Population and Demographics

More than 90% of Haitians are of predominate western African and Black descent, although a significant number of the population also have mixed ancestry between African and native Taino heritage. The numbers of native-descended Haitians are not known. The rest are White or mulatto, including descent from French, Levantine, Spanish, Italian, German, Dominican, Arab Syrian and East Indian ancestors. There is a very small percentage within the minority who are of Japanese or Chinese origin. Up to a million Haitians live in the Dominican Republic.

French is one of two official languages, but it is spoken by only about 10% of the people. All Haitians speak Creole, the country's other official language. However, Spanish is spoken near the border due to the proximity of the Dominican Republic and is increasingly being spoken westward from the border as Dominican and Cuban trade influence Haitian affairs. English is also increasingly spoken among the young and in the business sector.

The state religion is Roman Catholicism, which most of the population professes. Some Haitians have converted to Protestantism through the work of missionaries active throughout the country. Much of the population also practices voodoo traditions but these claims are denied by many of the populace. Haitians tend to see no conflict in these African-rooted beliefs co-existing with Christian faiths.

Although public education is free, private and parochial schools provide around 75% of educational programs offered. Less than 65% of children of primary school age are actually enrolled. At the secondary level, the figure drops to 15%. Of those enrolled in primary school, 63% will complete it. Though Haitians place a high value on education, few can afford to send their children to secondary school. Remittances sent by Haitians living abroad are important in paying educational costs.

Large-scale emigration, principally to the United States - but also to Canada, France, the Dominican Republic, the Bahamas and other Caribbean neighbours - has created what Haitians refer to as the Tenth Department or the Diaspora. About one of every six Haitians live abroad.

Facts and Figures

• Population: 8,308,504
• Age Structure:
  • 0-14 years: 42.4% (male 1,770,523/female 1,749,853)
  • 15-64 years: 54.2% (male 2,201,957/female 2,301,886)
  • 65 years and over: 3.4% (male 125,298/female 158,987)
• Median Age:
  • Total: 18.2 years
  • Male: 17.8 years
  • Female: 18.6 years
• Population Growth Rate: 2.3%
• Birth Rate: 36.44 births/1,000 population
• Death Rate: 12.17 deaths/1,000 population
• Net Migration Rate: -1.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population
• Sex Ratio:
  • At birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
  • Under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
  • 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
  • 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female
  • Total population: 0.97 male(s)/female
• Infant Mortality Rate:
  • Total: 71.65 deaths/1,000 live births
  • Male: 78.01 deaths/1,000 live births
  • Female: 65.1 deaths/1,000 live births
• Life Expectancy at Birth:
  • Total population: 53.23 years
  • Male: 51.89 years
  • Female: 54.6 years
• Total Fertility Rate: 4.94 children born/woman
• HIV/AIDS:
  • Adult prevalence rate: 5.6%
  • People living with HIV/AIDS: 280,000
• Ethnic Groups:
  • Black 95%
  • Mulatto and white 5%
• Religions:
  Note: roughly half of the population practices voodoo
  • Roman Catholic 80%
  • Protestant 16% (Baptist 10%, Pentecostal 4%, Adventist 1%, other 1%)
  • Other 3%
  • None 1%
• Languages:
  • French (official)
  • Creole (official)
• Literacy:
  • Total population: 52.9%
  • Male: 54.8%
  • Female: 51.2%