Cuba Demographics

What is the population of Cuba?

Population	10,966,038
Population: Male/Female	male: 5,441,507 female: 5,524,531
Population Growth Rate	-0.17%
Population Distribution	large population clusters found throughout the country, the more significant ones being in the larger towns and cities, particularly the capital of Havana
Urban Population	urban population: 77.5% of total population rate of urbanization: 0.19% annual rate of change
Population in Major Urban Areas	2.149 million HAVANA (capital)
Nationality Noun	noun: Cuban(s) adjective: Cuban
Ethnic Groups	White 64.1%, Mulatto or mixed 26.6%, Black 9.3%
Language Note	Spanish (official)

Cuba Population Comparison

Cuba Health Information

What are the health conditions in Cuba?

Life Expectancy at Birth	total population: 80.1 years male: 77.8 years female: 82.6 years
Death Rate - deaths/1,000 population	9.5
Infant Mortality Rate - total deaths/1,000 live births	total: 4 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.5 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.5 deaths/1,000 live births
Health Expenditures - percent of GDP	12.5%
Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population	8.42
Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population	5.3
Major Infectious Diseases - degree of risk	degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis A vectorborne diseases: dengue fever
Drinking Water Source - percent of urban population improved	improved: urban: 98.9% of population rural: 97% of population total: 98.5% of population unimproved: urban: 1.1% of population rural: 3% of population total: 1.5% of population
Tobacco Use	total: 17.9% male: 25.5% female: 10.3%
Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births	39
Contraceptive Prevalence Rate - female 12-49	69%
Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman	1.71
Gross reproduction rate	1
Obesity - adult prevalence rate	24.6%
Sanitation Facility Access - percent of urban population improved	improved: urban: 94.8% of population rural: 87% of population total: 93% of population unimproved: urban: 5.2% of population rural: 13% of population total: 7% of population
Underweight - percent of children under five years	2.4%
Alcohol consumption per capita	total: 4.7 liters of pure alcohol beer: 1.77 liters of pure alcohol wine: 0.23 liters of pure alcohol spirits: 2.69 liters of pure alcohol other alcohols: 0.01 liters of pure alcohol
Child Marriage	women married by age 15: 4.8% women married by age 18: 29.4% men married by age 18: 5.9%
Currently married women (ages 15-49)	58%

Cuba Life Expectancy

How long do people live in Cuba?

Life Expectancy at Birth	total population: 80.1 years male: 77.8 years female: 82.6 years
Median Age	total: 42.6 years male: 41 years female: 44.4 years
Gross reproduction rate	1
Contraceptive Prevalance Rate - female 12-49	69%
Infant Mortality Rate	total: 4 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.5 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.5 deaths/1,000 live births
Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births	39
Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman	1.71

Cuba median age, birth rate and death rates

Birth Rate - births/1,000 population	10
Median Age	total: 42.6 years male: 41 years female: 44.4 years
Net Migration Rate - migrant(s)/1,000 population	-2.1
Population Growth Rate	-0.17%
Sex Ratio at Birth - male/female	at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female
Age Structure	0-14 years: 16.3% (male 918,066/female 866,578) 15-64 years: 66.5% (male 3,670,531/female 3,623,658) 65 years and over: 17.2% (male 852,910/female 1,034,295)
Contraceptive Prevalance Rate - female 12-49	69%
Gross reproduction rate	1
Infant Mortality Rate	total: 4 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.5 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.5 deaths/1,000 live births
Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births	39
Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman	1.71

Cuba Medical Information

What are the health conditions in Cuba?

Medical Facilities and Health Information

Medical care in Cuba does not meet U.S. standards. While medical professionals are generally competent, many health facilities face shortages of medical supplies and bed space. Many medications are unavailable, so travelers to Cuba should bring with them any prescribed medicine in its original container and in amounts commensurate with personal use. Travelers may also wish to consider bringing small additional amounts of prescribed medicines and over-the-counter remedies in the event that a return to the United States is delayed for unforeseen reasons. A copy of the prescription and a letter from the prescribing physician explaining the need for prescription drugs may facilitate their entry into the country.

Travelers to the Havana area should be aware that U.S. and other foreign visitors are generally referred to the “tourist” Cira Garcia Hospital located in the Miramar neighborhood of Havana. Treatment at Cira Garcia and any other medical consultation requires payment in cash (see the section on Medical Insurance), and the Cuban Government disallows the use of U.S. dollars.

