Cuba: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Cuba?

Unemployment in Cuba was 1.7% of the labour force in 2025, according to the International Labour Organization's modelled estimate published by the World Bank. Labour force participation was 52.2% of people aged 15 and over.

The ILO model is based on Cuba's officially reported unemployment, which counts people actively looking for work. Most jobs are in the state sector, and people who leave the labour force, including through emigration, are not counted as unemployed. Cuba's National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI), which publishes the national figures in its Statistical Yearbook, did not respond to our check on 15 October 2026, so the national figure could not be checked.

Official sources: World Bank: unemployment (ILO estimate), Cuba · World Bank: labour force participation rate, Cuba

What is the average salary in Cuba?

No official average salary figure could be read on 15 October 2026. Cuba's average monthly wage in the state and mixed sectors is published by the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI) in its Statistical Yearbook and its wage bulletins, but the ONEI site, and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security site, which sets the minimum wage, did not respond to our check.

The international databases used elsewhere on this page do not carry a Cuban wage series. When reading national figures, note that they are in Cuban pesos and that the peso's value at official and market exchange rates differs widely.

Official sources: World Bank Open Data: Cuba

What is the minimum wage in Cuba?

According to the ILO, the statutory minimum wage in Cuba was 2,100 CUP a month in 2024. That is the highest since at least 2012.

How high is unemployment in Cuba?

According to the ILO, the unemployment rate in Cuba was 1.7% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 1.6% (2008) to 3.5% (2012). It is 29th highest of 29 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 6.0%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 160th highest.

How many young people in Cuba are unemployed?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 4.3%. Since 2005 it has ranged from 3.4% (2008) to 8.4% (2012). It is 29th highest of 29 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 14.0%. World rank, highest first: 152nd of 174.

What is the labour force participation rate in Cuba?

According to the ILO, the labour force participation rate in Cuba was 52.2% in 2025. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Latin America & Caribbean median: 63.4%; Cuba is 28th highest of 29. Worldwide: 141st of 174.

What is female labour force participation in Cuba?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 40.0%. The peak was 44.8% in 2018 and the low 39.0% in 2005. It is 26th highest of 29 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 52.5%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 142nd highest.

How many people in Cuba are employed?

The ILO puts the employment to population ratio in Cuba at 51.3% in 2025. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 59.4%, and Cuba placed 26th highest of 29. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 129th highest.

How common is self-employment in Cuba?

The ILO puts the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Cuba at 19.3% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 9.4% (2009) to 21.4% (2019). Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 29.8%, and Cuba placed 26th highest of 29. World rank, highest first: 116th of 174.

What share of workers in Cuba earn a wage or salary?

The ILO puts the share of workers who are paid employees in Cuba at 75.1% in 2025. The peak was 88.3% in 2009 and the low 73.0% in 2019. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 64.8%, and Cuba placed 5th highest of 29. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 59th highest.