2017 Edition

Background

The native Amerindian population of Cuba began to decline after the European discovery of the island by Christopher COLUMBUS in 1492 and following its development as a Spanish colony during the next several centuries. Large numbers of African slaves were imported to work the coffee and sugar plantations, and Havana became the launching point for the annual treasure fleets bound for Spain from Mexico and Peru. Spanish rule eventually provoked an independence movement and occasional rebellions that were harshly suppressed. US intervention during the Spanish-American War in 1898 assisted the Cubans in overthrowing Spanish rule. The Treaty of Paris established Cuban independence from Spain in 1898 and, following three-and-a-half years of subsequent US military rule, Cuba became an independent republic in 1902 after which the island experienced a string of governments mostly dominated by the military and corrupt politicians. Fidel CASTRO led a rebel army to victory in 1959; his authoritarian rule held the subsequent regime together for nearly five decades. He stepped down as president in February 2008 in favor of his younger brother Raul CASTRO. Cuba's communist revolution, with Soviet support, was exported throughout Latin America and Africa during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. On 8-9 September 2017, Hurricane Irma passed along the north coast of Cuba causing extensive damage to structures, roads, and power supplies. The country faced a severe economic downturn in 1990 following the withdrawal of former Soviet subsidies worth $4-6 billion annually. Cuba at times portrays the US embargo, in place since 1961, as the source of its difficulties. Over the past decade, there has been growing communication with the Cuban Government to address national interests. As a result of efforts begun in December 2014 to re-establish diplomatic relations with the Cuban Government, which were severed in January 1961, the US and Cuba reopened embassies in their respective countries on 20 July 2015. However, the embargo remains in place. Illicit migration of Cuban nationals to the US via maritime and overland routes has been a longstanding challenge. In FY 2016, the US Coast Guard interdicted 5,228 Cuban nationals at sea. Also in FY 2016, 44,553 Cuban migrants presented themselves at various land border ports of entry throughout the US. On 12 January 2017, the US and Cuba signed a Joint Statement ending the so-called “wet-foot, dry-foot” policy – by which Cuban nationals who reached US soil were permitted to stay – facilitating the repatriation of Cuban migrants. Illicit Cuban migration has since dropped significantly.

Area

110,860 sq km 109,820 sq km 1,040 sq km

land

109,820 sq km

total

110,860 sq km

water

1,040 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Pennsylvania

Climate

tropical; moderated by trade winds; dry season (November to April); rainy season (May to October)

Coastline

3,735 km

Elevation

108 m lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Pico Turquino 1,974 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point

Pico Turquino 1,974 m

mean elevation

108 m

Environment - current issues

air and water pollution; biodiversity loss; deforestation

Environment - international agreements

Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands Marine Life Conservation

party to

Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

Marine Life Conservation

Geographic coordinates

21 30 N, 80 00 W

Geography - note

largest country in Caribbean and westernmost island of the Greater Antilles

Irrigated land

8,700 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

28.5 km US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay 28.5 km Guantanamo Naval Base is leased by the US and remains part of Cuba

border countries

US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay 28.5 km

note

Guantanamo Naval Base is leased by the US and remains part of Cuba

total

28.5 km

Land use

60.3% arable land 33.8%; permanent crops 3.6%; permanent pasture 22.9% 27.3% 12.4% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

60.3%

forest

27.3%

other

12.4% (2011 est.)

Location

Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, 150 km south of Key West, Florida

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims

12 nm 24 nm 200 nm

contiguous zone

24 nm

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

the east coast is subject to hurricanes from August to November (in general, the country averages about one hurricane every other year); droughts are common

Natural resources

cobalt, nickel, iron ore, chromium, copper, salt, timber, silica, petroleum, arable land

Population - distribution

large population clusters found throughout the country, the more significant ones being in the larger towns and cities, particularly the capital of Havana

Terrain

mostly flat to rolling plains, with rugged hills and mountains in the southeast

Age structure

16.57% (male 950,870/female 896,476) 12.22% (male 706,882/female 655,446) 44.43% (male 2,490,483/female 2,462,250) 11.84% (male 640,150/female 679,603) 14.94% (male 763,058/female 902,189) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

16.57% (male 950,870/female 896,476)

15-24 years

12.22% (male 706,882/female 655,446)

