Society of Dominica

society2

KEY FACTS 2015

Population per sq km: 97

Life expectancy: 76 years (est.)

Net primary enrolment: 92% (2010)


Population: 72,000 (2015); 70 per cent of people live in urban areas; growth 0.5 per cent p.a. 1990–2015, due mainly to the emigration of young people; birth rate 16 per 1,000 people (est. 26 in 1970); life expectancy 76 years.

The population is mostly of African and mixed African/European descent, with European, Syrian and Carib (2.9 per cent in 2001 census) minorities. There is a Carib reserve on part of the east of the island, referred to as the Carib Territory.

Language: The official language is English; a French-based Creole is spoken by most of the population.

Religion: Mainly Christians (Roman Catholics 61 per cent, Seventh Day Adventists six per cent, Pentecostals six per cent, Baptists four per cent, Methodists four per cent; 2001 census).

Media: The Chronicle (founded in 1909), The Sun, The Times and The Tropical Star are all weekly.

The Dominica Broadcasting Corporation provides a public radio service, competing with several commercial and faith stations. There is no national TV service on the island but a private cable network covers part of the country.

Public holidays: New Year’s Day, Labour Day (first Monday in May), August Monday (first Monday in August), National Day (3 November), Community Service Day (4 November), Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Religious festivals whose dates vary from year to year include Carnival (two days in February/March), Good Friday, Easter Monday and Whit Monday