN World Population Prospects ↗
- Urbanization:UN World Urbanization Prospects ↗
- Largest cities:Government of Dominica (2011 census), via City Population by Thomas Brinkhoff ↗
- Population distribution, Ethnic groups, Religions:The World Factbook: Dominica - CIA
Government & Administration
- Form of state
- RepublicThe President is elected by the House for five years, without a vote when the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition jointly nominate; the state is styled "the Commonwealth of Dominica" (ss. 18, 19, 116).
- System of government
- ParliamentaryThe President appoints as Prime Minister the elected member likely to command a House majority; the Cabinet is collectively responsible to Parliament, and after a no-confidence resolution the Prime Minister must resign or advise dissolution within three days (ss. 59, 60, 54).
- Territorial organisation
- Unitary
- Official websites
- Capital
- Roseau14,741 people(2011)
- National holidays
- 12 days in 2026
- ThuJan 1New Year's Day
- MonFeb 16Carnival Monday
- TueFeb 17Carnival Tuesday
- FriApr 3Good Friday
- MonApr 6Easter Monday
- MonMay 4Labour Day
- MonMay 25Whit Monday
- MonAug 3Emancipation Day
- TueNov 3Independence Day
- WedNov 4National Day of Community Service
- FriDec 25Christmas Day
- SatDec 26Boxing Day
Nationwide public holidays only, excluding regional, bank and government-only days.
- Time
- ASTAtlantic Standard TimeUTC−4
- Currency
- East Caribbean Dollar (XCD)
- Entry requirements
- Official visa and entry information
- Calling code
- +1-767
- Internet TLD
- .dm
- ISO 3166-1 codes
- DM, DMA
- Infrastructure
- Aircraft registration prefix
- J7
Source:- The World Factbook: Dominica - CIA
- 2025
- 60 / 100World Rank37thof 182Confidence interval
Corruption index score by year Year Score Lower bound Upper bound 2012 58 55 62 2013 58 54 62 2014 58 54 62 2016 59 58 60 2017 57 53 61 2018 57 53 61 2019 55 51.4 58.6 2020 55 51.8 58.2 2021 55 51.7 58.3 2022 55 51.9 58.1 2023 56 52.9 59.1 2024 60 57.1 62.9 2025 60 57.1 62.9 Source:- Corruption Perceptions Index 2025 ↗ - Transparency International, CC BY 4.0
- Form of state, System of government, Territorial organisation:The Commonwealth of Dominica Constitution Order 1978 (S.I. 1978/1027), Schedule 1: The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Dominica ↗ - The National Archives (United Kingdom)
- National holidays:Open World Holidays Framework (vacanza/holidays) ↗
- Infrastructure:The World Factbook: Dominica - CIA
- Infrastructure:World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- Corruption Perceptions Index:Corruption Perceptions Index 2025 ↗ - Transparency International, CC BY 4.0
Economy
- Upper middle income
- GDP growth (real)2026
- +3.1% per yearWorld Rank93rdof 195
- GDP per capita (PPP)2026
- GDP per capita (nominal)
- $10,428 (94th in the world)
Source:- 2025
- Services57.2% of GDPIndustry14.1% of GDPAgriculture12.1% of GDPManufacturing4.8%part of industryThe shape of the economySource:
- World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- Inflation2026
- 2.7%up 1.8 percentage points1.8pp from 2025
- Budget balance2026
- 0.6% of GDP deficit
- Current account
- 35.7% of GDP, $281 million deficit
Source: - Debt2024
- Central government debt104.3% of GDPInterest on debt1.9% of GDP
- Trade2025
- Goods$29.8 million14.2%
- Services$180.6 million85.8%
- Total exports
- $210.4 million
- Change from 2024
- down 5.2 percent on the previous year5.2%
Sources:- World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- The World Factbook: Dominica - CIA
- Agricultural products2024
- Yautia, Pomelos and grapefruits, Taro, and 7 more
- 1Yautia1,150.4×
- 2Pomelos and grapefruits166.9×
- 3Taro101.2×
- 4Plantains and cooking bananas16.1×
- 5Yams12.4×
- 6Coconuts (in shell)11.6×
- 7Bananas6.7×
- 8Pineapples6.7×
- 9Lemons and limes6.4×
