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The National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI) stated this Tuesday that the census trial conducted in the municipality of Santa Cruz del Norte, Mayabeque, concluded with “successful results” and will serve as a foundation for a “more efficient and accurate National Census” scheduled for 2026, and if the promise is fulfilled, it would reflect the massive exodus that has taken place in recent years.
In a series of posts on X, the institution reported that the pilot test allowed for the evaluation of the technology and methodology of the process, through the collection of information in five census areas using mobile data capture devices.
The ONEI explained that during the exercise, the functionality of the software applications was verified, the participating staff received training, and the questions of the census questionnaire were validated, with no “significant deficiencies” detected, according to the authorities.
The state agency emphasized that the data obtained will be analyzed "to refine the national operation and ensure a more precise and efficient count," although it did not provide details on the potential logistical issues or technological limitations encountered during the process.
The report, conducted with the support of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), marks the beginning of the "countdown" to the next Population and Housing Census, which the regime plans to carry out nationwide next year.
On social media, the institution thanked the residents of Santa Cruz del Norte "for opening their doors" and the staff who participated "during almost a month of on-site work," describing it as an exercise in technical and organizational preparation.
The ONEI states that the new operation aims to "modernize the national statistical system" and "strengthen the management of public policies," although the lack of institutional independence raises doubts about the reliability of official figures.
The decrease in the resident population in Cuba has been the subject of multiple studies and warnings in recent months.
A study published early this year revealed that the number of inhabitants on the island has fallen below eight million, an alarming figure that reflects both demographic aging and sustained emigration.
This phenomenon was acknowledged by the regime itself. Government officials admitted that the country is below the population replacement level, which jeopardizes the maintenance of essential services and future economic planning.
The authorities acknowledged that fewer children are being born and that the emigration of young people of working age weakens growth projections and the labor force.
The ONEI has also reflected this trend. According to official figures, only 9.7 million people currently live in Cuba, a significant demographic decline that contrasts with previous decades.
However, these figures have been questioned by experts and independent analysts who believe that they may be even more inflated than reality.
A new factor complicating the situation is the internal migration.
The movement of people from inland provinces to Havana or coastal tourist areas is creating imbalances in the population distribution, which affects the regime's territorial planning efforts and complicates the implementation of the upcoming national census.
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