Cuba’s Population Declines Below 10 Million Amid Aging and Migration Challenges

Cuba’s population dropped below 10 million in 2024, a decline of 300,000 people compared to the previous year, according to data from the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI).

The country ended the year with 9.7 million residents, down from 10.05 million in 2023, reflecting a broader trend of population decline driven by low birth rates, aging, and emigration.

ONEI’s Deputy Chief, Juan Carlos Alfonso Fraga, highlighted these demographic challenges during a recent meeting of the Government Commission for Demographic Dynamics.

He reported just 71,000 births in 2024—a figure he described as “significantly low”—while deaths increased. Over a quarter of Cuba’s population is now aged 60 or older, a demographic shift originally projected for 2030 but already evident.

Fraga warned that Cuba will continue to see fewer school-age children and individuals entering reproductive years, while the elderly population grows steadily.

Cuba’s Demographic Shift

Antonio Aja, Director of the Center for Demographic Studies at the University of Havana, emphasized that this demographic reality requires urgent attention in economic and social planning.

He urged policymakers to consider how population trends impact national and local strategies, noting that delayed responses could hinder development efforts.

To address these challenges, First Deputy Minister of Economy and Planning Mildrey Granadillo announced a budget of 2.456 billion pesos (approximately $20 million) for 2025—a significant increase of 1.071 billion pesos from last year.

The funds will support childcare services for children under six, elder care programs, and the production of assistive devices like canes and wheelchairs. Migration also plays a key role in Cuba’s demographic shift.

More than three million Cubans live abroad, including two million born in Cuba and one million descendants. These combined factors pose significant challenges for policymakers as they navigate the economic and social impacts of an aging population and ongoing emigration trends.