25-54 years

44.43% (male 2,490,483/female 2,462,250)

55-64 years

11.84% (male 640,150/female 679,603)

65 years and over

14.94% (male 763,058/female 902,189) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

10.7 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

73.7% (2014)

Death rate

8.7 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Dependency ratios

43.3 23.3 19.9 5 (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

19.9

potential support ratio

5 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

43.3

youth dependency ratio

23.3

Drinking water source

urban: 96.4% of population rural: 89.8% of population total: 94.9% of population urban: 3.6% of population rural: 10.2% of population total: 5.1% of population (2015 est.)

rural

10.2% of population

total

5.1% of population (2015 est.)

urban

3.6% of population

Education expenditures

12.8% of GDP (2010)

Ethnic groups

white 64.1%, mulatto or mixed 26.6%, black 9.3% data represent racial self-identification from Cuba's 2012 national census (2012 est.)

note

data represent racial self-identification from Cuba's 2012 national census (2012 est.)

Health expenditures

11.1% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.4% (2016 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

25,000 (2016 est.)

Hospital bed density

5.3 beds/1,000 population (2012)

Infant mortality rate

4.4 deaths/1,000 live births 4.9 deaths/1,000 live births 3.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

3.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

4.9 deaths/1,000 live births

total

4.4 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Spanish (official)

Life expectancy at birth

78.8 years 76.5 years 81.3 years (2017 est.)

female

81.3 years (2017 est.)

male

76.5 years

total population

78.8 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 99.8% 99.9% 99.8% (2015 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

99.8% (2015 est.)

male

99.9%

total population

99.8%

Major infectious diseases

intermediate bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis A dengue fever active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus (2016)

degree of risk

intermediate

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis A

note

active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus (2016)

vectorborne diseases

dengue fever

Major urban areas - population

HAVANA (capital) 2.137 million (2015)

Maternal mortality rate

39 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

41.5 years 40.1 years 42.6 years (2017 est.)

female

42.6 years (2017 est.)

male

40.1 years

total

41.5 years

Nationality

Cuban(s) Cuban

adjective

Cuban

noun

Cuban(s)

Net migration rate

-4.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

24.6% (2016)

People - note

illicit emigration is a continuing problem; Cubans attempt to depart the island and enter the US using homemade rafts, alien smugglers, direct flights, or falsified visas; Cubans also use non-maritime routes to enter the US including direct flights to Miami and overland via the southwest border; the number of Cubans migrating to the US has surged since the beginning of improved US-Cuban relations in late December 2014

Physicians density

7.52 physicians/1,000 population (2014)

Population

11,147,407 (July 2017 est.)

Population distribution

large population clusters found throughout the country, the more significant ones being in the larger towns and cities, particularly the capital of Havana

Population growth rate

-0.29% (2017 est.)

Religions

nominally Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant, Jehovah's Witnesses, Jewish, Santeria prior to CASTRO assuming power

note

prior to CASTRO assuming power

Sanitation facility access

urban: 94.4% of population rural: 89.1% of population total: 93.2% of population urban: 5.6% of population rural: 10.9% of population total: 6.8% of population (2015 est.)

rural

10.9% of population

total

6.8% of population (2015 est.)

urban

5.6% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

14 years 13 years 14 years (2015)

female

14 years (2015)

male

13 years

total

14 years

Sex ratio

1.06 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 1.08 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female 0.81 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.06 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.08 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.01 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.94 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.81 male(s)/female

at birth

1.06 male(s)/female

total population

0.99 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.71 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

6.1% 6.4% 5.6% (2010 est.)

female

5.6% (2010 est.)

male

6.4%

total

6.1%

Urbanization

77.3% of total population (2017) 0% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

0% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

77.3% of total population (2017)

Administrative divisions

15 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 special municipality* (municipio especial); Artemisa, Camaguey, Ciego de Avila, Cienfuegos, Granma, Guantanamo, Holguin, Isla de la Juventud*, La Habana, Las Tunas, Matanzas, Mayabeque, Pinar del Rio, Sancti Spiritus, Santiago de Cuba, Villa Clara

Capital

Havana 23 07 N, 82 21 W UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time) +1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November; note - Cuba has been known to alter the schedule of DST on short notice in an attempt to conserve electricity for lighting

