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Haiti: Haiti Health Profile 2012

2012/03/13

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Haiti Health Profile 2012

A basic system of social security exists, but it excludes the majority of the Haitian population as it is bound to the formal labor market represented by public and private institutions. The lack of a professional administrative infrastructure, especially in remote areas, complicates the distribution of public services. Traditional solidarity networks such as the family generally manage social risks. However, the recent economic decline, poverty and migration have seriously eroded this kind of social security net. The most important contribution to social safety nets and compensation for social differences still comes from Haitians living abroad. In 2008, remittances from Haitians living in the United States, France and other countries constituted 19% of GDP. It is expected that the global economic crisis will result in a decrease in these remittances in 2009, which could have very negative effects on the already difficult social situation. Thus, initiatives by NGOs and international organizations engaged in Haiti play an important role in compensating for gross social differences.

As socioeconomic indicators show, there is no equality of opportunity. An estimated 78% of the population lives below the poverty line (on less than $2 a day), while approximately 54% lives in abject poverty (on less than $1 a day). Levels of income inequality are among the highest in the Latin America and the Caribbean region. Nearly half of national income goes to the richest 10% of the population. The high rate of unemployment, economic shocks caused by natural disasters and the high level of insecurity mainly affects the poor parts of the population, exacerbating the already serious social inequality. The poor population is particularly vulnerable to issues of food insecurity, and suffers directly from any rise of market prices. This led to political instability in 2008.