Economic overview: About 80% of the country’s population lives in poverty. Almost 70% of all Haitians depend on the agricultural sector, which consists mainly of small-scale subsistence farming, which employs about two-thirds of the economically active population. The country has created only a small number of jobs since President PREVAL came to power in February 1996, although the underground economy is growing. Following legislative elections in May 2000 and protests over their violations, international donors, including the US and the EU, withdrew virtually all aid to Haiti. This destabilized the Haitian currency, which, together with a 40% rise in fuel prices in September, led to widespread price increases. The price situation seems to have stabilized in January 2001. See cheeroutdoor.com to know more about Haiti Business. GDP: at purchasing power parity – $12.7 billion (2000 est.). Real GDP growth rate: 1.2% (2000 est.). GDP per capita: at purchasing power parity – $1,800 (2000 est.). The composition of GDP by sectors of the economy: agriculture: 32%; industry: 20%; services: 48% (1998 est.). Proportion of population below the poverty line: 80% (1998 est.). Percentage distribution of household income or consumption: 10% of the poorest households account for: n/a; 10% of the wealthiest families account for: no data. Inflation rate at consumer prices: 19% (2000 est.). Work force: 3.6 million people (1995); note: shortage of skilled labor, excess of unskilled workers (1998). Employment structure: agriculture 66%, service sector 25%, industry 9%. Unemployment rate: part-time employment is widespread; over two thirds of able-bodied persons do not officially have a job (1999). Budget: revenues: $317 million; expenses: $362 million, including capital expenditures of $84 million (FY99-2000 est.). Spheres of economy: sugar processing, flour milling, textile industry, cement production, tourism, simple assembly production from imported components. Growth in industrial production: 0.6% (1997 est.). Power generation: 672 million kWh (1999). Sources of electricity generation: fossil fuels: 52.83%; hydropower: 47.17%; nuclear fuel: 0%; others: 0% (1999). Electricity consumption: 625 million kWh (1999). Electricity export: 0 kWh (1999). Electricity import: 0 kWh (1999). Agricultural products: coffee, mango, sugar cane, rice, corn, sorghum; forest. Export: $186 million (free on board, 1999) Exports: manufactured goods, coffee, oils, mangoes. Export partners: USA 89%, EU 8% (1999). Imports: $1.2 billion (S.I.F., 1999) Import articles: foodstuffs, machinery and transport equipment, fuel, raw materials. Import partners: US 60%, EU 13% (1999). External debt: $1 billion (1998 est.) Economic aid recipient: $730.6 million (1995) Donor Economic Assistance: Currency: gourde. Currency code: HTG. Exchange rate: HTG/USD – 23.761 (January 2001), 22.524 (2000), 17.965 (1999), 16.505 (1998), 17.311 (1997), 15.093 (1996). Fiscal year: October 1-September 30.
Telecommunications
Telecommunications Telephone lines: 60,000 (1997). Mobile cell phones: 0 (1995). Telephone system: intercom unsatisfactory; international communication services are only slightly better; internal: coaxial cable and microwave radio relay trunking; international: satellite earth station – 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean). Broadcast stations: AM – 41, FM – 26, shortwave – 0 (1999). Radio receivers: 415,000 (1997). Television broadcast stations: 2 (and cable TV service) (1997). TVs: 38,000 (1997). Internet country code: ht Internet service providers: 3 (2000). Number of users: 6,000 (2000).
Transport
Transport Railways: total: 40 km (single track; private industrial line, closed in early 1990s); narrow gauge: 40 km (0.760 m gauge). Roads: total: 4,160 km; coated: 1,011 km; unpaved: 3,149 km (1996 est.). Waterways: insignificant; navigable less than 100 km. Ports and harbours: Gonave, Jacmel, Jeremy, Cap-Haitien, Les Cayes, Miragoan, Port-de-Pais, Port-au-Prince, Saint-Marc. Merchant Marine: None (1999 est.). Airports: 13 (2000 est.). Airports with paved runways: total: 3; from 2438 to 3047 m:1; from 914 to 1523 m: 2 (2000 est.). Airports with unpaved runways: total: 10; from 914 to 1523 m:2; less than 914 m: 8 (2000 est.).
Armed Forces
Branches of the Armed Forces: Haitian National Police; note; the regular Haitian army, navy and air force were disbanded but still exist on paper and have not yet been constitutionally abolished. Enlistment age: 18 years old. Total military manpower: men 15 to 49 pets: 1,635,253 (2001 est.). Eligible for military service: males aged 15 to 49: 888,305 (2001 est.). Number of persons reaching military age each year: male: 87,049 (2001 est.). Military spending in dollar terms: no data available; note – mainly on police and security. Military spending as part of GDP: no data available.
International Issues
International Issues International Disputes: Claims US-ruled Navassa Island. Illicit Drugs: One of the largest transit points in the Caribbean for cocaine destined for the US and Europe; there are no major barriers to money laundering.
