# 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 in Haiti was done in 2003. Although much of that data has not been released, the population recorded was 8,812,245.
According to population DNA tests, approximately 80% of the population of Haiti is Afro-Haitian. Within Black Haitian DNA, according to a study, the composition is approximately 88% African, the rest are European or mixed European. This is evidenced in DNA ancestry read outs where the average Haitian consistently tests at nearly 85-95 percent sub-Saharan African DNA.
The remaining population of Haiti is primarily composed of Mulattoes, Europeans, Asians, and Arabs. Hispanic residents in Haiti are mostly Cuban and Dominican.
About two-thirds of Haitian people live in rural areas. Several demographic studies, including those by social work researcher Athena Kolbe, have provided estimates of the demographic information of urban residents. In 2006, each Haitian household had an average of 4.5 members.

## Population size and structure

According to the 2022 revision of the World Population Prospects the total population of Haiti in 2018 was 11,447,569, as compared to 3,221,000 in 1950. In 2015, the proportion of children below the age of 15 was 36.2%. 59.7% of the population was between 15 and 65 years of age, while 4.5% was 65 years or older. According to the World Bank, Haiti's dependency rate is 7.51 dependents per 100 working age persons.
| | Total population | Proportion aged 0–14 (%) | Proportion aged 15–64 (%) | Proportion aged 65+ (%) |
| 1950 | 3 221 000 | 39.6 | 56.7 | 3.7 |
| 1955 | 3 516 000 | 39.7 | 56.9 | 3.4 |
| 1960 | 3 869 000 | 40.3 | 56.5 | 3.2 |
| 1965 | 4 275 000 | 41.7 | 54.9 | 3.4 |
| 1970 | 4 713 000 | 41.8 | 54.5 | 3.7 |
| 1975 | 5 144 000 | 41.3 | 54.8 | 3.9 |
| 1980 | 5 692 000 | 41.1 | 54.9 | 4.0 |
| 1985 | 6 389 000 | 42.2 | 53.8 | 4.0 |
| 1990 | 7 110 000 | 43.1 | 52.9 | 4.0 |
| 1995 | 7 838 000 | 42.6 | 53.5 | 3.9 |
| 2000 | 8 578 000 | 40.3 | 55.7 | 4.0 |
| 2005 | 9 261 000 | 38.1 | 57.8 | 4.2 |
| 2010 | 10,085,214 | 36.2 | 59.7 | 4.5 |

