Country Profile: Haiti

Haiti is located in the Caribbean, occupying the western third of the island of Hispaniola, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. With a population of approximately 11.8 million people, it is the most populous country in the Caribbean and faces significant challenges including extreme poverty, political instability, and natural disasters. The economy is heavily reliant on agriculture, services, and remittances, but it has been hindered by high inflation and significant income inequality. Haiti's governance structures have been compromised by a history of political turmoil, notably following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021.

Geography

Haiti is characterized by a mostly mountainous terrain and a tropical climate, situated between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean. It covers an area of 27,750 square kilometers and has a coastline of 1,771 kilometers. The country is vulnerable to natural disasters, including hurricanes and earthquakes, which have had devastating impacts on its infrastructure and population.

376 km: Total land boundary with the Dominican Republic.
1,771 km: Length of coastline.
27,750 sq km: Total area, slightly smaller than Maryland.
470 m: Mean elevation of the country.
65.1%: Percentage of land used for agriculture (2022 est.).
12.4%: Forest cover (2022 est.).

People and Society

Haiti's population is estimated at 11,753,943 in 2024, predominantly of African descent, with a small percentage of mixed and White individuals. The official languages are French and Haitian Creole, reflecting the country's colonial history. The majority of the population practices Christianity, with Catholicism and Protestantism being the most prevalent religions, alongside elements of Vodou.

59.7%: Urban population (2023).
30.5%: Percentage of the population aged 0-14 years.
1.23%: Population growth rate (2024 est.).
68%: Literacy rate (2017 est.).
65.6%: Access to improved sanitation facilities (2020 est.).

Economy

Haiti's economy is marked by extreme poverty, high inflation, and income inequality, with significant reliance on agriculture, industrial production, and remittances from the diaspora. The real GDP (PPP) is projected at $32.971 billion for 2024, but the economy has faced negative growth rates in recent years due to civil unrest and various crises. The country is open to foreign direct investment and has established preferential trading relationships with the United States.

15.1%: Unemployment rate (2024 est.).
$2,800: Real GDP per capita (2024 est.).
26.9%: Inflation rate (2024 est.).
$1.095 billion: Exports estimated in 2023.
$5.303 billion: Imports estimated in 2023.

Government

Haiti operates as a semi-presidential republic, currently under a transitional government structure following the assassination of President Moïse. The country has been without a functioning legislature since October 2024. The current Prime Minister, Ariel Henry, leads a transitional council aimed at restoring order and preparing for future elections.

January 1, 1804: Date of independence from France.
10 March 1987: Date of the latest constitution adoption.
0%: Representation of women in the Chamber of Deputies (2023).
18 years: Minimum voting age for suffrage.

Military and Security

Haiti's security apparatus includes the Haitian Armed Forces and the National Police, which are tasked with maintaining public safety amid rising gang violence. The military was reinstated in 2017 after being disbanded in 1995, and it is currently working in collaboration with various international missions to stabilize the country.

2,000: Estimate of trained military personnel (2025).
9,000 to 13,000: Estimate range for National Police personnel (2025).
2,500: Personnel planned for a Kenya-led multinational security mission (2025).

Energy

The energy sector in Haiti faces significant challenges, with less than half of the population having access to electricity. The country relies predominantly on fossil fuels for energy generation, with a small share from renewable sources like hydroelectricity.

49.3%: Total population with access to electricity (2022 est.).
861 million kWh: Electricity consumption in 2023.
472,000 kW: Installed generating capacity (2023 est.).

Environment

Haiti is vulnerable to environmental degradation, including deforestation and soil erosion, driven largely by agricultural practices and the need for fuel. The country is also exposed to natural disasters, which further exacerbate these issues.

65.1%: Land used for agriculture (2022 est.).
2,309,852 tons: Annual municipal solid waste generated (2015 est.).
14.02 billion cubic meters: Total renewable water resources (2020 est.).

Transportation

Haiti's transportation infrastructure includes 17 airports and numerous ports, though the facilities may not always be fully functional. The country relies heavily on its coastal access for trade.

5: Total ports (2024).
17: Number of airports (2025).
4: Merchant marine vessels (2023).

Communications

Haiti has made strides in communication technology, with increased mobile phone subscriptions and internet usage, though fixed-line services remain limited.

7.32 million: Total mobile cellular subscriptions (2021 est.).
39%: Percentage of population using the internet (2019 est.).
35,000: Fixed broadband subscriptions (2022 est.).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	11,753,943	Estimated for 2024
Area	27,750 sq km	Total area
GDP (PPP)	$32.971 billion	Estimated for 2024
GDP per capita	$2,800	Estimated for 2024
Unemployment rate	15.1%	Estimated for 2024
Inflation rate	26.9%	Estimated for 2024
Electrification rate	49.3%	Population with access to electricity (2022)
Urban population	59.7%	Percentage of population living in urban areas
Forest cover	12.4%	Percentage of land covered by forests (2022)
Literacy rate	68%	Total literacy rate (2017)