2016 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. 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. President Michel MARTELLY resigned in February 2016 and was replaced by Interim President Jocelerme PRIVERT who will lead until new elections take place later in the year.

Area

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

land

27,560 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

470 m lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Chaine de la Selle 2,680 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point

Chaine de la Selle 2,680 m

mean elevation

470 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

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 (2012)

Land boundaries

376 km Dominican Republic 376 km

border countries (1)

Dominican Republic 376 km

total

376 km

Land use

66.4% arable land 38.5%; permanent crops 10.2%; permanent pasture 17.7% 3.6% 30% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

66.4%

forest

3.6%

other

30% (2011 est.)

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, arable land

Population - distribution

fairly even distribution; largest concentrations located near coastal areas

Terrain

mostly rough and mountainous

Age structure

33.39% (male 1,744,599/female 1,756,155) 21.35% (male 1,120,532/female 1,118,278) 36.24% (male 1,885,478/female 1,914,078) 4.94% (male 246,453/female 271,455) 4.09% (male 189,098/female 239,674) (2016 est.)

0-14 years

33.39% (male 1,744,599/female 1,756,155)

15-24 years

21.35% (male 1,120,532/female 1,118,278)

25-54 years

36.24% (male 1,885,478/female 1,914,078)

55-64 years

4.94% (male 246,453/female 271,455)

65 years and over

4.09% (male 189,098/female 239,674) (2016 est.)

Birth rate

23.3 births/1,000 population (2016 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

11.6% (2012)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

34.5% (2012)

Death rate

7.7 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Dependency ratios

62.3% 54.8% 7.5% 13.3% (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

7.5%

potential support ratio

13.3% (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

62.3%

youth dependency ratio

54.8%

Drinking water source

urban: 64.9% of population rural: 47.6% of population total: 57.7% of population urban: 35.1% of population rural: 52.4% of population total: 42.3% of population (2015 est.)

rural

52.4% of population

total

42.3% of population (2015 est.)

urban

35.1% of population

Education expenditures

NA

Ethnic groups

black 95%, mulatto and white 5%

Health expenditures

7.6% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

1.71% (2015 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

8,000 (2015 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

133,500 (2015 est.)

Hospital bed density

1.3 beds/1,000 population (2007)

Infant mortality rate

48.2 deaths/1,000 live births 54.6 deaths/1,000 live births 41.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)

female

41.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)

male

54.6 deaths/1,000 live births

total

48.2 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

French (official), Creole (official)

Life expectancy at birth

63.8 years 61.2 years 66.4 years (2016 est.)

female

66.4 years (2016 est.)

male

61.2 years

total population

63.8 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 60.7% 64.3% 57.3% (2015 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

57.3% (2015 est.)

male

64.3%

total population

60.7%

Major infectious diseases

very high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever dengue fever and malaria active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus (2016)

degree of risk

very high

food or waterborne diseases

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

note

active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus (2016)

vectorborne diseases

dengue fever and malaria

Major urban areas - population

PORT-AU-PRINCE (capital) 2.44 million (2015)

Maternal mortality rate

359 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

22.6 years 22.4 years 22.8 years (2016 est.)

female

22.8 years (2016 est.)

male

22.4 years

total

22.6 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

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

note

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

Nationality

Haitian(s) Haitian

adjective

Haitian

noun

Haitian(s)

Net migration rate

1.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

10.7% (2014)

Population

10,485,800 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 2016 est.)

note

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 2016 est.)

Population distribution

fairly even distribution; largest concentrations located near coastal areas

Population growth rate

1.71% (2016 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic (official) 54.7%, Protestant 28.5% (Baptist 15.4%, Pentecostal 7.9%, Adventist 3%, Methodist 1.5%, other 0.7%), voodoo (official) 2.1%, other 4.6%, none 10.2% many Haitians practice elements of voodoo in addition to another religion, most often Roman Catholicism; voodoo was recognized as an official religion in 2003

note

many Haitians practice elements of voodoo in addition to another religion, most often Roman Catholicism; voodoo was recognized as an official religion in 2003

Sanitation facility access

urban: 33.6% of population rural: 19.2% of population total: 27.6% of population urban: 66.4% of population rural: 80.8% of population total: 72.4% of population (2015 est.)

rural

80.8% of population

total

72.4% of population (2015 est.)

urban

66.4% of population

Sex ratio

1.01 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.91 male(s)/female 0.81 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

0.99 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.99 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.91 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.81 male(s)/female

at birth

1.01 male(s)/female

total population

0.98 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.79 children born/woman (2016 est.)

