Haiti troubles
Last reviewed: 12-02-2009
Haiti
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BASIC FACTS
Capital
Port-Au-Prince
Language
French and Creole are the official languages, although Creole is more widely spoken.
Source: New Internationalist World Guide
Area size
27560 sq. km
Area comparison
Slightly smaller than Belgium
Population
| 2009 | 10.0 million | U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) Population Division (2009) |
| 2007 | 9.5 million | U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) Population Division (2006) |
| 2006 | 9.4 million | U.N. DESA (2006) |
| 2005 | 9.3 million | U.N. DESA (2006) |
| 2004 | 9.1 million | U.N. DESA (2006) |
| 2003 | 9.0 million | U.N. DESA (2006) |
| 2002 | 8.9 million | U.N. DESA (2006) |
| 2001 | 8.7 million | U.N. DESA (2006) |
| 2000 | 8.6 million | U.N. DESA (2006) |
Future population estimates
15.5 million (2050)
Source: U.N. DESA (2009)
PEOPLE
Language
French and Creole are the official languages, although Creole is more widely spoken.
Source: New Internationalist World Guide
Population
Future population estimates
15.5 million (2050)
Source: U.N. DESA (2009)
Ethnic groups
Nearly 95 percent of the population are descendants of African slaves. There are also minorities of European and Asian origin as well as a small mestizo (mixed descent) group.
Source: NI World Guide
Religion
Around 80 percent are Catholics and 16 percent Protestant. However, most Haitians also practice vodou, a mixture of Christian and African beliefs.
Source: NI World Guide
Percentage urban population
Year women granted right to vote
1950
Source: U.N. Development Programme (UNDP) Human Development Report
Where two figures are shown, the first refers to a partial recognition of the right to vote and the second to the year women received the right to vote on a universal and equal basis.
Net percentage of girls enrolled in primary education
No data available
Percentage of population under 15
French and Creole are the official languages, although Creole is more widely spoken.
Source: New Internationalist World Guide
Population
| 2009 | 10.0 million | U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) Population Division (2009) |
| 2007 | 9.5 million | U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) Population Division (2006) |
| 2006 | 9.4 million | U.N. DESA (2006) |
| 2005 | 9.3 million | U.N. DESA (2006) |
| 2004 | 9.1 million | U.N. DESA (2006) |
| 2003 | 9.0 million | U.N. DESA (2006) |
| 2002 | 8.9 million | U.N. DESA (2006) |
| 2001 | 8.7 million | U.N. DESA (2006) |
| 2000 | 8.6 million | U.N. DESA (2006) |
Future population estimates
15.5 million (2050)
Source: U.N. DESA (2009)
Ethnic groups
Nearly 95 percent of the population are descendants of African slaves. There are also minorities of European and Asian origin as well as a small mestizo (mixed descent) group.
Source: NI World Guide
Religion
Around 80 percent are Catholics and 16 percent Protestant. However, most Haitians also practice vodou, a mixture of Christian and African beliefs.
Source: NI World Guide
Percentage urban population
| 2007 | 40.1 percent | U.N. DESA - World Urbanisation Prospects 2005 |
| 2006 | 39.4 percent | U.N. DESA (2005) |
| 2005 | 38.8 percent | U.N. DESA (2005) |
| 2004 | 38.1 percent | U.N. DESA (2005) |
| 2003 | 37.5 percent | U.N. DESA (2005) |
| 2002 | 36.9 percent | U.N. DESA (2005) |
| 2001 | 36.2 percent | U.N. DESA (2005) |
| 2000 | 35.6 percent | U.N. DESA (2005) |
Year women granted right to vote
1950
Source: U.N. Development Programme (UNDP) Human Development Report
Where two figures are shown, the first refers to a partial recognition of the right to vote and the second to the year women received the right to vote on a universal and equal basis.
Net percentage of girls enrolled in primary education
No data available
Percentage of population under 15
| 2005 | 38.0 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008 |
| 2004 | 38.0 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2006 |
| 2003 | 38.6 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 2002 | 39.1 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 2001 | 39.8 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2003 |
| 2000 | 40.6 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2002 |
USEFUL INFORMATION
Time zone
GMT -4
Climate description
Caribbean climate with wetter period between April and October; winters are warm and sunny and summers hot.
Currency
Gourde
Telephone dialling code
(+) 509
Driving (left/right)
Right
GMT -4
Climate description
Caribbean climate with wetter period between April and October; winters are warm and sunny and summers hot.
