Over one million emigrants - Kuba's population has shrunk by ten percent in three years
Due to massive emigration, Cuba's population has decreased by around ten percent between the years 2021 and 2023. In this period, approximately one million people left the Caribbean country, as stated in the Statistics Office ONEI's report to the Parliament. Moreover, there was a negative birth rate. Cuba had slightly over ten million inhabitants at the end of the previous year - on December 31, 2020, there were still approximately 11.2 million.
Cuba is going through a severe economic crisis. Among other things, food, medicines, and fuel are in short supply. There is high inflation, the infrastructure is deteriorating, and power outages lasting hours are common. In addition to the US trade embargo, which has been in place for over 60 years, the inefficient economic administration by the Communist Party also contributes to the problems. The Caribbean one-party state is economically heavily reliant on tourism - this has not yet fully recovered from the decline caused by the Corona pandemic.
Emigration is also driven by the authoritarian actions of the government. After rare mass demonstrations three years ago, hundreds of participants are still detained - among them the German citizen Luis Frómeta Compte. Human rights activists count over 1,100 political prisoners in Cuba. The majority of emigrants are attracted to the nearby US.
New Migration Law
Cuba's National Assembly passed a new migration law on Friday that eases some hurdles for Cubans abroad. For instance, they no longer lose specific civil and property rights if they stay abroad for more than two years continuously. However, the law also allows the prohibition of exit or return to Cuba for reasons of "public interest." Additionally, their Cuban citizenship can be revoked if they engage in actions deemed contrary to the interests of the state by the authorities.
- This population decrease has significantly impacted Cuba's Social sphere, leading to potential changes in Food consumption patterns and community dynamics.
- The Statistics Office ONEI's report to Parliament highlighted that the emigration rate was higher among the younger population, which could have a long-term impact on the economy.
- The United States of America has been a popular destination for Cuban refugees, leading to an increase in the Cuban population in certain areas of the USA.
- The new Migration Law, passed by Parliament, aims to balance the rights of Cuban nationals living abroad with the government's interests, potentially influencing future Emigration trends.
- The economic crisis in Cuba, fueled by high inflation, has led to Kuba's government seeking aid from international bodies, including the International Monetary Fund, to alleviate the pressures on the nation's economy.
- Havana's economy is also affected by the emigration trend, as the city relies heavily on tourism revenues, which could potentially decline due to the lower population and decreased interest in touring an unstable area.