Urbanization

58.6% of total population (2015) 3.78% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

3.78% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

58.6% of total population (2015)

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) none in 2016

daylight saving time

none in 2016

geographic coordinates

18 32 N, 72 20 W

name

Port-au-Prince

time difference

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

Citizenship

no at least one parent must be a native-born citizen of Haiti no 5 years

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

at least one parent must be a native-born citizen of Haiti

dual citizenship recognized

no

residency requirement for naturalization

5 years

Constitution

many previous (23 total); latest adopted 10 March 1987; amended 2012 (2016)

Country name

Republic of Haiti Haiti Republique d'Haiti/Repiblik d Ayiti Haiti/Ayiti the native Taino name means "land of high mountains" and was originally applied to the entire island of Hispaniola

conventional long form

Republic of Haiti

conventional short form

Haiti

etymology

the native Taino name means "land of high mountains" and was originally applied to the entire island of Hispaniola

local long form

Republique d'Haiti/Repiblik d Ayiti

local short form

Haiti/Ayiti

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Peter MULREAN (since 6 October 2015) 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 Peter MULREAN (since 6 October 2015)

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, Orlando (FL), New York, San Juan (Puerto Rico)

chancery

2311 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Paul Getty ALTIDOR (since 17 April 2012)

consulate(s) general

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

FAX

[1] (202) 745-7215

telephone

[1] (202) 332-4090

Executive branch

Interim President Jocelerme PRIVERT (since 14 February 2016); note - parliament elected Interim President PRIVERT after President Michel MARTELLY stepped down from office 7 February 2016 Prime Minister Enex JEAN-CHARLES (since 25 March 2016) Cabinet chosen by the prime minister in consultation with the president; parliament must ratify the Cabinet and Prime Minister's governing policy president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a single non-consecutive term); election last held 20 November 2016 (next to be held in October 2021); note - the previous election was last held on 25 October 2015, but a runoff scheduled for 24 April 2016 was postponed; on 6 June 2016, the Provisional Electoral Council announced that it had accepted a recommendation by an independent commission, which had found that fraud had marred the October 2015 vote, to formally annul the results; a repeat of the first round of the presidential election scheduled to take place 9 October 2016, with a second round to be held on 8 January 2017, was canceled becaused of Hurricane Matthew; the rescheduled election then took place on 20 November 2016 2016 election - Jovenel MOISE elected president; percent of vote - Jovenel MOISE (PHTK) 55.67%, Jude CELESTIN (LAPEH) 19.52%, Jean-Charles MOISE (PPD) 11.04%, Maryse NARCISSE (FL) 8.99%; note - Jovenel MOISE will take office on 7 February 2017

cabinet

Cabinet chosen by the prime minister in consultation with the president; parliament must ratify the Cabinet and Prime Minister's governing policy

chief of state

Interim President Jocelerme PRIVERT (since 14 February 2016); note - parliament elected Interim President PRIVERT after President Michel MARTELLY stepped down from office 7 February 2016

election results

2016 election - Jovenel MOISE elected president; percent of vote - Jovenel MOISE (PHTK) 55.67%, Jude CELESTIN (LAPEH) 19.52%, Jean-Charles MOISE (PPD) 11.04%, Maryse NARCISSE (FL) 8.99%; note - Jovenel MOISE will take office on 7 February 2017

elections/appointments

president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a single non-consecutive term); election last held 20 November 2016 (next to be held in October 2021); note - the previous election was last held on 25 October 2015, but a runoff scheduled for 24 April 2016 was postponed; on 6 June 2016, the Provisional Electoral Council announced that it had accepted a recommendation by an independent commission, which had found that fraud had marred the October 2015 vote, to formally annul the results; a repeat of the first round of the presidential election scheduled to take place 9 October 2016, with a second round to be held on 8 January 2017, was canceled becaused of Hurricane Matthew; the rescheduled election then took place on 20 November 2016

head of government

Prime Minister Enex JEAN-CHARLES (since 25 March 2016)

