Cuba: immigration

What is the population of Cuba?

Cuba's population was about 10.94 million in 2025, according to UN estimates published by the World Bank, down from 11.02 million in 2023.

The population has been falling because deaths exceed births and more people leave than arrive. ONEI publishes its own population estimates and ran the national census; its site did not respond to our check on 15 October 2026, so the national figure could not be compared. UN estimates may lag the most recent emigration.

Official sources: World Bank: population, Cuba

How many Cubans are seeking asylum abroad?

UNHCR counted 288,050 asylum seekers and 29,395 refugees from Cuba in other countries in 2025, according to its Refugee Data Finder. In 2024 there were 344,138 asylum seekers and 23,865 refugees.

Asylum seekers are people whose claims have not yet been decided. Many Cubans who emigrate do so through family reunification, parole programmes or other routes and are not counted here, so these figures cover only part of emigration. Cuba itself hosted 115 refugees in 2025.

Official sources: UNHCR Refugee Data Finder

How many people leave Cuba each year?

Net migration from Cuba was minus 22,244 people in 2025, according to UN World Population Prospects estimates published by the World Bank. The estimate was minus 22,356 in 2024.

Net migration is arrivals minus departures. This is a modelled figure and is much smaller than the departures recorded by receiving countries in recent years, so it should be read with care. Cuba's own migration data are published by ONEI, whose site did not respond to our check on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: World Bank: net migration, Cuba

What share of Cuba's population are immigrants?

The UN Population Division puts the share of people born abroad in Cuba at 0.0% in 2024. It is 33rd highest of 33 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 4.8%. Worldwide: 193rd of 193.

Are more people leaving Cuba than arriving?

-22,244: that is net migration in Cuba for 2025, according to the UN Population Division. Since 2005 it has ranged from -39,426 (2014) to -11,976 (2020). It is 27th highest of 33 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is -967. World rank, highest first: 151st of 193.

How many refugees are in Cuba?

The latest figure from UNHCR, for 2025, is 115. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 1,306, and Cuba placed 19th highest of 28. Worldwide: 143rd of 169.

How many refugees come from Cuba?

The latest figure from UNHCR, for 2025, is 29,395. Its high point since 2005 was 2006, at 33,580; its low point was 2017, at 5,331. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 710, and Cuba placed 9th highest of 33. Worldwide: 42nd of 189.