The National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI) of Cuba revealed this Friday that the average monthly salary in the country during the year 2024 was 5,839 Cuban pesos (CUP), a figure that proves insufficient to survive the current economic crisis facing the population.
According to a report on their official Facebook profile, Havana recorded the highest average salary in the country at 6,449 pesos per month, while Santiago de Cuba reported the lowest, with only 5,123 pesos.
The average monthly salary in Cuba, at 5,839 Cuban pesos, is equivalent to just 16 US dollars when referencing the current informal market rate, published this Friday by the platform elTOQUE, which sets the exchange rate at 363 CUP for 1 USD.
Even using the official CADECA rate, which was updated this Friday and set at 109 CUP per 1 USD, the average income does not exceed 53 dollars a month, in both cases a figure well below what a person needs to meet their basic necessities.
According to data provided by the ONEI, the average monthly salary in Cuba varies significantly between provinces.
The province with the highest salary was La Habana, with an average of 6,449 CUP, followed by Artemisa with 6,046 CUP, and Holguín with 5,927 CUP.
Also above the national average were Ciego de Ávila (5,867 CUP), Cienfuegos (5,690 CUP), Sancti Spíritus (5,676 CUP), Pinar del Río (5,673 CUP), and Villa Clara (5,665 CUP).
In the middle group are Camagüey (5,564 CUP), Matanzas (5,493 CUP), and Las Tunas (5,310 CUP), followed by Isla de la Juventud (5,285 CUP), Mayabeque (5,266 CUP), and Guantánamo (5,258 CUP).
The lowest values in the country were recorded in Granma (5,263 CUP) and Santiago de Cuba, which ends the list with 5,123 CUP, the lowest salary in the entire country, significantly below the national average.
Cuban social media has been flooded with testimonies and complaints illustrating the critical deterioration of purchasing power on the island, especially after it was revealed that the average monthly salary barely reaches 16 dollars at the informal exchange rate.
Cases like that of a Cuban teacher, described in a recent chronicle, have stirred emotions: with 4,400 pesos, she could only purchase a detergent, two soaps, a toothpaste, and a few other essential items, without even being able to cover food.
This situation is not isolated. In another viral post, it reveals what a doctor can buy with their salary: a pound of pork, a carton of eggs, and some rice and beans, highlighting the paradox of highly skilled professionals trapped in subsistence conditions.
Something similar was reported by a teacher from Havana in another shocking testimony, where she explains how her monthly salary barely allows her to buy hygiene products or a minimal amount of food, leaving out needs such as transportation or clothing.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Average Salary in Cuba and Its Economic Impact
What is the average salary in Cuba, and how much does it equate to in dollars?
The average salary in Cuba during the year 2024 was 5,839 Cuban pesos, which is equivalent to only 16 US dollars according to the informal exchange rate of 363 CUP per 1 USD. This salary is insufficient to meet the basic needs of a person on the island.
How does the average salary compare to the cost of the basic basket in Cuba?
The economist Omar Everleny Pérez Villanueva estimates that to cover the basic basket for two people in Havana, approximately 24,351 CUP is needed, equivalent to about 202 dollars. This means that the average salary of 5,839 CUP is insufficient, as it only represents a fraction of the cost necessary to cover basic expenses.
Which Cuban provinces have the highest and lowest salaries?
Havana records the highest average salary at 6,449 CUP, while Santiago de Cuba has the lowest salary at 5,123 CUP. These figures reflect the salary disparities among the different provinces of the country.
What impact does inflation have on purchasing power in Cuba?
The year-on-year inflation in Cuba was 24.88% in 2024, severely impacting the purchasing power of Cubans. The rise in prices, especially for food, transportation, and essential services, means that salaries are insufficient to cover basic needs, forcing the population to turn to the informal market or seek assistance from abroad.
What solutions does the Cuban government propose in response to the economic crisis?
The Cuban government has proposed a macroeconomic stabilization plan to improve purchasing power, but without an increase in national production and a comprehensive economic reform, the current measures are insufficient. The population continues to face difficulties accessing basic goods and maintaining an adequate standard of living.
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