Skip to content

Economy of Cuba vs Japan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Cuba has a GDP of $107B compared to $4.44T for Japan, ranking 72/197 and 4/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cuba vs Japan GDP by year

Cuba
Japan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cuba Japan
2025 - $4,435,162,999,977
2024 - $4,190,008,188,359
2023 - $4,384,854,269,962
2022 - $4,447,976,207,315
2021 - $5,225,933,520,753
2020 $107,352,000,000 $5,189,197,543,645
2019 $103,427,600,000 $5,245,755,000,479
2018 $100,050,036,100 $5,154,293,721,630
2017 $96,850,649,700 $5,038,231,631,661
2016 $91,370,407,900 $5,110,357,383,254
2015 $87,132,800,000 $4,534,438,580,495
2014 $80,656,100,000 $4,985,763,289,561
2013 $77,148,000,000 $5,272,297,037,397
2012 $73,141,000,000 $6,333,803,928,788
2011 $68,990,000,000 $6,279,422,550,219
2010 $59,562,962,963 $5,811,578,109,447
2009 $57,481,481,481 $5,336,765,697,589
2008 $56,302,129,630 $5,160,197,175,876
2007 $54,262,870,370 $4,624,670,179,655
2006 $48,835,925,926 $4,648,058,930,707
2005 $42,643,836,100 $4,875,648,486,366
2004 $38,203,000,000 $4,941,485,123,807
2003 $35,901,200,000 $4,573,413,206,709
2002 $33,590,500,000 $4,245,946,980,572
2001 $31,682,400,000 $4,438,792,748,062
2000 $30,565,400,000 $5,042,381,838,343
1999 $28,364,615,200 $4,688,983,449,627
1998 $25,736,331,200 $4,150,359,076,370
1997 $25,365,908,100 $4,579,780,793,432
1996 $25,017,368,700 $5,021,441,618,840
1995 $30,429,803,651 $5,639,649,753,986
1994 $28,448,326,757 $5,104,063,486,348
1993 $22,367,254,865 $4,632,480,515,091
1992 $22,085,858,243 $4,064,529,567,505
1991 $24,316,556,026 $3,724,887,648,862
1990 $28,645,436,569 $3,252,994,239,867
1989 $27,023,468,666 $3,174,934,735,896
1988 $27,458,999,472 $3,191,546,727,316
1987 $25,213,935,012 $2,635,094,473,494
1986 $24,226,574,634 $2,164,729,071,349
1985 $22,920,490,774 $1,457,070,301,468
1984 $24,039,383,608 $1,374,165,212,365
1983 $22,204,940,512 $1,297,622,008,229
1982 $20,953,510,235 $1,183,132,285,328
1981 $20,150,254,096 $1,271,443,597,067
1980 $19,912,889,861 $1,153,159,955,513
1979 $19,584,443,288 $1,100,608,979,757
1978 $17,844,705,325 $1,057,419,758,047
1977 $14,206,158,675 $752,590,681,822
1976 $13,789,579,903 $611,495,350,304
1975 $13,027,415,244 $544,082,569,364
1974 $11,405,957,317 $500,355,087,138
1973 $9,987,709,650 $450,756,970,744
1972 $8,135,150,892 $331,776,379,992
1971 $6,914,658,400 $250,530,994,765
1970 $5,693,005,200 $221,798,003,144
1969 - $188,179,852,753
1968 - $160,201,483,788
1967 - $135,265,319,098
1966 - $115,427,351,851
1965 - $99,387,878,008
1964 - $89,332,989,729
1963 - $75,945,582,324
1962 - $66,356,388,224
1961 - $58,472,696,006
1960 - $48,417,804,545

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/cuba/japan | CC BY

GDP per capita in Cuba vs Japan by year

Cuba
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Japan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cuba Japan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 - - $35,951 -
2024 - - $33,797 $52,039
2023 - - $35,215 $50,662
2022 - - $35,548 $47,192
2021 - - $41,581 $44,355
2020 $9,605 - $41,099 $42,426
2019 $9,232 - $41,425 $42,678
2018 $8,911 - $40,645 $42,142
2017 $8,611 - $39,680 $41,444
2016 $8,111 $12,300 $40,215 $40,597
2015 $7,728 - $35,665 $40,899
2014 $7,147 - $39,173 $39,555
2013 $6,828 - $41,369 $39,402
2012 $6,471 - $49,627 $37,606
2011 $6,104 - $49,122 $36,214
2010 $5,272 $10,200 $45,378 $35,336
2009 $5,089 $9,700 $41,678 $33,543
2008 $4,986 $9,500 $40,294 $35,274
2007 $4,807 $11,000 $36,130 $35,015
2006 $4,330 $4,000 $36,354 $33,632
2005 $3,786 $3,500 $38,159 $32,170
2004 $3,399 $3,000 $38,678 $30,832
2003 $3,203 $2,900 $35,809 $29,392
2002 $3,005 $2,300 $33,316 $28,624
2001 $2,843 - $34,910 $27,943
2000 $2,751 $1,700 $39,753 $27,288
1999 $2,562 $1,700 $37,029 $25,736
1998 $2,332 - $32,835 $25,508
1997 $2,306 - $36,331 $25,619
1996 $2,282 - $39,930 $24,999
1995 $2,785 - $44,947 $23,858
1994 $2,613 - $40,774 $22,823
1993 $2,063 - $37,111 $22,168
1992 $2,048 - $32,667 $21,825
1991 $2,269 - $30,048 $21,227
1990 $2,694 - $26,345 $19,912
1989 $2,566 - $25,798 -
1988 $2,632 - $26,037 -
1987 $2,440 - $21,587 -
1986 $2,365 - $17,819 -
1985 $2,257 - $12,058 -
1984 $2,386 - $11,443 -
1983 $2,222 - $10,876 -
1982 $2,114 - $9,986 -
1981 $2,046 - $10,806 -
1980 $2,031 - $9,872 -
1979 $2,006 - $9,497 -
1978 $1,837 - $9,202 -
1977 $1,472 - $6,609 -
1976 $1,441 - $5,422 -
1975 $1,374 - $4,876 -
1974 $1,217 - $4,542 -
1973 $1,079 - $4,147 -
1972 $892 - $3,095 -
1971 $770 - $2,370 -
1970 $645 - $2,145 -
1969 - - $1,841 -
1968 - - $1,586 -
1967 - - $1,354 -
1966 - - $1,168 -
1965 - - $1,015 -
1964 - - $922 -
1963 - - $792 -
1962 - - $699 -
1961 - - $622 -
1960 - - $519 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (1999–2016, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/cuba/japan | CC BY

