Cuba Experiences Intense Internal Migration, Expert Says

Cuba is currently undergoing significant internal population shifts, with movement from rural to urban areas as well as within cities and the countryside itself, according to Antonio Ajas, an expert in demography and migration.

In an exclusive interview with Prensa Latina, Ajas, director of the Center for Demographic Studies (Cedem) at the University of Havana, explained that while Cuba has historically been a country of migration, the current scale of mobility is notable.

Initial migration flows move from eastern provinces toward the west, primarily to Havana, which serves as the main destination but also the largest source of emigration abroad, he noted.

"Migration always generates more migration. Social networks attract new migrants. Cuba has always seen rural-to-urban migration, but this phenomenon is intensifying amid increasing urbanization," Ajas stated.

He emphasized that this trend poses challenges for socioeconomic development strategies, food production, and the revitalization of rural areas, which are now significantly depopulated and aging.

Ajas also pointed to a lesser-known trend: migration between rural areas, where people relocate in search of better economic, productive, and employment opportunities. This internal movement, he said, complicates local development planning and resource allocation.

Regarding international migration, Ajas confirmed that Cuba has maintained a negative migration balance—more people leaving than arriving—since 1930, a pattern that intensified after 1959.

In the 21st century, Cuban migration has taken on unique characteristics, including not only permanent emigration but also temporary and circular migration. This shift, he explained, affects Cuba’s population structure, demographic dynamics, and age distribution, as younger individuals—increasingly women—make up a growing share of emigrants.

Another distinctive factor, Ajas noted, is that the primary destination for Cuban emigrants—the United States—is also the main political adversary of Cuba’s national project. This politicizes migration issues, often overshadowing broader discussions on the topic.

"We are now in a different phase," Ajas said. "It’s important to understand migration patterns, encourage circularity and return, and foster connections with Cubans abroad who remain committed to their homeland."

The expert’s remarks highlight the complex interplay between internal and external migration, with implications for Cuba’s economic planning and demographic future.