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November; note - Cuba has been known to alter the schedule of DST on short notice in an attempt to conserve electricity for lighting

geographic coordinates

23 07 N, 82 21 W

name

Havana

time difference

UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

yes yes no unknown

citizenship by birth

yes

citizenship by descent

yes

dual citizenship recognized

no

residency requirement for naturalization

unknown

Constitution

several previous; latest adopted by referendum 15 February 1976, effective 24 February 1976; amended 1978, 1992, 2002 (2016)

Country name

Republic of Cuba Cuba Republica de Cuba Cuba name derives from the Taino Indian designation for the island "coabana" meaning "great place"

conventional long form

Republic of Cuba

conventional short form

Cuba

etymology

name derives from the Taino Indian designation for the island "coabana" meaning "great place"

local long form

Republica de Cuba

local short form

Cuba

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Scott HAMILTON (since 13 July 2017) Calzada between L & M Streets, Vedado, Havana use embassy street address [53] (7) 839-4100 NA

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Scott HAMILTON (since 13 July 2017)

embassy

Calzada between L & M Streets, Vedado, Havana

FAX

NA

mailing address

use embassy street address

telephone

[53] (7) 839-4100

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Jose Ramon CABANAS Rodriguez (since 17 September 2015) 2630 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 [1] (202) 797-8518 NA NA

chancery

2630 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009

chief of mission

Ambassador Jose Ramon CABANAS Rodriguez (since 17 September 2015)

consulate(s) general

NA

FAX

NA

telephone

[1] (202) 797-8518

Executive branch

President of the Council of State and President of the Council of Ministers Gen. Raul CASTRO Ruz (president since 24 February 2008); First Vice President of the Council of State and First Vice President of the Council of Ministers Miguel DIAZ-CANEL Bermudez (since 24 February 2013); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government President of the Council of State and President of the Council of Ministers Gen. Raul CASTRO Ruz (president since 24 February 2008); First Vice President of the Council of State and First Vice President of the Council of Ministers Miguel DIAZ-CANEL Bermudez (since 24 February 2013) Council of Ministers proposed by the president of the Council of State and appointed by the National Assembly; it is subordinate to the 31-member Council of State, which is elected by the Assembly to act on its behalf when it is not in session president and vice presidents indirectly elected by the National Assembly for a 5-year term (may be reelected for another 5-year term); election last held on 24 February 2013 (next to be held in 2018) Gen. Raul CASTRO Ruz (PCC) reelected president; percent of National Assembly vote - 100%; Miguel DIAZ-CANEL Bermudez (PCC) elected vice president; percent of National Assembly vote - 100%

cabinet

Council of Ministers proposed by the president of the Council of State and appointed by the National Assembly; it is subordinate to the 31-member Council of State, which is elected by the Assembly to act on its behalf when it is not in session

chief of state

President of the Council of State and President of the Council of Ministers Gen. Raul CASTRO Ruz (president since 24 February 2008); First Vice President of the Council of State and First Vice President of the Council of Ministers Miguel DIAZ-CANEL Bermudez (since 24 February 2013); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

election results

Gen. Raul CASTRO Ruz (PCC) reelected president; percent of National Assembly vote - 100%; Miguel DIAZ-CANEL Bermudez (PCC) elected vice president; percent of National Assembly vote - 100%

elections/appointments

president and vice presidents indirectly elected by the National Assembly for a 5-year term (may be reelected for another 5-year term); election last held on 24 February 2013 (next to be held in 2018)

head of government

President of the Council of State and President of the Council of Ministers Gen. Raul CASTRO Ruz (president since 24 February 2008); First Vice President of the Council of State and First Vice President of the Council of Ministers Miguel DIAZ-CANEL Bermudez (since 24 February 2013)

Flag description

five equal horizontal bands of blue (top, center, and bottom) alternating with white; a red equilateral triangle based on the hoist side bears a white, five-pointed star in the center; the blue bands refer to the three old divisions of the island: central, occidental, and oriental; the white bands describe the purity of the independence ideal; the triangle symbolizes liberty, equality, and fraternity, while the red color stands for the blood shed in the independence struggle; the white star, called La Estrella Solitaria (the Lone Star) lights the way to freedom and was taken from the flag of Texas design similar to the Puerto Rican flag, with the colors of the bands and triangle reversed

five equal horizontal bands of blue (top, center, and bottom) alternating with white; a red equilateral triangle based on the hoist side bears a white, five-pointed star in the center; the blue bands refer to the three old divisions of the island

central, occidental, and oriental; the white bands describe the purity of the independence ideal; the triangle symbolizes liberty, equality, and fraternity, while the red color stands for the blood shed in the independence struggle; the white star, called La Estrella Solitaria (the Lone Star) lights the way to freedom and was taken from the flag of Texas

note

design similar to the Puerto Rican flag, with the colors of the bands and triangle reversed