Health Expenditures - percent of GDP

12.5%

Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population

5.3

Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population

8.42

Cuba Education

What is school like in Cuba?

Literacy - female	99.7%
Literacy - male	99.6%
Literacy - total population	99.7%
Literacy Definition	age 15 and over can read and write
Total School Life Expectancy - (primary to tertiary)	total: 14 years male: 13 years female: 15 years

Cuba Literacy

Can people in Cuba read?

Literacy - female	99.7%
Literacy - male	99.6%
Literacy - total population	99.7%
Literacy Definition	age 15 and over can read and write

Cuba Crime

Is Cuba a safe place to visit?

Crime Information

Official crime statistics are not published by the Cuban government, but reporting by U.S. citizens and other foreign travelers indicates that the majority of incidents are non-violent and theft-related – e.g., pick-pocketing, purse snatching, or the taking of unattended/valuable items. There is anecdotal evidence that violent crime has increased in Cuba and is generally associated with assaults committed during a burglary or robbery. The U.S. Government cannot confirm this information but rates the threat of crime in Cuba as medium. In the event of a confrontation, travelers should not resist as perpetrators may be armed. Thefts generally occur in crowded areas such as markets, beaches, and other gathering points, including Old Town Havana and the Prado neighborhood. Travelers should exercise basic situational awareness at all times and are advised not to leave belongings unattended, nor to carry purses and bags loosely over one shoulder.

Visitors should avoid wearing flashy jewelry or displaying large amounts of cash. When possible, visitors should carry a copy of their passport with them and leave the original at a secure location. U.S. visitors should also beware of Cuban "jineteros" (hustlers) who specialize in swindling tourists. While most jineteros speak English and go out of their way to appear friendly, e.g., by offering to serve as tour guides or to facilitate the purchase of cheap cigars, many are in fact professional criminals who may resort to violence in their efforts to acquire tourists' money and other valuables. When exchanging currency, use state-run offices to convert dollars and avoid independent/street vendors as we have seen a slight increase in the number of persons trying to pass counterfeit bills at the Interests Section.

All travelers should ensure that valuables remain under their personal control at all times and are never put into checked baggage.

Cuba Penalties for Crime

Criminal Penalties

While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Cuba’s laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs in Cuba are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Those accused of drug-related and other crimes face long legal proceedings and delayed due process. In one 2009 drug conviction, a U.S. citizen was sentenced to 18 years in prison. In some cases, the Cuban government has not permitted U.S. consular access to Cuban-American prisoners with dual nationality.

Criminal penalties are also harsh for foreigners or dual nationals suspected of assisting Cuban migrants who attempt to leave Cuba illegally. Average jail sentences for individuals charged with migrant smuggling range from 10 to 25 years. In a 2007 case, a U.S. citizen was arrested for attempting to facilitate the illegal departure of his Cuban family members via raft. He was charged with migrant smuggling and received a jail sentence of 16 years.

Traffic laws in Cuba differ greatly from those in the United States. U.S. citizen drivers involved in traffic accidents that result in the death or injury of any party may be held criminally liable, regardless of fault. Six U.S. citizens are currently serving prison terms in Cuba for vehicular homicide, including one for a single-car accident that resulted in the death of the driver’s family-member passenger. The U.S. Interests Section recommends extreme caution when driving in Cuba as hazardous road conditions, poor signage, and jaywalking pedestrians may result in accidents. See TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS for more information.

The Cuban government has strict laws prohibiting the importation of weapons. The Department of State warns all U.S. citizens against taking any type of firearm or ammunition into Cuba. Entering Cuba with a firearm or even a single round of ammunition is illegal, even if the weapon or ammunition is taken into Cuba unintentionally. The Cuban government strictly enforces laws restricting the entry of firearms and ammunition at airports and seaports, and routinely x-rays all incoming luggage. U.S. citizens entering Cuba with a weapon or ammunition (including even a small number of bullets), even accidentally, are subject to fines or possible imprisonment. Travelers are strongly advised to thoroughly inspect all belongings prior to travel to Cuba to avoid the accidental import of ammunition or firearms.

For more information, please contact the U.S. Interests Section's American Citizens Services Unit at:

U.S. Interests Section

American Citizen Services Unit

Calzada, entre L y M

Vedado, Havana, Cuba

Phone: 53-7-839-4100

Fax: 53-7-839-4247

Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United States.

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