More than 250,000 Cubans left the island in 2024, according to official figures from the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI). This year was also characterized by the lowest number of births in six decades, an increase in the number of deaths, and a continued population decline compared to 2023.
In total, the effective population of the country decreased by 307,961 people compared to the previous year. Of that number, 251,221 people emigrated, while the natural growth was also negative: there were 128,098 deaths recorded against only 71,358 births, the lowest figure in 65 years, as acknowledged by ONEI itself.
The aging population has also reached a new threshold, with 25.7% of Cubans over the age of 60. Only one municipality in the country showed positive overall growth, and only fourteen exhibited natural growth.
Although the ONEI reports that the effective population at the end of 2024 is 9,748,007 people, independent studies suggest that the migration phenomenon is even more severe. An analysis by economist and demographer Juan Carlos Albizu-Campos, partially published on the ResearchGate platform, claims that over 545,000 people would have left Cuba just in 2024, more than double what the government admits. According to that independent estimate, the actual population of the country would be just over eight million inhabitants, and the reduction since 2020 would have reached 24%, a drop that the author compares to that of war-torn countries.
Albizu-Campos also warns that the official statistics only account for those who emigrate to the United States, omitting tens of thousands of Cubans who leave for countries such as Mexico, Spain, Uruguay, Colombia, or Serbia, among others.
In February 2024, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) revealed that over 300,000 Cubans applied for asylum in various countries during 2023, including 241,553 in the United States and nearly 25,000 in Mexico. The total number of requests for international protection reached 335,151, which is equivalent to 2.96% of the Cuban population, according to data released by UNHCR.
In September 2024, it was reported that over 850,000 Cubans had arrived in the United States since 2022, mostly through the southern border, under humanitarian parole programs or after being intercepted at sea, according to figures released by the Customs and Border Protection Office.
In parallel, thousands of Cubans have obtained Spanish nationality since 2022, thanks to the Law of Democratic Memory, and tens of thousands have arrived in Latin American countries. The elimination of the visa requirement in Nicaragua in November 2021, which facilitated the so-called "Central American route," was a turning point in this wave of migration.
Meanwhile, the Cuban government has acknowledged the seriousness of the issue in sessions of the Council of Ministers, but its responses have been limited to calls for stimulating birth rates and curbing emigration, without effective policies. The absence of a census since 2012, which has been repeatedly postponed, further complicates any thorough evaluation of the demographic crisis, as reflected in the figures officially recognized in May 2025.
The growing depopulation is already directly impacting the labor market, the pension system, and the economic viability of the island, in a context of prolonged crisis, inflation, and lack of prospects that drives thousands of Cubans to leave each year. Cuba is emptying, and the institutional response remains inadequate.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Massive Exodus of Cubans in 2024
How many Cubans emigrated from the island in 2024?
In 2024, more than 250,000 Cubans left the island, according to official figures from the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI). However, independent studies estimate that the actual number could exceed 545,000 emigrants.
What is the current demographic situation in Cuba?
Cuba is facing an unprecedented demographic crisis, with an accelerated population decline. In 2024, the population decreased by more than 300,000 people, with only 71,358 births compared to 128,098 deaths. Furthermore, 25.7% of the population is over 60 years old, reflecting a significant aging trend.
What factors are driving the mass exodus of Cubans?
The mass exodus of Cubans is due to a combination of factors such as the economic crisis, lack of job opportunities, political repression, and the deterioration of living conditions on the island. The removal of the visa requirement in Nicaragua facilitated the so-called "Central American route" and significantly contributed to the increase in emigration.
How is mass emigration affecting the Cuban economy and society?
Mass emigration is negatively impacting the Cuban economy and society by reducing the working-age population and increasing the proportion of dependent elderly individuals. This affects the sustainability of the pension system, the labor market, and the economic viability of the island in the context of a prolonged crisis.
What measures has the Cuban government taken to address this demographic crisis?
The Cuban government has acknowledged the seriousness of the problem and has called for measures to stimulate birth rates and curb emigration. However, so far, its responses have been insufficient and lack effective policies. Furthermore, the absence of a census since 2012 complicates the accurate assessment of the situation.
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