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

semi-presidential 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, ICC (NGOs), 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 that judges of the Supreme Court are appointed for 10 years, whereas Article 177 states that 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); note - Haiti is a member of the Caribbean Court of Justice

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 that judges of the Supreme Court are appointed for 10 years, whereas Article 177 states that 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 legislature or "le Corps Legislatif ou parlement" consists of le Senat or Senate (30 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote in two rounds if needed; members serve 6-year terms with one-third of the membership renewed every 2 years) and la Chambre de deputes or Chamber of Deputies (118 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote in two rounds if needed; members serve 4-year terms); note - when the two chambers meet collectively it is known as L'Assemblee Nationale or the National Assembly that is convened for specific purposes spelled out in the constitution Senate - last held on 9 August 2015 with run-off election on 25 October 2015 (next possible election in 2017); Chamber of Deputies - last held on 9 August 2015 with run-off election on 25 October 2015 (next regular election may be held in 2017) 2015 Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; 2015 Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; note - official results pending

description

bicameral legislature or "le Corps Legislatif ou parlement" consists of le Senat or Senate (30 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote in two rounds if needed; members serve 6-year terms with one-third of the membership renewed every 2 years) and la Chambre de deputes or Chamber of Deputies (118 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote in two rounds if needed; members serve 4-year terms); note - when the two chambers meet collectively it is known as L'Assemblee Nationale or the National Assembly that is convened for specific purposes spelled out in the constitution

election results

2015 Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; 2015 Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; note - official results pending

elections

Senate - last held on 9 August 2015 with run-off election on 25 October 2015 (next possible election in 2017); Chamber of Deputies - last held on 9 August 2015 with run-off election on 25 October 2015 (next regular election may be held in 2017)

National anthem

"La Dessalinienne" (The Dessalines Song) Justin LHERISSON/Nicolas GEFFRARD adopted 1904; 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)

note

adopted 1904; named for Jean-Jacques DESSALINES, a leader in the Haitian Revolution and first ruler of an independent Haiti

National holiday

Independence Day, 1 January (1804)

National symbol(s)

Hispaniolan trogon (bird), hibiscus flower; national colors: blue, red

Hispaniolan trogon (bird), hibiscus flower; national colors

blue, red

Political parties and leaders

Alternative League for Haitian Progress and Empowerment or LAPEH [Jude CELESTIN] Assembly of Progressive National Democrats or RDNP [Mirlande MANIGAT] Christian and Citizen For Haiti's Reconstruction or ACCRHA [Chavannes JEUNE] Christian Movement for a New Haiti or MCNH [Luc MESADIEU] 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] Fusion of Haitian Social Democrats or FHSD [Edmonde Supplice BEAUZILE] Grouping of Citizens for Hope or RESPE [Charles-Henri BAKER] Haiti in Action or AAA [Youri LATORTUE] Haitian Tet Kale Party or PHTK [Ann Valerie Timothee MILFORT] 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] Patriotic Movement of the Democratic Opposition or MOPOD Patriotic Unity or IP [Marie Denise CLAUDE] Peasant Platform or PP 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] Platform Pitit Dessalines or PPD [Jean-Charles MOISE] Pont Popular Party for the Renewal of Haiti or PPRH [Claude ROMAIN] PPG18 Rally or RASAMBLE Renmen Ayiti or RA [Jean-Henry CEANT] 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] Truth (Verite) 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 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

$1.818 billion $2.059 billion (2015 est.)

expenditures

$2.059 billion (2015 est.)

revenues

$1.818 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-2.8% of GDP (2015 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

12.9% (31 December 2015 est.) 10.77% (31 December 2014 est.)

Current account balance

-$206 million (2015 est.) -$551 million (2014 est.)

