Demographics of Haiti

Haiti is the 83rd most populous country in the world, with an estimated population of 11,123,178 as of July 2018. The last national census happened in 2003, and it recorded a population of 8,812,245, though much of that data has not yet been shared.

Most people in Haiti are Afro-Haitian, making up about 80% of the population. Studies show that their DNA is mostly from Africa, around 85-95%, with some European or mixed European ancestry. In the north of Haiti, people are usually about 95% African, while in the south, it’s closer to 75% because there are more people with mixed European or native backgrounds.

Besides the Afro-Haitian majority, Haiti also has Mulattoes, Europeans, Asians, and Arabs. Some Hispanic people live there too, mainly from Cuba and the Dominican Republic. About two-thirds of Haitians live in rural areas, and in 2006, the average Haitian household had about 4.5 members.

Population size and structure

Haiti's population in 2018 was about 11.4 million people, much larger than the 3.2 million people in 1950. Most people, about 60%, were between 15 and 65 years old. Around 36% were children under 15, and only 4.5% were older than 65.

Structure of the population

Vital statistics

UN estimates

Keeping track of births and deaths in Haiti is difficult. The United Nations helped make some guesses about the population. Even though big disasters can sometimes lead to more people over time, after a big earthquake in Haiti in 2010, the number of babies being born kept going down, just like before.

Demographic and Health Surveys

Information about how many babies are born and how many people want to have babies is collected by special surveys.

Life expectancy at birth

In 2018, people in Haiti lived about 64 years on average. Men lived around 62 years, and women lived about 67 years.

Ethnic groups

See also: Haitians

Most people in Haiti have African roots, making up about 95% of the population. The remaining people come from families that moved into Haiti or married into Haitian families over time, especially after the Haitian Revolution.

Languages

The island of Haiti, also called Ayti, was once home to the Taíno people, who called the land "land of high mountains."

Today, Haiti has two official languages: French and Haitian Creole. Haitian Creole is spoken by almost everyone in Haiti. It is a mix of French and words from Portuguese, Spanish, Taíno, and West African languages. French is used in schools, government work, and special events like weddings and church services, but only about 42% of people speak it well.

Some people near the border with the Dominican Republic speak Spanish, and a few people in business know some English. Haiti is one of only two countries in the Americas, along with Canada, where French is an official language.

Religion

Main articles: Religion in Haiti and Haitian Vodou

The most common religions in Haiti are Roman Catholicism, Pentecostalism, and Baptist. Roman Catholicism is the state religion, practiced by 55–60% of the population. About 30–35% of Haitians follow Protestantism, especially Pentecostalism, which began in Haiti in the 1970s. Almost all Haitians belong to at least one religion, and some also practice Vodou.

Vodou is similar to Cuban Santeria because of the history of Cuban people in Haiti. Vodou focuses on family spirits called Lwa that protect children. Families thank these spirits with special ceremonies where they give gifts like food and drinks. The timing of these ceremonies depends on the family’s finances. Richer families may hold ceremonies sooner, while poorer families wait until they can afford them. Vodou has been influenced by both Protestant and Catholic Christianity. In the past, under French rule, people were not allowed to practice Vodou openly, but they held secret dances that were actually Vodou services. After Haiti became independent in 1804, Vodou continued in secret. Many Haitians today see it as normal to practice both Vodou and Christianity.

Unfortunately, some people still criticize Vodou, and it has sometimes been misunderstood in stories and movies. The word “voodoo” is often used in American culture, but it is not the same as the real practice of Vodou.

Migration

Many Haitians have moved to other countries, especially to the Dominican Republic, the United States, and Canada, mainly to Quebec. This group is often called the Eleventh Department or the Diaspora. Haitians have also moved to Cuba, France, French Guiana, Spain, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Venezuela, Brazil, Chile, the Bahamas, and other Caribbean countries. About one in six Haitians now lives outside of Haiti.

There are around 45,000 Americans living in Haiti. They make up about 0.4% of Haiti's population.