Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) in Cuba
Cuba: Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) 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 173rd out of 187 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) (modeled ILO estimate) 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% |
Cuba compared with similar countries
- Cuba's 1.7% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 5.6%, 31% of the median. (53 countries reporting)
- Cuba's 1.7% is below the median for Latin America & Caribbean, which is 6.0%, 29% of the median. (31 countries reporting)
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
More education data for Cuba
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 78,576 (2024)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 4,635 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 171,121 (2024)
- 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)
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 173rd out of 187 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.