Haiti

Cultural Attributes

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Holidays

• Independence Day

  1/1

  Independence Day

• Birthdate - John James Audubon

  4/26

  Birthday

  Birthdate - John James Audubon, ornithologist and painter of birdlife, was born Les Cayes, Santo Domingo, Haiti

• Christmas

  12/25

  Christmas

  Christmas is called Noël, which originates from the French phrase les bonnes nouvelles (the good news), and refers to the gospel. This season is highlighted by the midnight mass where people would then come home to an enticing reveillon, a Christmas or New Year’s Eve supper to “wake them up” as this French word implies.

  This usually comes out as a breakfast because it begins very early in the morning and often lasts till dawn. The typical Christmas menu includes fried pork or goat, pikliz(spicy pickled carrots and cabbage), fried plantains , Pain Patate( sweetened potato), fig, and banana pudding, Haitian bread and Pineapple Nog.

  Freshly cut Christmas trees brought from the mountains a few days before Christmas occupy a large part of wealthy Haitian homes. The Christmas trees radiate with ornaments and graced by a nativity scene complete with the characters depicted in the first Christmas, all set with intricately designed stable animals and strewn with hay. Young and old alike would place their polished shoes filled with straw on the porch or under the Christmas tree. They believe that Papa Noel, their version of Santa Clause, would move the straw to place the present in or around the shoes.

  Christmas day brings lots of eating, drinking, singing and playing with the toys brought by Papa Noel. Children are told to go to bed by midnight to make it easy for Papa Noël to work in his quiet way as he comes into the house usually through a window or down a hall or through a keyhole from his place in the North Pole.

  People send gifts to children, relatives, friends, business associates, and the less fortunate ones. Children also have noisemakers and homemade firework to play with. They are allowed freedom to go wherever they want on this night with older children taking charge of younger ones. They are also allowed to drink anisette, a mild alcoholic beverage prepared by soaking the “anise” leaves in rum and sweetening it with sugar.

  Christmas in Haiti would not be complete without music. Stations would play a variety of Christmas songs including the three of the well-known and well-loved popular Christmas songs in Haiti as in the rest of the world- the Mon beau sapin, Petit papa Noël, Oh, quand j’entends chanter Noël ! The whole neighborhood is ablaze with lights up until the wee hours of the morning and people gather in groups to go caroling.

  Church members perform caroling in public places, aside from the regular worship services and special performances called cantatas. Religious Christmas music which comprise of hymns and songs used in churches, and classical compositions of Bach and Handel, along with popular Christmas carols are the sounds filling the air in this festive time. </p

Dates of Interest

• December 25th

  Christmas is called Noël, which originates from the French phrase les bonnes nouvelles (the good news), and refers to the gospel. This season is highlighted by the midnight mass where people would then come home to an enticing reveillon, a Christmas or New Year’s Eve supper to “wake them up” as this French word implies. This usually comes out as a breakfast because it begins very early in the morning and often lasts till dawn. The typical Christmas menu includes fried pork or goat, pikliz(spicy pickled carrots and cabbage), fried plantains , Pain Patate( sweetened potato), fig, and banana pudding, Haitian bread and Pineapple Nog. Freshly cut Christmas trees brought from the mountains a few days before Christmas occupy a large part of wealthy Haitian homes. The Christmas trees radiate with ornaments and graced by a nativity scene complete with the characters depicted in the first Christmas, all set with intric

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Historical Eras

Overview

Timeline of Key Events

1. 1492

   Christopher Columbus lands and claims the island of Hispaniola for Spain.

   Christopher Columbus lands and claims the island of Hispaniola for Spain. The Spanish build the New World’s first settlement at La Navidad on Haiti’s north coast.

2. 1697

   Spain cedes western part of Hispaniola to France.

   Spain cedes western part of Hispaniola to France, and this becomes Haiti, or Land of Mountains.

3. 1791 – 1803

   A slave rebellion is launched by the Jamaican-born Boukman.

   A slave rebellion is launched by the Jamaican-born Boukman leading to a protracted 13-year war of liberation against St. Domingue’s colonists and later, Napoleon’s army which was also assisted by Spanish and British forces. The slave armies were commanded by General Toussaint Louverture who was eventually betrayed by the French and subsequently exiled to France where he died.

