Impact of the Haiti crisis on mobility: Relocations from the Metropolitan Area of Port-au-Prince
Summary — Analysis of population movements in and out of Port-au-Prince metropolitan area from 2020-2024, showing significant outflow due to crisis conditions. The population dropped below 3 million in April 2024, lower than during COVID-19 restrictions.
Key Findings
- ZMPP population dropped below 3 million in April 2024 for the first time, lower than during COVID-19 restrictions.
- Net outflow of 17,370 people from ZMPP between February-April 2024, mainly to West department, Les Cayes, Jacmel and Cap Haitien.
- Since 2021, ZMPP has lost around 72,000 people due to internal mobility (0.59% annual decline).
- Largest population decreases within ZMPP occurred in Turgeau, Thor, and Bellevue sections.
- Movement patterns show cyclical back-and-forth flows influenced by COVID-19 restrictions and gang violence episodes.
Full Description
This report analyzes population mobility patterns in Haiti's Metropolitan Area of Port-au-Prince (ZMPP) from January 2020 to April 2024, using anonymous mobile phone data. The study reveals significant demographic shifts driven by ongoing crisis conditions including gang violence and instability.
The analysis shows that between February and April 2024, there was a net outflow of 17,370 people from the ZMPP, with main destinations being other parts of the West department (Kenscoff, Gressier, Léogâne), Les Cayes, Jacmel, and Cap Haitien. Within the ZMPP, the largest population decreases occurred in Turgeau, Thor, and Bellevue sections, while increases were observed in St Martin and Morne l'Hôpital sections.
The report documents that for the first time, the ZMPP population dropped below 3 million in April 2024, reaching 2,998,020 people - lower than during the 2020 COVID-19 restrictions when approximately 50,000 people had left for rural areas. Since 2021, the ZMPP has lost around 72,000 people due to internal mobility, representing a 0.59% annual decline.
The study reveals cyclical patterns of movement with alternating periods of net inflows and outflows since 2020, influenced by COVID-19 restrictions, gang violence episodes, and road blockades. The data indicates that relocation flows are likely underestimated, suggesting the actual population displacement may be significantly higher than reported figures.