The Ministry of Domestic Trade (MINCIN) assured this Wednesday that it is “prioritizing” pregnant women in Cuba through the so-called Cradle Program, an initiative that, in practice, provides a package with basic items and textiles for babies, which falls far short of what is needed to raise a child in the country.
According to the agency's explanation on its Telegram channel, starting from the 26th week of pregnancy, expectant mothers can register at the relevant office and commerce unit to receive their baby supply booklet, which will be valid for one year.
The package delivered by the regime includes a "textile module" with towels, antiseptic fabric, gauze diapers, and some basic clothing; fragrance products such as cologne, soap, and oil; and a "toy module" that is limited to bottle caps and plastic items, as if those few products were enough to raise a child in Cuba.
Although the MINCIN celebrated that over 800 pregnant women have benefited so far this year, the reality is that the module provided falls far short of meeting the actual needs of a newborn.
In previous years, these programs included cribs and mattresses, but this time they aren't even mentioned, which clearly indicates a worsening crisis in Cuba.
This type of initiative comes in a dramatic context for birth rates in Cuba. According to official data recently revealed, the island has only 9.7 million inhabitants, with an aging population, declining birth rates, and massive emigration.
Even the government itself acknowledged that Cuba is “below the level of population replacement”, which means that each generation has fewer children than the previous one and demographic sustainability is not guaranteed.
This is compounded by the economic hardship that Cuban families are experiencing. The average salary in 2024 was only 5,839 Cuban pesos, which amounts to about 16 dollars at the current informal exchange rate.
In provinces like Santiago de Cuba, the figure drops to 5,123 CUP, while in Havana, although slightly higher, it remains insufficient compared to the actual prices of basic goods.
In a country where having a child entails an enormous expense that the state does not cover, and where purchasing power is nearly non-existent, handing out a package with a few meters of fabric and cheap cologne can hardly be considered "prioritizing" pregnant women.
More than a support policy, this program appears to be a symbolic gesture in the face of a crisis that is already structurally impacting the nation's demographic future.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Baby Basket Program and the Demographic Situation in Cuba
What does the Maternity Basket Program for pregnant women in Cuba include?
The Baby Basket Program offers a module with basic items and textiles for infants, which includes towels, antiseptic cloth, gauze diapers, some basic clothing, perfumery products such as cologne, soap, and oil, and a limited module of toys consisting of rattles and plastic items. This package falls far short of meeting the actual needs of a newborn in Cuba.
How does the current economic situation affect pregnant women in Cuba?
The economic crisis in Cuba has left pregnant women with limited access to essential products for the care of their babies. The average salary of 5,839 Cuban pesos (around 16 dollars) is insufficient to cover the high costs of basic products, making the Baby Basket Program inadequate to meet their needs.
What is the current demographic situation in Cuba?
Cuba is facing a demographic crisis with an aging population, low birth rates, and high emigration. The country is below the population replacement level, which means that each generation has fewer children than the previous one, and this jeopardizes the demographic sustainability of the nation.
What measures is the Cuban government taking to improve the situation of large families?
The Cuban government has implemented programs to support large families, but with limited results. Only 416 of more than 63,715 mothers with three or more children have received housing, and many families rely on temporary assistance to survive. This reflects the challenges in implementing effective social policies in the country.
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