4. 1803

   The Haitian blue and red flag is devised at Arcahie.

   The Haitian blue and red flag is devised at Arcahie, by taking the French tricolor, turning it in its side and removing the white band. The Battle of Vertières in November marks the ultimate victory of the former slaves over the French.

5. 1804

   Haiti becomes independent.

   Haiti becomes independent; former slave Jean-Jacques Dessalines declares himself emperor.

6. 1807 – 1820

   Civil war racks the country.

   Civil war racks the country, which divides into the northern kingdom of Henri Christophe and the southern republic governed by Alexandre Pétion. Faced with a rebellion by his own army, Christophe commits suicide, paving the way for Jean-Pierre Boyer to reunify the country and become President of the entire republic in 1820.

7. 1821

   President Boyer invades Santo Domingo following its declaration of independence from Spain.

   President Boyer invades Santo Domingo following its declaration of independence from Spain. The entire island is now controlled by Haiti until 1844.

Religion

Languages Spoken

• Creole
• French

Population

Population

11,724,763

Population in Major Urban Areas

PORT-AU-PRINCE (capital) 2.207 million

Nationality Noun

Haitian(s)

Ethnic Groups

Black 95%, mulatto and white 5%

Education

Literacy Definition

Age 15 and over can read and write

Health Information

Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth in Haiti stands at approximately 64 years, placing it among the lowest in the Western Hemisphere. This figure reflects the profound and ongoing challenges the country faces across its health, economic, and social systems. Women in Haiti tend to outlive men, with female life expectancy estimated at around 66 years compared to approximately 62 years for males. Haiti's relatively low life expectancy is shaped by a complex intersection of factors. Widespread poverty limits access to nutritious food, clean water, and basic sanitation for a significant portion of the population. The public health infrastructure remains severely underdeveloped, with shortages of trained medical personnel, medicines, and functioning health facilities, particularly in rural areas where the majority of Haitians live. Infectious diseases continue to pose serious threats. Malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS remain persistent public health concerns. The 2010 cholera outbreak — which followed the devastating January earthquake of that year — killed tens of thousands and strained an already fragile health system. A subsequent cholera resurgence emerged in 2022 amid escalating gang violence and displacement, further undermining public health capacity. The 2010 earthquake itself caused enormous mortality and long-lasting damage to critical infrastructure, and the August 2021 earthquake in the southern peninsula compounded these setbacks, killing over 2,200 people and destroying hospitals, clinics, and housing in an already vulnerable region. Maternal and infant mortality rates in Haiti are among the highest in the region, further dragging down overall life expectancy figures. Complications during pregnancy and childbirth remain a leading cause of death for women of reproductive age, while infant mortality runs well above regional averages, reflecting persistent gaps in prenatal care and neonatal services. Political instability — including the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021 and the subsequent deterioration of security conditions driven by gang expansion across much of the country — has severely disrupted health service delivery, supply chains, and humanitarian access. Recurring natural disasters, food insecurity, and constrained international aid pipelines have all compounded the difficulty of sustaining meaningful, long-term improvements in population health. Despite these challenges, some progress has been made over the past several decades — life expectancy was notably lower in the late 20th century — demonstrating that targeted interventions in areas such as vaccination coverage, maternal health, and nutrition can yield measurable gains even in deeply resource-constrained environments. Continued investment in primary health care, education, security, and infrastructure will be essential for Haiti to close the significant gap that separates its life expectancy from that of its Caribbean neighbors.

