Yulién Oviedo has responded to the official data shared by the regime during a recent parliamentary session, revealing that the island's population has decreased by more than 10% over the past three years.
"And every day there will be fewer of us left in Cuba until no one is left, all because of the poor management by the bloated leaders and the misery that ordinary Cubans are condemned to live in," the musician commented in an Instagram post by CiberCuba.
Yulién's opinion was supported by many who echoed sentiments like "it won't decrease further because most people don't have the money or means to do so" and "what did they expect?" and "this is nothing new," highlighting a concerning issue facing Cuban society.
During the third ordinary session of the National Assembly of People's Power, Juan Carlos Alfonso Fraga, Deputy Chief of the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI), acknowledged that by the end of 2023, Cuba's "effective population" stands at 10,055,968 citizens. However, by 2024, the population will be less than 10 million.
The current population level is similar to what Cuba had in 1985. The official did not specify the starting year of this decline but noted that the country's natural growth is negative, meaning more people are dying than being born, and this phenomenon is not new.
Additionally, the island's migration balance is negative, with at least 1,011,269 people leaving the country during the evaluated period.
This trend has significant implications for Cuba's economy and society, affecting everything from the labor market to the provision of social services.
Implications of Cuba's Population Decline
To provide more context on this critical issue, here are some frequently asked questions and answers regarding Cuba's population decline and its impacts.
Why is Cuba's population declining?
Cuba's population is declining due to a combination of negative natural growth—more deaths than births—and a high migration rate, with over a million people leaving the country in recent years.
What are the economic impacts of Cuba's population decline?
The population decline affects Cuba's labor market, reducing the workforce and impacting the economy's overall productivity. It also places a strain on social services, which have to manage with fewer resources.
How has the Cuban government responded to this issue?
The Cuban government has acknowledged the population decline but has not provided specific measures to counteract the trend. The focus has primarily been on recognizing the issue rather than proposing concrete solutions.