- 10Oranges5.9×
ProductSource:- FAOSTAT ↗ - Food and Agriculture Organization
- Industries
- soap, coconut oil, tourism, copra, furniture, cement blocks, shoes
- Income level, GDP by sector, Trade:World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- GDP (nominal), GDP growth (real), GDP per capita (PPP), Inflation, Budget balance:IMF World Economic Outlook ↗
- Debt:IMF Global Debt Database ↗
- Debt:IMF Public Finances in Modern History ↗
- Trade, Industries:The World Factbook: Dominica - CIA
- Agricultural products:FAOSTAT ↗ - Food and Agriculture Organization
Cost of Living
- Cost of living index
- Loading
- Monthly costs (excluding rent)
- Loading
- Rent
- Loading
- Buying an apartment
- Loading
- 2024
- EC$1,560 per month, gross$578 (USD), $1,000 (PPP)
- Minimum wage:ILOSTAT ↗ - International Labour Organization
Society
- 2023
- 0.761HighWorld Rank98thof 193DominicaWorld
Human Development Index by year Year Dominica World 2000 0.721 0.651 2001 0.725 0.657 2002 0.724 0.662 2003 0.728 0.669 2004 0.730 0.675 2005 0.732 0.681 2006 0.737 0.688 2007 0.740 0.694 2008 0.745 0.698 2009 0.746 0.701 2010 0.747 0.707 2011 0.745 0.713 2012 0.745 0.717 2013 0.745 0.721 2014 0.748 0.726 2015 0.741 0.731 2016 0.751 0.735 2017 0.735 0.739 2018 0.755 0.741 2019 0.758 0.745 2020 0.753 0.742 2021 0.749 0.742 2022 0.759 0.752 2023 0.761 0.756 Source:- Human Development Report ↗ - United Nations Development Programme
- Mean years of schooling2023
- 10.1 years
- Expected for a child today
- 14.2 years
Source:- Human Development Report ↗ - United Nations Development Programme
- Education expenditure2024
- 5.4% of GDP
- Share of government spending
- 7.1%
Source:- World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- Internet users2021
- 78.1% of the population
- Households with Internet access
- 74.5%
Source:- ITU DataHub ↗ - International Telecommunication Union
- Mobile subscriptions2021
- 62,171
- Fixed telephone lines
- 7,459
- Fixed broadband
- 21 subscriptions per 100 people
Counts subscriptions, not people.
Source:- ITU DataHub ↗ - International Telecommunication Union
- Refugees hosted2025
- 0 people
- Asylum seekers
- 5
- Internally displaced persons
- 2,000(2019, latest available)All due to disasters
- Refugees from Dominica abroad
- 90
Sources:- Refugee Data Finder ↗ - UN Refugee Agency
- Global Internal Displacement Database ↗ - Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre
- Inbound tourists2022
- Official tourism site61,000 arrivalsdown 32% against 201932% below 2019World Rank131stof 139
- Per resident
- 9.1 arrivals per 10 residents
- Same-day visitors
- 174,000 arrivals
- $117.4 million(2024)
- $36.5 million(2024)
Overnight arrivals by year2010 to 2022A tourist stays at least one night. Arrivals count trips, not people.
Source:- UN Tourism Data Dashboard ↗ - UN Tourism
- Human Development Index, Mean years of schooling:Human Development Report ↗ - United Nations Development Programme
- Education expenditure:World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- Internet users, Mobile subscriptions:ITU DataHub ↗ - International Telecommunication Union
- Refugees hosted:Refugee Data Finder ↗ - UN Refugee Agency
- Refugees hosted:Global Internal Displacement Database ↗ - Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre
- Inbound tourists:UN Tourism Data Dashboard ↗ - UN Tourism
Crime & Safety
- Travel advisory (US)
- Loading
- Active humanitarian crisisAug 2026
- None - no active crisis
- Homicide rate2024
- 18.1 per 100,000 peopleHigh by global standards
- Crime rates
- 7 offence categories
Offence Per 100,000 Count Year Homicide (victims) 18.1 12 2024 Serious assault 989.3 658 2023 Sexual violence 84.2 56 2023 Kidnapping 4.5 3 2023 Burglary 619.5 414 2022 Theft 1,393.2 931 2022 Vehicle theft 61.4 41 2022 A low figure can also mean weak recording.
