The Cuban regime confirmed that the Population and Housing Census will take place in 2025, according to statements from officials of the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI).
According to a report published this week by the official newspaper Granma, most provinces are completing the preparatory seminars in preparation for the preliminary registration of the census, which represents an important step in the national timeline.
The information was provided by Henry González Galbán, director of the Center for Population and Development Studies at ONEI, who confirmed that the software application to be used during the process is already ready.
However, he acknowledged that in most municipalities there are still technological limitations, such as the lack of wifi connection on the desktop computers available for the enumerators: “This issue needs to be resolved soon.”
As part of the new developments, for the first time, around 3,800 social workers will actively participate in the census process.
In addition, georeferencing tools and a microcomputing platform will be used to enhance data collection.
The questionnaire will include 18 questions about housing and 23 about individuals, as provincial authorities in Ciego de Ávila highlighted, noted Granma.
In March, the Cuban News Agency recalled that the census plan was initially scheduled for 2022, but was postponed due to the effects of the pandemic and the structural challenges facing the country.
According to González, the process is expected to unfold in three phases: the Preliminary Registration, the Census Trial, and finally the Census Collection, with results anticipated ten months after its completion.
On that occasion, it was announced that, as part of this strategy, technology based on GPS and geographic positioning systems will be implemented, which will enable georeferencing of data and, according to its proponents, increase its statistical value.
The Government of Cuba announced last year that it would postpone the population census until 2025, claiming that the economic situation did not allow for the task to be carried out.
The Population Census in Cuba was originally scheduled for 2022, but the deep economic crisis affecting the island prevented it from taking place at that time, the government justified.
Official sources acknowledged to the international press the negative impact of the economic situation on the ONEI, but emphasized that the Cuban state possesses "very strong records."
However, despite the census not being conducted, the regime claimed that the country is experiencing an unprecedented demographic crisis: in 2024 Cuba lost more than 300,000 inhabitants and recorded its lowest birth rate in decades.
This data confirms an accelerated process of population decline that has been developing for years and has worsened due to the economic crisis, the massive exodus of Cubans, and the aging population.
On the other hand, according to an independent demographic study, the resident population in Cuba has alarmingly declined in recent years and is now below eight million people.
This figure represents a 24% decrease in just four years, a number that the author compares to wartime scenarios.
The study, conducted by the renowned Cuban economist and demographer Juan Carlos Albizu-Campos, and accessed by EFE, estimates that by the end of 2024, the population living on the island will be 8,025,624 people, significantly lower than the 9,748,532 reflected in the official Cuban statistics.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Population and Housing Census in Cuba 2025
When will the Population and Housing Census take place in Cuba?
The Population and Housing Census in Cuba will be conducted in 2025. This decision was made after the census initially scheduled for 2022 was postponed due to the pandemic and the economic crisis on the island.
What technological changes will be implemented in the 2025 census in Cuba?
For the first time, georeferencing tools and a microcomputing platform will be used to enhance data collection. However, technological limitations still exist in many municipalities, such as a lack of wifi connectivity.
What is the current demographic situation in Cuba?
Cuba is facing an unprecedented demographic crisis, with a loss of more than 300,000 residents in 2024 and the lowest birth rate in decades. The accelerated aging of the population and massive emigration have worsened the situation.
What impact does population aging have in Cuba?
The aging population in Cuba exerts significant pressure on the social security system and health services. With a growing number of elderly individuals, the country faces complex economic and social challenges.
How does the economic crisis affect the population census in Cuba?
The economic crisis in Cuba has postponed the census until 2025, complicating public policy planning. The lack of updated data hampers decision-making to address demographic decline and other structural issues.
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