Dominica is aiming to increase its resident population to 100,000 by 2040 through a series of measures designed to encourage members of the diaspora to return home while attracting skilled professionals, retirees, entrepreneurs and remote workers.

Announcing the initiative during his 2026/27 budget presentation in the House of Assembly on Tuesday, Finance Minister Dr Irving McIntyre said the government will establish a National Population Renewal and Global Dominican Engagement Programme to help address labour shortages and support the country’s long-term economic growth.

Dominica has a population that hovers between 67,000 and 73,000 people. 

Increasing the population has been on the government’s radar for sometime. 

In 2020, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit encouraged Dominicans to have more children.

“I think I need about 40,000 more people in Dominica. And, I am concern about this one child per home that we have in Dominica. Back in the days when we had no roads, no schools, the people were making 17 children. Now you have people with a child in their big house. So we have to fix that,” he said while speaking during an “Anou Palay” broadcast in November 2020.

McIntyre said the country’s development depends not only on major infrastructure projects but also on having enough people with the skills needed to sustain them.

“As our 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,” he said, referring to Dominicans living overseas.

Among the measures is legislation that will allow people with at least one grandparent born in Dominica to apply for citizenship from January 1, 2027, provided they can prove their ancestry, identity and good character.

The government also plans to create a Global Dominican Talent Register, allowing people of Dominican heritage with expertise in areas such as medicine, engineering, education, business, science, sports and the arts to register their skills and be matched with opportunities to contribute to national development.

In another move aimed at attracting new residents, Dominica will introduce a free two-year “Live in Dominica” residence visa for eligible remote workers, retirees and financially independent individuals and families who earn their income overseas.

Applicants will be required to demonstrate that they can support themselves financially, maintain adequate health insurance and satisfy immigration and security requirements.

Returning nationals will also benefit from a Returning Dominican One-Stop Service, which will assist with housing, business registration, school enrolment, utilities, licences and other services to make the relocation process easier.

To help fill labour shortages, the government will introduce a fast-track Essential Skills and Entrepreneur Residence Permit for professionals in areas where there is a verified national need, including nurses, engineers and skilled tradespeople, as well as entrepreneurs establishing businesses that create jobs for Dominicans.

The government also intends to strengthen engagement with citizens who obtained Dominican nationality through the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programme.

Under legislation passed last year, new economic citizens are required to establish a genuine connection with Dominica, spend at least 30 days in the country during their first five years of citizenship and participate in approved integration programmes.

McIntyre said the government intends to ensure those requirements are fully implemented to encourage more economic citizens to purchase homes, establish businesses and invest in the country.

The initiatives will be supported by additional policies, including identifying land for residential and commercial development, offering incentives for second-home ownership and retirement living, streamlining investment approvals and planning new growth areas to accommodate an expanding population.