Dominican Republic Stands Out Among Countries with the Lowest Bureaucratic Burden in 2025

The Dominican Republic ranks among the countries with the lowest bureaucratic burden for the establishment and operation of businesses, according to the results of the 2025 Bureaucracy Index, prepared by the Adam Smith Center for Economic Freedom at Florida International University (FIU).

The study, which analyzes 21 countries across Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe, reveals that the regional average for opening a mid-sized company is 1,850 hours, equivalent to about eight months of administrative work. However, the Dominican Republic positions itself among the nations with the best performance, ranking in the most efficient cluster with a 500-hour score , alongside Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Spain, Mexico, Paraguay, Portugal and Uruguay.

Likewise, the index highlights that companies spend an average of 1,577 hours per year complying with the requirements needed to operate formally. Once again, the Dominican Republic ranks among the countries with the most efficient processes, according to the study’s cluster analysis.

Official sources add that this favorable performance reflects progress in streamlining procedures, digitizing services, and strengthening the business climate. According to the Dominican Government, the country is now one of the most efficient in the region for starting a business.

The 2025 Bureaucracy Index underscores that administrative efficiency is key to competitiveness, as excessive bureaucracy can represent a significant opportunity cost for economies. On average, the procedures related to business creation and operation amount to potential losses estimated at more than USD 110 billion per year among the countries evaluated.