Debt - external

$1.969 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $1.937 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

60.8 (2012) 59.2 (2001)

Economy - overview

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, GDP growth rose to 5.5% as the Haitian economy began recovering from the earthquake. However, growth slowed in 2015 to 2% as political uncertainty, drought conditions, and the depreciation of the national currency took a toll on investment and economic growth. Haiti is a free market economy with low labor costs and tariff-free access to the US for many of its exports. Two-fifths of all Haitians depend on the agricultural sector, mainly small-scale subsistence farming, which remains vulnerable to damage from frequent natural disasters, exacerbated by the country's widespread deforestation. 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. Remittances are the primary source of foreign exchange, in 2015 equaling over one-fifth of GDP, and nearly double the combined value of Haitian exports and foreign direct investment. US economic engagement under the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA) and the 2008 Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement Act (HOPE II) helped increase apparel exports and investment by providing duty-free access to the US. The Haiti Economic Lift Program (HELP) Act of 2010 extended the CBTPA and HOPE II until 2020, while the Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015 extended trade benefits provided to Haiti in the HOPE and HELP Acts through September 2025. Apparel sector exports in 2015 reached $904 million and account for about 90% of Haitian exports and more than 10% of the GDP. Investment in Haiti is hampered by the difficulty of doing business and weak infrastructure, including access to electricity. Haiti's outstanding external debt was cancelled by donor countries following the 2010 earthquake, but has since risen to nearly $2 billion as of December 2015, the majority of which is owed to Venezuela under the PetroCaribe program. Although the government has increased its revenue collection, it continues to rely on formal international economic assistance for fiscal sustainability, with over 20% of its annual budget coming from foreign aid or direct budget support.

Exchange rates

gourdes (HTG) per US dollar - 50.71 (2015 est.) 45.22 (2014 est.) 45.22 (2013 est.) 41.95 (2012 est.) 40.52 (2011 est.)

Exports

$1.029 billion (2015 est.) $960.9 million (2014 est.)

Exports - commodities

apparel, manufactures, oils, cocoa, mangoes, coffee

Exports - partners

US 85.3% (2015)

Fiscal year

1 October - 30 September

GDP - composition, by end use

97.5% 0% 30.7% -5.3% 14.5% -42.7% figure for household consumption also includes government consumption (2015 est.)

exports of goods and services

14.5%

government consumption

0%

household consumption

97.5%

imports of goods and services

-42.7%

investment in fixed capital

30.7%

investment in inventories

-5.3%

note

figure for household consumption also includes government consumption (2015 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

22.2% 20.4% 57.4% (2015 est.)

agriculture

22.2%

industry

20.4%

services

57.4% (2015 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$1,800 (2015 est.) $1,800 (2014 est.) $1,700 (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars

note

data are in 2015 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

1% (2015 est.) 2.8% (2014 est.) 4.2% (2013 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$8.618 billion (2015 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$18.75 billion (2015 est.) $18.56 billion (2014 est.) $18.06 billion (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars

note

data are in 2015 US dollars

Gross national saving

22.1% of GDP (2015 est.) 14% of GDP (2014 est.) 14.5% of GDP (2013 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

0.7% 47.7% (2001)

highest 10%

47.7% (2001)

lowest 10%

0.7%

Imports

$3.445 billion (2015 est.) $3.666 billion (2014 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

Dominican Republic 35.3%, US 24.5%, Netherlands Antilles 9.4%, China 9.4% (2015)

Industrial production growth rate

3.2% (2015 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

9% (2015 est.) 4.6% (2014 est.)

Labor force

4.594 million shortage of skilled labor, unskilled labor abundant (2014 est.)

note

shortage of skilled labor, unskilled labor abundant (2014 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

58.5% (2012 est.)

Public debt

26.5% of GDP (2015 est.) 26.6% of GDP (2014 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$1.919 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $1.968 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of broad money

$3.818 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $3.793 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$1.269 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $1.16 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$2.404 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $2.425 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$1.073 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $1.235 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

21.1% of GDP (2015 est.)

Unemployment rate

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

note

widespread unemployment and underemployment; more than two-thirds of the labor force do not have formal jobs

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

2.1 million Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2016 es)

Electricity - consumption

400 million kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

77.3% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

22.7% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

300,000 kW (2014 est.)

