Haiti Poverty & Equity Brief (2024-10)
Summary — Haiti faces severe poverty with 58.5% of the population living below the national poverty line in 2012, worsened by economic contraction, gang violence, and food insecurity. Poverty rates are projected to increase further by 2024 due to ongoing instability.
Key Findings
- Haiti has the highest poverty rates in Latin America and Caribbean with 58.5% living below national poverty line in 2012.
- Economy contracted for five consecutive years (2019-2023) with real GDP per capita 10.3% lower than 2012 levels by 2023.
- Half the population faces acute food insecurity with 1.6 million at emergency levels.
- Rural poverty (74.4%) significantly higher than urban poverty (40.1%).
- Access to basic services remains limited: 40.4% electricity, 74.9% improved water, 54.8% improved sanitation.
Full Description
Haiti has endured multiple shocks in recent years, including natural disasters like the 2010 earthquake and hurricanes, compounded by persistent conflict and social unrest. Despite political transitions and international intervention attempts, gang violence and instability continue to hinder economic development. The economy contracted for five consecutive years between 2019 and 2023, with real GDP per capita falling 10.3% below 2012 levels by 2023.
Poverty remains widespread, with 58.5% of the population living below the national poverty line according to the last official survey in 2012. International poverty measures show 58% living on less than $3.65 per day and 29.2% on less than $2.15 per day - the highest rates in Latin America and the Caribbean. Nowcast estimates predict poverty will reach 65.6% (at $3.65/day) and 36.4% (at $2.15/day) by 2024.
Food insecurity affects half the population, with 1.6 million experiencing emergency levels. Gang violence has disrupted food supply chains, while food price inflation reached 38.5% year-on-year in April 2024. Rural populations face higher poverty rates (74.4%) compared to urban areas (40.1%), and education levels strongly correlate with poverty rates.
Access to basic services remains limited, with only 40.4% having electricity access, 74.9% using improved water sources, and 54.8% having improved sanitation facilities as of 2016/17. Employment has increased but without corresponding improvements in living standards, indicating widespread in-work poverty and people struggling to make ends meet.