In 2024, Cuba recorded a total of 71,358 births, a stark contrast to the 186,658 births noted in 1990, marking a dramatic decline of nearly 62% over three and a half decades. This data, released by the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI) under their "Retrospective Data" section, highlights a troubling demographic trend.
The figure for 2024 is the lowest seen in at least 65 years, and it represents the fourth consecutive year that Cuban births have fallen below 100,000 annually.
According to ONEI, there were 19,034 fewer births in 2024 than in 2023, and 51,285 fewer than in 2014, when 122,643 births were recorded.
Historically, the state agency noted that the last time Cuba saw over 200,000 births was in 1974, with 203,066 newborns.
This decline is even more pronounced when compared to the 1990s, a period already impacted by the Special Period crisis, yet in 1996, the lowest birth year of that decade, 140,276 children were born on the island—almost double the number in 2024.
Demographic Concerns Deepen
The crude birth rate plummeted to 7.2 per 1,000 inhabitants in 2024, marking the lowest in Cuba's modern history, while the fertility rate dropped to 1.29 children per woman, far below the generational replacement level of 2.1.
This steep decline in births is part of a broader demographic crisis: in 2024, Cuba experienced 130,645 deaths compared to just 71,358 births, resulting in a natural decrease of 56,740 people.
Adding to the demographic challenges is a significant emigration wave, reducing the official population to 9,748,007 by the end of 2024—a loss of over 307,961 people from 2023 and more than 1.4 million since 2020.
Unprecedented Population Decline
Juan Carlos Alfonso Fraga, deputy head of ONEI, acknowledged the unprecedented nature of this contraction, stating, "There is no similar experience," and noting that no other Global South country has faced such a population reduction outside of wartime.
By 2025, the situation deteriorated further, with only 68,051 births, a number lower than that recorded in 1899, when Cuba was emerging from the War of Independence.
Over 25.7% of Cuba's population is now over 60 years old, the highest proportion in Latin America, and the infant mortality rate surged by 148% from 2018 to 2025, increasing from 4.0 to 9.9 deaths per 1,000 live births.
The United Nations Population Fund warned during a meeting in Havana on July 1 that if current trends of low birth rates, aging, and mass emigration continue, Cuba could see its population dwindle to just 5.6 million by the year 2100.
Understanding Cuba's Demographic Crisis
What is the main reason for Cuba's declining birth rate?
The decline in Cuba's birth rate is attributed to a combination of factors, including economic difficulties, low fertility rates, and increased emigration, which are exacerbating the country's demographic challenges.
How does Cuba's current population trend compare to historical data?
Cuba is experiencing its lowest birth rates in at least 65 years, with the current trends indicating a decline not seen since the aftermath of the War of Independence in 1899.
What are the potential future implications of Cuba's demographic issues?
If the current trends continue, Cuba might face a significantly reduced population by 2100, with projections indicating a population of 5.6 million, impacting its economic and social structures.