Country Profile: Haiti

Haiti, located on the western third of the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean, is characterized by its mountainous terrain and tropical climate. The nation has a population of approximately 11.9 million, with about 59.7% living in urban areas. Haiti's economy is one of the poorest in the Western Hemisphere, heavily reliant on agriculture, remittances, and foreign direct investment, while it faces significant challenges related to political instability and civil unrest. Governed as a semi-presidential republic, Haiti has struggled with governance issues, particularly following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021.

Geography

Haiti is situated between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, sharing the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic. The country has a total area of approximately 27,750 square kilometers, featuring a mostly mountainous terrain with a coastline of 1,771 kilometers. Natural resources include bauxite, copper, and hydropower, while the climate is predominantly tropical, interspersed with periods of semiarid conditions.

Area: 27,750 sq km
Highest Point: Pic la Selle at 2,674 m
Coastline Length: 1,771 km
Population Density: Approximately 430 people/sq km (2025 est.)
Land Use: 65.1% agricultural land (2023 est.)

People and Society

Haiti has an estimated population of 11.9 million as of 2025, predominantly of Black descent (95%). The official languages are French and Haitian Creole, with a literacy rate of around 68%. Religious beliefs are primarily Roman Catholic (55%) and Protestant (29%), with Vodou also playing a significant cultural role. The median age of the population is 25.3 years.

Population: 11,898,812 (2025 est.)
Urbanization Rate: 59.7% of the population (2023)
Birth Rate: 20.76 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Life Expectancy: 65.6 years (2024 est.)
Infant Mortality Rate: 35 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)

Economy

Haiti's economy is marked by extreme poverty and a high unemployment rate, estimated at 15.1% (2024). The real GDP (purchasing power parity) was approximately $32.971 billion in 2024, though the economy has shown negative growth rates recently. Agriculture contributes around 15.9% to GDP, with key exports including garments and agricultural products. Remittances are vital, accounting for nearly 18.9% of GDP (2023).

GDP (PPP): $32.971 billion (2024 est.)
GDP per Capita: $2,800 (2024 est.)
Inflation Rate: 26.9% (2024 est.)
Labor Force: 5.281 million (2024 est.)
Main Industries: Textiles, sugar refining, flour milling

Government

Haiti is classified as a semi-presidential republic, currently governed by a transitional council following the assassination of President Moïse in 2021. The country has been without elected officials since January 2023, indicating significant political instability. The capital city is Port-au-Prince, and the government operates under a civil law system influenced by the Napoleonic Code.

Government Type: Semi-presidential republic
Capital: Port-au-Prince
Next Expected Election: 30 August 2026
Administrative Divisions: 10 departments
Suffrage: Universal at 18 years

Military and Security

Haiti's military, the Haitian Armed Forces (FAdH), was reconstituted in 2017 after being disbanded in 1995. The country also relies on the Haitian National Police for maintaining public security. The military has been called upon to assist in combating armed gangs, which have proliferated since the political turmoil following the assassination of President Moïse.

Military Personnel: Approximately 2,000 trained military personnel (2025)
National Police Strength: Estimated between 9,000 to 13,000
Military Service Age: 18-25 years (voluntary)
International Support: Ongoing assistance from Canada, the US, and other nations

Energy

Haiti's electrification rate stands at 49.3% of the total population, with urban areas having significantly better access than rural regions. The country's electricity generation is primarily derived from fossil fuels, accounting for 81.3% of installed capacity, while total consumption was 861 million kWh in 2023.

Electrification Rate: 49.3% (2022 est.)
Installed Capacity: 472,000 kW (2023 est.)
Electricity Consumption: 861 million kWh (2023 est.)
Energy Consumption per Capita: 3.486 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Environment

Haiti faces several environmental challenges, including deforestation, soil erosion, and inadequate potable water. The country is prone to natural disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes. Efforts to combat environmental issues include participation in international agreements on biodiversity and climate change.

Deforestation Rate: Significant, due to agriculture and fuel needs
Urban Population: 59.7% of the total population (2023)
Total Water Withdrawal: 1.209 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

Transportation

Haiti has limited transportation infrastructure, with 17 airports and a small merchant marine fleet. The main ports include Cap Haitien and Port-au-Prince, which facilitate international trade.

Total Airports: 17 (2025)
Merchant Marine: 4 vessels (2023)
Key Ports: Cap Haitien, Jacmel, Port-au-Prince

Communications

Haiti's communication infrastructure includes both fixed-line and mobile telephony. By 2022, there were about 7.5 million mobile subscriptions, but internet access remains limited, with only 39% of the population online.

Fixed-line Subscriptions: 1,360 (2022)
Mobile Subscriptions: 7.5 million (2022)
Internet Users: 39% of the population (2019 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	11,898,812	2025 estimate
Area	27,750 sq km	Total area
GDP (PPP)	$32.971 billion	2024 estimate
Unemployment Rate	15.1%	2024 estimate
Inflation Rate	26.9%	2024 estimate
Life Expectancy	65.6 years	2024 estimate
Birth Rate	20.76 births/1,000	2025 estimate
Urban Population	59.7%	2023
Total Energy Consumption per Capita	3.486 million Btu/person	2023 estimate
Electric Consumption	861 million kWh	2023 estimate