80% of the population is in poverty. 70% of the population depends on agriculture which consists mainly of small-scale subsistence farming and employs about 2/3 of the active work force.

The economy has been crippled by a corrupt government (prior to 2004) and the suspension of almost all international aid after flawed legislative elections in 2000.

GDP: $10.6 billion (2002 est.)

GDP Growth: -0.9% (2002 est.)

GDP Per Capita: $1,400 (2002 est.)

Currency: gourde (HTG)
Small U.S. bills are readily accepted
Many Haitians use a price point called Haitian Dollar, which is 5 gourdes to 1 Haitian Dollar. This is based on a time when the exchange rate of 1 U.S. dollar was 5 gourdes.

Inflation Rate: 11.9% in 2001, considerably higher in 2003

Exchange Rate (Gourdes per US Dollar):
2003/2004: 40
2002: 29.25
2001: 24.43
2000: 21.17
1999: 16.94
1998: 16.77

Labor Force: 3.6 million

Unemployment Rate: 2/3 of population do not have formal jobs

Industries:
Sugar Refining
Flour Milling
Textiles
Cement
Light Assembly Based on Imported Parts

Electricity Production: 580 million kWh (2001)
60.3% fossil fuel, 39.7% hydro

Agriculture Products:
Coffee
Mangoes
Sugarcane
Rice
Corn
Sorghum
Wood (significantly decreased due to deforestation)

Exports:
US 83.9%
Dominican Republic: 6.6%
Canada: 2.4% (2002)

Imports:
US 53.4%
Dominician Republic: 5.3%
Colombia: 3.5% (2002)