Cuba faces rapid population decline and aging demographic

Cuba is experiencing a significant demographic decline, with the total population falling to approximately 9,434,593 people. Data from the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI) indicates that between 2024 and 2025, the country lost 313,414 inhabitants.

The decline is driven by two primary factors: a natural decrease where deaths (136,214) nearly doubled births (68,064), and a massive negative migratory balance involving 245,264 people. This trend has been intensifying since 2021.

The population structure is also shifting toward an older demographic, with a median age of 45. Geographically, the country remains largely urban, with 74.7% of the population living in cities, though provinces like Granma remain significantly more rural. Additionally, there is a notable gender imbalance, with a surplus of approximately 133,971 women over men nationally, a gap that is even more pronounced in urban areas.