Cuban economist Pedro Monreal revealed on Wednesday that every single state worker in Cuba is living in extreme poverty based on the World Bank's international standards.
Monreal took to Facebook to explain that Cuba failed to provide poverty data for the latest report from the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (CEPAL), titled “Social Panorama of Latin America and the Caribbean 2025.”
Using the World Bank's extreme poverty line—set at $2.15 per person per day—the average state salary in Cuba, which is 6,685 Cuban pesos per month, places all public sector employees below this threshold.
"Extreme poverty, or destitution, is a condition where one lacks sufficient income to meet even the most basic food needs," Monreal emphasized.
The calculation was made using the official exchange rate of 1 USD = 120 CUP, translating to just $55.7 per month, or less than $1.86 per day. Monreal noted that if the informal market rate—where the dollar exceeds 300 Cuban pesos—were used, the situation would be significantly worse.
Unlike other countries that provide national measurements based on World Bank standards, Cuba did not submit poverty estimates to the CEPAL report. Monreal pointed out that Brazil, for example, is included in the report with statistics from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE).
Monreal, a vocal critic in Cuban economic analysis, warned that the absence of official data in the regional report highlights the regime's lack of transparency about crucial social indicators such as poverty and inequality.
He has consistently argued that state salaries in Cuba are insufficient to cover basic needs like food, housing, or transportation, forcing most workers to rely on remittances, family support, or informal activities to survive.
His assessment adds to the warnings from international organizations and independent economists who describe Cuba as a nation in social and economic crisis, suffering from rampant inflation, diminishing purchasing power, and declining living standards.
According to the Eighth Study on the State of Social Rights in Cuba, released in September by the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights (OCDH), extreme poverty affects 89% of Cubans, and 78% express a desire to emigrate.
The OCDH noted that power outages, the food crisis, high living costs, low wages, and deteriorating public health are the main issues plaguing the population, while authorities either deny the severity of these problems or blame external factors.
In this context, a recent survey by CiberCuba highlighted the extent of the emigration desire among Cubans, with 93% of respondents saying they would leave the country immediately if given the chance. Only 5% said they would not, and 2% have already attempted to do so.
Understanding Cuba's Economic Crisis
What are the main causes of extreme poverty in Cuba?
The main causes include inflation, low salaries, high living costs, food shortages, power outages, and inadequate public health services, all under a non-transparent regime.
How does the informal market exchange rate affect the poverty situation?
The informal market exchange rate, which is significantly higher than the official rate, exacerbates the poverty situation by further decreasing the purchasing power of Cuban salaries.
What percentage of Cubans want to emigrate?
According to a survey, 78% of Cubans wish to emigrate, with 93% stating they would leave immediately if possible.