Young men are the overwhelming majority of homicide and accident victims in the Dominican Republic

Young men between the ages of 15 and 35 are disproportionately represented among victims of external causes of death in the Dominican Republic, according to a bulletin analyzing youth statistics. This demographic faces significant risks during a critical life stage typically associated with education, career building, and family formation.

From 2007 to 2024, individuals within this age range accounted for an average of 60.82% of all registered homicides in the country. The data reveals a stark gender disparity, with 91.03% of young homicide victims being male and only 8.97% being female. Similarly, young men dominated suicide statistics, making up 82.20% of victims, and traffic accident fatalities, comprising 89.16% of young individuals killed in such incidents.

Beyond mortality statistics, this life stage also involves significant demographic events like early parenthood. Between 2010 and 2024, young parents aged 15 to 24 accounted for 35.05% of all registered births. The younger segment of this group, aged 15 to 19, contributed 10.72% of births, while those aged 20 to 24 represented a larger share at 24.33%.

The bulletin emphasizes that early-age maternity and paternity are crucial demographic and social phenomena. These occurrences have profound implications for educational and career trajectories, as well as for household dynamics and structure. The statistics underscore the multifaceted challenges and life events shaping the experiences of young people in the Dominican Republic.