Major Infectious Diseases — degree of risk

High

Infant Mortality Rate

Haiti faces one of the highest infant mortality rates in the Western Hemisphere, reflecting the country's persistent challenges in healthcare access, infrastructure, and socioeconomic conditions. As of the most recent available data, Haiti's infant mortality rate stands at approximately 40 to 45 deaths per 1,000 live births, meaning that roughly 4 to 5 percent of children born in Haiti do not survive to their first birthday. This figure is significantly higher than the Latin America and Caribbean regional average of around 14 deaths per 1,000 live births. The leading causes of infant death in Haiti include neonatal infections, respiratory illnesses, diarrheal diseases, and complications arising from premature birth or low birth weight. Malnutrition is a compounding factor, as it weakens immune responses and increases vulnerability to otherwise treatable conditions. Access to clean drinking water remains limited for a large portion of the population, particularly in rural areas, where waterborne illnesses continue to take a heavy toll on infants and young children. Haiti's healthcare system is severely underfunded and understaffed, with a shortage of trained medical professionals, particularly in remote regions outside Port-au-Prince. Many births occur outside of formal medical facilities, limiting access to skilled birth attendants and emergency obstetric care. The 2010 earthquake and subsequent natural disasters further destabilized an already fragile public health infrastructure, with effects on maternal and child health still being felt more than a decade later. Despite these challenges, the infant mortality rate has declined substantially over recent decades. In the 1990s, Haiti's infant mortality rate was estimated at over 90 deaths per 1,000 live births, meaning the current figures represent a meaningful improvement driven by international aid programs, expanded vaccination coverage, and community health worker initiatives supported by organizations such as UNICEF and the World Health Organization. Sustained progress will require continued investment in clean water and sanitation, nutrition programs, prenatal care, and strengthening the national health system to ensure that gains already made are not reversed by ongoing political instability and economic hardship.

Life Expectancy

Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth in Haiti stands at approximately 64 years, placing it among the lowest in the Western Hemisphere. This figure reflects the profound and ongoing challenges the country faces across its health, economic, and social systems. Women in Haiti tend to outlive men, with female life expectancy estimated at around 66 years compared to approximately 62 years for males. Haiti's relatively low life expectancy is shaped by a complex intersection of factors. Widespread poverty limits access to nutritious food, clean water, and basic sanitation for a significant portion of the population. The public health infrastructure remains severely underdeveloped, with shortages of trained medical personnel, medicines, and functioning health facilities, particularly in rural areas where the majority of Haitians live. Infectious diseases continue to pose serious threats. Malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS remain persistent public health concerns. The 2010 cholera outbreak — which followed the devastating January earthquake of that year — killed tens of thousands and strained an already fragile health system. A subsequent cholera resurgence emerged in 2022 amid escalating gang violence and displacement, further undermining public health capacity. The 2010 earthquake itself caused enormous mortality and long-lasting damage to critical infrastructure, and the August 2021 earthquake in the southern peninsula compounded these setbacks, killing over 2,200 people and destroying hospitals, clinics, and housing in an already vulnerable region. Maternal and infant mortality rates in Haiti are among the highest in the region, further dragging down overall life expectancy figures. Complications during pregnancy and childbirth remain a leading cause of death for women of reproductive age, while infant mortality runs well above regional averages, reflecting persistent gaps in prenatal care and neonatal services. Political instability — including the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021 and the subsequent deterioration of security conditions driven by gang expansion across much of the country — has severely disrupted health service delivery, supply chains, and humanitarian access. Recurring natural disasters, food insecurity, and constrained international aid pipelines have all compounded the difficulty of sustaining meaningful, long-term improvements in population health. Despite these challenges, some progress has been made over the past several decades — life expectancy was notably lower in the late 20th century — demonstrating that targeted interventions in areas such as vaccination coverage, maternal health, and nutrition can yield measurable gains even in deeply resource-constrained environments. Continued investment in primary health care, education, security, and infrastructure will be essential for Haiti to close the significant gap that separates its life expectancy from that of its Caribbean neighbors.