Currency
Gourde
Telephone dialling code
(+) 509
Driving (left/right)
Right
STANDARD OF LIVING
Average life expectancy
Life expectancy - male
Life expectancy - female
Infant mortality
Child mortality - deaths before the age of five
Births attended by skilled personnel
Maternal mortality
Human development index (HDI rank)
Percentage of children under weight for age (under age 5)
Percentage of undernourished population
Food intake falls below the minimum requirement.
Population with access to improved water
Population with access to improved sanitation
Literacy - average
Literacy - male
Literacy - female
Landlines telephones
Cellular telephone subscribers
Internet users
Transparency International corruption ranking (Scale: 1 = least corrupt, >175 = most corrupt)
Signatory of International Convention on the Prevention and Punishment for the crime of Genocide
Yes (1948)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report
Signatory of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
No (1984)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report
Signatory of the Convention on the Rights of the Child
Yes (1989)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report
| 2005 | 59.5 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008 |
| 2004 | 52.0 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2006 |
| 2003 | 51.6 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 2002 | 49.5 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 2001 | 49.1 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2003 |
| 2000 | 52.6 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2002 |
Life expectancy - male
| 2005 | 57.7 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008 |
| 2004 | 51.3 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2006 |
| 2003 | 50.8 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 2002 | 48.8 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 2001 | 48.5 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2003 |
| 2000 | 49.7 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2002 |
Life expectancy - female
| 2005 | 61.3 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008 |
| 2004 | 52.7 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2006 |
| 2003 | 52.4 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 2002 | 49.9 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 2001 | 49.8 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2003 |
| 2000 | 55.7 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2002 |
Infant mortality
| 2007 | 57 per 1,000 live births | U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) - State of the World's Children 2009 |
| 2006 | 60 per 1,000 live births | UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2008 |
| 2005 | 84 per 1,000 live births | U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) - State of the World's Children 2007 |
| 2004 | 74 per 1,000 live births | UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2006 |
| 2003 | 76 per 1,000 live births | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 2002 | 79 per 1,000 live births | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 2001 | 79 per 1,000 live births | UNDP - Human Development Report 2003 |
| 2000 | 81 per 1,000 live births | UNDP - Human Development Report 2002 |
Child mortality - deaths before the age of five
| 2007 | 76 per 1,000 live births | U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) - State of the World's Children 2009 |
| 2006 | 80 per 1,000 live births | UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2008 |
| 2005 | 120 per 1,000 live births | UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2007 |
| 2004 | 117 per 1,000 live births | UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2006 |
| 2003 | 118 per 1,000 live births | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 2002 | 123 per 1,000 live births | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 2000 | 125 per 1,000 live births | UNDP - Human Development Report 2002 |
Births attended by skilled personnel
| 1997-2005 | 24 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008 |
| 1996-2004 | 24 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2006 |
| 1995-2003 | 24 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 1995-2002 | 24 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 1995-2001 | 24 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2003 |
| 1995-2000 | 24 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2002 |
Maternal mortality
| 2005 | 670 per 100,000 live births | UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008 |
| 2000 | 680 per 100,000 live births | UNDP - Human Development Report 2006 |
Human development index (HDI rank)
| 2005 | 146 | UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008 |
| 2004 | 154 | UNDP - Human Development Report 2006 |
| 2003 | 153 | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 2002 | 153 | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 2001 | 150 | UNDP - Human Development Report 2003 |
| 2000 | 146 | UNDP - Human Development Report 2002 |
Percentage of children under weight for age (under age 5)
| 2000-2007 | 22 percent | U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) - State of the World's Children 2009 |
| 2000-2006 | 22 percent | UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2008 |
| 1996-2005 | 17 percent | UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2007 |
| 1996-2004 | 17 percent | UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2006 |
| 1995-2003 | 17 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 1995-2002 | 17 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 1995-2001 | 17 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2003 |
| 1995-2000 | 28 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2002 |
Percentage of undernourished population
| 2003-2005 | 58 percent | U.N. Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) 2008 |
| 2002-2004average | 46 percent | U.N. Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) 2006 |
| 2001-2003average | 47 percent | FAO 2006 |
Food intake falls below the minimum requirement.
