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Although Haiti averages approximately 250 people per square kilometre (650 per sq. mi.), its population is concentrated most heavily in urban areas , coastal plains, and valleys. About 90% of Haitians are of African (mainly Fon, Yoruba, Ibibio, and Igbo descent). The rest of the population is mostly of mixed Caucasian-African ancestry. A few are of European or Levantine heritage. Haiti is often acclaimed to be a black country influenced by the French, with close ties to Africa. About two thirds of the Haitian population live in rural areas.

French is one of two official languages, but it is spoken by only about 10% of the people. All Haitians speak Creole, the country's other official language. English is increasingly spoken among the young and in the business sector. Spanish is also spoken, due to the proximity of the Dominican Republic and is increasingly being spoken.

The state religion is Roman Catholicism, which most of the population professes. Some Haitians have converted to Protestantism through the work of missionaries active throughout the country. Much of the population also practices voodoo traditions but these claims are denied by many of the populace. Haitians tend to see no conflict in these African-rooted beliefs co-existing with Christian faiths.

Although public education is free, private and parochial schools provide around 75% of educational programs offered. Less than 65% of children of primary school age are actually enrolled. At the secondary level, the figure drops to 15%. Of those enrolled in primary school, 63% will complete it. On average, it takes 16 years to produce a single graduate of the 6-year cycle. Though Haitians place a high value on education, few can afford to send their children to secondary school. Remittances sent by Haitians living abroad are important in paying educational costs.

Large-scale emigration, principally to the United States - but also to Canada, France, the Dominican Republic, the Bahamas, and other Caribbean neighbors - has created what Haitians refer to as the Tenth Department or the Diaspora. About one of every six Haitians live abroad.

In a July 2001 estimate by the Haiti's Institute of Statistics the population was 8,131,513. Age Structure: 0-14 years age: 3,229,469; 15-64 years: 4,590,596; 65 years and above: 311,448.

Population: 7,527,817 (July 2003 est.)
Note: Estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected.

Age structure: (2003 est.)
0-14 years: 42.7% (male 1,637,853; female 1,575,893)
15-64 years: 53.6% (male 1,962,975; female 2,073,353)
65 years and over: 3.7% (male 131,784; female 145,959)

Median age: (2002)
Total: 17.9 years
Male: 17.4 years
Female: 18.5 years

Population growth rate: 1.67% (2003 est.)

Birth rate: 34.06 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Death rate: 13.36 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Net migration rate: -4.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Sex ratio: (2003 est.)
At birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
Under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female
Total population: 0.98 male(s)/female

Infant mortality rate: (2003 est.)
Total: 76.01 deaths/1,000 live births
Female: 70.15 deaths/1,000 live births
Male: 81.59 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth: (2003 est.)
Total population: 51.61 years
Male: 50.36 years
Female: 52.92 years

Total fertility rate: 4.86 children born/woman (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 6.1% (2001 est.)

Nationality:
Noun: Haitian(s)
Adjective: Haitian
Ethnic groups: black 90%, Mulatto, Mestizo, White 10%

Religions: Roman Catholic 80%, Protestant 16% (Baptist 10%, Pentecostal 4%, Adventist 1%, other 1%), none 1%, other 3% (1982)

Languages: French (official), Creole (official), Spanish (non official)

Literacy: (2003 est.)
Definition: Age 15 and over that can read and write
Total population: 52.9%
Male: 54.8%
Female: 51.2%

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