Monday, June 13, 2011

Bienvenidos a la República Dominicana

  
 Dominican Republic is located between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean. It shares an island with Haiti. The Dominican Republic has been an independent nation since February 27, 1844. The Dominican Republic is a democratic republic. The current president is Leonel Fernandez. The island consists of 31 provinces. The population is currently 9.9 million. The median age is 26. The official language is Spanish. Ninety-five of the population is Roman Catholic.  

   
The Dominican Republic is ranked third lowest in Latin America in terms of social spending Dominican Republic economy depends on exports such as sugar, coffee, and tobacco.  Recently Dominican Republic has overtaken agriculture as the economy largest employer, due to growth in telecommunication, tourism, and free trade zones.  Their economy is highly dependent upon the US, the destination for nearly 60% of the exports.  
Dominican Republic is located between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean. It shares an island with Haiti. The Dominican Republic has been an independent nation since February 27, 1844. The Dominican Republic is a democratic republic. The current president is Leonel Fernandez. The island consists of 31 provinces. The population is currently 9.9 million. The median age is 26. The official language is Spanish. Ninety-five of the population is Roman Catholic.     
The Dominican Republic is ranked third lowest in Latin America in terms of social spending Dominican Republic economy depends on exports such as sugar, coffee, and tobacco.  Recently Dominican Republic has overtaken agriculture as the economy largest employer, due to growth in telecommunication, tourism, and free trade zones.  Their economy is highly dependent upon the US, the destination for nearly 60% of the exports.  
Information provided by The CIA World Factbook

Demographic Profile

 
According to the 2010 World Population Data Sheet the population in the Dominican Republic is approximately 9.9 million and is projected to reach 13.2 million by 2050. The average Gross National Income per capital average is 10,030.  However, the Gross National Income per capital was at 7,890 in the Dominican Republic which makes it a developing country.  There are 23 births per 1,000 total population. There are 6 deaths per 1,000 total population. Its rate of natural increase is 1.7 percent, which is above the world average of 1.2 percent, and above the regional average of 1.1 percent. Which means it will double in population in 41 years. Currently 32 percent of the population is under the age of 15 and 6 percent of the population is over the age of 65. In 2010 the elderly support ratio was at 10; however this is expected to decline in 2050 to 4.

According to the World Population Data Sheet the world average total fertility rate is 2.5.  The regional total fertility rate is at 2.4. In the Dominican Republic the total fertility rate is slightly higher at 2.7. Dominican Republic has been taking measures to control their population with the use of family planning. Seventy-Three percent of married women 15-49 used all methods of contraceptives and about sixty percent used modern methods of contraceptives.The world’s average life expectancy is 69 years for both sexes.  For males is it 67 years. For females it is 71 years. In the Dominican Republic the life expectancy is 72 for both sexes, 69 years for males, and 75 years for females.

Information Provided 2010 World Population Data Sheet

Top Five Current Problems

  1.  Water Storages  
Water Storages is a huge issue in the Dominican Republic.  For example in the city of La Colorada Arriba in the Dominican Republic there are 900 inhabitants.  They currently do not have access to portable water. To meet their daily needs, families currently collect rain and stream water that is contaminated with parasites from passing trucks. Drinking contaminated water is not healthy for anyone, particularly the young children and the elderly. Drinking this contaminated water can cause diarrhea which can lead to serious health complications, including dehydration and malnutrition, or even death. (Water Charity, 2011)  Water is a key component to our survival. If not attend to this could affect the health and well-being of the population in the Dominican Republic.
  1. Deforestation
Deforestation has caused soil erosion, the drying of rivers, and a decrease in rainfall. Soil erosion causes farmers to lose more of their land suitable for planting every year.  The primary source of income of the communities is agricultural production. The clearing of land for agriculture has caused widespread deforestation, which has had a significant effect on the livelihood of the inhabitants. (Water Charity, 2011) Deforestation does not only affect the land.  It has negative effects on their food supply.  Dominican Republic is an island which is highly dependent on their natural resources. The nation relies on goods to export.  This is important because it generates money into their economy.  If deforestation continues it will lead to economical and agricultural problems.
  1.  Natural Hazards
Dominican Republic lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and is subject to storms from June to October. The hurricane season in the Caribbean frequently coincides with heavy rains, which may cause flash floods, landslides and periodic droughts.  The natural hazards are a serious situation because often times it leads to death.  For example In September 1998, Hurricane Georges had a devastating impact on the country. It is important to understand what precautions could be done in order to protect the safety of the inhabitants in the Dominican Republic.    
  1. Ecotourism.
According to The World Factbook 63% of the labor force in the Dominican Republic is in services. Tourism is an important factor in the Dominican Republic because much of the economy generates renew from the leisure industry.  However tourism can have negative effects on the island of Dominican Republic. For example tourism affects the beaches because much of the hotels are built on them. The Dominican Republic is fighting to hold onto its beaches and transform them into a low-key, environmentally sustainable tourist destination.  This is important because this idea generates revenue for the nation while protecting their environment.  
  1. Migration
The Dominican Republic net migration rate is -3 per 1,000 total population. Although it may not Poverty in Dominican Republicseem like a lot, there is a migration issue occurring.  As we know the Dominican Republic shares an island with Haiti.  Since the natural disaster in Haiti many of the inhabitants of Haiti look for refuge in the Dominican Republic. The Dominican Republic was the first country to give aid to Haiti in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake.  (CNN World News, 2010)  However there are some negative effects of immigration for instances the transmission of diseases.   
This information provided by The CIA World Factbook, CNN World News, and Water Charity





