Haiti: Population “booming” says Census

Last January’s massive earthquake in Haiti claimed 230,000 to 300,000 lives and left the country reeling. Yet the country is going through a population “boom” according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates released Monday.

The current population of Haiti based on the agency’s figures stands at about 9.6 million and this is expected to increase by four million by 2050. By 2012 it is estimated that Haiti’s population will reach pre-earthquake levels and that the growth is expected to rise at the same rate as that of neighboring Dominican Republic.

The expected growth in Haiti’s population could hinder rebuilding efforts that have been progressing very slowly. In addition, it could mean that immigration across the border into the Dominican Republic and further away to the U.S. may not diminish any time soon.

Image- news.com.au
Online Sources- UPI, AP, Miami Herald