Electricity - production

1 billion kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity access

7,400,000 38% 72% 15% (2013)

electrification - rural areas

15% (2013)

electrification - total population

38%

electrification - urban areas

72%

population without electricity

7,400,000

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

18,000 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

17,200 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Broadcast media

130 television stations throughout the country, including 1 government-owned; cable TV subscription service available; 495 radio stations (of them, only 135 are licensed), including 1 government-owned; more than 250 private and community radio stations; over 50 FM stations in Port-au-Prince alone (2015)

Internet country code

.ht

Internet users

1.233 million 12.2% (July 2015 est.)

percent of population

12.2% (July 2015 est.)

total

1.233 million

Telephone system

telecommunications infrastructure is among the least-developed in Latin America and the Caribbean; domestic cell service is functional mobile-cellular telephone services have expanded greatly in the last five years due to low-cost GSM phones and pay-as-you-go plans; mobile-cellular teledensity is about 70 per 100 persons country code - 509; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2015)

domestic

mobile-cellular telephone services have expanded greatly in the last five years due to low-cost GSM phones and pay-as-you-go plans; mobile-cellular teledensity is about 70 per 100 persons

general assessment

telecommunications infrastructure is among the least-developed in Latin America and the Caribbean; domestic cell service is functional

international

country code - 509; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2015)

Telephones - fixed lines

41,000 less than 1 (July 2015 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

less than 1 (July 2015 est.)

total subscriptions

41,000

Telephones - mobile cellular

7.412 million 73 (July 2015 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

73 (July 2015 est.)

total

7.412 million

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

under 914 m

8 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

HH (2016)

National air transport system

1 (2015)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

1 (2015)

number of registered air carriers

1

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)

paved

768 km

total

4,266 km

unpaved

3,498 km (2009)

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

55,107 (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) (2016) 977 (2015) stateless persons are individuals without a nationality who were born in the Dominican Republic prior to January 2010

IDPs

55,107 (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) (2016)

note

stateless persons are individuals without a nationality who were born in the Dominican Republic prior to January 2010

stateless persons

977 (2015)

Trafficking in persons

Haiti is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; most of Haiti’s trafficking cases involve children in domestic servitude vulnerable to physical and sexual abuse; dismissed and runaway child domestic servants often end up in prostitution, begging, or street crime; other exploited populations included low-income Haitians, child laborers, and women and children living in IDP camps dating to the 2010 earthquake; Haitian adults are vulnerable to fraudulent labor recruitment abroad and, along with children, may be subjected to forced labor in the Dominican Republic, elsewhere in the Caribbean, South America, and the US; Dominicans are exploited in sex trafficking and forced labor in Haiti 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; in 2014, Haiti was granted a waiver from an otherwise required downgrade to Tier 3 because its government has a written plan that, if implemented would constitute making significant efforts to bring itself into compliance with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; in 2014, Haiti developed a national anti-trafficking action plan and enacted a law prohibiting all forms of human trafficking, although judicial corruption hampered its implementation; progress was made in investigating and prosecuting suspected traffickers, but no convictions were made; the government sustained limited efforts to identify and refer victims to protective services, which were provided mostly by NGOs without government support; campaigns to raise awareness about child labor and child trafficking continued (2015)

current situation

Haiti is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; most of Haiti’s trafficking cases involve children in domestic servitude vulnerable to physical and sexual abuse; dismissed and runaway child domestic servants often end up in prostitution, begging, or street crime; other exploited populations included low-income Haitians, child laborers, and women and children living in IDP camps dating to the 2010 earthquake; Haitian adults are vulnerable to fraudulent labor recruitment abroad and, along with children, may be subjected to forced labor in the Dominican Republic, elsewhere in the Caribbean, South America, and the US; Dominicans are exploited in sex trafficking and forced labor in Haiti

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; in 2014, Haiti was granted a waiver from an otherwise required downgrade to Tier 3 because its government has a written plan that, if implemented would constitute making significant efforts to bring itself into compliance with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; in 2014, Haiti developed a national anti-trafficking action plan and enacted a law prohibiting all forms of human trafficking, although judicial corruption hampered its implementation; progress was made in investigating and prosecuting suspected traffickers, but no convictions were made; the government sustained limited efforts to identify and refer victims to protective services, which were provided mostly by NGOs without government support; campaigns to raise awareness about child labor and child trafficking continued (2015)