Observatorio Cubano de Derechos Humanos (OCDH) has unveiled its VII Report on the State of Social Rights in Cuba for 2024, shedding light on the dire circumstances faced by Cuban families. The non-governmental organization highlighted in the document that "89% of Cuban families are suffering from extreme poverty," an increase of one percentage point from the previous year and 13% more than in 2022.
One of the most significant findings is that "7 out of 10 Cubans have skipped breakfast, lunch, or dinner due to lack of money or food shortages." According to the OCDH, "this food scarcity is most prevalent among people over 70 years old," with 79% of respondents in this age group affected.
The report also notes that "only 15% of Cubans have been able to have three meals a day consistently," underscoring the severe inflation crisis gripping the island. The organization emphasizes that the issue extends beyond food; "shortages of medicines and unemployment" afflict millions of Cubans, who endure life amidst continuous calls for resilience and have few options beyond "getting by" or escaping.
These findings are not isolated from previous studies. Last year, DatoWorld, a renowned international electoral observatory, reported that Cuba is the poorest country in Latin America. The country has a poverty rate of 72%, placing it at the forefront of the Latin American region, as noted on DatoWorld's official X account.
Furthermore, last year Cuba was labeled as having the world's most miserable economy according to the Annual Index by American economist Steve H. Hanke, a professor at Johns Hopkins University. Even the Cuban regime has been forced to acknowledge the widespread misery of its population.
In February, Marta Elena Feitó Cabrera, the Minister of Labor and Social Security, admitted in front of Miguel Díaz-Canel that there are 1,236 communities in Cuba living in poverty. She also claimed that 96% of the issues related to this extreme poverty are "in the process of comprehensive transformation," even as Cuba faces one of the worst economic crises in its history.
Despite these statements, the data does not align with international organizations' findings, and the reality continues to worsen, with no solution in sight for this escalating crisis in Cuba.
Understanding Cuba's Extreme Poverty Crisis
Here are some frequently asked questions to provide a deeper understanding of the extreme poverty crisis in Cuba.
What percentage of Cuban families are living in extreme poverty?
According to the OCDH, 89% of Cuban families are suffering from extreme poverty.
How prevalent is food scarcity among the elderly in Cuba?
Food scarcity is most prevalent among people over 70 years old, with 79% of this demographic affected.
What is the current poverty rate in Cuba according to DatoWorld?
DatoWorld reports that Cuba has a poverty rate of 72%, making it the poorest country in Latin America.
How many communities in Cuba are living in poverty?
Marta Elena Feitó Cabrera, the Minister of Labor and Social Security, stated that 1,236 communities are living in poverty.