Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Cuba

Cuba: Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) was 1.7% in 2018. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2018)
1.7%
Change on year
unchanged
World rank
172nd
of 187 countries
All-time high
8.3%
in 1995
All-time low
1.6%
in 2008
Years of data
24
1995–2018

Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Cuba, 1995–2018

24681995200620181995: 8.31996: 7.61997: 7.11998: 6.21999: 6.32000: 5.42001: 4.12002: 3.32003: 2.32004: 1.92005: 1.92006: 1.92007: 1.82008: 1.62009: 1.72010: 2.52011: 3.22012: 3.52013: 3.32014: 2.72015: 2.42016: 22017: 1.72018: 1.7

Source: Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).

Analysis

The most recent figure for unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Cuba is 1.7%, measured in 2018.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 7.4% over ten years.

Over the whole period, unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Cuba peaked at 8.3% in 1995 and was at its lowest, 1.6%, in 2008.

Cuba ranks 172nd of 187 countries on this measure, 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

Annual values for Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (national estimate) in Cuba, 1995 to 2018.
Year Value Change
1995 8.3%
1996 7.6% -8.4%
1997 7.1% -6.6%
1998 6.2% -12.7%
1999 6.3% +1.6%
2000 5.4% -13.5%
2001 4.1% -25.1%
2002 3.3% -18.8%
2003 2.3% -29.8%
2004 1.9% -20.3%
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% +27.0%
2012 3.5% +10.2%
2013 3.3% -6.0%
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%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 7.1% 6.2% 8.3% 5
2000s 2.6% 1.6% 5.4% 10
2010s 2.6% 1.7% 3.5% 9

Countries ranked near Cuba

  1. 169 Togo 2.0% compare
  2. 170 Guatemala 1.9% compare
  3. 171 United Arab Emirates 1.9% compare
  4. 173 Benin 1.7% compare
  5. 174 Tonga 1.7% compare
  6. 175 Timor-Leste 1.5% compare

See the full ranking of 220 places →

More work & labour data for Cuba

All data for Cuba →

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 2018, according to Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
What is the highest unemployment, total (% of total labor force) recorded in Cuba?
The highest recorded value was 8.3% in 1995.
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 187 countries with data for 2018.
Is unemployment, total (% of total labor force) rising or falling in Cuba?
Over the last ten years it is up 7.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Cuba data come from?
The figures come from Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as part of Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (national estimate). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Cuba. Statizoid, drawing on Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO). Retrieved 05 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/unemployment-total-percent-of-total-labor-force-national-estimate/cuba/

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About this data

Indicator
Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (national estimate)
Source
Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO)
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
220 places, 6,054 data points, 1960–2025
Last refreshed

Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment. Definitions of labor force and unemployment differ by country.