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Economy of Cuba vs United States compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Cuba has a GDP of $107B compared to $28.8T for the United States, ranking 69/197 and 1/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cuba vs United States GDP by year

Cuba
United States
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cuba United States
2024 - $28,750,956,130,731
2023 - $27,292,170,793,214
2022 - $25,604,848,907,611
2021 - $23,315,080,560,000
2020 $107,352,000,000 $21,060,473,613,000
2019 $103,427,600,000 $21,380,976,119,000
2018 $100,050,036,100 $20,533,057,312,000
2017 $96,850,649,700 $19,477,336,549,000
2016 $91,370,407,900 $18,695,110,842,000
2015 $87,132,800,000 $18,206,020,741,000
2014 $80,656,100,000 $17,550,680,174,000
2013 $77,148,000,000 $16,843,190,993,000
2012 $73,141,000,000 $16,253,972,230,000
2011 $68,990,000,000 $15,599,728,123,000
2010 $59,562,962,963 $15,048,964,444,000
2009 $57,481,481,481 $14,478,064,934,000
2008 $56,302,129,630 $14,769,857,911,000
2007 $54,262,870,370 $14,474,226,905,000
2006 $48,835,925,926 $13,815,586,948,000
2005 $42,643,836,100 $13,039,199,193,000
2004 $38,203,000,000 $12,217,193,198,000
2003 $35,901,200,000 $11,456,442,041,000
2002 $33,590,500,000 $10,929,112,955,000
2001 $31,682,400,000 $10,581,929,774,000
2000 $30,565,400,000 $10,250,947,997,000
1999 $28,364,615,200 $9,631,174,489,000
1998 $25,736,331,200 $9,062,818,202,000
1997 $25,365,908,100 $8,577,554,457,000
1996 $25,017,368,700 $8,073,122,000,000
1995 $30,429,803,651 $7,639,749,000,000
1994 $28,448,326,757 $7,287,236,000,000
1993 $22,367,254,865 $6,858,559,000,000
1992 $22,085,858,243 $6,520,327,000,000
1991 $24,316,556,026 $6,158,129,000,000
1990 $28,645,436,569 $5,963,144,000,000
1989 $27,023,468,666 $5,641,580,000,000
1988 $27,458,999,472 $5,236,438,000,000
1987 $25,213,935,012 $4,855,215,000,000
1986 $24,226,574,634 $4,579,631,000,000
1985 $22,920,490,774 $4,338,979,000,000
1984 $24,039,383,608 $4,037,613,000,000
1983 $22,204,940,512 $3,634,038,000,000
1982 $20,953,510,235 $3,343,789,000,000
1981 $20,150,254,096 $3,207,041,000,000
1980 $19,912,889,861 $2,857,307,000,000
1979 $19,584,443,288 $2,627,333,000,000
1978 $17,844,705,325 $2,351,599,000,000
1977 $14,206,158,675 $2,081,826,000,000
1976 $13,789,579,903 $1,873,412,000,000
1975 $13,027,415,244 $1,684,904,000,000
1974 $11,405,957,317 $1,545,243,000,000
1973 $9,987,709,650 $1,425,376,000,000
1972 $8,135,150,892 $1,279,110,000,000
1971 $6,914,658,400 $1,164,850,000,000
1970 $5,693,005,200 $1,073,303,000,000
1969 - $1,017,438,172,414
1968 - $940,225,000,000
1967 - $859,620,034,483
1966 - $813,032,758,621
1965 - $741,904,862,069
1964 - $684,144,620,690
1963 - $637,058,551,724
1962 - $603,639,413,793
1961 - $561,940,310,345
1960 - $541,988,586,207

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/cuba/united-states | CC BY

GDP per capita in Cuba vs United States by year

Cuba
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United States
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cuba United States
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $84,534 $85,810
2023 - - $81,490 $82,305
2022 - - $76,829 $77,861
2021 - - $70,249 $71,307
2020 $9,605 - $63,526 $64,402
2019 $9,232 - $65,120 $65,228
2018 $8,911 - $62,823 $62,876
2017 $8,611 - $59,908 $60,048
2016 $8,111 $12,300 $57,867 $57,977
2015 $7,728 - $56,763 $56,849
2014 $7,147 - $55,124 $55,153
2013 $6,828 - $53,291 $53,297
2012 $6,471 - $51,784 $51,708
2011 $6,104 - $50,066 $50,025
2010 $5,272 $10,200 $48,651 $48,643
2009 $5,089 $9,700 $47,195 $47,195
2008 $4,986 $9,500 $48,570 $48,570
2007 $4,807 $11,000 $48,050 $48,050
2006 $4,330 $4,000 $46,302 $46,302
2005 $3,786 $3,500 $44,123 $44,123
2004 $3,399 $3,000 $41,725 $41,725
2003 $3,203 $2,900 $39,490 $39,490
2002 $3,005 $2,300 $37,998 $37,998
2001 $2,843 - $37,134 $37,134
2000 $2,751 $1,700 $36,330 $36,330
1999 $2,562 $1,700 $34,484 $34,515
1998 $2,332 - $32,823 $32,854
1997 $2,306 - $31,430 $31,459
1996 $2,282 - $29,937 $29,968
1995 $2,785 - $28,661 $28,691
1994 $2,613 - $27,662 $27,695
1993 $2,063 - $26,353 $26,387
1992 $2,048 - $25,381 $25,419
1991 $2,269 - $24,293 $24,342
1990 $2,694 - $23,840 $23,889
1989 $2,566 - $22,857 -
1988 $2,632 - $21,417 -
1987 $2,440 - $20,039 -
1986 $2,365 - $19,071 -
1985 $2,257 - $18,237 -
1984 $2,386 - $17,121 -
1983 $2,222 - $15,544 -
1982 $2,114 - $14,434 -
1981 $2,046 - $13,976 -
1980 $2,031 - $12,613 -
1979 $2,006 - $11,674 -
1978 $1,837 - $10,565 -
1977 $1,472 - $9,453 -
1976 $1,441 - $8,592 -
1975 $1,374 - $7,801 -
1974 $1,217 - $7,226 -
1973 $1,079 - $6,726 -
1972 $892 - $6,094 -
1971 $770 - $5,609 -
1970 $645 - $5,234 -
1969 - - $5,020 -
1968 - - $4,685 -
1967 - - $4,326 -
1966 - - $4,136 -
1965 - - $3,818 -
1964 - - $3,565 -
1963 - - $3,366 -
1962 - - $3,236 -
1961 - - $3,059 -
1960 - - $3,000 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08); Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (1999–2016, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/cuba/united-states | CC BY

