2014 Edition

Background

The native Taino - who inhabited the island of Hispaniola when it was discovered by Christopher COLUMBUS in 1492 - were virtually annihilated by Spanish settlers within 25 years. In the early 17th century, the French established a presence on Hispaniola. In 1697, Spain ceded to the French the western third of the island, which later became Haiti. The French colony, based on forestry and sugar-related industries, became one of the wealthiest in the Caribbean but only through the heavy importation of African slaves and considerable environmental degradation. In the late 18th century, Haiti's nearly half million slaves revolted under Toussaint L'OUVERTURE. After a prolonged struggle, Haiti became the first post-colonial black-led nation in the world, declaring its independence in 1804. Currently the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, Haiti has experienced political instability for most of its history. After an armed rebellion led to the forced resignation and exile of President Jean-Bertrand ARISTIDE in February 2004, an interim government took office to organize new elections under the auspices of the United Nations. Continued instability and technical delays prompted repeated postponements, but Haiti inaugurated a democratically elected president and parliament in May of 2006. This was followed by contested elections in 2010 that resulted in the election of Haiti's current President, Michel MARTELLY. A massive magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti in January 2010 with an epicenter about 25 km (15 mi) west of the capital, Port-au-Prince. Estimates are that over 300,000 people were killed and some 1.5 million left homeless. The earthquake was assessed as the worst in this region over the last 200 years.

Area

27,750 sq km 27,560 sq km 190 sq km

total

27,750 sq km

water

190 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Maryland

Climate

tropical; semiarid where mountains in east cut off trade winds

Coastline

1,771 km

Elevation extremes

Caribbean Sea 0 m Chaine de la Selle 2,680 m

highest point

Chaine de la Selle 2,680 m

lowest point

Caribbean Sea 0 m

Environment - current issues

extensive deforestation (much of the remaining forested land is being cleared for agriculture and used as fuel); soil erosion; inadequate supplies of potable water

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection Hazardous Wastes

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified

Hazardous Wastes

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

1.2 cu km/yr (17%/3%/80%) 134.3 cu m/yr (2009)

per capita

134.3 cu m/yr (2009)

total

1.2 cu km/yr (17%/3%/80%)

Geographic coordinates

19 00 N, 72 25 W

Geography - note

shares island of Hispaniola with Dominican Republic (western one-third is Haiti, eastern two-thirds is the Dominican Republic)

Irrigated land

970 sq km (2009)

Land boundaries

376 km Dominican Republic 376 km

border countries

Dominican Republic 376 km

total

376 km

Land use

36.04% 10.09% 53.87% (2011)

arable land

36.04%

other

53.87% (2011)

permanent crops

10.09%

Location

Caribbean, western one-third of the island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of the Dominican Republic

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims

12 nm 24 nm 200 nm to depth of exploitation

contiguous zone

24 nm

continental shelf

to depth of exploitation

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severe storms from June to October; occasional flooding and earthquakes; periodic droughts

Natural resources

bauxite, copper, calcium carbonate, gold, marble, hydropower

Terrain

mostly rough and mountainous

Total renewable water resources

14.03 cu km (2011)

Age structure

34% (male 1,701,559/female 1,693,236) 21.6% (male 1,078,994/female 1,081,005) 35.3% (male 1,755,722/female 1,770,386) 5% (male 241,174/female 263,369) 4.1% (male 183,627/female 227,659) (2014 est.)

0-14 years

34% (male 1,701,559/female 1,693,236)

15-24 years

21.6% (male 1,078,994/female 1,081,005)

25-54 years

35.3% (male 1,755,722/female 1,770,386)

55-64 years

5% (male 241,174/female 263,369)

65 years and over

4.1% (male 183,627/female 227,659) (2014 est.)