### Structure of the population

| Age Group | Male | Female | Total | % |
| Total | 4 993 731 | 5 091 483 | 10 085 214 | 100 |
| 0–4 | 644 550 | 618 772 | 1 263 322 | 12.53 |
| 5–9 | 608 495 | 586 984 | 1 195 479 | 11.85 |
| 10–14 | 588 618 | 569 860 | 1 158 478 | 11.49 |
| 15–19 | 551 467 | 540 897 | 1 092 364 | 10.83 |
| 20–24 | 509 042 | 510 547 | 1 019 589 | 10.11 |
| 25–29 | 454 123 | 465 513 | 919 636 | 9.12 |
| 30–34 | 340 518 | 362 078 | 702 596 | 6.97 |
| 35–39 | 261 157 | 286 847 | 548 004 | 5.43 |
| 40–44 | 235 182 | 253 300 | 488 482 | 4.84 |
| 45–49 | 204 077 | 219 300 | 423 377 | 4.20 |
| 50–54 | 166 418 | 176 495 | 342 913 | 3.40 |
| 55–59 | 136 034 | 148 697 | 284 731 | 2.82 |
| 60–64 | 95 939 | 110 896 | 206 835 | 2.05 |
| 65–69 | 81 854 | 94 044 | 175 898 | 1.74 |
| 70–74 | 58 181 | 71 255 | 129 436 | 1.28 |
| 75–79 | 35 538 | 45 360 | 80 898 | 0.80 |
| 80+ | 22 538 | 30 638 | 53 176 | 0.53 |
| Age group | Male | Female | Total | Percent |
| 0–14 | 1 841 663 | 1 775 999 | 3 617 229 | 35.87 |
| 15–64 | 2 953 957 | 3 074 620 | 6 028 577 | 59.78 |
| 65+ | 198 111 | 241 297 | 439 408 | 4.36 |
| Age Group | Male | Female | Total | % |
| Total | 5 075 517 | 5 172 789 | 10 248 306 | 100 |
| 0–4 | 647 465 | 621 432 | 1 268 897 | 12.38 |
| 5–9 | 611 472 | 589 690 | 1 201 161 | 11.72 |
| 10–14 | 591 018 | 572 066 | 1 163 085 | 11.35 |
| 15–19 | 556 085 | 544 798 | 1 100 883 | 10.74 |
| 20–24 | 514 235 | 514 898 | 1 029 132 | 10.04 |
| 25–29 | 465 396 | 475 451 | 940 847 | 9.18 |
| 30–34 | 358 927 | 379 066 | 737 993 | 7.20 |
| 35–39 | 270 574 | 296 362 | 566 936 | 5.53 |
| 40–44 | 237 754 | 257 273 | 495 026 | 4.83 |
| 45–49 | 208 671 | 224 746 | 433 416 | 4.23 |
| 50–54 | 171 468 | 182 332 | 353 800 | 3.45 |
| 55–59 | 140 392 | 152 742 | 293 134 | 2.86 |
| 60–64 | 99 846 | 114 973 | 214 819 | 2.10 |
| 65–69 | 82 201 | 94 868 | 177 069 | 1.73 |
| 70–74 | 59 833 | 72 957 | 132 790 | 1.30 |
| 75–79 | 36 751 | 47 083 | 83 834 | 0.82 |
| 80+ | 23 431 | 32 053 | 55 484 | 0.54 |
| Age group | Male | Female | Total | Percent |
| 0–14 | 1 849 955 | 1 783 188 | 3 633 143 | 35.45 |
| 15–64 | 3 023 346 | 3 142 640 | 6 165 986 | 60.17 |
| 65+ | 202 216 | 246 961 | 449 177 | 4.38 |
| Age Group | Male | Female | Total | % |
| Total | 5 659 140 | 5 752 387 | 11 411 527 | 100 |
| 0–4 | 661 535 | 634 371 | 1 295 906 | 11.36 |
| 5–9 | 635 927 | 611 692 | 1 247 619 | 10.93 |
| 10–14 | 608 695 | 588 396 | 1 197 091 | 10.49 |
| 15–19 | 580 801 | 565 986 | 1 146 787 | 10.05 |
| 20–24 | 547 618 | 542 296 | 1 089 914 | 9.55 |
| 25–29 | 504 926 | 508 355 | 1 013 281 | 8.88 |
| 30–34 | 463 541 | 473 269 | 936 810 | 8.21 |
| 35–39 | 387 698 | 405 499 | 793 197 | 6.95 |
| 40–44 | 285 013 | 309 823 | 594 836 | 5.21 |
| 45–49 | 230 537 | 254 629 | 485 166 | 4.25 |
| 50–54 | 206 255 | 224 859 | 431 114 | 3.78 |
| 55–59 | 170 991 | 186 498 | 357 489 | 3.13 |
| 60–64 | 134 300 | 148 115 | 282 415 | 2.47 |
| 65–69 | 97 454 | 113 753 | 211 207 | 1.85 |
| 70–74 | 66 084 | 80 979 | 147 063 | 1.29 |
| 75–79 | 46 188 | 58 733 | 104 921 | 0.92 |
| 80+ | 31 576 | 45 134 | 76 710 | 0.67 |
| Age group | Male | Female | Total | Percent |
| 0–14 | 1 906 157 | 1 834 459 | 3 740 616 | 32.78 |
| 15–64 | 3 511 681 | 3 619 329 | 7 131 010 | 62.49 |
| 65+ | 241 302 | 298 599 | 539 901 | 4.73 |