Infant Mortality Rate

Haiti faces one of the highest infant mortality rates in the Western Hemisphere, reflecting the country's persistent challenges in healthcare access, infrastructure, and socioeconomic conditions. As of the most recent available data, Haiti's infant mortality rate stands at approximately 40 to 45 deaths per 1,000 live births, meaning that roughly 4 to 5 percent of children born in Haiti do not survive to their first birthday. This figure is significantly higher than the Latin America and Caribbean regional average of around 14 deaths per 1,000 live births. The leading causes of infant death in Haiti include neonatal infections, respiratory illnesses, diarrheal diseases, and complications arising from premature birth or low birth weight. Malnutrition is a compounding factor, as it weakens immune responses and increases vulnerability to otherwise treatable conditions. Access to clean drinking water remains limited for a large portion of the population, particularly in rural areas, where waterborne illnesses continue to take a heavy toll on infants and young children. Haiti's healthcare system is severely underfunded and understaffed, with a shortage of trained medical professionals, particularly in remote regions outside Port-au-Prince. Many births occur outside of formal medical facilities, limiting access to skilled birth attendants and emergency obstetric care. The 2010 earthquake and subsequent natural disasters further destabilized an already fragile public health infrastructure, with effects on maternal and child health still being felt more than a decade later. Despite these challenges, the infant mortality rate has declined substantially over recent decades. In the 1990s, Haiti's infant mortality rate was estimated at over 90 deaths per 1,000 live births, meaning the current figures represent a meaningful improvement driven by international aid programs, expanded vaccination coverage, and community health worker initiatives supported by organizations such as UNICEF and the World Health Organization. Sustained progress will require continued investment in clean water and sanitation, nutrition programs, prenatal care, and strengthening the national health system to ensure that gains already made are not reversed by ongoing political instability and economic hardship.

Country Identity

Country Name

Haiti

Full Country Name

Republic of Haiti

Local - Long

Republique d'Haiti

Local - Short

Haiti

Government Structure

Government Type

elected government

Legal System

based on Roman civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Executive Branch

chief of state: President (acting) Edgarnd GOUSSE (2024); note: Haiti has experienced prolonged political instability following the assassination of President Jovenel MOÏSE on 7 July 2021; Ariel HENRY served as prime minister and de facto head of state from July 2021 until his resignation in March 2024 amid a severe security crisis driven by gang violence; a transitional presidential council was subsequently established to guide the country toward new elections head of government: Prime Minister Garry CONILLE (since June 2024), appointed by the Transitional Presidential Council; note: Haiti's transitional governance structure was formed in 2024 with the support of the international community to restore stability and prepare conditions for democratic elections cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister in consultation with the transitional presidential council elections: Under the 1987 constitution, the president is elected by popular vote for a five-year term and is ineligible for a consecutive second term; no presidential elections have been held since 2016, when Jovenel MOÏSE was elected; elections remain suspended due to ongoing security and political instability; the prime minister is appointed by the president and must be ratified by the National Assembly election results: Jovenel MOÏSE was elected president in the November 2016 election with approximately 55.6% of the vote; he was assassinated in July 2021 before completing his term; Haiti has since operated under transitional governance arrangements

Legislative Branch

Haiti's legislative branch was established as a bicameral National Assembly (Assemblée Nationale), consisting of the Senate (30 seats) and the Chamber of Deputies (119 seats). However, Haiti's legislative institutions have been effectively non-functional for an extended period. The terms of the last sitting legislators expired in January 2020, leaving the country without a functioning parliament. Since that time, the executive branch has governed by decree, a situation that has persisted through significant political upheaval, including the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021 and the subsequent transitional governance arrangements. Under the constitutional framework, senators were elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms, with one-third of seats renewed every two years, while deputies served four-year terms elected by popular vote. No legislative elections have been successfully organized since 2016, owing to chronic insecurity, political instability, gang violence, and institutional dysfunction that have made the conduct of free and fair elections effectively impossible. As of the mid-2020s, Haiti continues to be governed without a functioning legislature. A transitional presidential council was established in 2024 to help guide the country toward eventual elections and the restoration of democratic institutions, though significant obstacles remain. The reconstitution of a functional National Assembly is widely regarded as a critical step in Haiti's broader political stabilization process, but no confirmed election dates have been firmly established.

Judicial Branch

Supreme Court or Cour de Cassation

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Constitution

approved March 1987; suspended June 1988 with most articles reinstated March 1989; in October 1991 government claimed to be observing the constitution; returned to constitutional rule in October 1994

Independence

1 January 1804 (from France)

National Holiday

Independence Day, 1 January (1804)

Capital City

Capital Name

Port-au-Prince

Capital - geographic coordinate

18 32 N, 72 20 W

Capital Time Difference

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

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

Embassy / Diplomatic Mission

Snapshot

Currency Name and Code

Haitian Gourde (HTG) and US Dollar (USD)

GDP — official exchange rate

$4,321,000,000 (USD)

GDP Real Growth Rate

-3%