Santo Domingo

UN & international careers in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Santo Domingo at a Glance Compare with

Considering a career with the UN or another international organization in Dominican Republic? This profile covers cost of living and purchasing power, the ICSC hardship classification and human development — so you know what living there really means. For pay by grade, see the Salary & Benefits tab.

Capital
Santo Domingo
Currency
Peso (DOP)
Region
North America
Languages
Spanish
Area
48,730 km²
Calling code
+1
Cost of Living & Purchasing Power
38 / 100 (US = 100)
local spending goes
2.6× as far as in the US

This is the World Bank price-level index: a whole-economy, national average of consumer prices benchmarked against the United States as a whole (US = 100), from the International Comparison Program. It is a country-level figure — it isn't tied to a specific city or measured against New York. At about 38, everyday prices in Dominican Republic are roughly 38% of US levels, so local-currency spending goes about 2.6× as far. (World Bank, 2026.)

How this relates to your UN pay. For internationally-recruited (P / D) staff, the UN's post adjustment — set per duty station against New York, not the US average — is what actually governs your purchasing power. It already prices in local costs (here about 30%), so it isn't added on top of the saving above. For locally-recruited (GS / NO) staff — paid in local currency with no post adjustment — this national index is the more useful lifestyle guide.
How this is measured (World Bank ICP)
Human Development & Quality of Life
High Human Development
0.776 HDI rank #89 of 193
74
Life expectancy (yrs)
$22,024
GNI / capita
9.4
Mean yrs schooling
13.6
Expected yrs schooling

The UNDP Human Development Index combines health, education and income. Dominican Republic is in the high band — a useful signal of living conditions, services and schooling for staff and accompanying family. UNDP data

What a UN posting pays here

See what each grade earns in Santo Domingo — post adjustment, hardship and danger pay.

Salary & Benefits by grade
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