Cuba

Introduction

Background
The native Amerindian population of Cuba began to decline after the arrival of Christopher COLUMBUS in 1492, as the country was developed as a Spanish colony during the next several centuries. Fidel CASTRO led a rebel army to victory in 1959, and an authoritarian regime continues to rule the country.

Geography

Area
total : 110,860 sq km
land: 109,820 sq km
water: 1,040 sq km

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

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

People and Society

Population
total: 10,966,038 (2024 est.)

Ethnic groups
White 64.1%, Mulatto or mixed 26.6%, Black 9.3% (2012 est.)

Languages
Spanish (official)

Religions
Christian 58.9%, folk religion 17.6%, Buddhist <1%, Hindu <1%, Jewish <1%, Muslim <1%, other <1%, none 23.2% (2020 est.)

Population growth rate
-0.17% (2024 est.)

Government

Government type
communist state

Capital
name: Havana

Executive branch
chief of state: President Miguel DIAZ-CANEL Bermudez (since 19 April 2018)
head of government: Prime Minister Manuel MARRERO Cruz (since 21 December 2019)

Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Lianys TORRES RIVERA (since 14 January 2021)

Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Mike HAMMER (since 14 November 2024)

Economy

Economic overview
still largely state-run planned economy, although privatization increasing under new constitution; widespread protests due to lack of basic necessities and electricity; massive foreign investment increases recently; known tobacco exporter; unique oil-for-doctors relationship with Venezuela; widespread corruption

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$81.165 billion (2024 est.)
$81.985 billion (2023 est.)
$83.597 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$23,700 (2024 est.)
$18,300 (2023 est.)
$13,300 (2022 est.)

Exports
$8.768 billion (2020 est.)
$12.632 billion (2019 est.)
$14.53 billion (2018 est.)

Exports - partners
China 34%, Spain 12%, Germany 6%, Switzerland 5%, Hong Kong 4% (2023)

Exports - commodities
tobacco, nickel, liquor, zinc ore, precious metal ore (2023)

Imports
$8.067 billion (2020 est.)
$10.971 billion (2019 est.)
$12.567 billion (2018 est.)

Imports - partners
Spain 24%, China 13%, Netherlands 10%, USA 9%, Canada 6% (2023)

Imports - commodities
beer, poultry, rice, plastic products, soybean oil (2023)

Human Development Index

The country's Human Development Index (HDI) is 0.762, ranking it 97th out of 193 countries tested. (more information)