Cuba's elderly bear brunt of worsening economic crisis

11 articles · Updated · DW (English) · May 1

In Havana, nearly 26% of Cubans were aged 60 or over by end-2024, while some pensioners survive on monthly payments worth about $4 and rely on church meals.
The latest deterioration, linked in the report to a US oil embargo imposed by President Donald Trump, has deepened shortages, long queues and rationing, with no government-run home care service in Havana.
Many older Cubans who lived through Fidel Castro's rise now face renewed scarcity, loneliness and dependence on religious charities for food, routine and companionship.

With Cuba’s elderly facing hunger and blackouts, can new private elder care models actually protect the most vulnerable amid extreme poverty?

If US sanctions were lifted tomorrow, would Cuba’s aging population still face crisis due to internal policy and demographic challenges?