Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Cuba
Cuba: Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) was 1.7% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Cuba, 1991–2025
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
The most recent figure for unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Cuba is 1.7%, measured in 2025.
The figure is down 0.5% on the previous year and down 27.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Cuba peaked at 9.3% in 1993 and was at its lowest, 1.6%, in 2008.
That places Cuba 172nd out of 186 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Cuba, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 8.3% | — |
| 1992 | 8.8% | +5.7% |
| 1993 | 9.3% | +5.6% |
| 1994 | 8.8% | -5.0% |
| 1995 | 8.3% | -6.1% |
| 1996 | 7.6% | -8.0% |
| 1997 | 7.1% | -6.7% |
| 1998 | 6.2% | -12.3% |
| 1999 | 6.3% | +0.5% |
| 2000 | 5.5% | -12.9% |
| 2001 | 4.1% | -25.1% |
| 2002 | 3.3% | -18.9% |
| 2003 | 2.3% | -29.6% |
| 2004 | 1.9% | -20.4% |
| 2005 | 1.9% | +5.2% |
| 2006 | 1.9% | -1.9% |
| 2007 | 1.8% | -6.5% |
| 2008 | 1.6% | -11.5% |
| 2009 | 1.7% | +5.5% |
| 2010 | 2.5% | +49.7% |
| 2011 | 3.2% | +27.2% |
| 2012 | 3.5% | +8.8% |
| 2013 | 3.3% | -4.9% |
| 2014 | 2.7% | -17.9% |
| 2015 | 2.4% | -11.1% |
| 2016 | 2.0% | -16.7% |
| 2017 | 1.7% | -15.0% |
| 2018 | 1.7% | +0.0% |
| 2019 | 1.7% | +0.3% |
| 2020 | 2.2% | +31.0% |
| 2021 | 2.1% | -5.5% |
| 2022 | 1.8% | -13.3% |
| 2023 | 1.7% | -5.4% |
| 2024 | 1.8% | +1.4% |
| 2025 | 1.7% | -0.5% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 7.8% | 6.2% | 9.3% | 9 |
| 2000s | 2.6% | 1.6% | 5.5% | 10 |
| 2010s | 2.5% | 1.7% | 3.5% | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.9% | 1.7% | 2.2% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Cuba
- 169 Russian Federation 2.1% compare
- 170 Tonga 2.0% compare
- 171 Togo 2.0% compare
- 173 Timor-Leste 1.6% compare
- 174 Benin 1.6% compare
- 175 Tanzania, United Republic of 1.6% compare
More education data for Cuba
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 162,406 (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 662,491 (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 698,052 (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -3.62 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2020)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0636 units per person (2024)
- Secondary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 698,052 (2024)
- Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), annual growth -3.62 % change on previous year (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Cuba?
- Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Cuba was 1.7% in 2025, according to ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO).
- What is the highest unemployment, total (% of total labor force) recorded in Cuba?
- The highest recorded value was 9.3% in 1993.
- What is the lowest unemployment, total (% of total labor force) recorded in Cuba?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.6% in 2008.
- How does Cuba rank for unemployment, total (% of total labor force)?
- Cuba ranks 172nd out of 186 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployment, total (% of total labor force) rising or falling in Cuba?
- Over the last ten years it is down 27.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Cuba data come from?
- The figures come from ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as part of Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment.