Cuba Population Overview
Cuba, officially the Republic of Cuba, is a Caribbean nation comprising the island of Cuba, Isla de la Juventud, and several smaller archipelagos. The country is located at the junction of the northern Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Atlantic Ocean.
The main island of Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean. Cuba is also the second-most populous country in the Caribbean, after Haiti. According to the UN World Population Prospects, the population of Cuba in 2026 was estimated at 11,152,631 , or approximately 11.2 million people.
Cuba Quick Facts & Demographics (2026)
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Population (2024 est.) | 11,152,631 |
| Caribbean Rank (by population) | 2 |
| Sovereignty | Independent |
| Land Area | 109,884 sq. km (42,426 sq. mi) |
| Area Rank (Global) | 104 |
| Population Density | 106 people per sq. km |
| Capital City | Havana |
Source: United Nations World Population Prospects
Cuban Population Abroad
Cuba has a large overseas diaspora, particularly in the United States, where Cuban Americans form one of the largest Hispanic-origin groups.
Also read about the Cuban population in the United States.
Religion in Cuba
Cuba has a diverse religious landscape shaped by Spanish colonial influence, African traditions, and modern secular trends. Christianity is the majority religion, followed by about 65% of the population.
Among Christians, Roman Catholicism is the most prevalent faith. The Roman Catholic Church estimates that around 60% of Cubans identify as Catholic, reflecting centuries of Spanish rule. Protestantism accounts for approximately 5% of the population and includes denominations such as Baptists, Pentecostals, Seventh-day Adventists, Presbyterians, Anglicans, Methodists, Quakers, and Lutherans.
Other Christian groups present in Cuba include the Greek Orthodox Church, Russian Orthodox Church, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
A significant portion of Cubans identify as non-religious. About 18.0% describe themselves as agnostic, while 5.1% identify as atheist, bringing the total religiously unaffiliated population to approximately 23.2%.
Cuba also has small minority communities of Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, and followers of the Baháʼí Faith. Each of these groups accounts for less than 1% of the total population.
Afro-Cuban Religions
Afro-Cuban religions, which blend West African spiritual traditions with Roman Catholicism, are widely practiced in Cuba. The most prominent of these is Santería. Around 11% of the population follows folk or African-based religions, either exclusively or alongside Christianity.
Religion Percentage in Cuba
| Religion / Affiliation | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Christianity (Total) | 65% |
| – Catholicism | 60% |
| – Protestantism | 5% |
| No Religious Affiliation | 23.2% |
| Folk / African Religions | 11% |
| Buddhist | <1% |
| Hindu | <1% |
| Jewish | <1% |
| Muslim | <1% |
| Other Religions | <1% |
Also read about: Religion in United States
Ethnicity in Cuba
Cuba is a multi-ethnic nation with a population shaped by European colonization, African heritage, and Indigenous roots. The country is home to people of diverse ethnic, religious, and national backgrounds.
According to the 2012 Census of Cuba, the racial composition of the population is as follows:
| Ethnic Group | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White | 64.1% |
| Mestizo / Mulatto | 26.6% |
| Afro-Cubans (Black) | 9.3% |
| Asian | <1% |
White Cubans
In the 2012 census, 64.1% of Cubans self-identified as White. The majority of European ancestry in Cuba comes from Spain, reflecting centuries of Spanish colonial rule.
Other European groups with notable historical presence include English, French, German, Irish, Italian, Polish, and Scottish immigrants. Smaller numbers of Greek, Portuguese, Romanian, and Russian settlers also arrived over time. Cuba is also home to a small European Jewish community, primarily concentrated in Havana.
Mulatto and Mestizo Population
About 26.6% of the population (approximately 3 million people) identified as Mulatto or Mestizo in the 2012 census. During the colonial period, extensive mixing occurred between Europeans, Africans, and Native Americans, giving rise to these mixed-heritage groups.
Mulatto refers to people of European and African ancestry
Mestizo refers to people of European and Native American ancestry
Both groups form an important part of Cuba’s cultural and social fabric.
Afro-Cubans
Afro-Cubans accounted for about 9.3% of the population in the 2012 census, with roughly 1.3 million Cubans identifying as Black. A significant proportion of Cubans also report some level of sub-Saharan African ancestry, regardless of racial self-identification.
Genetic studies conducted in 2014 found that Cubans who self-identified as Black had, on average, 65.5% African ancestry, 29% European ancestry, and 5.5% Native American or other ancestry.
Eastern Cuba has a higher concentration of Afro-Cubans than other regions, while Havana has the largest Black population of any Cuban city.
Also read about:Race & Ethnicity in United States
Largest Cities in Cuba by Population
| # | City | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Havana | 2,131,480 |
| 2 | Santiago de Cuba | 433,581 |
| 3 | Camagüey | 308,902 |
| 4 | Holguín | 297,433 |
| 5 | Santa Clara | 216,854 |
| 6 | Guantánamo | 216,003 |
| 7 | Victoria de Las Tunas | 173,552 |
| 8 | Bayamo | 159,966 |
| 9 | Cienfuegos | 151,838 |
| 10 | Pinar del Río | 145,193 |
Note: City population figures are estimates and may vary based on administrative boundaries.
Cuba Population FAQs
What is the population of Cuba in 2026?
Cuba’s population in 2026 is estimated at about 11.2 million, according to the UN World Population Prospects.
Is Cuba the most populous country in the Caribbean?
No. Cuba is the second-most populous country in the Caribbean, after Haiti.
What is the main religion in Cuba?
Christianity is the main religion in Cuba, followed by around 65% of the population.
What percentage of Cubans are Catholic?
About 60% of Cubans identify as Roman Catholic, making it the largest Christian denomination.
What religions besides Christianity are practiced in Cuba?
Cuba has widespread Afro-Cuban religions such as Santería, as well as Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and the Baháʼí Faith.
Are most Cubans religious?
No. Around 23% of Cubans are religiously unaffiliated, including agnostics and atheists.
What is the ethnic composition of Cuba?
About 64% of Cubans are White, 27% are Mestizo or Mulatto, and 9% are Afro-Cuban, based on census data.
What is the largest city in Cuba?
Havana is the largest city in Cuba, with a population of over 2.1 million people.
What languages are spoken in Cuba?
Spanish is the official and most widely spoken language in Cuba.
Where do most Afro-Cubans live?
Afro-Cubans are more concentrated in eastern Cuba, while Havana has the largest Afro-Cuban population of any city.
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