Cuba faces extreme poverty affecting 94% of population

Cuba is facing one of the deepest economic and social crises in its modern history, with extreme poverty reportedly affecting 94% of the population. According to the 17th Report on the State of Social Rights in Cuba, compiled by the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights (OCDH), eight out of ten citizens report being forced to skip at least one of their three daily meals due to a lack of money or food.

The report, based on 1,318 interviews conducted across all provinces, highlights widespread material deprivation. Key factors contributing to this crisis include the devaluation of the peso, frequent power outages, and a continuous contraction of economic activity. The study notes that 63% of citizens struggle to purchase even essential goods.

Food insecurity is particularly acute among the elderly; nine out of ten Cubans over the age of 61 are unable to secure three meals per day. The OCDH estimates the extreme poverty threshold for a three-person household at 87,210 Cuban pesos per month. While the report is non-governmental research rather than official state data, it depicts a significant gap between official government figures and the daily survival realities of the population.