Population with access to improved water
| 2006 | 58 percent | UNICEF and WHO 2008 |
| 2004 | 54 percent | UNICEF and World Health Organisation (WHO) 2006 |
| 2002 | 71 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 2000 | 46 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
Population with access to improved sanitation
| 2006 | 19 percent | UNICEF and WHO 2008 |
| 2004 | 30 percent | UNICEF and WHO 2006 |
| 2002 | 34 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 2000 | 28 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
Literacy - average
| 2004 | No data available percent | |
| 2003 | 51.9 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 2002 | 51.9 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 2001 | 50.8 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2003 |
| 2000 | 49.8 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2002 |
Literacy - male
| 2004 | No data available percent | |
| 2003 | 53.8 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 2002 | 53.8 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 2001 | 52.9 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2003 |
| 2000 | 52.0 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2002 |
Literacy - female
| 2004 | No data available percent | |
| 2003 | 54 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 2002 | 50 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 2001 | 48.9 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2003 |
| 2000 | 47.8 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2002 |
Landlines telephones
| 2008 | 11 per 1,000 people | ITU 2009 |
| 2007 | 11 per 1,000 people | ITU 2009 |
| 2006 | 16 per 1,000 people | ITU 2009 |
| 2005 | 15 per 1,000 people | ITU 2009 |
| 2004 | 15 per 1,000 people | ITU 2009 |
| 2003 | 15 per 1,000 people | ITU 2009 |
| 2002 | 15 per 1,000 people | ITU 2009 |
| 2001 | 9 per 1,000 people | ITU 2009 |
| 2000 | 8 per 1,000 people | ITU 2009 |
Cellular telephone subscribers
| 2008 | 324 per 1,000 people | ITU 2009 |
| 2007 | 257 per 1,000 people | ITU 2009 |
| 2006 | 126 per 1,000 people | ITU 2009 |
| 2005 | 53 per 1,000 people | ITU 2009 |
| 2004 | 43 per 1,000 people | ITU 2009 |
| 2003 | 35 per 1,000 people | ITU 2009 |
| 2002 | 16 per 1,000 people | ITU 2009 |
| 2001 | 10 per 1,000 people | ITU 2009 |
| 2000 | 6 per 1,000 people | ITU 2009 |
Internet users
| 2008 | 104 per 1,000 people | ITU 2009 |
| 2007 | 104 per 1,000 people | ITU 2009 |
| 2006 | 75 per 1,000 people | ITU 2009 |
| 2005 | 70 per 1,000 people | ITU 2009 |
| 2004 | 60 per 1,000 people | ITU 2009 |
| 2003 | 18 per 1,000 people | ITU 2009 |
| 2002 | 10 per 1,000 people | ITU 2009 |
| 2001 | 4 per 1,000 people | ITU 2009 |
| 2000 | 3 per 1,000 people | ITU 2009 |
Transparency International corruption ranking (Scale: 1 = least corrupt, >175 = most corrupt)
| 2008 | 177 | Transparency International 2008 |
| 2007 | 177 | Transparency International 2007 |
| 2006 | 163 | Transparency International |
| 2004 | 145 (joint) | Transparency International |
| 2003 | 131 | Transparency International |
| 2002 | 89 (joint) | Transparency International |
| 2001 | Not ranked | |
| 2000 | Not ranked |
Signatory of International Convention on the Prevention and Punishment for the crime of Genocide
Yes (1948)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report
Signatory of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
No (1984)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report
Signatory of the Convention on the Rights of the Child
Yes (1989)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report
ECONOMY & AID
Percentage of population living on less than US$1 a day
GNI per capita, Atlas method
The purpose of the Atlas conversion factor is to reduce the impact of exchange rate fluctuations in a cross-country comparison of national incomes. The Atlas conversion factor for any year is the average of a country's exchange rate (or alternative conversion factor) for that year and its exchange rates for the two preceding years.
GDP
Annual GDP growth
Annual inflation
Share of income or consumption (poorest 10 percent)
0.7 (latest available year)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
Share of income or consumption (richest 10 percent)
47.7 (latest available year)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
| 1990-2005 | 53.9 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008 |
| 1990-2004 | 53.9 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2006 |
| 1990-2002 | No data available percent |
GNI per capita, Atlas method
| 2007 | 520 current US$ | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009 |
| 2006 | 490 current US$ | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009 |
| 2005 | 420 current US$ | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009 |
| 2004 | 390 current US$ | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009 |
| 2003 | 380 current US$ | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009 |
| 2002 | 400 current US$ | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009 |
| 2001 | 440 current US$ | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009 |
| 2000 | 470 current US$ | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009 |
The purpose of the Atlas conversion factor is to reduce the impact of exchange rate fluctuations in a cross-country comparison of national incomes. The Atlas conversion factor for any year is the average of a country's exchange rate (or alternative conversion factor) for that year and its exchange rates for the two preceding years.