Government type

communist state

Independence

20 May 1902 (from Spain 10 December 1898; administered by the US from 1898 to 1902); not acknowledged by the Cuban Government as a day of independence

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

ACP, ALBA, AOSIS, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IAEA, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM, OAS (excluded from formal participation since 1962), OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, Petrocaribe, PIF (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

People's Supreme Court (consists of court president, vice president, 41 professional justices, and NA lay judges); organization includes the State Council, criminal, civil, administrative, labor, crimes against the state, and military courts) professional judges elected by the National Assembly are not subject to a specific term; lay judges nominated by workplace collectives and neighborhood associations and elected by municipal or provincial assemblies; lay judges appointed for 5-year terms and serve up to 30 days per year People's Provincial Courts; People's Regional Courts; People's Courts

highest court(s)

People's Supreme Court (consists of court president, vice president, 41 professional justices, and NA lay judges); organization includes the State Council, criminal, civil, administrative, labor, crimes against the state, and military courts)

judge selection and term of office

professional judges elected by the National Assembly are not subject to a specific term; lay judges nominated by workplace collectives and neighborhood associations and elected by municipal or provincial assemblies; lay judges appointed for 5-year terms and serve up to 30 days per year

subordinate courts

People's Provincial Courts; People's Regional Courts; People's Courts

Legal system

civil law system based on Spanish civil code

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly of People's Power or Asamblea Nacional del Poder Popular (614 seats; members directly elected by absolute majority vote; members serve 5-year terms); note - the National Candidature Commission submits a slate of approved candidates; to be elected, candidates must receive more than 50% of valid votes otherwise the seat remains vacant or the Council of State can declare another election last held on 3 February 2013 (next to be held in 2018) Cuba's Communist Party is the only legal party, and officially sanctioned candidates run unopposed

description

unicameral National Assembly of People's Power or Asamblea Nacional del Poder Popular (614 seats; members directly elected by absolute majority vote; members serve 5-year terms); note - the National Candidature Commission submits a slate of approved candidates; to be elected, candidates must receive more than 50% of valid votes otherwise the seat remains vacant or the Council of State can declare another election

election results

Cuba's Communist Party is the only legal party, and officially sanctioned candidates run unopposed

elections

last held on 3 February 2013 (next to be held in 2018)

National anthem

"La Bayamesa" (The Bayamo Song) Pedro FIGUEREDO adopted 1940; Pedro FIGUEREDO first performed "La Bayamesa" in 1868 during the Ten Years War against the Spanish; a leading figure in the uprising, FIGUEREDO was captured in 1870 and executed by a firing squad; just prior to the fusillade he is reputed to have shouted, "Morir por la Patria es vivir" (To die for the country is to live), a line from the anthem

lyrics/music

Pedro FIGUEREDO

name

"La Bayamesa" (The Bayamo Song)

note

adopted 1940; Pedro FIGUEREDO first performed "La Bayamesa" in 1868 during the Ten Years War against the Spanish; a leading figure in the uprising, FIGUEREDO was captured in 1870 and executed by a firing squad; just prior to the fusillade he is reputed to have shouted, "Morir por la Patria es vivir" (To die for the country is to live), a line from the anthem

National holiday

Triumph of the Revolution (Liberation Day), 1 January (1959)

National symbol(s)

royal palm; national colors: red, white, blue

royal palm; national colors

red, white, blue

Political parties and leaders

Cuban Communist Party or PCC [Raul CASTRO Ruz]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Cuban Commission for Human Rights and National Reconciliation (CCDHRN) Ladies in White (Damas de Blanco) Patriotic Union of Cuba or UNPACU political dissidents and bloggers

other

political dissidents and bloggers

Suffrage

16 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

sugar, tobacco, citrus, coffee, rice, potatoes, beans; livestock

Budget

$50.83 billion $56.48 billion (2016 est.)

expenditures

$56.48 billion (2016 est.)

revenues

$50.83 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-6.9% of GDP (2016 est.)