Birth rate

22.83 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Child labor - children ages 5-14

2,587,205 21 % (2006 est.)

percentage

21 % (2006 est.)

total number

2,587,205

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

18.9% (2006)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

34.5% (2012)

Death rate

7.91 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Dependency ratios

64.2 % 56.7 % 7.5 % 13.4 (2014 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

7.5 %

potential support ratio

13.4 (2014 est.)

total dependency ratio

64.2 %

youth dependency ratio

56.7 %

Drinking water source

urban: 74.6% of population rural: 47.5% of population total: 62.4% of population urban: 25.4% of population rural: 52.5% of population total: 37.6% of population (2012 est.)

rural

52.5% of population

total

37.6% of population (2012 est.)

urban

25.4% of population

Education expenditures

NA

Ethnic groups

black 95%, mulatto and white 5%

Health expenditures

7.9% of GDP (2011)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

2.1% (2012 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

7,500 (2012 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

146,000 (2012 est.)

Hospital bed density

1.3 beds/1,000 population (2007)

Infant mortality rate

49.43 deaths/1,000 live births 53.26 deaths/1,000 live births 45.56 deaths/1,000 live births the preliminary 2011 numbers differ significantly from those of 2010, which were strongly influenced by the demographic effect of the January 2010 earthquake; the latest figures more closely correspond to those of 2009 (2014 est.)

female

45.56 deaths/1,000 live births

total

49.43 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

French (official), Creole (official)

Life expectancy at birth

63.18 years 61.77 years 64.6 years the preliminary 2011 numbers differ significantly from those of 2010, which were strongly influenced by the demographic effect of the January 2010 earthquake; the latest figures more closely correspond to those of 2009 (2014 est.)

female

64.6 years

total population

63.18 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 48.7% 53.4% 44.6% (2006 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

44.6% (2006 est.)

male

53.4%

total population

48.7%

Major infectious diseases

high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever dengue fever and malaria (2013)

degree of risk

high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases

dengue fever and malaria (2013)

Major urban areas - population

PORT-AU-PRINCE (capital) 2.207 million (2011)

Maternal mortality rate

350 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

22.2 years 22 years 22.4 years (2014 est.)

female

22.4 years (2014 est.)

male

22 years

total

22.2 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

22.7 median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2012)

Nationality

Haitian(s) Haitian

adjective

Haitian

noun

Haitian(s)

Net migration rate

-4.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

7.9% (2008)

Physicians density

0.25 physicians/1,000 population (1998)

Population

9,996,731 estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2014 est.)

Population growth rate

1.08% the preliminary 2011 numbers differ significantly from those of 2010, which were strongly influenced by the demographic effect of the January 2010 earthquake; the latest figures more closely correspond to those of 2009 (2014 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 80%, Protestant 16% (Baptist 10%, Pentecostal 4%, Adventist 1%, other 1%), none 1%, other 3% roughly half of the population practices voodoo

Sanitation facility access

urban: 31% of population rural: 16.3% of population total: 24.4% of population urban: 69% of population rural: 83.7% of population total: 75.6% of population (2012 est.)

rural

83.7% of population

total

75.6% of population (2012 est.)

urban

69% of population

Sex ratio

1.01 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.8 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

0-14 years

1.01 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.99 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.8 male(s)/female

at birth

1.01 male(s)/female

total population

0.98 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.79 children born/woman (2014 est.)

Urbanization

53.4% of total population (2011) 3.68% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

3.68% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

53.4% of total population (2011)

Administrative divisions

10 departments (departements, singular - departement); Artibonite, Centre, Grand'Anse, Nippes, Nord, Nord-Est, Nord-Ouest, Ouest, Sud, Sud-Est

Capital

Port-au-Prince 18 32 N, 72 20 W UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time) +1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November

geographic coordinates

18 32 N, 72 20 W

name

Port-au-Prince

time difference

UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Constitution

many previous (23 total); latest adopted 10 March 1987; amended 2012 (2013)

