Cuba
Cuba is a Caribbean nation known for its unique political history and distinct social model as a communist state. Current estimates show a population of approximately 11 million and a GDP per capita of 9,009 USD.
Where is Cuba?
Cuba
- Continent
- Americas
- Country
- Cuba
- Coordinates
- 21.50°, -80.00°
Population Details
- Population
- 11M
- Area
- 109,884 km²
- Density per km²
- 99 / km²
- Growth rate
- -0.36%
- Annual growth
- -39.8K people
- Daily growth
- -108.99 people
- World population share
- 0.13%
Population & Social Snapshot
Age structure, urbanization, and benchmark indicators for Cuba
Age Distribution
Urbanization
Health & Education Benchmarks
Quick Facts
- Capital
- Havana
- Region
- Americas
- Area
- 109,884 km²
- Languages
- Spanish
- Currency
- Cuban convertible peso ($), Cuban peso ($)
- Timezones
- UTC-05:00
- UN Member
- Yes
Economy
The Cuban economy, characterized by state-controlled enterprises and a growing focus on tourism and biotechnology, faces challenges with a recent annual GDP growth rate of -1.06%. While the country maintains a very low unemployment rate of 1.746%, which ranks 172 of 186 globally, its nominal GDP per capita of 9,605 USD ranks 101 of 212 globally and 19 of 21 in the Caribbean subregion. Key sectors include the export of medical services and nickel mining, contributing to a total GDP rank of 70 of 212 globally.
Society
Social development in Cuba is marked by high levels of human capital, with a life expectancy of 78.26 years, ranking the nation 65 of 215 globally. The education system remains a priority, reflected in an adult literacy rate of 97.65%, which ranks 51 of 170 worldwide. Digital connectivity has expanded significantly with 70.48% of the population having access to the internet, placing Cuba 131 of 212 globally for internet usage.
Climate & Environment
The island of Cuba covers an area of 109,884 km² (42,426 sq mi) and experiences a tropical climate with a rainy season from May to October. Average temperatures remain warm throughout the year, typically ranging from 21 °C (70 °F) to 32 °C (90 °F). The nation is frequently affected by hurricanes during the Atlantic storm season, which can cause significant coastal flooding.
Government & Politics
- Government Type
- Communist state
- Independence
- 1902-05-20 (Spain)
Cuba is a socialist state governed as a one-party republic where the Communist Party of Cuba is the sole recognized political entity. According to the constitution, the party serves as the vanguard and superior driving force of society. Legislative authority is held by the National Assembly of People's Power, which is the supreme organ of state power and is responsible for electing the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister. The President serves as the head of state, while the Prime Minister leads the Council of Ministers, managing the daily administrative functions of the government. While elections for delegates are held at the local and national levels, the system does not allow for multi-party competition, and candidates are vetted through commission-based processes. The judicial system operates under the authority of the National Assembly, with the People's Supreme Court acting as the highest judicial body. Administratively, the country is divided into 15 provinces and a special municipality, each with its own local governing assembly.
History
Cuba was originally inhabited by the Ciboney and Taíno peoples before Christopher Columbus arrived in October 1492. For nearly 4 centuries, the island served as a vital Spanish colonial outpost, becoming a global leader in sugar production. Resistance to colonial rule grew throughout the 19th century, leading to several conflicts including the Ten Years' War. Cuba eventually secured its independence from Spain on 20 May 1902, though the early 20th century was marked by significant foreign influence and periods of internal instability. The political landscape changed dramatically when the Cuban Revolution, led by Fidel Castro and Che Guevara, overthrew the dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista in January 1959. This transformation established a socialist state and led to the nationalization of industries. The nation’s subsequent alignment with the Soviet Union during the Cold War precipitated major international incidents, most notably the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. Following the collapse of the Soviet bloc in the early 1990s, the island entered the Special Period, a time of profound economic crisis that forced the government to adopt limited market-oriented reforms. In the modern era, the country has navigated a leadership transition away from the Castro family while maintaining its socialist identity amidst evolving diplomatic relations and internal structural adjustments.