Central bank discount rate

NA%

Commercial bank prime lending rate

NA%

Current account balance

$2.008 billion (2016 est.) $1.941 billion (2015 est.)

Debt - external

$20.59 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $29.54 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Economy - overview

The government continues to balance the need for loosening its socialist economic system against a desire for firm political control. In April 2011, the government held the first Cuban Communist Party Congress in almost 13 years, during which leaders approved a plan for wide-ranging economic changes. Since then, the government has slowly and incrementally implemented limited economic reforms, including allowing Cubans to buy electronic appliances and cell phones, stay in hotels, and buy and sell used cars. The government has cut state sector jobs as part of the reform process, and it has opened up some retail services to "self-employment," leading to the rise of so-called "cuentapropistas" or entrepreneurs. Approximately 476,000 Cuban workers are currently registered as self-employed. The Cuban regime has updated its economic model to include permitting the private ownership and sale of real estate and new vehicles, allowing private farmers to sell agricultural goods directly to hotels, allowing the creation of non-agricultural cooperatives, adopting a new foreign investment law, and launching a “Special Development Zone” around the Mariel port. Since late 2000, Venezuela has provided petroleum products to Cuba on preferential terms, supplying nearly 100,000 barrels per day. Cuba has been paying for the oil, in part, with the services of Cuban personnel in Venezuela, including some 30,000 medical professionals.

Exchange rates

Cuban pesos (CUP) per US dollar - 1 (2016 est.) 1 (2015 est.) 1 (2014 est.) 22.7 (2013 est.) 1 (2012 est.)

Exports

$2.535 billion (2016 est.) $3.572 billion (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities

petroleum, nickel, medical products, sugar, tobacco, fish, citrus, coffee

Exports - partners

Russia 22.9%, Venezuela 15.4%, Spain 10.3% (2016)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

58.3% 32% 9.7% -1.3% 14.8% -13.5% (2016 est.)

exports of goods and services

14.8%

government consumption

32%

household consumption

58.3%

imports of goods and services

-13.5% (2016 est.)

investment in fixed capital

9.7%

investment in inventories

-1.3%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

3.9% 22% 74.8% (2016 est.)

agriculture

3.9%

industry

22%

services

74.8% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$11,900 (2016 est.) $12,200 (2015 est.) $11,600 (2014 est.) data are in 2014 US dollars

note

data are in 2014 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

-0.9% (2016 est.) 4.4% (2015 est.) 1% (2014 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$81.56 billion (2013 est.) data are in Cuban Pesos at 1 CUP = 1 US$; official exchange rate

note

data are in Cuban Pesos at 1 CUP = 1 US$; official exchange rate

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$132.9 billion (2016 est.) $134.2 billion (2015 est.) $128.5 billion (2014 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

note

data are in 2012 US dollars

Gross national saving

11% of GDP (2016 est.) 12.1% of GDP (2015 est.) 12.5% of GDP (2014 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$10.28 billion (2016 est.) $11.75 billion (2015 est.)

Imports - commodities

petroleum, food, machinery and equipment, chemicals

Imports - partners

China 29.2%, Spain 14%, Italy 5.1%, Brazil 4.7%, Mexico 4.4%, Russia 4.3%, Canada 4.1%, US 4% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

-4.1% (2016 est.)

Industries

petroleum, nickel, cobalt, pharmaceuticals, tobacco, construction, steel, cement, agricultural machinery, sugar

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

4.5% (2016 est.) 4.6% (2015 est.)

Labor force

4.686 million state sector 72.3%, non-state sector 27.7% (2016 est.)

note

state sector 72.3%, non-state sector 27.7% (2016 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

18% 10% 72% (2013 est.)

agriculture

18%

industry

10%

services

72% (2013 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Public debt

32.1% of GDP (2016 est.) 38.8% of GDP (2015 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$12.3 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $12.1 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of broad money

$48.19 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $42.59 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$4.138 billion (2006 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$NA

Stock of domestic credit

$NA

Stock of narrow money

$21.92 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $18.91 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

62.3% of GDP (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

2% (2016 est.) 2.4% (2015 est.) data are official rates; unofficial estimates are about double the official figures

note

data are official rates; unofficial estimates are about double the official figures

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

26 million Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - imports

101,500 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - production

49,830 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

124 million bbl (1 January 2017 es)

Electricity - consumption

15.98 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

90.7% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0.9% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

8.5% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

6.711 million kW (2015 est.)