Country name

Republic of Haiti Haiti Republique d'Haiti/Repiblik d'Ayiti Haiti/Ayiti

conventional long form

Republic of Haiti

conventional short form

Haiti

local long form

Republique d'Haiti/Repiblik d'Ayiti

local short form

Haiti/Ayiti

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Pamela A. WHITE (since 18 July 2012) Tabarre 41, Route de Tabarre, Port-au-Prince (in Haiti) P.O. Box 1634, Port-au-Prince, Haiti; (from abroad) 3400 Port-au-Prince, State Department, Washington, DC 20521-3400 [509] 2229-8000 [509] 229-8028

chief of mission

Ambassador Pamela A. WHITE (since 18 July 2012)

embassy

Tabarre 41, Route de Tabarre, Port-au-Prince

FAX

[509] 229-8028

mailing address

(in Haiti) P.O. Box 1634, Port-au-Prince, Haiti; (from abroad) 3400 Port-au-Prince, State Department, Washington, DC 20521-3400

telephone

[509] 2229-8000

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Paul Getty ALTIDOR (since 17 April 2012) 2311 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 332-4090 [1] (202) 745-7215 Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Miami, New York, San Juan (Puerto Rico) Orlando (FL)

chancery

2311 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Paul Getty ALTIDOR (since 17 April 2012)

consulate(s)

Orlando (FL)

consulate(s) general

Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Miami, New York, San Juan (Puerto Rico)

FAX

[1] (202) 745-7215

telephone

[1] (202) 332-4090

Executive branch

President Michel MARTELLY (since 14 May 2011) Prime Minister Laurent LAMOTHE (since 16 May 2012) Cabinet chosen by the prime minister in consultation with the president president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (may not serve consecutive terms); election last held on 28 November 2010; runoff on 20 March 2011 (next to be held in 2015); prime minister appointed by the president, ratified by the National Assembly Michel MARTELLY elected president in runoff with 67.6% of the vote against Mirlande MANIGAT with 31.7%

cabinet

Cabinet chosen by the prime minister in consultation with the president

chief of state

President Michel MARTELLY (since 14 May 2011)

election results

Michel MARTELLY elected president in runoff with 67.6% of the vote against Mirlande MANIGAT with 31.7%

elections

president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (may not serve consecutive terms); election last held on 28 November 2010; runoff on 20 March 2011 (next to be held in 2015); prime minister appointed by the president, ratified by the National Assembly

head of government

Prime Minister Laurent LAMOTHE (since 16 May 2012)

Flag description

two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a centered white rectangle bearing the coat of arms, which contains a palm tree flanked by flags and two cannons above a scroll bearing the motto L'UNION FAIT LA FORCE (Union Makes Strength); the colors are taken from the French Tricolor and represent the union of blacks and mulattoes

Government type

republic

Independence

1 January 1804 (from France)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

ACP, AOSIS, Caricom, CD, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OIF, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, Petrocaribe, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court or Cour de Cassation (consists of a chief judge and other judges) note - Haiti is a member of the Caribbean Court of Justice judges appointed by the president from candidate lists submitted by the Senate of the National Assembly; note - Article 174 of the Haiti Constitution states "Judges of the Supreme Court.... are appointed for 10 years." whereas Article 177 states "Judges of the Supreme Court..... are appointed for life." Courts of Appeal; Courts of First Instance; magistrates' courts; special courts

highest court(s)

Supreme Court or Cour de Cassation (consists of a chief judge and other judges)

judge selection and term of office

judges appointed by the president from candidate lists submitted by the Senate of the National Assembly; note - Article 174 of the Haiti Constitution states "Judges of the Supreme Court.... are appointed for 10 years." whereas Article 177 states "Judges of the Supreme Court..... are appointed for life."

