Women in the

Dominican Republic

Excerpts from studies performed by the

Social Studies and Demographic Center

of the Dominican Republic 2000-2008

Introduction

The information presented here was

gathered from several sources that

pertain to demographic and social

information on women in the Dominican

Republic

General Characteristics of the

Country

We have color bills!

And Miss Universe Queens (2003)

General Information

The Dominican Republic is situated on the eastern part of the second-largest island in the Greater Antilles, Hispaniola

The country is a tropical, maritime nation. Wet season is from May to November, and periodic hurricanes between June and November.

Tourism is fueling the Dominican Republic's economic growth. For example, the contribution of travel and tourism to employment is expected to rise from 550,000 jobs in 2008 — 14.4% of total employment or 1 in every 6.9 jobs — to 743,000 jobs — 14.2% of total employment or 1 in every 7.1 jobs by 2018

The population of Dominican Republic in 2008 was estimated by the Joshua Project and the United Nations at 9,905,000,[which placed it as number 82 in population among the 193 nations of the world

Home Composition

Women head of household as of 2007 is 35%, this is a notable increase from 2002, which was 28%

The proportion of women head of household is higher in urban than in rural zones, 38 vs. 30%

In urban areas where women are head of household, 40% of households have 3-4 people

Home Composition (cont.)

Female Education - College or Above

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49

Age

%

The population with College education represent 29% of all the

wealth generated in relation to less educated groups

Characteristics of women

interviewed

Women Interviewed

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

15-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49

Age

%

Female Growth Projections

Fertility projections is one of the most

important demographic variables to

evaluate the growth projections of a

country

Currently urban zones in the Dominican

Republic have the following projections

Urban = 2.3

Rural = 2.8

Wealth and Purchasing Habits of

Women

The studies that analyze the levels of autonomy in women, their participation in joint decisions in the home and their role and relationships in monetary activities started in the late 1980’s

The following will be divided into three sections: Employment situation

Female autonomy in the management of income

Gender attitudes of Women vs. Men

Wealth and Purchasing Habits of

Women - Employment situation

The data reflects that roughly half of adult women reported not having any monetary income in the 12 months preceding the surveys

8% of women did have monetary income but was not currently employed

However, 42% reported currently being employed

These figures reflect roughly the same patterns as in 2002

Wealth and Purchasing Habits of

Women - Employment situationProfessional/Manager type jobs

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49

Age

%

Clerical type jobs

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49

Age

%

Sales and Services type jobs

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49

Age

%

Compared to 2002, we see a

significant increase in

professional and manager type

activities (29 vs. 38%).

Wealth and Purchasing Habits of Women -

Female autonomy in management of income

For the survey, women within marriages

or with significant others were asked to

provide a comparison of their level of

income vs. their partners

70% of women reported earning less than

their significant other

11% earn the same

17% earn more

Wealth and Purchasing Habits of Women -

Female autonomy in management of income

When they were asked on who decides how to spend the money that they (women) earn they responded: 57% - Woman decides

39% - Joint decision with significant other

4% - Significant other decides

When they were asked on who decides how to spend the money that the significant other earns they responded: 25% - Significant other decides

66% - joint decision with significant other

9% - women decides

Wealth and Purchasing Habits of Women -

Female autonomy in management of income

It is interesting to point out that the highest percentage of women who have control over the income of their significant others (16%) comes from one of the poorest areas in the country

We can also note that women's control over the income of their significant other greatly declines as the female education level increases

When income is roughly similar between couples, a decision is made conjunctively 51% of the time

Wealth and Purchasing Habits of Women –

Gender Attitudes and Patterns

Percentage of men in relationships who

think that that their spouse/girlfriend

should have the final say in joint

decisions (Most interesting of pg. 302)

Big House purchases – from ages 27-44, all

above 70%

Daily purchases – All ages above 80%

No decision – All below 2%