Living standards of Cuba
Cuba, a upper-middle income Marxist-Leninist republic in the Caribbean, generally has high human development, though it faces significant challenges in many fields. In the 2023/24 HDI report Cuba ranked 85th, with a score of 0.764, ahead of countries like Peru, Brazil and Moldova.[1] Both La Habana and Isla de la Juventud, which together contain roughly a fifth of Cuba's population, reach the "very high" (0.8 or above) human development category. The lowest, Las Tunas, scores 7.34. [2]
Nutrition in Cuba
As of 2022, Cuba had an an average daily caloric consumption of 3,315kcal.[3] Malnutrition rates in Cuba are generally low, especially for the region. [4] In 2020, malnutrition deaths were 0.32 per 100,000 - an incredibly low figure, though it has been rising in recent years.[5] This is in large part due to the "Libreta" system, which, whilst suffering shortages and late deliveries[6], generally covers a large part of the Cuban diet. However, Cuba also faces significant problems, mainly because of severe American sanctions, but also, to a lesser extent - corruption - which is a major problem. Despite this, some Cubans face significant food insecurity: 4% eat only 1/3 meals, whilst 29% eat only 2/3. Cuba is currently facing a severe food crisis, exacerbated by Donald Trump's recent strengthening of US sanctions.
Health in Cuba
Cuba generally has satisfactory outcomes in healthcare, especially for the region. It has the highest doctor-to-patient ratio in the world.[7] Cuban life expectancy is nearly eighty years, slightly exceeded the United States. [8] Cuba has an infant mortality of 7 per 1000.[9] It has completely eliminated mother-to-child transmission of HIV and Syphilis, and was the first ever nation to do so.[10] Due to sanctions, Cuba created a covid vaccine by itself.[11] However, Cuba is facing a shortage of many medical items, such as syringes and essential medications - which was one of the main reasons for the July 2021 protests.[12] Whilst the embargo technically has exemptions for food and medicine, vague wording still makes it incredibly difficult for Cuba to trade for these, and therefore Cuban healthcare is largely preventative.
Education in Cuba
Cuba's universal literacy exceeds many first world nations such as United States, United Kingdom, France, Japan, Germany and Sweden.[13] As of 2025, the average Cuban spends 11.8 years in school, and school attendance is compulsory from five years until the end of secondary education. Education in Cuba is completely free for citizens at all levels, and only foreign nationals must may a fee. Cuba spends 9.4% of GDP on education, seeing it as essential.[14]
Housing in Cuba
Cuba has a home ownership rate of 90%, one of the best in the world.[15] However, due to lack of materials, Cuba has a home deficit of 800,000. This has also led to many houses falling into disrepair.[16] According to the Cuban government, roughly 35% of houses are in disrepair.[17] Whilst this shows significant problems, it compares somewhat favorably with the average in the Latin American and Caribbean average of 45%.[18]
References
- ↑ Nations, United (2024-03-13). Human Development Report 2023-24 (Report). United Nations.
- ↑ "Subnational HDI - Subnational HDI - Table - Global Data Lab". globaldatalab.org. Retrieved 2025-07-17.
- ↑ "Daily supply of calories per person".
- ↑ "FAOSTAT". www.fao.org. Retrieved 2025-07-17.
- ↑ "World health statistics 2020: monitoring health for the SDGs, sustainable development goals". www.who.int. Retrieved 2025-07-17.
- ↑ "Rationed food kept Cubans fed during the Cold War. Today an economic crisis has them hungry". AP News. 2024-03-24. Retrieved 2025-07-17.
- ↑ Loewenberg, Sam (2016-01-23). "Cuba's focus on preventive medicine pays off". The Lancet. 387 (10016): 327–329. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(16)00155-0. ISSN 0140-6736. PMID 26842440.
- ↑ "Cuba Life Expectancy (1950-2025)". www.macrotrends.net. Retrieved 2025-07-17.
- ↑ "Cuba (CUB) - Demographics, Health & Infant Mortality". UNICEF DATA. Retrieved 2025-07-17.
- ↑ "WHO validates elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis in Cuba". www.who.int. Retrieved 2025-07-17.
- ↑ Taylor, Luke (2021-08-05). "Why Cuba developed its own covid vaccine—and what happened next". BMJ. 374: n1912. doi:10.1136/bmj.n1912. ISSN 1756-1833. PMID 34353811 Check
|pmid=value (help). - ↑ "Cubans, amid medicine scarcity, turn to herbal remedies and bartering". NBC News. 2021-04-21. Retrieved 2025-07-18.
- ↑ "Literacy Rate by Country 2025". worldpopulationreview.com. Retrieved 2025-07-17.
- ↑ "World Bank Open Data". World Bank Open Data. Retrieved 2025-07-17.
- ↑ "Home Ownership by Country 2025". worldpopulationreview.com. Retrieved 2025-07-17.
- ↑ "Havana's once stately homes crumble as their residents live in fear of an imminent collapse".
- ↑ "Cubadebate". www.cubadebate.cu (in español). Archived from the original on 2025-07-16. Retrieved 2025-07-28.
- ↑ "Cubadebate". www.cubadebate.cu (in español). Archived from the original on 2025-07-16. Retrieved 2025-07-28.
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