Electricity - production

19.12 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity access

200,000 99.9% 100% 95% (2013)

electrification - rural areas

95% (2013)

electrification - total population

99.9%

electrification - urban areas

100%

population without electricity

200,000

Natural gas - consumption

2.063 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2016 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2016 est.)

Natural gas - production

1.25 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

70.79 billion cu m (1 January 2017 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

180,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

25,540 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

51,970 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

102,800 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Broadcast media

government owns and controls all broadcast media with private ownership of electronic media prohibited; however, several online independent news sites exist and those that are not openly critical of the government are often tolerated; government operates 5 national TV networks and many local TV stations; government operates 6 national radio networks, an international station, and many local radio stations; Radio-TV Marti is beamed from the US (2017)

Internet country code

.cu

Internet users

4,334,022 38.8% private citizens are prohibited from buying computers or accessing the Internet without special authorization; foreigners may access the Internet in large hotels but are subject to firewalls; some Cubans buy illegal passwords on the black market or take advantage of public outlets to access limited email and the government-controlled "intranet" (July 2016 est.)

note

private citizens are prohibited from buying computers or accessing the Internet without special authorization; foreigners may access the Internet in large hotels but are subject to firewalls; some Cubans buy illegal passwords on the black market or take advantage of public outlets to access limited email and the government-controlled "intranet" (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

38.8%

total

4,334,022

Telephone system

fixed-line and mobile services run by the state-run ETESCA; mobile-cellular telephone service is expensive and must be paid in convertible pesos; Cuban Government has opened several hundred Wi-Fi hotspots around the island, which are expensive, and launched a new residential Internet pilot in Havana fixed-line density remains low at about 10 per 100 inhabitants; mobile-cellular service expanding but remains only about 35 per 100 persons country code - 53; the ALBA-1 fiber-optic submarine cable links Cuba, Jamaica, and Venezuela; fiber-optic cable laid to but not linked to US network; satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region); several US telecommunication companies have signed voice and data deals to serve their customers while in Cuba (2017)

domestic

fixed-line density remains low at about 10 per 100 inhabitants; mobile-cellular service expanding but remains only about 35 per 100 persons

general assessment

fixed-line and mobile services run by the state-run ETESCA; mobile-cellular telephone service is expensive and must be paid in convertible pesos; Cuban Government has opened several hundred Wi-Fi hotspots around the island, which are expensive, and launched a new residential Internet pilot in Havana

international

country code - 53; the ALBA-1 fiber-optic submarine cable links Cuba, Jamaica, and Venezuela; fiber-optic cable laid to but not linked to US network; satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region); several US telecommunication companies have signed voice and data deals to serve their customers while in Cuba (2017)

Telephones - fixed lines

1,322,002 12 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

12 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

1,322,002

Telephones - mobile cellular

3,987,900 36 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

36 (July 2016 est.)

total

3,987,900

Airports

133 (2017)

Airports - with paved runways

27 (2017)

1,524 to 2,437 m

16

2,438 to 3,047 m

10

914 to 1,523 m

4

over 3,047 m

7

total

64

under 914 m

27 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways

58 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m

11

total

69

under 914 m

58 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

CU (2016)

Merchant marine

cargo 1, passenger 1, refrigerated cargo 1 5 (Curacao 1, Panama 2, unknown 2) (2010)

by type

cargo 1, passenger 1, refrigerated cargo 1

registered in other countries

5 (Curacao 1, Panama 2, unknown 2) (2010)

total

3

National air transport system

1,294,458 20,919,645 mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

20,919,645 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

1,294,458

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

18

number of registered air carriers

3

Pipelines

gas 41 km; oil 230 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Antilla, Cienfuegos, Guantanamo, Havana, Matanzas, Mariel, Nuevitas Bay, Santiago de Cuba

major seaport(s)

Antilla, Cienfuegos, Guantanamo, Havana, Matanzas, Mariel, Nuevitas Bay, Santiago de Cuba

