Country Profile: Cuba

Cuba, an island nation located in the Caribbean between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, is known for its rich history and vibrant culture. With a population of approximately 10 million, the country operates under a communist state governance structure, experiencing significant socio-economic challenges attributed in part to a long-standing US embargo. The economy is primarily state-run but has seen recent movements towards privatization, underlined by increased foreign investment and widespread protests arising from basic necessity shortages.

Geography

Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean and the westernmost of the Greater Antilles, covering an area of 110,860 sq km. Its geography features mostly flat to rolling plains, with the highest point being Pico Turquino at 1,974 m. The island enjoys a tropical climate that is moderated by trade winds, featuring a dry season from November to April and a rainy season from May to October.

3,735 km of coastline
28.5 km land boundary with the US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay
61.7% of land used for agriculture (2023)
34.9% of land covered by forests (2023)
Subject to hurricanes from August to November

People and Society

Cuba has an estimated population of 10,059,519 as of 2025, with a median age of 46.2 years. The society is predominantly ethnically diverse, comprising 64.1% White, 26.6% Mulatto or mixed, and 9.3% Black. The official language is Spanish, and religious beliefs are primarily Christian, representing 58.9% of the population.

77.5% urban population (2023)
Life expectancy at birth: 80.1 years (2024)
77.8 male and 82.6 female life expectancy
Infant mortality rate: 5.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2025)
Literacy rate: 97.7% (2019)

Economy

Cuba's economy is characterized by a state-run model where the government plays a significant role in various sectors, including healthcare and education. The country is known for its significant tobacco exports and is engaged in a unique trade agreement with Venezuela involving oil for medical services. As of 2024, the country's Real GDP (purchasing power parity) is approximately $81.165 billion.

1.6% unemployment rate (2024)
Inflation at 76.1% (2022)
70% of GDP derived from the services sector (2023)
Labor force: 4.859 million (2024)
Export partners: China (34%), Spain (12%) (2023)

Government

Cuba is a communist state with a centralized government led by President Miguel Diaz-Canel since 2018. The country's legislative body consists of the National Assembly of the People's Power, which is unicameral and has 470 directly elected seats. The latest constitutional amendments were approved in 2019.

Suffrage starts at 16 years of age
Last election for the president: April 19, 2023
55.7% of the legislative assembly are women
National holiday: Triumph of the Revolution on January 1

Military and Security

The Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) serve as the military and security apparatus, encompassing ground, naval, and air defense forces. Military service is compulsory for men, and the defense budget accounted for 4.2% of GDP in 2020. The military has significant influence over both politics and the economy.

Approximately 50,000 active personnel (2025)
Mandatory service of 24 months for men, voluntary for women
Military equipment largely consists of Russian and Soviet-era technology

Energy

Cuba's energy sector is dominated by fossil fuels, which account for 95.2% of total installed electricity capacity. The island boasts a total installed generating capacity of 7.264 million kW and has a complete electricity access rate of 100%.

Electricity consumption: 11.951 billion kWh (2023)
Petroleum production: 34,000 bbl/day (2023)
Natural gas production: 850.133 million cubic meters (2023)

Environment

Cuba faces several environmental challenges, such as soil degradation and biodiversity loss, exacerbated by inadequate farming practices and natural disasters. The nation is a signatory to various international environmental agreements aimed at addressing climate change and protecting biodiversity.

34.9% forested land (2023)
25.7% of municipal solid waste recycled (2022)
38.12 billion cubic meters total renewable water resources (2022)

Transportation

Cuba's transportation infrastructure includes 120 airports and an extensive rail network of 8,367 km. The country maintains a total of 34 ports, with significant activated military presence at strategic locations.

8.01 million mobile cellular subscriptions (2024)
65 ships registered in the merchant marine (2023)

Communications

Cuba's communications sector is heavily controlled by the government, with all broadcast media being state-owned and regulated. Internet access has been gradually expanding, with 71% of the population estimated to be internet users as of 2023.

1.59 million fixed-line telephone subscriptions (2024)
327,000 fixed broadband subscriptions (2023)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	10,059,519	Estimated 2025
Area	110,860 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$81.165 billion	Estimated 2024
Unemployment Rate	1.6%	Estimated 2024
Energy Consumption per Capita	26.07 million Btu/person	Estimated 2023
Life Expectancy at Birth	80.1 years	Estimated 2024
Literacy Rate	97.7%	Estimated 2019
Birth Rate	7.78 births/1,000 population	Estimated 2025
Total Fertility Rate	1.49 children/woman	Estimated 2025
Infant Mortality Rate	5.2 deaths/1,000 live births	Estimated 2025