Cuba Unemployment Rate
Unemployment as % of total labor force SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS
Cuba's unemployment rate was 1.75% in 2025, ranked 15th globally. This represents a 0.5% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Cuba's unemployment rate stood at 1.75% in 2025, a decline of +0.01pp from 2024. Cuba ranked 15th globally.
Cuba's unemployment rate has demonstrated a notable decline over the past three and a half decades, from an all-time peak of 9.27% in 1993 to a recent trough of 1.58% in 2008. Although it has since experienced a slight increase, the latest available figure from the World Bank indicates an unemployment rate of 1.75% as of 2025, ranking the country 15th globally. This low unemployment rate is comparable to that of peer countries such as Timor-Leste, which boasts a rate of 1.59%. Notably, Cuba's unemployment rate has been steadily decreasing since the early 2000s, with the exception of a minor uptick in 2025. The country's relative stability and low unemployment rate are likely a result of its strategic development policies, which have focused on diversifying the economy and promoting domestic industries. However, a shift in the global economic landscape or a decline in foreign investment could potentially disrupt this trend and alter Cuba's unemployment trajectory.
Data & projection
| Year | Unemployment Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1.75% | −0.01pp | #15 |
| 2024 | 1.76% | +0.02pp | #16 |
| 2023 | 1.73% | −0.10pp | #17 |
| 2022 | 1.83% | −0.28pp | #15 |
| 2021 | 2.11% | −0.12pp | #14 |
| 2020 | 2.23% | +0.53pp | #15 |
| 2019 | 1.71% | +0.01pp | #13 |
| 2018 | 1.70% | +0.00pp | #14 |
| 2017 | 1.70% | −0.30pp | #13 |
| 2016 | 2.00% | −0.40pp | #19 |
| 2015 | 2.40% | −0.30pp | #22 |
| 2014 | 2.70% | −0.59pp | #28 |
| 2013 | 3.29% | −0.17pp | #36 |
| 2012 | 3.46% | +0.28pp | #38 |
| 2011 | 3.18% | +0.68pp | #31 |
Analysis
Cuba's unemployment rate was 1.75% in 2025, a decline of −0.01pp from 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cuba's unemployment rate was 1.75% in 2025. Ranked 15th globally. This represents a 0.5% decrease from the previous year.
Cuba's unemployment rate peaked at 9.27% in 1993.
The lowest unemployment rate in Cuba was 1.58% in 2008.
Cuba ranks 15th globally in unemployment rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
The unemployment rate of Cuba in 2025 was 1.75%. This ranks 15th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_cuba_unemployment-rate,
title = {Cuba Unemployment Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/cuba/unemployment-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}