Poverty in Haiti - statistics & facts
Located on the western third of the Caribbean Island of Hispaniola, Haiti shares its border with the Dominican Republic. With a population exceeding 11 million people, Haiti stands as the most populous country in the Caribbean region. Despite its vibrant culture and natural landscapes, Haiti faces socio-economic challenges, including a high level of poverty and vulnerability to natural disasters.
In 2023, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs identified 5.2 million people in need. Since 2016, the number of people in need in the country has increased, with food insecurity being the main cause of necessity.
Since the beginning of the 21st century, climate-related disasters have affected more than 4,000 people per year in the region. These events also contribute to food insecurity, with five percent of households reporting that their access to food has been affected by drought or inconsistent rainfall.
In 2023, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs identified 5.2 million people in need. Since 2016, the number of people in need in the country has increased, with food insecurity being the main cause of necessity.
Widespread food insecurity
In 2021, nearly 93 percent of the population was unable to afford healthy food in the Caribbean country. In addition, 83 percent had gone a day or more without food or had uncertain access to nourishment, making them moderately to severely food insecure from 2020 to 2022. Although this is due to multiple factors, in a 2023 survey 11 percent of Haitian households reported that unusually high food prices were the main reason for the lack of access to food. The distance to the nearest functioning grocery store is another factor. In 2023, 22 percent of households had to walk between one and three hours to get food, and, in the department of Grand'Anse, this was the case for the majority of households.Since the beginning of the 21st century, climate-related disasters have affected more than 4,000 people per year in the region. These events also contribute to food insecurity, with five percent of households reporting that their access to food has been affected by drought or inconsistent rainfall.
