Country Profile: Cuba

Cuba, an island nation in the Caribbean, is located between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, and is slightly smaller than Pennsylvania. With a population of approximately 10 million, the country is characterized by a diverse ethnic composition and a predominantly urban society. The economy is largely state-controlled but has seen a gradual increase in privatization; however, extensive foreign investment and ongoing corruption pose challenges. Governed as a communist state, Cuba's leadership has experienced significant historical shifts, most recently with Miguel Díaz-Canel at the helm since 2018.

Geography

Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean and features a diverse landscape ranging from flat plains to rugged hills and mountains. The country's area spans 110,860 sq km, with a coastline of 3,735 km. It has a tropical climate moderated by trade winds, with a dry season from November to April and a rainy season from May to October. The natural resources include cobalt, nickel, iron ore, and arable land, while the eastern coast is prone to hurricanes.

Elevation: Highest point at 1,974 m (Pico Turquino).
Natural Hazards: Hurricanes typically occur from August to November.
Land Use: 61.7% of the land is utilized for agriculture (2023 est.).
Population Distribution: Major clusters are found in urban areas, especially Havana.

People and Society

Cuba has an estimated population of 10,059,519 in 2025, featuring a balanced gender ratio with 4,950,615 males and 5,108,904 females. The society is ethnically diverse, with 64.1% identifying as White, 26.6% as mixed, and 9.3% as Black. The official language is Spanish, and the predominant religion is Christianity, practiced by 58.9% of the population.

Life Expectancy: Average of 80.1 years (2024 est.).
Urbanization: 77.5% of the population lives in urban areas (2023).
Literacy Rate: High at 97.7% (2019 est.).
Infant Mortality Rate: 5.2 deaths per 1,000 live births (2025).
Population Growth Rate: -0.6% (2025 est.).

Economy

Cuba's economy is predominantly state-run, with recent shifts towards increased privatization. The nation faces challenges such as pervasive corruption and protests against shortages of basic necessities. As of 2024, GDP (PPP) stands at $81.165 billion, with a GDP per capita of $23,700. The economy relies heavily on sectors like tourism and the export of tobacco.

GDP Growth Rate: Projected at -1.9% (2023 est.).
Unemployment Rate: Estimated at 1.6% (2024).
Key Exports: Tobacco and nickel are major export commodities (2023).
Inflation Rate: Peaked at 76.1% (2022).

Government

Cuba is a communist state with a unicameral legislative system. The government is headed by President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermudez, who took office in 2018. The constitution was last amended in 2019, and elections occur every five years. The ruling party, the Cuban Communist Party (PCC), plays a significant role in governance.

Capital: Havana.
Administrative Divisions: Comprises 15 provinces and 1 special municipality.
Suffrage: Universal at 16 years of age.
Military Focus: The government prioritizes territorial integrity and state security.

Military and Security

Cuba's military, known as the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR), encompasses ground, naval, and air defense forces. As of 2025, the military comprises approximately 50,000 active personnel, utilizing predominantly Russian and Soviet-era equipment. Military service is mandatory for men, with involvement in various sectors, including agriculture and tourism.

Military Expenditures: Estimated at 4.2% of GDP (2020).
Service Obligation: 24 months for men, while voluntary for women (ages 17-28).
Key Forces: Comprises various paramilitary organizations as well as the National Revolutionary Police.

Energy

Cuba's electricity access is universal, with an installed capacity of 7.264 million kW as of 2023. The energy sector heavily relies on fossil fuels, which constitute 95.2% of total installed capacity.

Electricity Consumption: Approximately 11.951 billion kWh (2023).
Petroleum Production: Estimated at 34,000 bbl/day (2023).
Natural Gas Production: Stands at 850.133 million cubic meters (2023).

Environment

Cuba faces several environmental challenges, including soil degradation, deforestation, and water pollution. The country is a party to numerous international environmental agreements, reflecting its commitment to protecting biodiversity and addressing climate change.

Climate: Tropical, with a dry and rainy season.
Waste Management: Only 25.7% of municipal solid waste recycled (2022).
Biodiversity: Threatened by habitat loss and pollution.

Transportation

Cuba features an extensive network of transportation systems, including 120 airports and 8,367 km of railways as of 2017. The country maintains a merchant marine fleet of 65 vessels.

Ports: 34 total, including 6 large and 14 with oil terminals.
Civil Aircraft Registration: National code prefix is CU.

Communications

The communications sector is predominantly state-controlled, with 71% of the population having access to the internet (2023). Despite restrictions on private ownership of media, citizens utilize social media platforms for information exchange.

Telephones: 1.59 million fixed line subscriptions (2024).
Mobile Cellular: 8.01 million subscriptions (2024).
Broadband: 327,000 fixed broadband subscriptions (2023).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	10,059,519 (2025 est.)
Area	110,860 sq km
GDP (Purchasing Power Parity)	$81.165 billion (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate	1.6% (2024 est.)
Electricity Access	100% (2022 est.)
Life Expectancy	80.1 years (2024 est.)
Infant Mortality Rate	5.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2025)
Urban Population	77.5% (2023)
Literacy Rate	97.7% (2019 est.)
Total Energy Consumption Per Capita	26.07 million Btu/person (2023 est.)