Who Leads Dominica?

Leadership

Roosevelt Skerrit

Prime Minister of Dominica

Political Party

Dominica Labour Party

Inaugurated

Jan 8, 2004

Term Ends

2029

Next Election

2029

Born

Jun 8, 1972 in Vieille Case, Dominica

Country Population

73K

Continent

North America

Roosevelt Skerrit has been Prime Minister since 2004, becoming one of the world's youngest heads of government at age 31. He has led Dominica through the devastating Hurricane Maria and championed the vision of making Dominica the world's first climate-resilient nation. His citizenship-by-investment program has been a significant revenue source.

Government

Capital

Roseau

Official Language(s)

English

Currency

East Caribbean Dollar (XCD)

Government Type

Parliamentary Republic

Area

751 km²

Dominica is a mountainous Caribbean island known as the 'Nature Isle' for its pristine rainforests, hot springs, and the world's second-largest boiling lake. Not to be confused with the Dominican Republic, this small nation has a unique Carib Territory home to the indigenous Kalinago people. The island was devastated by Hurricane Maria in 2017 and has been rebuilding with climate resilience in mind.

Dominica is a parliamentary republic. President Sylvanie Burton has been president since October 2023. Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit (Dominica Labour Party; DLP) has been PM since January 8, 2004 (20+ years; the Caribbean's longest-serving PM). The House of Assembly has 21 elected and 9 Senate seats. Skerrit was re-elected in December 2022; opposition parties have contested election administration.

Economic Snapshot

GDP

$650M

GDP Per Capita

$8,900

Income Group

Upper-middle income

Trade Balance

Deficit

Inflation

5.2% (Central Statistical Office, 2023)

Dominica's economy pivots on two pillars: CIP revenues (~$100+ million/year; approximately 14% of GDP for a 75,000-person country) and ecotourism (growing; the island's extraordinary natural environment is increasingly competitive). The 'Climate Resilient Nation' goal aims to make Dominica a model for sustainable island development.

Major Industries

• Tourism (ecotourism; diving; whale watching; Morne Trois Pitons National Park UNESCO; Boiling Lake trekking; growing)
• Citizenship by Investment (CIP; a major revenue source; approximately $100+ million/year)
• Agriculture (bananas; declining; mangoes; citrus; root vegetables)
• Financial services (offshore; small)

Dominica is known for: Dominica has a Boiling Lake (the world's second-largest boiling lake; 60-65°C; 60 m diameter; inside the Valley of Desolation caldera; a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of Morne Trois Pitons National Park): a flooded fumarole heated by volcanic activity; the steam rising from it creates an ethereal mist. Dominica also has the last Kalinago (Carib) people living in an officially designated Caribbean territory (the Kalinago Territory; approximately 3,000 people; northeastern Dominica).

Trade Profile

Large goods deficit offset by CIP revenues and growing ecotourism.

Top Exports

• Tourism revenues
• CIP revenues
• Agricultural products (bananas; root crops)
• Rum (minor)

Top Imports

• Consumer goods
• Food
• Petroleum
• Machinery
• Vehicles

Export Destinations

• United States
• United Kingdom

Import Partners

• United States
• Trinidad and Tobago

The world depends on Dominica for: Nothing critical; significant as a SIDS climate resilience model and Kalinago heritage

Dominica depends on the world for: Food; petroleum; consumer goods; tourist visitors; CIP investor demand

Global Role

Dominica's global significance is the Boiling Lake (world's second-largest), the last Kalinago territory in the Caribbean, Hurricane Maria's near-total destruction and 'World's First Climate Resilient Nation' rebuilding effort, and Morne Trois Pitons National Park (UNESCO).

• The Boiling Lake (Morne Trois Pitons National Park; UNESCO World Heritage; 60-65°C; 60 m diameter; one of the world's largest boiling lakes) is one of the Caribbean's most spectacular natural phenomena; reaching it requires a challenging 6-7 hour hike through volcanic terrain
• Dominica has the Western Hemisphere's last Kalinago (indigenous Carib) territory: approximately 3,000 Kalinago people live in the formally designated territory (northeastern Dominica); they are the only Caribbean indigenous people to maintain a designated homeland
• Hurricane Maria (September 18, 2017; Category 5; nearly direct hit) destroyed approximately 90% of Dominican structures; killed approximately 31 people; caused approximately $1.3 billion in damage (approximately GDP-equivalent); Dominica's 'World's First Climate Resilient Nation' rebuilding commitment has become a model for SIDS climate adaptation
• Dominica's Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP; established 1993; one of the world's oldest) generates approximately $100+ million/year for a country of 75,000 people; it is a major government revenue source

Frequently Asked Questions

Who governs Dominica?

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit (DLP; Dominica Labour Party) has governed since January 2004 (20+ years; the Caribbean's longest-serving PM). President Sylvanie Burton (since October 2023) is head of state. Dominica is a parliamentary republic.

What is Dominica's Boiling Lake?

The Boiling Lake (Morne Trois Pitons National Park; UNESCO) is one of the world's largest boiling lakes (60 m diameter; 60-65°C surface temperature); it's a flooded fumarole in a volcanic crater; steam creates an otherworldly mist; accessible by a challenging 6-7 hour return trek through the Valley of Desolation.

Related Countries

• Saint Lucia: Eastern Caribbean CARICOM neighbor; both are volcanic island nations known for natural beauty; comparison of Caribbean ecotourism models
• Barbados: CARICOM partner; Barbados is the nearest significant English-speaking Caribbean island
• France: Guadeloupe and Martinique (French overseas territories) are immediately adjacent to Dominica; French traders are major economic partners; historical French-British competition for Dominica