## Vital statistics
### UN estimates

The registration of vital events in Haiti is incomplete. The Population Department of the United Nations prepared the following estimates. Population estimates account for under numeration in population censuses.
| | Mid-year population (thousands) | Live births (thousands) | Deaths (thousands) | Natural change (thousands) | Crude birth rate (per 1000) | Crude death rate (per 1000) | Natural change (per 1000) | Total fertility rate (TFR) | Infant mortality (per 1000 live births) | Life expectancy (in years) |
| 1950 | 3 247 | 151 | 87 | 63 | 46.3 | 26.8 | 19.5 | 6.25 | 248.2 | 37.48 |
| 1951 | 3 302 | 152 | 87 | 65 | 46.0 | 26.4 | 19.6 | 6.24 | 243.7 | 37.91 |
| 1952 | 3 359 | 154 | 86 | 68 | 45.8 | 25.5 | 20.2 | 6.24 | 235.1 | 38.83 |
| 1953 | 3 419 | 156 | 85 | 71 | 45.5 | 24.7 | 20.7 | 6.23 | 227.1 | 39.70 |
| 1954 | 3 481 | 157 | 84 | 73 | 45.2 | 24.1 | 21.0 | 6.22 | 220.0 | 40.29 |
| 1955 | 3 546 | 160 | 83 | 77 | 45.0 | 23.3 | 21.7 | 6.23 | 212.9 | 41.26 |
| 1956 | 3 614 | 162 | 82 | 80 | 44.8 | 22.7 | 22.1 | 6.23 | 206.9 | 41.96 |
| 1957 | 3 684 | 163 | 82 | 81 | 44.3 | 22.3 | 22.0 | 6.20 | 203.4 | 42.36 |
| 1958 | 3 755 | 166 | 83 | 84 | 44.2 | 21.9 | 22.3 | 6.22 | 199.8 | 42.77 |
| 1959 | 3 828 | 169 | 83 | 86 | 44.0 | 21.6 | 22.4 | 6.23 | 196.6 | 43.12 |
| 1960 | 3 901 | 170 | 83 | 87 | 43.6 | 21.3 | 22.3 | 6.21 | 193.3 | 43.50 |
| 1961 | 3 975 | 173 | 83 | 89 | 43.3 | 20.9 | 22.4 | 6.20 | 190.1 | 43.91 |
| 1962 | 4 050 | 175 | 83 | 91 | 43.0 | 20.6 | 22.5 | 6.19 | 187.0 | 44.29 |
| 1963 | 4 122 | 177 | 89 | 87 | 42.8 | 21.6 | 21.2 | 6.18 | 188.4 | 42.77 |
| 1964 | 4 196 | 179 | 84 | 95 | 42.5 | 19.9 | 22.6 | 6.18 | 181.0 | 44.97 |
| 1965 | 4 274 | 180 | 84 | 96 | 42.0 | 19.6 | 22.4 | 6.12 | 178.0 | 45.35 |
| 1966 | 4 353 | 181 | 84 | 97 | 41.5 | 19.4 | 22.1 | 6.07 | 175.2 | 45.59 |
| 1967 | 4 433 | 183 | 84 | 99 | 41.1 | 18.9 | 22.2 | 6.03 | 171.8 | 46.13 |
| 1968 | 4 514 | 184 | 84 | 100 | 40.7 | 18.6 | 22.1 | 5.97 | 168.5 | 46.51 |
| 1969 | 4 597 | 186 | 84 | 102 | 40.3 | 18.3 | 22.1 | 5.93 | 165.2 | 46.92 |
| 1970 | 4 681 | 188 | 84 | 103 | 40.0 | 17.9 | 22.0 | 5.87 | 162.0 | 47.34 |