subordinate courts

Courts of Appeal; Courts of First Instance; magistrates' courts; special courts

Legal system

civil law system strongly influenced by Napoleonic Code

Legislative branch

bicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale consists of the Senate (30 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms; one-third elected every two years) and the Chamber of Deputies (99 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms); Senate - last held on 28 November 2010 with run-off elections on 20 March 2011 (next regular election, for one third of seats, scheduled for 2012 but delayed); Chamber of Deputies - last held on 28 November 2010 with run-off elections on 20 March 2011 (next regular election to be held in 2014) 2010 Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Inite 6, ALTENATIV 4, LAVNI 1; 2010 Chamber of Deputies- percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Inite 32, Altenativ 11, Ansanm Nou Fo 10, AAA 8, LAVNI 7, RASANBLE 4, KONBIT 3, MOCHRENA 3, Platforme Liberation 3, PONT 3, Repons Peyizan 3, Independent 2, MAS 2, MODELH-PRDH 1, PLAPH 1, RESPE 1, Veye Yo 1, vacant 4

election results

2010 Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Inite 6, ALTENATIV 4, LAVNI 1; 2010 Chamber of Deputies- percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Inite 32, Altenativ 11, Ansanm Nou Fo 10, AAA 8, LAVNI 7, RASANBLE 4, KONBIT 3, MOCHRENA 3, Platforme Liberation 3, PONT 3, Repons Peyizan 3, Independent 2, MAS 2, MODELH-PRDH 1, PLAPH 1, RESPE 1, Veye Yo 1, vacant 4

elections

Senate - last held on 28 November 2010 with run-off elections on 20 March 2011 (next regular election, for one third of seats, scheduled for 2012 but delayed); Chamber of Deputies - last held on 28 November 2010 with run-off elections on 20 March 2011 (next regular election to be held in 2014)

National anthem

"La Dessalinienne" (The Dessalines Song) Justin LHERISSON/Nicolas GEFFRARD adopted 1904; the anthem is named for Jean-Jacques DESSALINES, a leader in the Haitian Revolution and first ruler of an independent Haiti

lyrics/music

Justin LHERISSON/Nicolas GEFFRARD

name

"La Dessalinienne" (The Dessalines Song)

National holiday

Independence Day, 1 January (1804)

National symbol(s)

Hispaniolan trogon (bird)

Political parties and leaders

Assembly of Progressive National Democrats or RDNP [Mirlande MANIGAT] Christian and Citizen For Haiti's Reconstruction or ACCRHA [Chavannes JEUNE] Convention for Democratic Unity or KID [Evans PAUL] Cooperative Action to Rebuild Haiti or KONBA [Jean William JEANTY] December 16 Platform or Platfom 16 Desanm [Dr. Gerard BLOT] Democratic Alliance or ALYANS [Evans PAUL] (coalition composed of KID and PPRH) Democratic Centers's National Council or CONACED [Osner FEVRY] Democratic Movement for the Liberation of Haiti-Revolutionary Party of Haiti or MODELH-PRDH Effort and Solidarity to Create an Alternative for the People or ESKAMP [Joseph JASME] Fanmi Lavalas or FL [Jean-Bertrand ARISTIDE] For Us All or PONT [Jean-Marie CHERESTAL] Grouping of Citizens for Hope or RESPE [Charles-Henri BAKER] Haiti in Action or AAA [Youri LATORTUE] Haitians for Haiti [Yvon NEPTUNE] Independent Movement for National Reconstruction or MIRN [Luc FLEURINORD] Konbit Pou refe Ayiti or KONBIT Lavni Organization or LAVNI [Yves CRISTALIN] Liberal Party of Haiti or PLH [Jean Andre VICTOR] Liberation Platform or PLATFORME LIBERATION Love Haiti or Renmen Ayiti [Jean-Henry CEANT and Camille LEBLANC] Merging of Haitian Social Democratics or FUSION [Edmonde Supplice BEAUZILE] (coalition of Ayiti Capable, Haitian National Revolutionary Party, and National Congress of Democratic Movements) Mobilization for National Development or MDN [Hubert de RONCERAY] National Front for the Reconstruction of Haiti or FRN [Guy PHILIPPE] New Christian Movement for a New Haiti or MOCHRENA [Luc MESADIEU] Peasant's Response or Repons Peyizan [Michel MARTELLY] Platform Alternative for Progress and Democracy or ALTENATIV [Victor BENOIT and Evans PAUL] Platform of Haitian Patriots or PLAPH [Dejean BELISAIRE and Himmler REBU] Popular Party for the Renewal of Haiti or PPRH [Claude ROMAIN] Rally or RASAMBLE Respect or RESPE Socialist Action Movement or MAS Strength in Unity or Ansanm Nou Fo [Leslie VOLTAIRE] Struggling People's Organization or OPL [Sauveur PIERRE-ETIENNE] Union [Chavannes JEUNE] Union of Haitian Citizens for Democracy, Development, and Education or UCADDE [Jeantel JOSEPH] Union of Nationalist and Progressive Haitians or UNPH [Edouard FRANCISQUE] Unity or Inite [Levaillant LOUIS-JEUNE] (coalition that includes Front for Hope or L'ESPWA) Vigilance or Veye Yo [Lavarice GAUDIN] Youth for People's Power or JPP [Rene CIVIL]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Autonomous Organizations of Haitian Workers or CATH [Fignole ST-CYR] Confederation of Haitian Workers or CTH Economic Forum of the Private Sector or EF [Reginald BOULOS] Federation of Workers Trade Unions or FOS General Organization of Independent Haitian Workers [Patrick NUMAS] Grand-Anse Resistance Committee, or KOREGA The Haitian Association of Industries or ADIH [Georges SASSINE] National Popular Assembly or APN Papaye Peasants Movement or MPP [Chavannes JEAN-BAPTISTE] Popular Organizations Gathering Power or PROP Protestant Federation of Haiti Roman Catholic Church

