In 2024, there were approximately 10 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants in the Dominican Republic. Both the number of homicides committed in this Caribbean country and the murder rate have been decreasing since 2014, when over 18 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants were reported.

Historical dataset showing Dominican Republic crime rate per 100K population by year from 1991 to 2021.

The province of Santo Domingo registered the highest number of homicides in the Dominican Republic, with *** victims in 2023. The National District, where the capital city of Santo Domingo is located – also referred to as Distrito Nacional – recorded the second largest homicide count, at *** victims that year.

Between 2020 and 2023, motor vehicle theft has fluctuated around 3,00 and 4,000 thefts per year in the Dominican Republic. In 2023, 3,328 vehicle thefts.

The number of homicides in the Dominican Republic has decreased in the past decade and, for the first time since 2014, in 2020 the Caribbean country recorded less than 1,000 victims of homicide, at exactly 961 reported deaths. Nevertheless, 2022 and 2023 recorded a considerably increase, with 1,389 and 1,237 homicides, respectively. The province of Santo Domingo registered the highest number of murders in recent years.

Historical dataset showing Dominican Republic murder/homicide rate per 100K population by year from 1991 to 2021.

Dominican Republic DO: Intentional Homicides: Male: per 100,000 Male data was reported at 27.263 Ratio in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 31.291 Ratio for 2014. Dominican Republic DO: Intentional Homicides: Male: per 100,000 Male data is updated yearly, averaging 43.461 Ratio from Dec 2005 (Median) to 2016, with 10 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 47.178 Ratio in 2005 and a record low of 27.263 Ratio in 2016. Dominican Republic DO: Intentional Homicides: Male: per 100,000 Male data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Dominican Republic – Table DO.World Bank: Health Statistics. Intentional homicides, male are estimates of unlawful male homicides purposely inflicted as a result of domestic disputes, interpersonal violence, violent conflicts over land resources, intergang violence over turf or control, and predatory violence and killing by armed groups. Intentional homicide does not include all intentional killing; the difference is usually in the organization of the killing. Individuals or small groups usually commit homicide, whereas killing in armed conflict is usually committed by fairly cohesive groups of up to several hundred members and is thus usually excluded.; ; UN Office on Drugs and Crime's International Homicide Statistics database.; ;

In 2024, the highest homicide rate among 22 Latin American and Caribbean countries surveyed was in Haiti, with around 62 murders committed per 100,000 inhabitants. Trinidad and Tobago came in second, with a homicide rate of 46, while Honduras ranked seventh, with 25. In the same year, the lowest rate was recorded in El Salvador, with a homicide rate of 1.9 per 100,000 inhabitants. A violence-ridden region Violence and crime are some of the most pressing problems affecting Latin American society nowadays. More than 40 of the 50 most dangerous cities in the world are located in this region, as well as one of the twenty countries with the least peace in the world according to the Global Peace Index. Despite governments’ large spending on security and high imprisonment rates, drug and weapon trafficking, organized crime, and gangs have turned violence into an epidemic that affects the whole region and a solution to this issue appears to be hardly attainable. The cost of violence in Mexico Mexico stands out as an example of the great cost that violence inflicts upon a country, since beyond claiming human lives, it also affects everyday life and has a negative impact on the economy. Mexicans have a high perceived level of insecurity, as they do not only fear becoming victims of homicide, but also of other common crimes, such as assault or rape. Such fear prevents people from performing everyday activities, for instance, going out at night, taking a taxi or going to the movies or the theater. Furthermore, the economic toll of violence in Mexico is more than considerable. For example, the cost of homicide and violent crime amounted to 2099.8 and 1778.1 billion Mexican pesos in 2023, respectively.

Until June 2024, 33 women and girls were killed on account of their gender in the Caribbean country In 2023 most of them murdered by their current partner. The province of La Vega and the capital Santo Domingo, recorded the largest number of femicides, a total of five each.

In 2022, Grenada had the highest robbery rate in the Caribbean, with an estimated 2,163 incidents per 100,000 inhabitants. Dominica registered 1,279.95 such crime reports per 100,000 population, ranking second in the region.