| 1971 | 4 766 | 189 | 84 | 105 | 39.6 | 17.6 | 21.9 | 5.80 | 158.6 | 47.72 |
| 1972 | 4 853 | 191 | 85 | 106 | 39.2 | 17.4 | 21.8 | 5.72 | 155.3 | 47.95 |
| 1973 | 4 941 | 192 | 85 | 107 | 38.8 | 17.2 | 21.6 | 5.65 | 151.6 | 48.21 |
| 1974 | 5 031 | 197 | 86 | 111 | 39.0 | 17.1 | 21.9 | 5.66 | 148.0 | 48.42 |
| 1975 | 5 125 | 202 | 87 | 115 | 39.3 | 17.0 | 22.3 | 5.69 | 144.6 | 48.68 |
| 1976 | 5 222 | 207 | 88 | 119 | 39.5 | 16.9 | 22.7 | 5.69 | 141.0 | 48.96 |
| 1977 | 5 324 | 212 | 89 | 123 | 39.8 | 16.7 | 23.0 | 5.68 | 137.7 | 49.21 |
| 1978 | 5 429 | 217 | 91 | 126 | 39.8 | 16.6 | 23.2 | 5.67 | 134.4 | 49.43 |
| 1979 | 5 536 | 222 | 92 | 130 | 39.9 | 16.5 | 23.4 | 5.67 | 131.3 | 49.68 |
| 1980 | 5 647 | 226 | 93 | 133 | 40.0 | 16.4 | 23.6 | 5.65 | 128.4 | 49.90 |
| 1981 | 5 760 | 231 | 93 | 138 | 40.1 | 16.1 | 23.9 | 5.67 | 125.4 | 50.27 |
| 1982 | 5 878 | 237 | 94 | 143 | 40.2 | 16.0 | 24.2 | 5.70 | 122.4 | 50.55 |
| 1983 | 5 998 | 239 | 95 | 145 | 39.8 | 15.7 | 24.1 | 5.66 | 119.5 | 50.87 |
| 1984 | 6 120 | 243 | 95 | 148 | 39.6 | 15.5 | 24.1 | 5.63 | 116.8 | 51.12 |
| 1985 | 6 246 | 248 | 95 | 153 | 39.6 | 15.2 | 24.4 | 5.62 | 114.0 | 51.52 |
| 1986 | 6 375 | 252 | 96 | 157 | 39.5 | 15.0 | 24.5 | 5.61 | 111.3 | 51.88 |
| 1987 | 6 508 | 257 | 96 | 161 | 39.3 | 14.7 | 24.6 | 5.59 | 108.4 | 52.24 |
| 1988 | 6 645 | 260 | 96 | 164 | 39.0 | 14.4 | 24.6 | 5.57 | 105.8 | 52.63 |
| 1989 | 6 784 | 263 | 97 | 166 | 38.7 | 14.2 | 24.4 | 5.53 | 103.2 | 52.76 |
| 1990 | 6 925 | 266 | 97 | 168 | 38.3 | 14.0 | 24.2 | 5.48 | 100.7 | 52.98 |
| 1991 | 7 066 | 262 | 97 | 166 | 37.1 | 13.7 | 23.4 | 5.32 | 98.0 | 53.39 |
| 1992 | 7 206 | 262 | 96 | 167 | 36.4 | 13.3 | 23.1 | 5.21 | 95.3 | 53.84 |
| 1993 | 7 346 | 262 | 95 | 167 | 35.6 | 12.9 | 22.7 | 5.10 | 92.6 | 54.35 |
| 1994 | 7 486 | 262 | 95 | 167 | 34.9 | 12.6 | 22.3 | 4.99 | 90.5 | 54.65 |
| 1995 | 7 627 | 262 | 92 | 170 | 34.2 | 12.0 | 22.2 | 4.88 | 87.2 | 55.55 |
| 1996 | 7 771 | 262 | 91 | 172 | 33.7 | 11.6 | 22.0 | 4.78 | 84.5 | 56.15 |
| 1997 | 7 915 | 263 | 90 | 173 | 33.2 | 11.4 | 21.8 | 4.67 | 81.7 | 56.52 |
| 1998 | 8 061 | 263 | 89 | 174 | 32.6 | 11.0 | 21.5 | 4.56 | 79.3 | 57.14 |