Notable Facts
- The Cuban archipelago features a coastline stretching 3735 km (2321 mi) and covers a total area of 109884 km² (42426 sq mi), with its highest point being Pico Turquino at 1974 m (6476 ft).
- The nation maintains an exceptionally high literacy rate of 97.6500015258789%, which recent rankings place at 51 of 170 countries globally.
- Recent data indicates that Cuba has a highly urbanized population, with 77.1664929228275% of its approximately 11 million residents living in cities and towns.
- The nation's diverse religious landscape includes a significant presence of folk religions, practiced by approximately 17.6% of the population alongside a Christian majority of 58.9%.
- The island is world-renowned for its well-preserved mid-20th-century American automobiles and colonial architecture, particularly in the historic center of Old Havana.
Geography
- Highest Point
- Pico Turquino (1,974 m)
- Lowest Point
- Caribbean Sea (0 m)
- Coastline
- 3,735 km
Major Cities
Largest Cities in CubaExplore weather and climate data for cities in Cuba
Climate & Weather
View full climate guideMonthly averages for Havana
| Month | Temp | Feels Like | Rain | Sun | Humidity | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January best | 27°C / 19°C | 28°C / 19°C | 4days (17 mm) Good | 10.1h Excellent | 77% Humid | Excellent | View Details |
| February best | 28°C / 20°C | 30°C / 21°C | 4days (22 mm) Good | 10.6h Excellent | 75% Muggy | Excellent | View Details |
| March best | 30°C / 20°C | 32°C / 21°C | 5days (26 mm) Good | 11.1h Excellent | 71% Muggy | Excellent | View Details |
| April best | 31°C / 22°C | 34°C / 24°C | 6days (23 mm) Good | 12.3h Excellent | 70% Muggy | Excellent | View Details |
| May | 32°C / 24°C | 37°C / 27°C | 13days (112 mm) Wet | 12.4h Excellent | 74% Muggy | Fair | View Details |
| June | 32°C / 25°C | 38°C / 29°C | 22days (195 mm) Wet | 11.4h Excellent | 80% Humid | Wet | View Details |
| July | 33°C / 25°C | 39°C / 30°C | 17days (102 mm) Wet | 12.2h Excellent | 78% Humid | Poor | View Details |
| August | 33°C / 25°C | 39°C / 30°C | 21days (148 mm) Wet | 11.7h Excellent | 79% Humid | Wet | View Details |
| September | 32°C / 25°C | 38°C / 29°C | 22days (155 mm) Wet | 10.6h Excellent | 82% Humid | Wet | View Details |
| October | 31°C / 23°C | 35°C / 27°C | 17days (99 mm) Wet | 10.3h Excellent | 80% Humid | Fair | View Details |
| November | 29°C / 22°C | 32°C / 24°C | 9days (44 mm) Wet | 9.8h Good | 79% Humid | Good | View Details |
| December best | 27°C / 20°C | 29°C / 21°C | 6days (37 mm) Good | 9.8h Good | 78% Humid | Excellent | View Details |
Temperature
Line chart showing monthly temperatures. Jan: 27°C / 19°C . Feb: 28°C / 20°C . Mar: 30°C / 20°C . Apr: 31°C / 22°C . May: 32°C / 24°C . Jun: 32°C / 25°C . Jul: 33°C / 25°C . Aug: 33°C / 25°C . Sep: 32°C / 25°C . Oct: 31°C / 23°C . Nov: 29°C / 22°C . Dec: 27°C / 20°C .
Rainfall
Bar chart showing monthly rainfall. Jan: 17 mm. Feb: 22 mm. Mar: 26 mm. Apr: 23 mm. May: 112 mm. Jun: 195 mm. Jul: 102 mm. Aug: 148 mm. Sep: 155 mm. Oct: 99 mm. Nov: 44 mm. Dec: 37 mm.