GDP
| 2007 | 6.7 current US$ billions | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009 |
| 2006 | 5.0 current US$ billions | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009 |
| 2005 | 4.3 current US$ billions | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009 |
| 2004 | 3.8 current US$ billions | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009 |
| 2003 | 2.9 current US$ billions | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009 |
| 2002 | 3.5 current US$ billions | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009 |
| 2001 | 3.7 current US$ billions | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009 |
| 2000 | 3.8 current US$ billions | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009 |
Annual GDP growth
| 2006 | 2.3 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008 |
| 2005 | 1.8 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008 |
| 2004 | -3.5 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008 |
| 2003 | 0.4 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008 |
| 2002 | -0.3 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008 |
| 2001 | -1.0 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008 |
| 2000 | 0.4 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008 |
Annual inflation
| 2007 | 19.7 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009 |
| 2006 | 12.4 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009 |
| 2005 | 16.3 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009 |
| 2004 | 22.2 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009 |
| 2003 | 21.9 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009 |
| 2002 | 14.4 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009 |
| 2001 | 11.0 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009 |
| 2000 | 13.5 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009 |
Share of income or consumption (poorest 10 percent)
0.7 (latest available year)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
Share of income or consumption (richest 10 percent)
47.7 (latest available year)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
HEALTH
Physicians
Percentage HIV+ (adults aged 15-49)
Malaria
Risk from P.falciparum throughout the year in certain forest areas in Chantal, Gros Morne, Hinche, Jacmel and Maissade. In the other cantons, risk is low. No P.falciparum resistance to chloroquine reported.
Source: WHO
TB cases
| 2000-2004 | No data available per 100,000 people | |
| 1990-2004average | 25 per 100,000 people | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 1990-2004 | 25 per 100,000 people | UNDP - Human Development Report 2006 |
| 1990-2003 | 25 per 100,000 people | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 1990-2002 | 25 per 100,000 people | UNDP - Human Development Report 2003 |
Percentage HIV+ (adults aged 15-49)
| 2007 | 2.2 percent | U.N. Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 2008 |
| 2006 | 2.2 percent | U.N. Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 2008 |
| 2005 | 2.2 percent | U.N. Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 2008 |
| 2004 | 2.2 percent | U.N. Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 2008 |
| 2003 | 2.2 percent | U.N. Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 2008 |
Malaria
Risk from P.falciparum throughout the year in certain forest areas in Chantal, Gros Morne, Hinche, Jacmel and Maissade. In the other cantons, risk is low. No P.falciparum resistance to chloroquine reported.
Source: WHO
TB cases
| 2007 | 306 per 100,000 people | WHO 2009 |
| 2006 | 306 per 100,000 people | WHO 2009 |
| 2005 | 306 per 100,000 people | WHO 2009 |
| 2004 | 306 per 100,000 people | WHO 2009 |
| 2003 | 306 per 100,000 people | WHO 2009 |
| 2002 | 306 per 100,000 people | WHO 2009 |
| 2001 | 306 per 100,000 people | WHO 2009 |
| 2000 | 306 per 100,000 people | WHO 2009 |
CONFLICT & MIGRATION
Number of refugees originating here
Number of refugees residing here
Number of internally displaced people\Estimate
Landmine casualties per year
Casualty figures may include both civilians and military personnel injured or killed by landmines and unexploded ordnance.
Signatory to landmine convention?
Yes (1997)
Source: Landmine Monitor Report
Percentage of GDP spent on military
No data available percent
Percentage of GDP spent on education
Percentage of GDP spent on health
| 2008 | 23066 | UNHCR |
| 2007 | 22280 | UNHCR |
| 2006 | 20837 | Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) |
| 2005 | 13542 | UNHCR |
| 2004 | 9208 | UNHCR |
| 2003 | 7547 | UNHCR |
| 2002 | 7718 | UNHCR |
| 2001 | 7248 | UNHCR |
| 2000 | 7561 | UNHCR |
Number of refugees residing here
| 2008 | 3 | UNHCR |
| 2007 | 1 | UNHCR |
Number of internally displaced people\Estimate
| No data available | |||
Landmine casualties per year
| 2004 | 0 | Landmine Monitor Report 2005 |
| 2003 | 0 | Landmine Monitor Report 2004 |
Casualty figures may include both civilians and military personnel injured or killed by landmines and unexploded ordnance.
Signatory to landmine convention?
Yes (1997)
Source: Landmine Monitor Report
Percentage of GDP spent on military
No data available percent
Percentage of GDP spent on education
| 2002-2005 | No data available percent | |
| 2002-2004 | No data available percent | |
| 1998-2000 | 1.1 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2003 |
Percentage of GDP spent on health
| 2004 | 2.9 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008 |
| 2003-2004 | 2.9 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2006 |
| 2002 | 3.0 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 2001 | 2.7 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 2000 | 2.4 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2003 |
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