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The independent media outlet El Toque, in collaboration with more than twenty Cuban media organizations, launched a survey titled "Cuba: Political and Social Perspectives" this Friday, aimed at all Cubans both on the island and abroad, with the goal of systematically capturing citizens' perceptions on the main issues facing the country.
The survey is still open, and its real-time, aggregated, and anonymous results can be accessed through an interactive panel that breaks down responses by province, age, education level, and political opinion.
As they are partial, the data is not definitive and will continue to be updated while the call remains active.
The initiative arises at a time that many analysts consider the worst systemic crisis in Cuba since 1959, surpassing the depth of the Special Period of the 1990s.
In economic terms, GDP has fallen by 23% since 2019, with a projected decline of -7.2% for 2026. The CEPAL noted that Cuba and Haiti were the only two countries in Latin America with a GDP decline in 2025.
The 2024-2025 sugar harvest produced less than 150,000 metric tons, the worst crop in over a century, even lower than that of 1899.
The informal dollar is trading at 400 Cuban pesos, and the average salary ranges between 16 and 54 dollars per month, while inflation erodes the purchasing power of workers and pensioners.
The energy crisis is one of the most pressing issues for the population. Power outages of up to 20 hours a day have crippled production, transportation, and health services.
The interruption of Venezuelan oil supply, exacerbated by U.S. sanctions, left crude reserves at only 15 to 20 days at the beginning of February.
Independent prior surveys document the mood of the population with compelling figures. According to the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights, 92% of Cubans disapprove of the government's management and 94% do not trust that the regime will resolve the crisis.
The Food Monitor Program revealed that 89% of Cubans live in extreme poverty, with 80% facing food insecurity.
Power outages and other issues
Power outages are at the forefront of citizens' concerns, with figures ranging from 72% to 94% according to different measurements. The food crisis affects 71% to 98%, the high cost of living impacts 61%, and the lack of medications affects 42%.
To the economic and energy crisis is added an unprecedented demographic drain: Cuba lost over 1.4 million inhabitants between 2020 and 2024, and nearly 20% of the total population has emigrated, draining young and professional talent.
25.7% of the population is aged 60 or older, creating unsustainable pressure on the pension system and social services.
Economists attribute the core of the crisis to internal structural failures—political rigidity, state control, and a lack of reforms—more than solely to the U.S. embargo.
It is in this context that the Rialta and El Toque survey aims to provide a systematic and verifiable snapshot of what Cubans themselves identify as their main issues.
As the call remains open, the results will continue to change, and any conclusion should be regarded as a partial reflection of the moment.
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