Source:- UNODC Data Portal ↗ - UN Office on Drugs and Crime
- Prison population2023
- 610.4 per 100,000 people
- Persons held
- 406
Source:- UNODC Data Portal ↗ - UN Office on Drugs and Crime
- Active humanitarian crisis:INFORM Severity Index ↗ - European Commission Joint Research Centre
- Homicide rate, Crime rates, Prison population:UNODC Data Portal ↗ - UN Office on Drugs and Crime
Health
- Life expectancy2026
- 71.6 years
- Health expenditure2023
- 5% of GDP$492 per person
- Physicians2018
- 1.16 per 1,000 population
- Hospital beds2023
- 4 per 1,000 population
- Infant mortality2026
- 25.1 per 1,000 live births
- Maternal mortality2023
- 36 per 100,000 live births
- Alcohol consumption2022
- 7 litres of pure alcohol per adult per year
- Road traffic deaths2016
- 10.9 per 100,000 population
- Life expectancy, Infant mortality:UN World Population Prospects ↗
- Health expenditure, Physicians, Hospital beds, Road traffic deaths:World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- Maternal mortality:Maternal mortality estimates ↗ - UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-agency Group
- Alcohol consumption:Global Health Observatory ↗ - World Health Organization
Environment
- CO₂ emissions2024
- 0.08 Mt per yearup 3.5 percent on the previous year3.5% from 2023
- CO₂ per capita
- 1.1 t per personWorld Rank147thof 207
- Share of global CO₂
- < 0.01%
- Methane (CH₄)
- 0.06 Mt CO₂-eq
- Nitrous oxide (N₂O)
- 0.01 Mt CO₂-eq
- All greenhouse gases
- 0.15 Mt CO₂-eq
Source:- Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research (EDGAR) ↗ - European Commission, Joint Research Centre
- 2024
- 3.6 µg/m³ of PM2.5Most polluted198thof 236
- WHO guideline
- 5 µg/m³
Source:- Air Quality Life Index ↗ - Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago
- Environmental issues
- pollution from agrochemicals and from untreated sewage
- forests endangered by the expansion of farming
- soil erosion
- pollution of the coastal zone from agricultural/industrial chemicals and untreated sewage
Source:- The World Factbook: Dominica - CIA
- International agreements
- 16 of 20 landmark treaties in forceParty to 51 multilateral environmental agreements
Treaty Standing Joined Climate Paris Agreement in force 2016 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in force 1994 Kyoto Protocol in force 2005 Ozone layer Montreal Protocol in force 1993 Vienna Convention (Ozone Layer) in force 1993 Biodiversity Convention on Biological Diversity in force 1994 CITES in force 1995 Convention on Migratory Species (Bonn) not a party Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety in force 2004 Nagoya Protocol not a party Land and heritage Ramsar Convention on Wetlands not a party World Heritage Convention in force 1995 UN Convention to Combat Desertification in force 1998 Chemicals and waste Basel Convention in force 1998 Rotterdam Convention (PIC) in force 2006 Stockholm Convention (POPs) in force 2004 Minamata Convention on Mercury not a party Oceans UN Convention on the Law of the Sea in force 1994 High Seas Treaty (BBNJ) in force 2026 MARPOL 73/78 in force 2000 Source:- International Environmental Agreements Database ↗ - Université Laval
- CO₂ emissions:Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research (EDGAR) ↗ - European Commission, Joint Research Centre
- Air pollution:Air Quality Life Index ↗ - Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago
- Environmental issues:The World Factbook: Dominica - CIA
- International agreements:International Environmental Agreements Database ↗ - Université Laval
Food & Water
- No access to safe drinking water2022
- 5.6% of the population
- Renewable water2022
- 0.2 billion m³ per year
- Per person
- 2,993 m³ per year
- Dependency ratio
- 0% originates outside the country
- Annual water withdrawal
- 0 billion m³ per year
- Withdrawn for agriculture
- 5%
- Water stress
- 10% of available freshwater withdrawn
Source:- AQUASTAT ↗ - Food and Agriculture Organization
- Undernourishment2022
- 14% of the population
- Obesity2024
- 32.5% of adults
- Men
- 18.8%
- Women
- 46.3%
Source:- Global Health Observatory ↗ - World Health Organization
- No access to safe drinking water, Renewable water:AQUASTAT ↗ - Food and Agriculture Organization
- Undernourishment:Food security indicators (FAOSTAT) ↗ - Food and Agriculture Organization
- Obesity:Global Health Observatory ↗ - World Health Organization
Energy
- Energy consumption2024
- Per capita
- 42.1 GJ per person
- Share of world total
- < 0.01%
- Supply
- Deficitproduces 3.1% of what it consumes, 2024
Source:- International Energy Statistics ↗ - U.S. Energy Information Administration
- Electricity2024
- No electricity trade0.2 TWh generated per year
- Generation
- 0.2 TWh per year
- Consumption
- 0.1 TWh per year
Source:- International Energy Statistics ↗ - U.S. Energy Information Administration
- Oil, gas & coal
- No domestic productionconsumes 1,237 b/d in 2024Consumption20241,237 b/d
Oil imports and exports count crude oil only.
- Energy consumption, Electricity, Oil, gas & coal:International Energy Statistics ↗ - U.S. Energy Information Administration
Defense
- Nuclear weapons2026
- None - no nuclear arsenal
- Nuclear weapons:Status of World Nuclear Forces ↗ - Federation of American Scientists