Railways

8,367 km 8,195 km 1.435-m gauge (105 km electrified) 172 km 1.000-m gauge 70 km of standard gauge track is not for public use (2015)

narrow gauge

172 km 1.000-m gauge

note

70 km of standard gauge track is not for public use (2015)

standard gauge

8,195 km 1.435-m gauge (105 km electrified)

total

8,367 km

Roadways

60,858 km 29,820 km (includes 639 km of expressways) 31,038 km (2001)

paved

29,820 km (includes 639 km of expressways)

total

60,858 km

unpaved

31,038 km (2001)

Waterways

240 km (almost all navigable inland waterways are near the mouths of rivers) (2011)

Military - note

the collapse of the Soviet Union deprived the Cuban military of its major economic and logistic support and had a significant impact on the state of Cuban equipment; the army remains well trained and professional in nature; the lack of replacement parts for its existing equipment has increasingly affected operational capabilities (2013)

Military branches

Revolutionary Armed Forces (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias, FAR): Revolutionary Army (Ejercito Revolucionario, ER, includes Territorial Militia Troops (Milicia de Tropas de Territoriales, MTT)), Revolutionary Navy (Marina de Guerra Revolucionaria, MGR, includes Marine Corps), Revolutionary Air and Air Defense Forces (Defensas Anti-Aereas y Fuerza Aerea Revolucionaria, DAAFAR); Youth Labor Army (Ejercito Juvenil del Trabajo, EJT) (2013)

Revolutionary Armed Forces (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias, FAR)

Revolutionary Army (Ejercito Revolucionario, ER, includes Territorial Militia Troops (Milicia de Tropas de Territoriales, MTT)), Revolutionary Navy (Marina de Guerra Revolucionaria, MGR, includes Marine Corps), Revolutionary Air and Air Defense Forces (Defensas Anti-Aereas y Fuerza Aerea Revolucionaria, DAAFAR); Youth Labor Army (Ejercito Juvenil del Trabajo, EJT) (2013)

Military expenditures

3.08% of GDP (2015) 3.54% of GDP (2014) 3.51% of GDP (2013) 3.94% of GDP (2012) 3.08% of GDP (2011)

Military service age and obligation

17-28 years of age for compulsory military service; 2-year service obligation for males, optional for females (2017)

Disputes - international

US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay is leased to US and only mutual agreement or US abandonment of the facility can terminate the lease

Illicit drugs

territorial waters and air space serve as transshipment zone for US- and European-bound drugs; established the death penalty for certain drug-related crimes in 1999

Trafficking in persons

Cuba is a source country for adults and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labor; child sex trafficking and child sex tourism occur in Cuba, while some Cubans are forced into prostitution in South America and the Caribbean; allegations have been made that some Cubans have been forced or coerced to work at Cuban medical missions abroad; assessing the scope of trafficking within Cuba is difficult because of the lack of information Tier 2 Watch List - Cuba does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; Cuba’s penal code does not criminalize all forms of human trafficking, but the government reported that it is in the process of amending its criminal code to comply with the 2000 UN TIP Protocol, to which it acceded in 2013; the government in 2014 prosecuted and convicted 13 sex traffickers and provided services to the victims in those cases but does not have shelters specifically for trafficking victims; the government did not recognize forced labor as a problem and took no action to address it; state media produced newspaper articles and TV and radio programs to raise public awareness about sex trafficking (2015)

current situation

Cuba is a source country for adults and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labor; child sex trafficking and child sex tourism occur in Cuba, while some Cubans are forced into prostitution in South America and the Caribbean; allegations have been made that some Cubans have been forced or coerced to work at Cuban medical missions abroad; assessing the scope of trafficking within Cuba is difficult because of the lack of information

tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List - Cuba does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; Cuba’s penal code does not criminalize all forms of human trafficking, but the government reported that it is in the process of amending its criminal code to comply with the 2000 UN TIP Protocol, to which it acceded in 2013; the government in 2014 prosecuted and convicted 13 sex traffickers and provided services to the victims in those cases but does not have shelters specifically for trafficking victims; the government did not recognize forced labor as a problem and took no action to address it; state media produced newspaper articles and TV and radio programs to raise public awareness about sex trafficking (2015)