Haiti: cost of living

How fast are food prices rising in Haiti?

Food and non-alcoholic drink prices in Haiti were 17.6% higher in August 2026 than a year earlier, according to the IHSI consumer price index. Rice rose 20.5%, maize 16.4% and meat 24.6%.

IHSI reports that annual food price rises slowed between July and August for these staples: rice had risen 21.9% in July and meat 26.9%. Meals eaten out rose 21.2%. Prices rose fastest in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area, at 18.1% for all items. The food index is the largest component of the CPI basket.

Official sources: IHSI: consumer price index, August 2026

How fast are fuel prices rising in Haiti?

Petrol and diesel prices in Haiti were 26.3% higher in August 2026 than a year earlier, up from 15.6% in July, according to the IHSI consumer price index. Kerosene rose 25.8% and charcoal 25.3%.

The transport division of the index rose 9.6% in the single month to August and 26.6% over the year, with daily transport fares up 31.1%. These are changes in the price indexes, not pump prices in gourdes. The Ministry of Economy and Finance revenue table shows petroleum revenue of 27.1 billion gourdes from October 2025 to July 2026.

Official sources: IHSI: consumer price index, August 2026 · MEF: revenue and spending, October 2025 to July 2026 (PDF)

What is the poverty rate in Haiti?

58.5% of Haitians lived below the national poverty line in 2012, the latest year available, according to the World Bank. 40.4% lived on less than $3.00 a day at 2021 purchasing power parity in the same year.

Both figures come from the 2012 household living conditions survey. No more recent official poverty estimate was found: the IHSI poverty and inequality page was marked as pending on 15 October 2026. The national poverty line is based on the cost of a basic basket of food and other needs.

Official sources: World Bank: poverty at national poverty lines, Haiti · World Bank: poverty at $3.00 a day, Haiti

How fast are prices rising in Haiti?

28.6%: that is consumer price inflation in Haiti for 2025, according to the IMF. Since 2005 it has ranged from 0.4% (2009) to 36.8% (2023). Latin America & Caribbean median: 2.1%; Haiti is 1st highest of 29. Of 165 countries with 2025 data, 4th highest.

How much do households in Haiti spend per person?

According to the World Bank, household consumption per person in Haiti was $1,223 in 2025. That is the lowest since at least 2005. It is 15th highest of 15 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is $4,566. World rank, highest first: 98th of 124.

How many people in Haiti face food insecurity?

In 2024, moderate or severe food insecurity in Haiti was 83.5%, according to the FAO. No year since 2019 has been higher. It is 1st highest of 21 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 28.0%. Of 135 countries with 2024 data, 3rd highest.