Text Only
Search

 
Haiti Census Reveals Troubling Statistics

11 May 2006

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) says results of Haiti's first census in more than two decades reveals troubling statistics about the country.

The survey found that half of Haiti's population is younger than age 20. It also found that less than half of the school-aged children are attending school and that unemployment stands at 33 percent.

The census, the first in 24 years, also found that Haiti has the highest maternal mortality ratio and the highest prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the Western Hemisphere.

UNFPA representative Hernando Clavijo says the findings show a need to allocate more resources to education and reproductive health services in Haiti.

The census results come as Haitian President-elect Rene Preval prepares to be sworn into office on Sunday. Members of parliament were sworn in on Monday and Tuesday. The body's first session opened on Tuesday.

Mr. Preval was elected in February. Before his election, Haiti had been without a president or parliament since a popular uprising ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide in 2004.

emailme.gif E-mail This Article
printerfriendly.gif Print Version

  Related Stories
Florida Governor Bush Heading Presidential Delegation to Haiti
 
  Top Story
Obama Addresses Africans from Ghana  Audio Clip Available

  More Stories
Pakistan: Trial of Mumbai Attackers to Start Next Week
Iraqi Shi'ite Lawmakers Protest British Troop Extension
Iranian Foreign Minister Says Tehran Preparing 'Package' for West
Report: Bush Administration Surveillance Program Legally Questionable
China Increases Police Presence on Xinjiang
Honduras Talks End with No Agreement
New York Times: Bush Team Discouraged Probe of Mass Taliban Deaths
Obama Urges Patience on Economic Recovery
Space Shuttle Launch Delayed
US Braced for H1N1 Swine Flu Return  Video clip available
Michael Jackson's Hometown Pays Tribute
Republic of Congo to Hold Presidential Election
Obama Using New Media to Reach Ghanaians  Audio Clip Available  Video clip available
Leaner General Motors Hopes to Win Over Consumers  Audio Clip Available  Video clip available