The Dominican Republic is a thriving Caribbean nation with a thriving export industry based on natural resources and free-zone manufacturing. The capital, Santo Domingo, is the hub of the country's politics and economy. As per Dominican Republic export data, the nation, which has a population of about 11.3 million and a GDP of USD 135.5 billion (2025 estimated), had record exports of USD 12.93 billion in 2024, an 8.3% year-over-year rise, fueled by growth in tobacco products, medical devices, and jewels.