The Cuban influencer El WaWaWá dKuba (@wawawa_dkuba) surprised his followers on social media by showcasing the food he purchased for a month with a budget of 100 US dollars (USD) in Dubai, where he currently resides.
In a recent video, he visited a popular supermarket. "I'm going to try to do the monthly grocery shopping (for two people) with 100 dollars," he mentioned and reminded his fans that in the United Arab Emirates, one dollar is equivalent to 3.65 dirhams (AED).
Among the purchased items are liquid milk, spaghetti, cheeses, tomato sauce, bread, cakes, sugar, frying potatoes, canned goods, meat products, a three-liter bottle of sunflower oil, cold cuts, ice, and sweets. In total, the purchase amounted to 80 dollars. The only thing they didn't buy was rice, as they had enough at home.
It is important to note that the average salary in Dubai varies significantly depending on the sector, experience, and job position, but it can be estimated at around 16,775 AED (approximately 4,570 USD) per month.
Most Cubans abroad, like him, tend to look for the best deals to save money without sacrificing certain pleasures. The post sparked a wave of comparisons with the economic situation in Cuba, where the purchasing power of 100 dollars has a very different impact.
What can you buy with 100 dollars in Cuba?
Currently, the US dollar is trading in the Cuban informal market at around 392 CUP. In other words, 100 dollars is equivalent to 39,200 Cuban pesos.
A Cuban resident on the island recently shared on social media what she was able to buy with 100 dollars at a small business.
Her purchase included: a boneless loin (11,000 CUP), a carton of eggs (2,700 CUP), an 11-pound package of chicken (3,600 CUP), five pounds of gizzards (2,300 CUP), five pounds of ground chicken (1,515 CUP), croquetas (200 CUP), one pound of cheese (700 CUP), snack pasta (600 CUP), pre-fried potatoes (3,500 CUP), two bags of bread, a package of cookies, and five bags of rice.
Although the list appears extensive, many users agreed that this quantity barely covers the food needs of a family of four for two weeks. This doesn't take into account the need to purchase items such as oil, salads, spices, or hygiene products.
And it is that buying food in Cuba has become unsustainable for a large part of the population. A recent report from the Cuban Observatory of Citizen Auditing (OCAC) indicates that at least 30,000 CUP per month is needed to cover only basic nutrition.
However, the minimum wage is 2,100 CUP and the minimum pension, following the increase announced for September, will only be 3,056 CUP.
The report directly blames the centralized economic model of the Cuban government for the food crisis, noting that over 80% of food is imported, while the national budget continues to prioritize tourism over agricultural production.
The comparison is striking. Buying food in Cuba is more expensive than in Dubai and with radically different salaries. On the island, very few people can gather 100 dollars for food.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Cost of Living in Cuba and Dubai
Is it cheaper to buy food in Dubai than in Cuba?
The Cuban influencer El WaWaWá dKuba demonstrated that with 100 dollars, he was able to buy food for a month in Dubai, whereas in Cuba, the same amount barely lasts for two weeks. Therefore, buying food in Dubai is cheaper than in Cuba when considering the purchasing power and cost of living in both places.
What products can you buy with 100 dollars in Dubai?
With 100 dollars, El WaWaWá dKuba managed to acquire a variety of products in Dubai, including liquid milk, spaghetti, cheeses, tomato sauce, bread, sugar, potatoes for frying, canned goods, meats, sunflower oil, ham, ice, and sweets. The total purchase amounted to 80 dollars, enough for two people for a month.
How does inflation in Cuba affect the cost of living?
Inflation in Cuba has surpassed 30% in the past year, primarily affecting food and transportation. This has severely eroded the purchasing power of the population, making the minimum wage insufficient to cover basic needs.
What is the minimum wage in Cuba and its purchasing power?
The minimum wage in Cuba is 2,100 Cuban pesos (CUP), which is equivalent to less than 10 dollars at the unofficial exchange rate. This amount is clearly insufficient to cover basic food needs and other necessities in the current economic context of the country.
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