| 1999 | 8 209 | 264 | 87 | 177 | 32.1 | 10.6 | 21.5 | 4.45 | 76.7 | 57.96 |
| 2000 | 8 360 | 267 | 87 | 180 | 31.8 | 10.3 | 21.5 | 4.39 | 74.4 | 58.37 |
| 2001 | 8 512 | 264 | 87 | 177 | 31.0 | 10.2 | 20.8 | 4.25 | 72.2 | 58.49 |
| 2002 | 8 662 | 263 | 87 | 176 | 30.3 | 10.0 | 20.3 | 4.13 | 70.2 | 58.86 |
| 2003 | 8 812 | 264 | 86 | 178 | 29.9 | 9.7 | 20.2 | 4.04 | 68.4 | 59.51 |
| 2004 | 8 961 | 264 | 91 | 173 | 29.5 | 10.2 | 19.3 | 3.94 | 70.7 | 58.48 |
| 2005 | 9 112 | 265 | 84 | 180 | 29.0 | 9.2 | 19.8 | 3.83 | 65.2 | 60.42 |
| 2006 | 9 266 | 266 | 84 | 181 | 28.6 | 9.1 | 19.5 | 3.74 | 63.8 | 60.76 |
| 2007 | 9 421 | 266 | 84 | 182 | 28.2 | 8.9 | 19.2 | 3.64 | 62.6 | 61.10 |
| 2008 | 9 575 | 267 | 85 | 182 | 27.8 | 8.9 | 19.0 | 3.57 | 61.4 | 61.33 |
| 2009 | 9 731 | 269 | 85 | 184 | 27.6 | 8.7 | 18.9 | 3.51 | 59.9 | 61.74 |
| 2010 | 9 843 | 271 | 175 | 96 | 27.5 | 17.7 | 9.8 | 3.47 | 75.9 | 46.02 |
| 2011 | 9 954 | 271 | 87 | 184 | 27.2 | 8.8 | 18.4 | 3.41 | 58.3 | 61.62 |
| 2012 | 10 109 | 269 | 86 | 183 | 26.6 | 8.5 | 18.1 | 3.30 | 56.7 | 62.29 |
| 2013 | 10 261 | 268 | 86 | 182 | 26.1 | 8.4 | 17.7 | 3.22 | 55.3 | 62.61 |
| 2014 | 10 413 | 269 | 86 | 183 | 25.8 | 8.2 | 17.5 | 3.16 | 54.1 | 62.99 |
| 2015 | 10 564 | 270 | 87 | 183 | 25.5 | 8.2 | 17.3 | 3.11 | 52.8 | 63.24 |
| 2016 | 10 714 | 271 | 88 | 183 | 25.3 | 8.2 | 17.1 | 3.06 | 51.8 | 63.39 |
| 2017 | 10 864 | 272 | 87 | 185 | 25.0 | 8.0 | 17.0 | 3.02 | 50.2 | 63.85 |
| 2018 | 11 012 | 271 | 88 | 183 | 24.6 | 8.0 | 16.6 | 2.96 | 48.9 | 64.02 |
| 2019 | 11 160 | 272 | 89 | 183 | 24.3 | 8.0 | 16.4 | 2.92 | 47.8 | 64.26 |
| 2020 | 11 307 | 271 | 93 | 178 | 23.9 | 8.2 | 15.8 | 2.87 | 46.7 | 64.05 |
| 2021 | 11 448 | 269 | 99 | 170 | 23.5 | 8.7 | 14.8 | 2.81 | 46.0 | 63.19 |
While limited, some evidence suggests that large scale disasters can cause human populations to increase in the long term, rather than decrease. Accordingly, in Haiti's case, some sources reported that a tripled fertility rate was expected after the 2010 Haiti earthquake. However, data since then does not show a diversion from the pre-disaster trend of decreasing fertility rates.