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

coffee, mangoes, cocoa, sugarcane, rice, corn, sorghum; wood, vetiver

Budget

$1.989 billion $2.437 billion (2013 est.)

expenditures

$2.437 billion (2013 est.)

revenues

$1.989 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-5.4% of GDP (2013 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

9.2% (31 December 2013 est.) 8.93% (31 December 2012 est.)

Current account balance

-$1.278 billion (2013 est.) -$1.358 billion (2012 est.)

Debt - external

$1.118 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $957.6 million (31 December 2012 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

59.2 (2001)

Economy - overview

Haiti is a free market economy that enjoys the advantages of low labor costs and tariff-free access to the US for many of its exports. Poverty, corruption, vulnerability to natural disasters, and low levels of education for much of the population are among Haiti's most serious impediments to economic growth. Haiti's economy suffered a severe setback in January 2010 when a 7.0 magnitude earthquake destroyed much of its capital city, Port-au-Prince, and neighboring areas. Currently the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere with 80% of the population living under the poverty line and 54% in abject poverty, the earthquake further inflicted $7.8 billion in damage and caused the country's GDP to contract. In 2011, the Haitian economy began recovering from the earthquake. However, two hurricanes adversely affected agricultural output and the low public capital spending slowed the recovery in 2012. Two-fifths of all Haitians depend on the agricultural sector, mainly small-scale subsistence farming, and remain vulnerable to damage from frequent natural disasters, exacerbated by the country's widespread deforestation. US economic engagement under the Caribbean Basin Trade Preference Agreement (CBTPA) and the 2008 Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement (HOPE II) Act helped increase apparel exports and investment by providing duty-free access to the US. Congress voted in 2010 to extend the CBTPA and HOPE II until 2020 under the Haiti Economic Lift Program (HELP) Act; the apparel sector accounts for about 90% of Haitian exports and nearly one-twentieth of GDP. Remittances are the primary source of foreign exchange, equaling one-fifth of GDP and representing more than five times the earnings from exports in 2012. Haiti suffers from a lack of investment, partly because of weak infrastructure such as access to electricity. Haiti's outstanding external debt was cancelled by donor countries following the 2010 earthquake, but has since risen to $1.1 billion as of December 2013. The government relies on formal international economic assistance for fiscal sustainability, with over half of its annual budget coming from outside sources. The MARTELLY administration in 2011 launched a campaign aimed at drawing foreign investment into Haiti as a means for sustainable development. To that end, the MARTELLY government in 2012 created a Commission for Commercial Code Reform, effected reforms to the justice sector, and inaugurated the Caracol industrial park in Haiti's north coast. In 2012, private investment exceeded donor assistance for the first time since the 2010 earthquake.

