DOMINICA TARGETS 100,000 POPULATION BY 2040

The government of Dominica has embarked on an ambitious plan to expand the island’s population by over a quarter by 2040. The current population is 71,946, according to the government’s Citizens By Investment(CBI) website, quoting United Nations estimates. In the recent budget address, the government announced that it aimed to increase that number to 100,000 over the next 14 years. It would mean a population increase of around 28,000 by the target date of 2040, averaging an additional 1,750 people added to the population each year until then.

The plan which has attracted the attention of international media and other interested parties, was outlined in a National Population Renewal and Global Dominican Engagement Programme{NPR/GDEP) during the country’s budget presentation.

“The Dominican family extends far beyond our shores. It includes citizens who migrated, their children and grandchildren, and others who retain a connection to Dominica through family and culture. They have acquired valuable skills, professional experience, business networks and capital,” the country’s Minister of Finance, Dr Irving McIntyre, announced while delivering the budget address.

The scheme is heavily focused on encouraging Dominicans in the diaspora to return home, and it offers citizenship to persons with at least one grandparent born in Dominica. The latter component, to be detailed in upcoming legislation, is expected to be rushed through the country’s parliament in order for it to take effect by January 1st 2027.

“Many descendants are now two or three generations removed from the island but still retain a strong family connection. Citizenship can encourage them to participate more fully in national life - visit more often, restore family property, establish businesses, and invest,” the government says.

WIDER GROWTH PLAN

The ‘population and migration measures’ section outlined in the budget states: “The resident-population target is 100,000 by 2040. The National Population Renewal and Global Dominican Engagement Programme contains six main measures. From 1 January 2027, legislation is planned to permit citizenship applications by people with at least one Dominican-born grandparent, subject to ancestry, identity and good-character checks. A Global Dominican Talent Register will list skills and availability among people of Dominican ancestry.”

It also says that eligible remote workers, retirees and financially independent applicants will be offered a free two-year “Live in Dominica” residence visa, subject to self-support, health-coverage, immigration and security requirements. A Returning Dominican One-Stop Service will assist with housing, business registration, school placement, licences and utilities. A fast-track Essential Skills and Entrepreneur Residence Permit will cover verified shortages and qualifying entrepreneurs.

Also included in Dominica’s population growth plan is the high-profile Citizen By Investment(CBI) scheme, which has been the subject of much controversy, with Dominica and other Caribbean countries offering the passport scheme coming under intense pressure, especially from the United States and the European Union over ‘border security’ concerns.

“New CBI citizens are required to establish a genuine link, spend at least 30 days in Dominica during their first five years of citizenship and take part in approved integration programmes,” the Dominica government says about the CBI element of its 2040 population growth plan.

Dominica is presently in the midst of a massive national infrastructure, social and economic development plan being carried out by the Dominica Labour Party government of Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit.

“As the economy is transformed by the international airport, geothermal energy, the marina, expanded tourism, modern infrastructure, and new investment opportunities, we want them to know that this is an ideal time to return home…Our vision also extends to investors, retirees, CBI citizens, remote workers, entrepreneurs, skilled professionals, many of whom are looking for safe, stable and welcoming places to live, invest and spend more of their time,” said Finance Minister McIntyre.

The ruling Dominica Labour Party, led by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit - who has been in post since 2004 - retained power in the 2022 snap general election. That poll, boycotted by the opposition United Workers’ Party (UWP) and the Dominica Freedom Party (DFP), resulted in the ruling DLP winning 19 of the 21 seats. The next general election is due by 2028.