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Cuba is experiencing a dramatic exodus: over 1.7 million are on the run!
Exodus from Cuba: Thousands leave their homes due to the economic crisis. Who are the migrants and where are they traveling?
Cuba is experiencing a dramatic exodus: over 1.7 million are on the run!
The situation in Cuba is getting worse. Today the eldest son of one of the author's cousins is leaving the Caribbean island for Havana to travel to Suriname with his partner next Sunday. There they plan to travel on to Uruguay, where they would like to live for a while. A friend who already lives there with his family is waiting for them. Both are 35 years old and ran a small grocery store in Cuba. The upcoming move is symptomatic of what is happening on the island.
In recent years, numerous Cubans have left their homeland, which is visible not only in the urban centers but also in rural regions of the island. El Pais reports empty streets and long lines at Havana airport, where many are looking for flights to Nicaragua. This wave of migration, which began in October 2021, has had devastating consequences: from 2022 to 2023, Cuba's population decreased by 18%, a loss of more than two million people. Current estimates suggest that only about 8.62 million people still live in Cuba - far fewer than the official figure of over 11 million.
The background to the escape
The reasons for this dramatic situation are diverse. In addition to an economic collapse and the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, the political environment and US sanctions have also led to a massive wave of refugees. CiberCuba reports that among migrants about 56% are women, indicating a feminization of emigration. This development not only has an impact on the birth rate, but also on family structures, as many young parents leave their children behind.
In Cuba it is not uncommon for people to sell their possessions to finance their journey into the unknown. The family members who remain behind are often depressed. The son's mother regrets that she didn't sell her house and accompany him. The author himself is considering selling his home and leaving Cuba, a thought on the minds of many in the nation. The challenges and costs of the emigration process are high.
Future prospects
The situation is described as a demographic crisis that is shaking the country. The economist and demographer Juan Carlos Albizu-Campos warns of a continuing process of demographic emptying. If current developments continue, the population could fall to fewer than six million people by 2100. In 2022 and 2023, more deaths than births were recorded and the birth rate is at an all-time low.
Time is of the essence because the next official population figures will not be presented until the 2025 census. As long as the government is trying to keep the number of inhabitants above 11 million. Reports of alleged “ghost towns” in Cuba are growing louder as many who leave the country do not return, leaving a void that cannot easily be filled. Cuba's future remains uncertain, and many are eagerly awaiting better news from their homeland.
We will continue to monitor developments because the challenges facing Cuba affect not only the islanders themselves, but have far-reaching implications for the entire region.