Cuba's GDP per capita is $9,605, ranking 86/197, compared to $84,534 in the United States, ranking 10/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cuba ranks 124th at $12,300, while the United States ranks 12th at $85,810.

Economic indicators

Cuba United States
Gross domestic product
$107B
2020
$28.8T
2024
GDP rank
69/197
2020
1/197
2024
GDP growth
-1.06%
2023-2024
2.79%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$9,605
2020
$84,534
2024
GDP per capita rank
86/197
2020
10/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,300
2016
$85,810
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
124/197
2016
12/197
2024
Government debt n/a
$35.2T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio n/a
122.3%
2024
Government debt per person n/a
$103,404
2024
Government debt per person rank n/a
2/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,075
2026
$53,202
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$62.2T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
23,831,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
902
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
30.4%
2023
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
1.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
49%
2025
37.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
5.5%
2019-2020
2.95%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.7%
2018
4.02%
2024
Population
10894785
344023146

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cuba

United States
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cuba United States
2024 - 2.95%
2023 - 4.12%
2022 - 8%
2021 - 4.7%
2020 5.5% 1.23%
2019 5.5% 1.81%
2018 5.5% 2.44%
2017 - 2.13%
2016 4.5% 1.26%
2015 4.4% 0.12%
2014 - 1.62%
2013 6% 1.46%
2012 5.5% 2.07%
2011 4.7% 3.16%
2010 0.7% 1.64%
2009 -0.5% -0.36%
2008 3.4% 3.84%
2007 3.1% 2.85%
2006 5% 3.23%
2005 7% 3.39%
2004 3.1% 2.68%
2003 4.1% 2.27%
2002 7.1% 1.59%
2001 - 2.83%
2000 - 3.38%
1999 0.3% 2.19%
1998 - 1.55%
1997 - 2.34%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (1999–2020, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/cuba/united-states | CC BY

Over the past 22 years, Cuba has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.16%, compared with 2.13% in the United States. In 2020, inflation was 5.5% in Cuba and 2.95% in the United States.

Top exports between countries

Cuba
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $583K
Precious metals & jewellery $114K
Chemicals & pharma $30K
United States
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $361M
Machinery & equipment $78.7M
Miscellaneous $67.2M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $55.1M
Raw agricultural goods $17.5M
Chemicals & pharma $3.39M
Raw materials & minerals $1.45M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.23M
Wood & paper products $615K
Metals $295K

Balance of trade

Cuba United States
Current account balance n/a
-$1.19T
2024
Current account balance ranking n/a
190/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP n/a
-4.12%
2024
Goods imports n/a
$3.3T
2024
Goods exports n/a
$2.08T
2024
Service imports n/a
$841B
2024
Service exports n/a
$1.15T
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
82.4%
2024
14.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.5%
2024
11.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Cuba United States
Economic freedom 25.2 72.8
Economic freedom ranking 195/197 27/197
Property rights 27.7 91.6
Government integrity 33 77.1
Judicial effectiveness 16 76.4
Tax burden 51.9 75.3
Government spending 0 57.9
Fiscal health 0 18.5
Business freedom 41.4 88.6
Labor freedom 20 76.3
Monetary freedom 20 84.2
Trade freedom 72.8 67.6
Investment freedom 10 80
Financial freedom 10 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cuba
United States
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cuba United States
2026 25.2 72.8
2025 25.4 70.2
2024 25.7 70.1
2023 24.3 70.6
2022 29.5 72.1
2021 28.1 74.8
2020 26.9 76.6
2019 27.8 76.8
2018 31.9 75.7
2017 33.9 75.1
2016 29.8 75.4
2015 29.6 76.2
2014 28.7 75.5
2013 28.5 76
2012 28.3 76.3
2011 27.7 77.8
2010 26.7 78
2009 27.9 80.7
2008 27.5 81
2007 28.6 81.2
2006 29.3 81.2
2005 35.5 79.9
2004 34.4 78.7
2003 35.1 78.2
2002 32.4 78.4
2001 31.6 79.1
2000 31.3 76.4
1999 29.7 75.5
1998 28.2 75.4
1997 27.8 75.6
1996 27.8 76.7
1995 27.8 76.7

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/cuba/united-states | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Cuba is 25.2, ranking 195/197, compared to 72.8 for the United States, ranking 27/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cuba United States
Services, % of GDP
73.4%
2024
79.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
23.8%
2024
17.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.24%
2024
0.85%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$101B
2019
$28.4T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP n/a
$85,980
2024
Total reserves including gold
$144M
1960
$910B
2024
Total reserves ranking
173/177
1960
3/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment n/a
$25.1B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment n/a
$297B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$322B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
15.1%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
9.87%
2020
21.8%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/cuba/united-states | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  4. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (1999–2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. TradeMap (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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.