Cuba is experiencing one of the fastest population declines in the region, driven by mass emigration and an aging population. United Nation
Camagüey, Cuba, February 2026
Cuba is undergoing one of the most significant migration waves in its modern history, driven by prolonged economic contraction, rising inflation and widespread infrastructure challenges.
In recent years, the country’s economy has struggled to return to pre-pandemic levels, while shortages of food, medicine, fuel and electricity have become part of daily life. These conditions have contributed to a steady decline in purchasing power and an increase in outward migration.
For many Cubans, leaving is not primarily motivated by opportunity, but by necessity.
State wages, often equivalent to less than $10 USD per month on the informal market, are insufficient to meet basic needs. At the same time, recurring blackouts linked to fuel shortages and aging energy systems disrupt homes, hospitals and transportation.
The strain on public systems has intensified these conditions. Reports from international organizations have documented shortages in medical supplies and limited access to essential services, forcing individuals to rely on informal networks and self-provision. As the formal economy contracts, informal markets have expanded, becoming a critical (yet unstable) source of goods and income.
Within this context, migration emerges as a structural response to sustained instability.
Since 2021, hundreds of thousands of Cubans have left the island, contributing to rapid population decline and a shifting demographic landscape. The decision to leave reflects not a single moment, but the cumulative impact of economic, institutional and infrastructural pressures that continue to redefine daily life.
A peaceful corner in Cuba, under the golden rays of the afternoon sun, momentarily hides away the stagnation that seems to have become a part of a city that seems to have stood still. According to The World Bank, Cuba’s GDP has yet to recover to pre-2019 levels, reflecting prolonged economic stagnation following the COVID-19 pandemic and structural crisis. Camagüey, Cuba, February 2026With the average monthly wage standing at 4,000 CUP, or about $7.84 USD, the effort to withdraw one’s own money has turned into a test of endurance. In such a climate, patience has become a currency that is in short supply as the value of the peso continues to erode the dignity of a day’s work. Camagüey, Cuba, February 2026Cuba is experiencing one of the fastest population declines in the region, driven by mass emigration and an aging population. United Nation Camagüey, Cuba, February 2026A hospital room with the bare essentials in the way of furniture represents the extreme measures that have been taken in the name of patient care. Severe shortages of medicine and medical supplies have been reported across Cuba’s healthcare system since 2021. Pan American Health Organization Camagüey, Cuba, February 2026Nationwide power outages have increased due to fuel shortages and aging infrastructure, with some regions experiencing daily blackouts lasting several hours. Lit only by the faint light of a battery-powered lamp and without power to turn on a fan. This darkness is not just an annoyance, but a weight that drives many into a future with light. U.S. Energy Information Administration Camagüey, Cuba, February 2026Hospitals in Cuba have reported critical shortages of basic medical supplies, forcing patients to provide their own materials. The wound would continue to worsen without any aid, becoming a physical representation of the hopelessness of the situation. Camagüey, Cuba, February 2026The line of unused gas pumps stands as a testament to a country that is coming to a standstill. Fuel shortages linked to reduced imports from Venezuela have disrupted transportation, electricity generation, and food production nationwide. U.S. Energy Information Administration. Camagüey, Cuba, February 2026Public transportation in Cuba has been severely limited due to ongoing fuel shortages, reducing mobility across the island. World Bank Camagüey, Cuba, February 2026While a child in another country might have a store-bought aquarium, this repurposed bowl is a tribute to the decades of economic hardship that have forced the Cuban people to become masters at repurposing and recycling. Cuba’s informal economy has expanded significantly as shortages and inflation limit access to basic goods through state channels. Brookings Institution. Camagüey, Cuba, February 2026While the phrase in the mural is a rallying cry for national unity and political conviction, it is also a stark reminder of the dissonance between the state’s message and the realities of a population consumed by the logistics of survival and exodus. Economic hardship and migration pressures have intensified despite continued government messaging promoting national resilience. Freedom House. Camagüey, Cuba, February 2026High inflation has significantly reduced purchasing power, making basic goods increasingly unaffordable for many Cuban households. World Bank Camagüey, Cuba, February 2026As the sun sets over the island, the struggle of the day is a reflection of the underlying tension of a community who must find a way to survive another day at home, but who collectively, have a new hope for a better tomorrow somewhere else. Since 2021, hundreds of thousands of Cubans have left the island, marking the largest migration wave in the country’s history. Migration Policy Institute. Camagüey, Cuba, February 2026
Devin Dixon is a college sophomore majoring in Digital Communications and minoring in Digital Multimedia and Television Production. He has an interest in basketball, digital editing, and photography.
Ana Olivera Gonzalez is an FIU student studying digital media and multimedia production with a focus on storytelling and visual journalism. A Cuban creative, her work often highlights culture and community voices in Miami. She is passionate about bilingual reporting and producing human-centered stories that connect with diverse audiences. Ana also has a strong interest in creative direction, visual aesthetics, and digital storytelling across platforms.
Sebastian is an emerging digital media producer with professional experience in videography and editing. After graduation, he plans to pursue entry-level roles in digital and broadcast production, focusing on visual storytelling and culturally relevant content for network television.
