10 answers, 3 from Cuba's own official bodies, with a link to each figure.
Cuba's adult literacy rate was 97.7% in 2019, according to UNESCO data published by the World Bank. The previous figure, for 2012, was 99.7%.
The rate covers people aged 15 and over. The two figures come from different sources, the census and a survey, so the difference between them should not be read as a fall in literacy. Primary schools had about 9 pupils per teacher in 2018, according to UNESCO.
Public spending on education in Cuba was 8.4% of GDP in 2022, according to UNESCO data published by the World Bank, down from 11.5% in 2020.
Education in Cuba is provided by the state free of charge at all levels, including university. The share of GDP is affected by the 2021 currency reform, which changed the value of GDP in pesos, so comparisons across those years need care.
The gross tertiary enrolment ratio in Cuba was 43.1% in 2024, according to UNESCO data published by the World Bank, down from 49.7% in 2023 and 51.9% in 2021.
The ratio compares all students in higher education with the population in the five years after secondary school. The Ministry of Higher Education publishes enrolment by university and course; its site did not respond to our check on 15 October 2026.
The figures below use one definition for every country, so they can differ from national figures.
According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, net primary school enrolment in Cuba was 97.7% in 2018. Since 2005 it has ranged from 94.0% (2015) to 98.6% (2010). Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 92.9%, and Cuba placed 1st highest of 17. Worldwide: 4th of 69.
The UNESCO Institute for Statistics puts gross secondary school enrolment in Cuba at 91.7% in 2024. Since 2005 it has ranged from 90.9% (2012) to 103.6% (2022). It is 11th highest of 22 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 91.6%. Of 100 countries with 2024 data, 55th highest.
43.1%: that is gross tertiary enrolment in Cuba for 2024, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Its high point since 2005 was 2008, at 117.2%; its low point was 2016, at 35.1%. It is 6th highest of 12 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 38.0%. World rank, highest first: 52nd of 90.
In 2019, the adult literacy rate in Cuba was 97.7%, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. In 2002 the figure was 99.8%. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 94.6%, and Cuba placed 2nd highest of 10. World rank, highest first: 14th of 55.
The UNESCO Institute for Statistics puts government spending on education in Cuba at 8.4% of GDP in 2022. The peak was 14.1% of GDP in 2008 and the low 8.0% of GDP in 2018. It is 1st highest of 30 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 4.0% of GDP. Worldwide: 6th of 155.
In 2018, the number of primary pupils per teacher in Cuba was 9, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. The peak was 10 in 2005 and the low 9 in 2016. It is 18th highest of 18 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 18. Worldwide: 82nd of 85.
According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, the primary completion rate in Cuba was 91.1% in 2024. The peak was 98.0% in 2007 and the low 91.0% in 2019. It is 11th highest of 19 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 93.9%. Worldwide: 71st of 104.
Read on 14 October 2026. Definitions · Report an error