The population of Haiti in 2003 was estimated by the United Nations at 8,326,000, which placed it as number 90 in population among the 193 nations of the world. In that year approximately 4% of the population was over 65 years of age, with another 43% of the population under 15 years of age. There were 97 males for every 100 females in the country in 2003. According to the UN, the annual population growth rate for 2000–2005 is 1.32%, with the projected population for the year 2015 at 9,694,000. Haiti is the most densely populated country in the Western Hemisphere; the population density in 2002 was 254 per sq km (659 per sq mi).
It was estimated by the Population Reference Bureau that 36% of the population lived in urban areas in 2001. The capital city and largest city, Port-au-Prince, had a population of 1,699,000 in that year. Other major cities are Jacmel (216,600) and Les Cayes (214,606). According to the United Nations, the urban population growth rate for 2000–2005 was 3.4%.
The prevalence of AIDS/HIV has had a significant impact on the population of Haiti. The United Nations estimated that 7.7% of adults between the ages of 15–49 were living with HIV/AIDS in 2001. The AIDS epidemic causes higher death and infant mortality rates, and lowers life expectancy.