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Haiti: SOCIETY
Population: In 2006 Haiti had an estimated population of 8.3 million, with an annual growth rate of about 2.3 percent. Haiti is the western hemisphere’s second most densely populated country (248 persons per square kilometer), trailing only Barbados. About 1.5 million citizens live in the capital and its surrounding districts. Most of the population, however, lives in small cities. In total, Haiti has only four cities with more than 100,000 residents. All population growth has come from childbearing, as Haiti’s net migration rate stands at –1.3 migrants per 1,000 population. Population statistics remain difficult to gather because of widespread emigration and the periodic exodus of political refugees in the midst of regime change. Thousands of Haitians in recent years have attempted to reach the shores of the United States, often on unseaworthy vessels.
Demography: Haiti has extremely low life expectancy⎯about 53 years in 2006 (51.9 years for males and 54.6 years for females). Haiti had an estimated birthrate of 36.4 births per 1,000 population and a death rate of 12.2 deaths per 1,000 population in 2006. Haiti’s death rate ranks as the worst in the western hemisphere, as does its 2006 infant mortality rate of nearly 72 deaths per 1,000 live births. In terms of gender, slightly more boys than girls are born in Haiti (1.03 males per female), but because of war, working hardships, and sickness, the total population has fewer males (0.97 males per female) than females. Haitian women have an average of 4.9 children. Most of Haiti’s population is under the age of 65. The country’s median age is 18. About 42 percent of the population is 14 or younger; 54 percent is 15 to 64 years of age; and 3 percent is 65 and older.
Ethnic Groups and Languages: Nearly all of Haiti’s population (95 percent) is of African ancestry. The remaining 5 percent of the population is mulatto or white. The origin of the black population in Haiti can be traced back to the colonial slave trade, when Haiti’s thriving sugar plantations needed thousands of slave laborers. French and Creole are Haiti’s official languages.
Religion: About 80 percent of Haitians belong to the Roman Catholic faith. Many, however, mix Catholicism with traditional voodoo practices. Roughly half the population still practices voodoo. About 16 percent of the population identifies itself as Protestant, with the Baptist denomination being the largest.
Education and Literacy: Education standards in Haiti are extremely low. Haiti’s literacy rate of about 53 percent (55 percent for males and 51 percent for females) falls well below the 90 percent average literacy rate for Latin American and Caribbean countries. Under President Aristide, some improvements have occurred. In 1997 the government passed a 10-year education plan, with the goal of universal access to quality schools. The national education budget increased from 9 percent of the national budget in 1997 to 22 percent in 2000, which paid for programs to provide school lunches, uniforms, and bus transportation. Additionally, in 2002 the government began a literacy campaign, facilitated by 30,000 literacy monitors and the distribution of 700,000 literacy manuals. Overall, school attendance rose from 20 percent in 1994 to 64 percent in 2000. Even with these improvements, however, the country still faces severe shortages in educational supplies and qualified teachers, and the rural population remains vastly underrepresented in the country’s classrooms. Currently, most Haitian schools are private rather than state-funded. International private schools (run by Canada, France, or the United States) and church-run schools educate 90 percent of students.
Health: Deficient sanitation systems, poor nutrition, and inadequate health services have pushed Haiti to the bottom of the World Bank’s rankings of health indicators. According to the United Nations World Food Programme, 80 percent of Haiti’s population lives below the poverty line. Consequently, malnutrition is a significant problem. Half the population can be categorized as “food insecure,” and half of all Haitian children are undersized as a result of malnutrition. Less than half the population has access to clean drinking water, a rate that compares poorly even with other less-developed nations. Haiti’s healthy life expectancy at birth is only 44 years. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that only 43 percent of the target population receives the recommended immunizations.
In terms of health care spending, Haiti ranks last in the western hemisphere. Economic instability has limited any growth in this area. Per capita, Haiti spends about US$83 annually on health care. There are 25 physicians and 11 nurses per 100,000 population. Only one-fourth of births are attended by a skilled health professional. Most rural areas have no access to health care, making residents susceptible to otherwise treatable diseases. In 2003, for example, the WHO confirmed an outbreak of typhoid fever in Haiti that, because of a lack of access to doctors and safe water, led to dozens of deaths.
Haiti has the highest incidence of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) outside of Africa. Sex tourism and lack of health education led to the beginning of the epidemic in the early 1980s. Estimates vary, but the United Nations projects the national prevalence rate to be 4.5 percent of the population. Other estimates place the rate as high as 12 percent in the urban population and 5 percent in rural regions. Annually, 5,000 Haitian babies are born infected with the AIDS virus. The disease causes a fifth of all infant deaths and has orphaned 200,000 children.
Welfare: In addition to being the one of the world’s most densely populated countries, Haiti is also one of the poorest. The annual per capita income is about US$450, and most of the population (60 percent) faces underemployment. In recent decades, working and living conditions have been so poor that emigration, often by any means possible, has become a popular avenue of escape. About one out of every eight Haitians presently lives outside the country’s borders.