Dominican Republic DO: Intentional Homicides: Female: per 100,000 Female data was reported at 3.183 Ratio in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 3.583 Ratio for 2014. Dominican Republic DO: Intentional Homicides: Female: per 100,000 Female data is updated yearly, averaging 3.864 Ratio from Dec 2005 (Median) to 2016, with 10 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4.644 Ratio in 2005 and a record low of 3.183 Ratio in 2016. Dominican Republic DO: Intentional Homicides: Female: per 100,000 Female data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Dominican Republic – Table DO.World Bank: Health Statistics. Intentional homicides, female are estimates of unlawful female homicides purposely inflicted as a result of domestic disputes, interpersonal violence, violent conflicts over land resources, intergang violence over turf or control, and predatory violence and killing by armed groups. Intentional homicide does not include all intentional killing; the difference is usually in the organization of the killing. Individuals or small groups usually commit homicide, whereas killing in armed conflict is usually committed by fairly cohesive groups of up to several hundred members and is thus usually excluded.; ; UN Office on Drugs and Crime's International Homicide Statistics database.; ;

The Latin American public safety market, valued at $51.11 million in 2025, is poised for significant growth, exhibiting a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.40% from 2025 to 2033. This expansion is driven by several key factors. Rising crime rates across major Latin American cities are compelling governments to invest heavily in advanced technologies for improved surveillance, crime prevention, and emergency response. Furthermore, increasing adoption of cloud-based solutions offers scalability and cost-effectiveness, fueling market growth. The market is segmented by component (software – encompassing location management, record management, investigation management, crime analysis, and criminal intelligence – and services), deployment mode (on-premise and cloud), and end-user industry (medical, transportation, law enforcement, firefighting, and others). The increasing prevalence of sophisticated cybercrime necessitates robust cybersecurity measures within public safety systems, further boosting demand for specialized software and services. Government initiatives promoting digital transformation and smart city projects are also contributing positively to market expansion. However, challenges such as budgetary constraints in certain regions and the need for robust data privacy regulations could act as potential restraints. The significant market share held by law enforcement agencies is expected to remain prominent throughout the forecast period. The robust growth trajectory is fueled by the increasing adoption of integrated security systems offering comprehensive solutions. Companies like Cisco, Esri, Genetec, Honeywell, and Motorola Solutions are major players, leveraging their expertise in advanced technologies to cater to the evolving needs of Latin American public safety agencies. The market is witnessing a transition towards cloud-based solutions driven by their inherent flexibility and enhanced accessibility. This trend is particularly pronounced in regions with improved internet infrastructure. The presence of established players alongside emerging technology providers ensures a competitive market, spurring innovation and driving down costs. Continued investment in research and development of cutting-edge technologies will be crucial in shaping the market landscape and effectively addressing the escalating security challenges in the region. Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Colombia are anticipated to represent significant portions of the market, reflecting their larger populations and higher crime rates. Recent developments include: February 2024: Irisity, a Swedish AI and video analytics software provider, increased investments in Latin America, focusing on public security, transportation, and mission-critical infrastructure. The company supplies technology in countries like Mexico and Argentina and supports emergency services in Ecuador and the Dominican Republic. Additionally, Irisity collaborates with the Uruguayan security firm Grupo Securitas. The regional strategy includes bolstering brand recognition, expanding the team, and fostering partnerships with integrators, resellers, and camera manufacturers., June 2023: Hexagon AB's Safety, Infrastructure & Geospatial division launched a new Citizen Reporting portal for its HxGN OnCall Records suite. The portal allows citizens to file police reports online, search for incident records, request services, and view incident maps. According to the company, this public-facing portal aims to streamline interactions between citizens and law enforcement agencies, increase transparency, and alleviate staffing challenges that public safety agencies and local governments face.. Key drivers for this market are: Increasing Investments in Advanced Cybersecurity Technologies to Protect Sensitive Data, Critical Infrastructure, Stringent Government Regulations to Invest in Safety Measures to Enhance Safety. Potential restraints include: Increasing Investments in Advanced Cybersecurity Technologies to Protect Sensitive Data, Critical Infrastructure, Stringent Government Regulations to Invest in Safety Measures to Enhance Safety. Notable trends are: Software Component to Hold Significant Market Share.

The Dominican Republic was awarded an index score of 4.96 based on the risk of money laundering and terrorist financing. Except for that 2022 and 2023, the score has been improving steadily since 2016, when it stood at 6.74. In addition, neighboring Haiti is the country with the highest risk index of money laundering and terrorist financing in Latin America. The Basel AML Index is a composite index, a combination of 16 different indicators with regards to corruption, financial standards, political disclosure and rule of law and tries to measure the risk level of money laundering and terrorist financing in different countries. The numbers used are based on publicly available sources such as the FATF, Transparency International, the World Bank and the World Economic Forum and are meant to serve as a starting point for further investigation.