Exchange rates

gourdes (HTG) per US dollar - 43.53 (2013 est.) 41.95 (2012 est.) 39.8 (2010 est.) 42.02 (2009) 39.216 (2008)

Exports

$876.8 million (2013 est.) $785 million (2012 est.)

Exports - commodities

apparel, manufactures, oils, cocoa, mangoes, coffee

Exports - partners

US 81.7% (2012)

Fiscal year

1 October - 30 September

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

24.1% 19.9% 56% (2013 est.)

agriculture

24.1%

industry

19.9%

services

56% (2013 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$1,300 (2013 est.) $1,200 (2012 est.) $1,200 (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

3.4% (2013 est.) 2.8% (2012 est.) 5.6% (2011 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$8.287 billion (2013 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$13.42 billion (2013 est.) $12.98 billion (2012 est.) $12.62 billion (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars

Gross national saving

3.7% of GDP (2011 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

0.7% 47.7% (2001)

highest 10%

47.7% (2001)

lowest 10%

0.7%

Imports

$2.697 billion (2013 est.) $2.679 billion (2012 est.)

Imports - commodities

food, manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, fuels, raw materials

Imports - partners

Dominican Republic 34.5%, US 26.2%, Netherlands Antilles 9.4%, China 7% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

6% (2013 est.)

Industries

textiles, sugar refining, flour milling, cement, light assembly using imported parts

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

6.3% (2013 est.) 6.3% (2012 est.)

Labor force

4.81 million shortage of skilled labor, unskilled labor abundant (2010 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

38.1% 11.5% 50.4% (2010)

agriculture

38.1%

industry

11.5%

services

50.4% (2010)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

80% (2003 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$1.335 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $1.287 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of broad money

$3.509 billion (31 October 2012 est.) $3.43 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$1.123 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $963.1 million (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$1.725 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $1.515 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$1.151 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $1.107 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

24% of GDP (2013 est.)

Unemployment rate

40.6% (2010 est.) widespread unemployment and underemployment; more than two-thirds of the labor force do not have formal jobs

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

2.103 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.)

Electricity - consumption

208.5 million kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

79% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

21% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

130,000 kW (2012 est.)

Electricity - production

726 million kWh (2012 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

14,000 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

15,130 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Broadcast media

several TV stations, including 1 government-owned; cable TV subscription service available; government-owned radio network; more than 250 private and community radio stations with about 50 FM stations in Port-au-Prince alone (2007)

Internet country code

.ht

Internet hosts

555 (2012)

Internet users

1 million (2009)

Telephone system

telecommunications infrastructure is among the least developed in Latin America and the Caribbean; domestic facilities barely adequate; international facilities slightly better mobile-cellular telephone services are expanding rapidly due, in part, to the introduction of low-cost GSM phones; mobile-cellular teledensity exceeds 40 per 100 persons country code - 509; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2010)

domestic

mobile-cellular telephone services are expanding rapidly due, in part, to the introduction of low-cost GSM phones; mobile-cellular teledensity exceeds 40 per 100 persons

general assessment

telecommunications infrastructure is among the least developed in Latin America and the Caribbean; domestic facilities barely adequate; international facilities slightly better

international

country code - 509; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2010)

Telephones - main lines in use

50,000 (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

6.095 million (2012)

Airports

14 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

2 (2013)