Looking Ahead in 2050

According to 2010 World Population data Sheet the population in the Dominican Republic will reach 13.2 million. As I mention before 32% of the population are under the age of fifteen while 6% of the population are over the age of sixty-five. The decades of high fertility rates in the less developed countries have meant ever increasing numbers of young people. (Transtions in the World Population, 2004) According to The World Population Highlights (PRB, 2009) as the fertility rates decline and the young population grow older in many of the less develop countries, a bulge in the working age population with few children and elderly to support may provide benefits.  This demographic dividend can bring improvements in society by allowing more investments in education, technology this will contribute to the nation economy. However there could be a negative side to this argument with a population of so many young people this could lead to a lack of job opportunities.  Latin America will have a populous nation.  Because of the amount of people in Latin America this will also affect migration patterns. With this growing population this will shift people in and out of their country which will also trigger economic shifts.       


This information provided by the 2010 World Population Data Sheet

End Poverty and Hunger

The first challenge on the Millennium Goal list is to “Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger.” To achieve this goal it requires participation from the political government.  It is necessary to means to meet daily needs.  About 42.2% of the Dominican Republic population lives under poverty, while 8% lives in extreme poverty.  During the previous decade, the former figure was at 63% and latter stood at 12.8%. (UNICEF, 2011) This is testament that there has been progress, however the battle against poverty and hunger in the Dominican Republic remains a crucial issue. The current government priorities have focused on social investments as a way of redistributing wealth, reducing poverty, and stimulating sustainable human development.
Universal Education
“Universal education” goal seems to be an achievable goal in the Dominican Republic.  The children have access to education services; they are mainly geared to the population between 6 and 18 years old.  The National Household Survey (Enhogar), conducted in 2006 by the National Statistics Office (ONE) with technical and financial support from UNICEF, found that 92% of the children go to primary school and that 89% of these reach 5th grade. (UNICEF, 2011 )    

Child Health

“Child Health” is another target on the millennium development goal. One example of this is policy was implemented by the Dominican Republic government and the National Campaign for the Reduction of Infant and Maternal Mortality called the “Zero Tolerance.” The Dominican Republic is committed to achieving the Millennium Development Goals and Objectives by the year 2015, in September 2005 the Dominican Ministry of Health and Social Assistance (SESPAS) embarked on a national campaign of “zero tolerance” for diseases and deaths as a result of preventable health problems. (UNICEF,)
Gender Equity
The target of “gender equality” is a goal Dominican Republic is working on.  According to the UNICEF website 1.2 girls attend elementary school for every boy.  Thirty-seen percent of male population and 50% of the female population attend high school. The Dominican Republic government is making efforts to increase investments in education, strengthening programs in the sector at the national level, and ensuring improved coverage and quality of services. (UNICEF,)

Maternal Health

“Maternal Health” is a millennium development goal still in progress.  According to The Center for Health and Gender equity approximately 74,000 of these deaths are due to unsafe abortion. Millions of women experience serious, debilitating health conditions as a result of pregnancy and childbirth complications each year. According to the World Population Data Sheet infant mortality rate is very high at 30. The ENHOGAR 2006 survey showed that 95% of the pregnant women receive pre-natal care, and that 96% of births are within a health care facility, 97% of these in the presence of qualified personnel.  In the Dominican Republic they are educating nurses and doctors techniques for obstetric procedures, with the goal of lowering the country’s high maternal mortality rate. In 2002, there were 178 maternal deaths for every 100,000 births, mostly caused by preventable complications, such as infections or hemorrhaging. The training course provides health care professionals with the information they need to recognize and address certain situations immediately — when the right care and attention can make all the difference. (Training to Reduce Maternal Mortality. 2011. USAID)