Quick facts
Cuba population overview
Cuba is the 8th most populous of 41 countries and territories in North America. The United Nations put the population at 10,916,246 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of -0.4% the live estimate on this page falls by roughly 126 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 92,788 births (8.5 per 1,000 people) and 115,712 deaths (10.6 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 21,832 people. The infant mortality rate is 4.3 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 7,238,081 in 1960 to 10,937,203 in 2025 — a change of +51.1%, or +0.6% per year on average. It peaked at 11,303,175 in 2012 and has declined 3.7% since.
Demographically, the median age is 42.5 years; life expectancy at birth is 78.6 years; women have on average 1.4 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 15% of residents are under 15 and 17% are 65 or older (2025); 77.2% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Havana. Cuba covers 109,880 km², giving a population density of about 99 people per km². GDP was $107.35B in 2020 — about $9,605 per person (World Bank classification: upper middle income).
Cuba population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 10,879,683 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 10,916,246 |
| World rank | #88 of 238 |
| Rank in North America | #8 of 41 |
| Share of world population | 0.1% |
| Annual growth rate | -0.4% |
| Births per year est. | 92,788 |
| Deaths per year est. | 115,712 |
| Net migration per year est. | -21,832 |
| Birth rate | 8.5 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 10.6 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 4.3 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 97.2 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 42.5 years |
| Life expectancy | 78.6 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 1.4 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 77.2% |
| Surface area 2023 | 109,880 km² |
| Population density | 99 per km² |
| Capital | Havana |
| GDP (current US$) 2020 | $107.35B |
| GDP per capita 2020 | $9,605 |
| Income group World Bank | Upper middle income |
Cuba population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 10,879,683 | – | – |
| 2025 | 10,937,203 | -42,580 | -0.4% |
| 2024 | 10,979,783 | -40,148 | -0.4% |
| 2023 | 11,019,931 | -39,889 | -0.4% |
| 2022 | 11,059,820 | -62,348 | -0.6% |
| 2021 | 11,122,168 | -54,186 | -0.5% |
| 2020 | 11,176,354 | -98,711 | -0.2% |
| 2015 | 11,275,065 | -22,344 | 0% |
| 2010 | 11,297,409 | +34,855 | +0.1% |
| 2005 | 11,262,554 | +153,445 | +0.3% |
| 2000 | 11,109,109 | +183,747 | +0.3% |
| 1995 | 10,925,362 | +293,563 | +0.5% |
| 1990 | 10,631,799 | +474,571 | +0.9% |
| 1985 | 10,157,228 | +352,432 | +0.7% |
| 1980 | 9,804,796 | +325,070 | +0.7% |
| 1975 | 9,479,726 | +655,344 | +1.4% |
| 1970 | 8,824,382 | +793,585 | +1.9% |
| 1965 | 8,030,797 | +792,716 | +2.1% |
| 1960 | 7,238,081 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Cuba
Population over time
- From 7,238,081 in 1960 to 10,879,683 today — up 50.3%.
- Population peaked at 11,303,175 in 2012 and is down 3.7% since.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: -0.3% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 78.3 years (2024), up 14.9 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 1.4 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 8.6 births vs 10.4 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Deaths outnumber births — natural decrease of 1.8 per 1,000 a year.
Age structure
- 15% of the population is under 15 and 17% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 4.3% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 21 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 41.72 Mt in 1989 — down 49.7% since.
- Per person: 1.91 t in 2024, vs 2.48 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 775.8 kg of oil equivalent per person (2023), down 48.9% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 20.9% of final energy in 2021 (-22 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 31.2% of land area (2023).
- Net afforestation: cover grew from 19.2% to 31.2% since 1990 — roughly 13,264 km² of forest gained.
Urban population (% of total)
- 77.2% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 57.7% in 1960 (+19.5 points).
- Majority-urban for the whole period covered.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low–medium — freshwater withdrawals are 18.3% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 3,447 m³ in 2022, down 33.2% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $107.35B in 2020.
- Nominal GDP is up 80.2% since 2010.
- That works out to $9,605 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 1.7% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
Internet & mobile
- 70.5% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 72.9 per 100 people (2024).
Cuba in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Cuba in 2026?
As of October 2026, Cuba has an estimated population of 10,879,683. The United Nations estimated 10,916,246 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the -0.4% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Cuba growing or shrinking?
It is shrinking at -0.4% per year — roughly 126 fewer people every day. Each year there are about 92,788 births and 115,712 deaths, with net migration of -21,832.
What is the population density of Cuba?
About 99 people per square kilometre: 10,879,683 people living on 109,880 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Cuba?
The median age is 42.5 years, and life expectancy at birth is 78.6 years. 15% of the population is under 15 and 17% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Cuba rank by population?
Cuba is the 88th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 8th in North America, with 0.1% of the global population.
How has the population of Cuba changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 7,238,081; by 2025 it had grown to 10,937,203 (+51.1%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
Explore more
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Honduras
SwedenSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (-0.4%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.