Cuba's GDP per capita is $9,605, ranking 91/197, compared to $35,951 in Japan, ranking 34/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cuba ranks 124th at $12,300, while Japan ranks 41st at $52,039.

Economic indicators

Cuba Japan
Gross domestic product
$107B
2020
$4.44T
2025
GDP rank
72/197
2020
4/197
2025
GDP growth
-1.06%
2023-2024
1.19%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$9,605
2020
$35,951
2025
GDP per capita rank
91/197
2020
34/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,300
2016
$52,039
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
124/197
2016
41/197
2024
Government debt n/a
$9.16T
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio n/a
206.5%
2025
Government debt per person n/a
$74,248
2025
Government debt per person rank n/a
3/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,472
2026
$22,962
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$7.61T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
2,902,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
41
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
24.3%
2020
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.3%
2020
Government expenditure, % of GDP
49%
2026
36.9%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
5.5%
2019-2020
3.17%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
0.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.7%
2018
2.5%
2025
Population
10893750
122704252

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cuba

Japan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cuba Japan
2025 - 3.17%
2024 - 2.74%
2023 - 3.27%
2022 - 2.5%
2021 - -0.23%
2020 5.5% -0.02%
2019 5.5% 0.47%
2018 5.5% 0.99%
2017 - 0.48%
2016 4.5% -0.13%
2015 4.4% 0.8%
2014 - 2.76%
2013 6% 0.34%
2012 5.5% -0.04%
2011 4.7% -0.27%
2010 0.7% -0.73%
2009 -0.5% -1.35%
2008 3.4% 1.38%
2007 3.1% 0.06%
2006 5% 0.25%
2005 7% -0.28%
2004 3.1% -0.009%
2003 4.1% -0.26%
2002 7.1% -0.92%
2001 - -0.74%
2000 - -0.68%
1999 0.3% -0.34%
1998 - 0.66%
1997 - 1.75%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (1999–2020, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/cuba/japan | CC BY

Over the past 22 years, Cuba has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.16%, compared with 0.08% in Japan. In 2020, inflation was 5.5% in Cuba and 3.17% in Japan.

Top exports between countries

Cuba
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $3.15M
Raw agricultural goods $1.05M
Machinery & equipment $142K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $41K
Raw materials & minerals $19K
Japan
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $5.78M
Miscellaneous $1.22M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.03M
Chemicals & pharma $735K
Wood & paper products $418K
Raw materials & minerals $355K
Raw agricultural goods $161K
Metals $126K
Precious metals & jewellery $7K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2K

Balance of trade

Cuba Japan
Current account balance n/a
$216B
2025
Current account balance ranking n/a
3/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP n/a
+4.86%
2025
Goods imports n/a
$729B
2025
Goods exports n/a
$725B
2025
Service imports n/a
$269B
2025
Service exports n/a
$246B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
82.4%
2024
22.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.5%
2024
22%
2024

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Cuba Japan
Economic freedom 25.2 70.3
Economic freedom ranking 195/197 36/197
Property rights 27.7 94.2
Government integrity 33 81.1
Judicial effectiveness 16 97.9
Tax burden 51.9 63
Government spending 0 52
Fiscal health 0 41.7
Business freedom 41.4 77.8
Labor freedom 20 65.9
Monetary freedom 20 74.3
Trade freedom 72.8 76.2
Investment freedom 10 60
Financial freedom 10 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cuba
Japan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cuba Japan
2026 25.2 70.3
2025 25.4 70.2
2024 25.7 67.5
2023 24.3 69.3
2022 29.5 69.9
2021 28.1 74.1
2020 26.9 73.3
2019 27.8 72.1
2018 31.9 72.3
2017 33.9 69.6
2016 29.8 73.1
2015 29.6 73.3
2014 28.7 72.4
2013 28.5 71.8
2012 28.3 71.6
2011 27.7 72.8
2010 26.7 72.9
2009 27.9 72.8
2008 27.5 73
2007 28.6 72.7
2006 29.3 73.3
2005 35.5 67.3
2004 34.4 64.3
2003 35.1 67.6
2002 32.4 66.7
2001 31.6 70.9
2000 31.3 70.7
1999 29.7 69.1
1998 28.2 70.2
1997 27.8 70.3
1996 27.8 72.6
1995 27.8 75

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/cuba/japan | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Cuba is 25.2, ranking 195/197, compared to 70.3 for Japan, ranking 36/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cuba Japan
Services, % of GDP
73.4%
2024
71.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
23.8%
2024
26.8%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.24%
2024
0.96%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$101B
2019
$4.73T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP n/a
$58,920
2025
Total reserves including gold
$144M
1960
$1.37T
2025
Total reserves ranking
173/177
1960
3/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment n/a
$172B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment n/a
$18.9B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$207B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
16.1%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
9.87%
2020
27.7%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/cuba/japan | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (1999–2020, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2021–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.