République dominicaine: Robberies per 100,000 people: Pour cet indicateur, The UN office on drugs and crime fournit des données pour la République dominicaine de 2012 à 2016. La valeur moyenne pour République dominicaine pendant cette période était de 77 robberies per 100,000 people avec un minimum de 21 robberies per 100,000 people en 2012 et un maximum de 144 robberies per 100,000 people en 2014.

Latin America's public safety market is poised for significant growth over the next decade, driven by rising crime rates, increased demand for advanced security measures, and government initiatives to bolster public safety. The market, valued at $51.11 million in 2025, is projected to reach a value of $75.68 million by 2033, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.40% during the forecast period (2025-2033). Key drivers shaping the market include urbanization, increasing adoption of advanced technologies such as video surveillance, data analytics, and biometrics, and rising awareness of the importance of public safety. Governments in the region are also focusing on investing in modern public safety solutions to enhance security and improve response times in emergencies. This, coupled with the growing support for private security services, is expected to contribute to the expansion of the public safety market in Latin America. Recent developments include: February 2024: Irisity, a Swedish AI and video analytics software provider, increased investments in Latin America, focusing on public security, transportation, and mission-critical infrastructure. The company supplies technology in countries like Mexico and Argentina and supports emergency services in Ecuador and the Dominican Republic. Additionally, Irisity collaborates with the Uruguayan security firm Grupo Securitas. The regional strategy includes bolstering brand recognition, expanding the team, and fostering partnerships with integrators, resellers, and camera manufacturers., June 2023: Hexagon AB's Safety, Infrastructure & Geospatial division launched a new Citizen Reporting portal for its HxGN OnCall Records suite. The portal allows citizens to file police reports online, search for incident records, request services, and view incident maps. According to the company, this public-facing portal aims to streamline interactions between citizens and law enforcement agencies, increase transparency, and alleviate staffing challenges that public safety agencies and local governments face.. Key drivers for this market are: Increasing Investments in Advanced Cybersecurity Technologies to Protect Sensitive Data, Critical Infrastructure, Stringent Government Regulations to Invest in Safety Measures to Enhance Safety. Potential restraints include: Increasing Investments in Advanced Cybersecurity Technologies to Protect Sensitive Data, Critical Infrastructure, Stringent Government Regulations to Invest in Safety Measures to Enhance Safety. Notable trends are: Software Component to Hold Significant Market Share.

Brazil led the list with a total of 4,390 kidnapping cases in the latest available data. Ecuador followed with 1,246 occurrences in 2022. On the flip side, there was only three reported kidnapping in the Antigua and Barbuda during that year. Homicides, another recurrent problem in Latin America Among the region's prevalent offenses, intentional homicide emerged as one of the main concerns in the region. Nonetheless, the rates vary among the different countries. Brazil leads the ranking of the most number of homicides in Latin America, as well as being the most populated country by far. On the other hand, Jamaica holds the top position according to the homicide rate, reporting nearly 61 instances per 100,000 inhabitants in 2023. Nevertheless, even with these varying homicide rates across countries, four out of five of the world's most perilous urban centers are situated in Mexico, with Colima leading the pack at a 2024 homicide rate of 140 per 100,000 inhabitants.

Cost of violence in Central America Following criminal acts, the responsibility for addressing the consequences falls squarely on the government, causing government expenditure to surge, called the cost of violence. Notably, Panama is more severely impacted in Central America, with the economic cost of violence per inhabitant accounting for over 3,771 U.S. dollars in 2022. In terms of a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), El Salvador takes the first place with a value of 15 percent of their GDP.

In December of 2020, nine countries in Latin America and the Caribbean had laws that considered private, consensual sexual acts between adults of the same sex a crime or illegal.

Which countries in the Caribbean criminalize same-sex relations? Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Lucia categorize consensual sexual acts between adults of the same sex either as "buggery" or "gross indecency". In Antigua and Barbuda and Saint Lucia, for instance, only homosexual relations between men are considered illegal. Despite this, Latin America and the Caribbean shows a generally high level of LGBT-friendliness toward consensual same-sex acts.

Where was same-sex intercourse first legalized in the region? Haiti has the oldest legal framework that did not criminalize homosexual relations in Latin America and the Caribbean, dating back to 1791, when it was still under French rule. This makes it one of the first countries in the world to not consider same-sex intercourse a crime. Other pioneering countries on the matter were the Dominican Republic and El Salvador, whose laws did not consider same-sex sexual acts a crime since the 1820s.