In just over five years, the cost of living has been raised for all dominican families regardless of their income levels.
At the end of 2025, the basic basket The national family average averaged 48,541 pesos, which represents a sustained increase of 13,549 pesos compared to 2019 – the year before the economic crisis derived from covid-19 – when it was around 34,992 pesos, for an increase of 38.7%.
According to data published by the Central Bank of the Dominican Republic (BCRD), the basic basket went from an average of 46,251 pesos in December 2024 to 48,541 pesos in the same period last year, for a increase of 2,290 pesosthe most significant increase since 2022 when it stood at 43,210, 3,136.57 pesos more in that period).
Although the accumulated increase in basic basket family—which includes 305 goods and services representative of the consumption patterns of Dominican households—it is significant in absolute terms, its growth rate has remained in line with the year-on-year inflation.
This behavior has been driven mainly by the increase in the prices of food and drinks non-alcoholic, as well as transport and others goods and services of direct consumption, items that have exerted constant pressure on the cost of living over the last six years.
Just last December, the increases in food –especially in agricultural sectors whose production was affected by the intense rains associated with the Storm Melissa such as bananas, chili peppers or tomatoes – explained 50.17% of the inflation in that month, for a year-on-year increase of 4.95%.
This group of goods and services It also represented a little more than half in 2022 and in 2021 – the year with the most significant growth in the last six years – it represented, together with the transport and housing, the 63% of inflation in that period.
By quintiles
Although he biggest increase In absolute terms of the last six years, it is perceived by the 20% of the population with the best income level –going from a cost of 58,521.46 to 78,680.70 pesos–, the growth rate of the basic basket It has most affected the 20% of the Dominican population that earns the least money.
At the end of 2019, the basic basket familiar to him quintile 1 It was around 20,418 pesos. Today it oscillates at 29,137.89 pesos; This is 8,719 pesos more than six years ago, for an increase of 42.7%.