Frequently Asked Questions
The population of Cuba is approximately 11M (2024).
The capital of Cuba is Havana.
Cuba's GDP per capita is $9K (2020).
Life expectancy in Cuba is 78.26 years (2024).
Cuba covers 109,884 km² (42,426 sq mi).
Cuba has a moderate population density of 99 people per km², close to the global average of 60.
Cuba's population is shrinking at 0.4% per year — one of the few countries seeing sustained decline.
Based on GDP per capita, Cuba falls in the upper-middle GDP-per-person tier at $9K. Official World Bank income groups use Atlas-method GNI per capita, so this is a GDP-based comparison rather than an official income-group label.
Cuba's intentional homicide rate is 4.5 per 100,000 people, close to the global average.
The official language of Cuba is Spanish.
Cuba uses the Cuban convertible peso ($) as its sole official currency.
Cuba is an island nation and shares no land borders.
The best months to visit Cuba are January, February, March, April, December, based on climate data for the capital.
According to current estimates, the population of Cuba is approximately 11 million. This figure reflects a demographic trend characterized by a negative annual growth rate of -0.36%. The nation currently ranks 86 of 215 globally in terms of total population size, as well as 15 of 46 in the Americas region.
The latest projections indicate that Cuba has a GDP per capita of 9,009 USD. In global terms, the country's nominal GDP per capita ranks 101 of 212, and it ranks 19 of 21 within the Caribbean subregion. This reflects the complex economic environment the island nation manages as it balances state control with emerging sectors.
Cuba maintains an adult literacy rate of 97.65%, which is among the highest in the Caribbean. This performance ranks the country 51 of 170 globally according to available data. The high literacy rate is a result of long-term national investment in universal education and literacy campaigns since the mid-twentieth century.
The average life expectancy at birth in Cuba is 78.26 years, which ranks 65 of 215 globally. This relatively high ranking is often attributed to the nation's focus on primary healthcare and preventative medicine. The figure places Cuba in the upper tier for health outcomes compared to many other regional neighbors.
Recent data indicates that 70.48% of the population in Cuba are internet users. This level of connectivity ranks the country 131 of 212 globally for internet penetration. While access has expanded rapidly in the last decade, infrastructure development continues to be a focus for improving digital inclusion across the archipelago.
The latest data shows that Cuba has a very low unemployment rate of 1.746%. This figure ranks 172 of 186 globally, reflecting the high levels of state employment and the structured nature of the national labor market. These statistics illustrate the unique workforce dynamics within the Caribbean state's socialist framework.
Cuba currently holds the global population rank of 86 out of 215 countries. Within its own region, it ranks 15th out of 46 countries in the Americas and 3rd out of 22 nations in the Caribbean subregion, following the Dominican Republic and Haiti in total population size.
The population of Cuba is shrinking at an annual rate of -0.36%. Recent data indicates that there are approximately 312 deaths per day compared to only 259 births. This natural decrease, coupled with a net migration loss of about 57 people daily, results in a total daily decline of 110 people.
The estimated 2026 population density is 105 people per km² (272 per sq mi). This places the island 98th in the world for density and 22nd in the Americas. Most of the population is concentrated in urban areas, leaving many rural and mountainous regions relatively sparsely populated.
The latest fertility rate in Cuba is 1.44 births per woman. This is significantly below the replacement level of 2.1, ranking the country 164th globally for fertility. This low rate is a primary driver of the nation's aging demographic profile and its overall population decline over the last decade.
Cuba is highly urbanized, with 77.2% of its population living in urban centers. This places the country 67th in the world for urbanization. The majority of urban residents live in the capital city of Havana, which serves as the political, economic, and cultural heart of the island nation.
All Indicators
Explore Cuba's data across 50+ indicators
Demographics
Economy
Health
Education
Environment
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Geography
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