### Demographic and Health Surveys

The Total Fertility Rate (TFR) (Wanted Fertility Rate) and Crude Birth Rate (CBR):
| Year | CBR (Total) | TFR (Total) | CBR (Urban) | TFR (Urban) | CBR (Rural) | TFR (Rural) |
| 1994–95 | 34 | 4.8 (3.0) | 31 | 3.3 (2.2) | 35 | 5.9 (3.7) |
| 2000 | 32.6 | 4.7 (2.7) | 29.4 | 3.3 (2.0) | 34.0 | 5.8 (3.4) |
| 2005–2006 | 28.7 | 4.0 (2.4) | 26.2 | 2.8 (1.8) | 30.1 | 5.0 (2.9) |
| 2012 | 27.8 | 3.5 (2.2) | 24.4 | 2.6 (1.9) | 29.4 | 4.4 (2.6) |
| 2016–17 | 24.3 | 3.0 (1.9) | 21.1 | 2.1 (1.5) | 26.3 | 3.9 (2.3) |

### Life expectancy at birth

    total population: 64.6 years
    male: 61.9 years
    female: 67.2 years (2018 est.)

## Ethnic groups

The population of Haiti is mainly black with small other groups.

## Languages

Taíno was the major pre-Columbian language in the region of what is Haiti (or Ayti), a name referring to the entire island of Hispaniola. The phrase means "land of high mountains."
Today, the Republic of Haiti has two official languages, French and Haitian Creole. Haitian Creole is a French-based creole with 90% of its vocabulary derived from or influenced by Portuguese, Spanish, Taíno, and various West African languages. French is the primary written and administrative language (as well as the main language of the press) and is spoken by 42% of Haitians. The language is generally spoken by educated Haitians, is the medium of instruction in most schools, and is used in the business sector. It is also spoken in ceremonial events such as weddings, graduations, and church masses.
Haiti is one of two independent nations in the Americas (along with Canada) to designate French as an official language; other French-speaking areas are all overseas départements, or collectivités, of France. Haitian Creole, which was recently standardized, is spoken by virtually the entire population of Haiti. It is related to the other French creoles but most closely to the Antillean Creole and Louisiana Creole variants.
Spanish is spoken by some Haitians along the border with the Dominican Republic, as well as by some who have been deported from Spanish-speaking countries. English is used increasingly within the business sector, but only by a small proportion of the total population.

## Religion

The most common religions in Haiti are Roman Catholicism, Pentecostalism and Baptist. The state religion is Roman Catholicism, which is professed by 55–60% of the population. 30–35% of Haitians practice Protestantism, mostly Pentecostalism, which arrived in Haiti in the 1970s. Almost 99% of Haitians claim to be a part of at least one religion, with a fraction of them practicing some part of Vodou along with another religion.
Vodou bears similarities to Cuban Santeria due to the large Cuban population in Haiti. The practice of Vodou revolves around family spirits called Lwa that protect children. To repay the spirits, children perform two ceremonies where the Lwa are given gifts like food and drinks. The timing of the ceremonies depends on the monetary status of the family performing them; poorer families try to save money, waiting until there is a need to perform the rituals. The practice of Vodou is rare among the urban elite.
Modern day Vodou has been shaped by both Protestant and Catholic Christianity. Under the rule of the Catholic French, the population was not allowed to practice Vodou. However, they were occasionally allowed to have dances on the weekends. These dances were actually disguised Vodou services. The underground practice of Vodou continued until Haiti gained its independence in 1804. Most Haitians see practicing both Vodou and Christianity as normal due to their significant similarities. The Catholic Church, however, was not always as accepting of Vodou. In 1941–42, a holy war was declared against Vodou, leading to the deaths of many high level religious officials in the Vodou religion. Persecution of the religion largely ended in 1950 when the Catholics gave up trying to prosecute those who practiced Vodou. Protestants, however, are still critical of the religion, often describing it as "devil worship".
A fictionalized version of Vodou, commonly called "voodoo", has been used in American movies and by authors such as H.P. Lovecraft. Vodou and voodoo are not conceptually the same, although the idea of "voodoo" lives on in American pop culture.

## Migration
### Emigration

Large-scale emigration, principally to the Dominican Republic, United States, and Canada (predominantly to Quebec) has created what Haitians refer to as the Eleventh Department or the Diaspora. Significant numbers of Haitians have also immigrated to Cuba, France and French Guiana, Spain, Belgium, the United Kingdom and Ireland, Venezuela, Brazil, Chile, the Bahamas and other Caribbean countries. Approximately one in every six Haitians lives abroad.

### Immigration

45,000 Americans live in Haiti. They represent 0.4% of Haiti's total population.