The international community has donated heavily to the development of Haiti. Programs to feed, educate, and employ Haitians are funded by various international organizations. Since 1973, the United States has been Haiti’s largest donor. Between 1995 and 2003, the United States contributed more than US$850 million to Haiti’s development. It also pledged, in 2004, an additional US$230 million in aid through 2006. Although monetary aid has temporarily eased suffering in Haiti, it has failed to significantly alter Haiti’s developmental trajectory in the past.
Haiti has an underfunded and largely ineffective social insurance program. Employers are responsible for contributing between 2 and 6 percent of their employees’ annual incomes to the social insurance fund. Because most Haitians do not have regular employers, however, this program neglects a large portion of the population. With similar limitations, Haiti has benefits for injured workers, the disabled, and pregnant women.
American Enterprise Institute,It is without question that Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere , plagued by disease and poverty and riddled with gang violence. ... US Missionary's Wife Pays $5,000 for Husband's Release in Haiti - 24 Oct 2006 Christian PostFAYETTEVILLE, NC – The wife of a US missionary kidnapped in Haiti paid $5,000 for her husband's release, his mother said. The Rev. ... Ron Daniels: US owes Haiti 'special debt' - 24 Oct 2006 Frost Illustrated,CAP-HAITIEN, Haiti (NNPA)-The year 2004 was supposed to be spectacular for Ron Daniels, founder of the Haiti Support Project. He ... Haiti represents more than chronic poverty - 24 Oct 2006 FinalCall.com,MILOT, Haiti - When Ron Daniels invited me to join his recent Haiti Support Project’s pilgrimage to the cities of Milot, Cap-Haitien and Port-au-Prince, I ... Locally Coordinated Anti-War Protests from Coast to Coast - 24 Oct 2006 Party for Socialism and LiberationUS Out of Iraq Now! Say NO to Colonial Occupation - Iraq, Palestine , Afghanistan, Haiti & Everywhere! Money for people's needs, not for war! ... over 4,000 Sewing Machines to Missionary Group - 24 Oct 2006 Business Wire (press release),...has partnered with Missionary Flights International (MFI), Fort Pierce, Fla., to deliver the machines to missionary families living in Haiti, the Dominican ... What Future for Haiti? An Interview with Patrick Elie - Oct 23, 2006 Upside Down World,In February 2004, US Marines whisked away then-President Jean-Bertrand Aristide from Haiti amid an armed rebellion led by disgruntled former soldiers and ... The time bomb in our backyard - Oct 23, 2006 New York Daily News,We recently visited Haiti as members of the ongoing US commission to "Help Enhance the Livelihood of People" and render advice on US foreign assistance. ... Speed the key to U-20s cup hopes - Oct 23, 2006 Royal Gazette,...left Toronto yesterday – after having discussions with United Soccer League (USL) officials – to join Bermuda’s delegation in Haiti and finalise ... Caricom offers Haiti help - Oct 20, 2006 Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation,Renewed clashes between armed gangs and UN peacekeepers in Haiti as a disarmament programme runs into trouble. Caricom says it stands ready to help in Haiti. ... Haiti Recalls Dessalines, Request Unity - Oct 22, 2006 Prensa Latina,Himler Rebu, leader of the Grand Gathering for Haiti's Evolution Party, supported the call, after considering it an "essential condition to favor the national ... Denouncement of UNSMH Violence in Haiti - Oct 20, 2006 Prensa Latina,Four people died and several were wounded in the capital neighborhood of Cite Soleil by soldiers from the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (UNSMH), denounced ... Internal And External Strife Has Plagued Haiti - Oct 20, 2006 Atlanta Daily World,In 1697, the countries struck a deal whereby France would control the western third of the island, now known as Haiti, and Spain would retain the eastern ... Children growing up without deported mom - Oct 21, 2006 Palm Beach Post,WEST PALM BEACH — They are ages 5 and 3. Twin boys and a dainty girl too young to know about the impoverished country of Haiti, too young to be told that ... Caribbean leaders: Haiti not ready to join regional trade bloc - Oct 18, 2006 International Herald Tribune,AP. PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti A high-level Caribbean delegation promised to support Haiti as it returns to democratic rule but said Wednesday that the troubled and ... American missionary kidnapped in Haiti - Oct 17, 2006 USA TodayPORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Kidnappers seized a US missionary as he left his church in northern Haiti and demanded a $5,000 ransom for his release, UN ... US missionary kidnapped in Haiti - Oct 17, 2006 San Jose Mercury News,PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti - Kidnappers seized a US missionary as he left his church in northern Haiti and are demanding a ransom for his release, UN officials and ... American Missionary Kidnapped in Haiti - Oct 17, 2006 Forbes,Kidnappers seized a US missionary as he left his church in northern Haiti and are demanding a ransom for his release, UN officials and relatives said Tuesday. ... Kidnappers free US missionary in Haiti - Oct 17, 2006 International Herald Tribune,AP. PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti A US missionary kidnapped as he left his church in northern Haiti was freed unharmed, his family said early Wednesday. The Rev. ... At least three said killed in clash in Haiti slum - Oct 19, 2006 Reuters.uk,PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (Reuters) - At least three people were killed in Haiti's largest and most dangerous slum on Thursday when a protest over the alleged ... Kidnappers free US missionary in Haiti - Oct 18, 2006 Boston Herald,By AP. A US missionary was kidnapped as he left his church in northern Haiti and later freed unharmed, his family said early today. The Rev. ... US missionary kidnapped in Haiti - Oct 17, 2006 International Herald Tribune,AP. PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti Kidnappers seized a US missionary as he left his church in northern Haiti and are demanding a ransom for his release, UN officials and ... US missionary kidnapped in Haiti - Oct 17, 2006 Monsters and Critics.com,PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (UPI) -- A US missionary has been kidnapped in northern Haiti, UN officials in the troubled Caribbean nation said Tuesday. The Rev. ... Witnesses say 2 civilians killed in Haiti clash with UN troops - Oct 19, 2006 International Herald Tribune,AP. PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti A gunbattle broke out Thursday between UN troops and gunmen after peacekeepers bulldozed debris from a road in a volatile slum, and ... Kidnapped US Missionary Released in Haiti - Oct 18, 2006 Voice of AmericaBy VOA News. Parents of a US missionary kidnapped in Haiti say he has been released after two days in captivity. Pritchard Adams ... Statistics and damn lies - Oct 21, 2006 Trinidad & Tobago Express,Let me hasten to add that the UN numbers, spouted so easily by those who would have our country look like Haiti, do not define the true poverty line. ... Housekeeper who found $12,500 decides against clean getaway - Oct 22, 2006 Chicago Sun-Times,For Marie Toussaint, it was a no-brainer. ''The money didn't belong to me, and I wasn't supposed to take it,'' the 50-year-old Haiti native said. ... Douglas leads Caricom delegation to Haiti - Oct 18, 2006 Sun St.Kitts/Nevis,Chairman of the Caribbean Community (Caricom), Prime Minister, Dr. Denzil Douglas is leading a delegation of the Bureau of Heads of government to Haiti today. ... Ron Daniels: The US Owes Haiti a ‘Special Debt’ - Oct 17, 2006 The Wilmington Journal,...by George E. Curry. CAP-HAITIEN, Haiti (NNPA) – The year 2004 was supposed to be spectacular for Ron Daniels, founder of the Haiti Support Project. ... CARICOM Prime Ministerial Mission to Haiti will assess country’s ... - Oct 18, 2006 Communication's Unit Of The St. Kitts Prime Minister,Dr. Denzil L. Douglas said the Prime Ministerial Mission to Haiti on Wednesday is aimed at consolidating that country’s re-entry into the integration ... CARICOM mission will assess Haiti’s re-entry into integration ... - Oct 18, 2006 Caribbean Net News,...and Nevis Prime Minister and current Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Dr Denzil Douglas, said the Prime Ministerial Mission to Haiti on Wednesday ... Local Ministry Sending Cribs To Haiti - Oct 19, 2006 KKTV 11 News,...garage. But once they learned the cribs were for an orphanage in Haiti, Kohn says many who gawked, stopped to lend a hand. "Weather ... American missionary kidnapped while leaving his church in northern ... - Oct 18, 2006 abc13.com,...(10/18/06 - PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti) - Kidnappers seized a US missionary as he left his church in northern Haiti and demanded a $5,000 ransom for his release, UN ... Photojournalist, students, share thoughts on Haiti - Oct 18, 2006 Tallahassee Democrat,...for a dinner hosted by the club Tuesday night and to hear Miami Herald photographer Carl Juste speak about his experiences as a Haitian in Haiti in 2004, when ... U-20s have no fear of Jamaica or Haiti - Oct 20, 2006 Bermuda Sun,The young stars head to Haiti this weekend for the second phase of qualifying where they will take on the powerhouses of the Caribbean in a four-team group. ... CARICOM delegation visits Haiti to gather data that will enable it ... - Oct 16, 2006 Haiti Action Committee,Port-au-Prince - AHP — A CARICOM technical mission has been working in Haiti since Sunday in an effort to follow through on promises made by the regional ... Church minister is taken in Haiti - Oct 16, 2006 Fayetteville Online,By Andrew C. Martel. A missionary with ties to Fayetteville was kidnapped in Haiti on Sunday, according to his family. Pritchard ... This series of profiles of foreign nations is part of the Country Studies Program, formerly the Army Area Handbook Program. The profiles offer brief, summarized information on a country’s historical background, geography, society, economy, transportation and telecommunications, government and politics, and national security. In addition to being featured in the front matter of published Country Studies, they are now being prepared as stand-alone reference aides for all countries in the series, as well as for a number of additional countries of interest. The profiles offer reasonably current country information independent of the existence of a recently published Country Study and will be updated annually or more frequently as events warrant. |
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