Emigration

In the 1970’s, Dominican emigration to Venezuela was primarily economically motivated. The oil boom in Venezuela and a recession on the island due to a decrease in the price of sugar on international markets combined to result in emigration from the Dominican Republic. The Dominican community in Venezuela, which had not surpassed 2,000 legal residents, grew to 17,469 legal residents in 1981. The vast majority of those emigrating from the Dominican Republic at this time would be considered humble peasants.

Although migratory flows from the DR to Venezuela have lessened since this time, currently certain figures indicate that some 100,000 Dominicans are resident in Venezuela. Dominicans make up the most numerous community of Caribbean descent in this South American nation.

Women and young people of very limited resources and from rural areas make up the majority of Dominican immigrants to Venezuela. Generally, they work as laborers, domestic workers, and hairdressers. Prostitution is also a source of employment for some. In recent years, as opposed to groups of other nationalities, Dominicans show a great tendency towards their homeland, interspersing temporary stopovers in both countries. According to data from the year 2000, Dominicans are the Caribbean immigrants who most often opt to naturalize as Venezuelans.

Source: “Diagnostic of Caribbean Migrations to Venezuela”, International Organization Migration (IOM), Buenos Aires, 2000.