Dominica

THE ISLAND OF Dominica, which is situated between the Caribbean Sea and the north Atlantic Ocean, achieved its independence from Great Britain in 1978. With a per capita income of $5,500, Dominica is considered upper-middle-income, but the country is severely indebted. Approximately 40 percent of the labor force are involved in agriculture, mostly in growing bananas. This crop is highly vulnerable to weather conditions, and Dominica is subject to hurricanes and floods. Economic reforms were instituted in 2003, resulting in increased privatization and the removal of price controls.

The government has promoted the tourist industry in recent years, but efforts have been hampered by inadequate travel facilities and the lack of beaches. Efforts are underway to develop an offshore financial sector and to construct an oil refinery.

While attempting to grow the economy, Dominican officials must also cope with an unemployment rate of 23 percent. In 2003, a government report identified a poverty level of 40 percent, affecting 29 percent of all Dominican households. Some 39 percent of the poor lived in households headed by single mothers. In response, the government provided for aid under the Social Protection Program, the Basic Needs Trust Fund, and the Public Investment Fund.

Life expectancy among the Dominica population of 69,029 is 74.65 years, a decrease from 77 years in 2003. The median age is 29.59 years. On the average, women outlive men by six years. Around 27 percent of Dominicans are under the age of 14, and 7.9 percent are at least 65. Only three percent of Dominicans lack access to safe water, while 17 percent lack access to proper sanitation. There are 49 physicians for every 100,000 residents, and from 80 to 94 percent of the population have access to affordable essential drugs.

In 2005, infant mortality was recorded at 14.15 deaths per 1,000 live births, a reduction from 19 deaths per thousand in 1990. At 9.38 deaths per 1,000, female infants have a significantly better chance of surviving than do male infants at 18.68 deaths per 1,000. The mortality rate for all children under the age of 5 is 14 deaths per 1,000, a decrease from 23 deaths per 1,000 in 1990.

Five percent of Dominican children are malnourished, and 10 percent of babies are underweight at birth. Six percent of children under 5 suffer moderate to severe stunting, and two percent experience moderate to severe wasting. Childhood immunizations are virtually universal in Dominica, with only one percent of children between birth and 23 months failing to receive the proper vaccinations.

Fertility is low on the island, and women produce an average of 1.96 children each. This is a significant decrease from the 3.9 children per woman recorded in 1980. The fertility rate of females aged 15 to 19 is 46 per 1000. Half of all women use contraceptives of some sort. All births in Dominica take place in health centers or hospitals. Between 1985 and 2003, maternal mortality was estimated at 67 deaths per 100,000 live births.

Dominica defines literacy as ever having attended school. Based on this definition, 94 percent of both males and females are literate.

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