2,438 to 3,047 m

2

914 to 1,523 m

2 (2013)

total

4

Airports - with unpaved runways

8 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m

2

total

10

Ports and terminals

Cap-Haitien, Gonaives, Jacmel, Port-au-Prince

major seaport(s)

Cap-Haitien, Gonaives, Jacmel, Port-au-Prince

Roadways

4,266 km 768 km 3,498 km (2009)

total

4,266 km

unpaved

3,498 km (2009)

Manpower available for military service

2,398,804 2,415,039 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

2,415,039 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

2,398,804

Manpower fit for military service

1,666,324 1,704,364 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

1,704,364 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

1,666,324

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

115,246 115,282 (2010 est.)

female

115,282 (2010 est.)

male

115,246

Military branches

no regular military forces - small Coast Guard; a Ministry of National Defense established May 2012; the regular Haitian Armed Forces (FAdH) - Army, Navy, and Air Force - have been demobilized but still exist on paper until or unless they are constitutionally abolished (2011)

Disputes - international

since 2004, peacekeepers from the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti have assisted in maintaining civil order in Haiti; the mission currently includes 6,685 military, 2,607 police, and 443 civilian personnel; despite efforts to control illegal migration, Haitians cross into the Dominican Republic and sail to neighboring countries; Haiti claims US-administered Navassa Island

Illicit drugs

Caribbean transshipment point for cocaine en route to the US and Europe; substantial bulk cash smuggling activity; Colombian narcotics traffickers favor Haiti for illicit financial transactions; pervasive corruption; significant consumer of cannabis

Refugees and internally displaced persons

137,000 (includes only IDPs from the 2010 earthquake living in camps or camp-like situations; information is lacking about IDPs living outside camps or who have left camps) (2014)

IDPs

137,000 (includes only IDPs from the 2010 earthquake living in camps or camp-like situations; information is lacking about IDPs living outside camps or who have left camps) (2014)

Trafficking in persons

Haiti is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; many of Haiti's trafficking cases involve children recruited to live with families in other towns in the hope of going to school but who instead become forced domestic servants known as restaveks; restaveks are vulnerable to abuse and make up a large proportion of Haiti's population of street children, who are forced into prostitution, begging, and street crime by violent gangs; Haitians are exploited in forced labor in the Dominican Republic, elsewhere in the Caribbean, and the US, and some Dominican women are forced into prostitution in Haiti; women and children living in camps for internally displaced people are at increased risk of sex trafficking and forced labor Tier 2 Watch List - Haiti does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; the government has made no discernible progress in prosecuting trafficking offenders largely because Haiti does not have a law specifically prohibiting human trafficking; the government does not provide direct or specialized services for trafficking victims and refers suspected victims to donor-funded NGOs, which provide shelter, food, medical, and psychosocial support; no proactive identification or assistance for adult victims was reported; an inter-ministerial working-group on human trafficking and a national commission for the elimination of the worst forms of child labor hae been created (2013)

current situation

Haiti is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; many of Haiti's trafficking cases involve children recruited to live with families in other towns in the hope of going to school but who instead become forced domestic servants known as restaveks; restaveks are vulnerable to abuse and make up a large proportion of Haiti's population of street children, who are forced into prostitution, begging, and street crime by violent gangs; Haitians are exploited in forced labor in the Dominican Republic, elsewhere in the Caribbean, and the US, and some Dominican women are forced into prostitution in Haiti; women and children living in camps for internally displaced people are at increased risk of sex trafficking and forced labor

tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List - Haiti does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; the government has made no discernible progress in prosecuting trafficking offenders largely because Haiti does not have a law specifically prohibiting human trafficking; the government does not provide direct or specialized services for trafficking victims and refers suspected victims to donor-funded NGOs, which provide shelter, food, medical, and psychosocial support; no proactive identification or assistance for adult victims was reported; an inter-ministerial working-group on human trafficking and a national commission for the elimination of the worst forms of child labor hae been created (2013)