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Economy of Cuba vs Venezuela compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Cuba has a GDP of $107B compared to $99.7B for Venezuela, ranking 72/197 and 78/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cuba vs Venezuela GDP by year

Cuba
Venezuela
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cuba Venezuela
2025 - $99,661,244,156
2024 - $120,566,112,397
2023 - $102,377,501,186
2022 - $89,013,251,021
2021 - $56,615,026,263
2020 $107,352,000,000 $42,837,965,907
2019 $103,427,600,000 $73,014,157,108
2018 $100,050,036,100 $101,987,075,929
2017 $96,850,649,700 $115,892,475,743
2016 $91,370,407,900 $112,948,035,495
2015 $87,132,800,000 $125,249,941,854
2014 $80,656,100,000 $214,838,755,022
2013 $77,148,000,000 $258,512,396,298
2012 $73,141,000,000 $371,846,610,182
2011 $68,990,000,000 $316,482,190,800
2010 $59,562,962,963 $393,192,354,511
2009 $57,481,481,481 $329,787,628,928
2008 $56,302,129,630 $315,953,388,511
2007 $54,262,870,370 $230,364,012,576
2006 $48,835,925,926 $183,477,522,124
2005 $42,643,836,100 $145,513,489,652
2004 $38,203,000,000 $112,451,400,425
2003 $35,901,200,000 $83,620,628,582
2002 $33,590,500,000 $92,893,587,734
2001 $31,682,400,000 $122,911,036,747
2000 $30,565,400,000 $117,146,466,003
1999 $28,364,615,200 $97,972,842,462
1998 $25,736,331,200 $91,336,763,255
1997 $25,365,908,100 $85,837,678,560
1996 $25,017,368,700 $70,543,211,119
1995 $30,429,803,651 $77,389,487,770
1994 $28,448,326,757 $58,418,666,667
1993 $22,367,254,865 $60,037,460,783
1992 $22,085,858,243 $60,416,519,620
1991 $24,316,556,026 $53,453,444,787
1990 $28,645,436,569 $48,606,952,195
1989 $27,023,468,666 $43,536,709,104
1988 $27,458,999,472 $60,226,413,793
1987 $25,213,935,012 $48,029,034,483
1986 $24,226,574,634 $60,516,123,711
1985 $22,920,490,774 $61,965,466,667
1984 $24,039,383,608 $59,867,743,468
1983 $22,204,940,512 $67,556,279,070
1982 $20,953,510,235 $67,736,744,186
1981 $20,150,254,096 $66,327,441,860
1980 $19,912,889,861 $59,116,511,628
1979 $19,584,443,288 $48,310,930,233
1978 $17,844,705,325 $39,316,279,070
1977 $14,206,158,675 $36,210,697,674
1976 $13,789,579,903 $31,419,534,884
1975 $13,027,415,244 $27,464,651,163
1974 $11,405,957,317 $26,100,930,233
1973 $9,987,709,650 $17,035,581,395
1972 $8,135,150,892 $13,977,727,273
1971 $6,914,658,400 $12,986,590,909
1970 $5,693,005,200 $11,561,111,111
1969 - $10,285,111,111
1968 - $10,034,444,444
1967 - $9,250,000,000
1966 - $8,781,333,333
1965 - $8,427,777,778
1964 - $8,192,413,793
1963 - $9,608,717,288
1962 - $8,814,309,884
1961 - $8,067,267,031
1960 - $7,663,938,303

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

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

GDP per capita in Cuba vs Venezuela by year

Cuba
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Venezuela
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cuba Venezuela
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 - - $3,495 -
2024 - - $4,244 -
2023 - - $3,617 -
2022 - - $3,155 -
2021 - - $2,005 -
2020 $9,605 - $1,506 -
2019 $9,232 - $2,523 -
2018 $8,911 - $3,422 -
2017 $8,611 - $3,792 -
2016 $8,111 $12,300 $3,671 -
2015 $7,728 - $4,097 -
2014 $7,147 - $7,101 -
2013 $6,828 - $8,642 -
2012 $6,471 - $12,582 -
2011 $6,104 - $10,844 $21,241
2010 $5,272 $10,200 $13,646 $20,236
2009 $5,089 $9,700 $11,597 $20,562
2008 $4,986 $9,500 $11,262 $21,402
2007 $4,807 $11,000 $8,332 $20,236
2006 $4,330 $4,000 $6,739 $18,399
2005 $3,786 $3,500 $5,432 $16,511
2004 $3,399 $3,000 $4,269 $14,757
2003 $3,203 $2,900 $3,230 $12,359
2002 $3,005 $2,300 $3,652 $13,375
2001 $2,843 - $4,920 $14,714
2000 $2,751 $1,700 $4,776 $14,174
1999 $2,562 $1,700 $4,071 $13,623
1998 $2,332 - $3,870 $14,568
1997 $2,306 - $3,711 $14,655
1996 $2,282 - $3,113 $13,824
1995 $2,785 - $3,487 $13,890
1994 $2,613 - $2,689 $13,370
1993 $2,063 - $2,825 $13,702
1992 $2,048 - $2,907 $13,652
1991 $2,269 - $2,633 $12,880
1990 $2,694 - $2,452 $11,628
1989 $2,566 - $2,250 -
1988 $2,632 - $3,191 -
1987 $2,440 - $2,611 -
1986 $2,365 - $3,376 -
1985 $2,257 - $3,549 -
1984 $2,386 - $3,520 -
1983 $2,222 - $4,079 -
1982 $2,114 - $4,202 -
1981 $2,046 - $4,228 -
1980 $2,031 - $3,874 -
1979 $2,006 - $3,257 -
1978 $1,837 - $2,727 -
1977 $1,472 - $2,585 -
1976 $1,441 - $2,309 -
1975 $1,374 - $2,078 -
1974 $1,217 - $2,034 -
1973 $1,079 - $1,367 -
1972 $892 - $1,155 -
1971 $770 - $1,106 -
1970 $645 - $1,015 -
1969 - - $932 -
1968 - - $938 -
1967 - - $893 -
1966 - - $876 -
1965 - - $869 -
1964 - - $874 -
1963 - - $1,060 -
1962 - - $1,007 -
1961 - - $954 -
1960 - - $939 -

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/venezuela | CC BY

Cuba's GDP per capita is $9,605, ranking 91/197, compared to $3,495 in Venezuela, ranking 138/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cuba ranks 124th at $12,300, while Venezuela ranks 93rd at $21,241.

Economic indicators

Cuba Venezuela
Gross domestic product
$107B
2020
$99.7B
2025
GDP rank
72/197
2020
78/197
2025
GDP growth
-1.06%
2023-2024
1.57%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$9,605
2020
$3,495
2025
GDP per capita rank
91/197
2020
138/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,300
2016
$21,241
2011
GDP per capita PPP rank
124/197
2016
93/197
2011
Government debt n/a
$308B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio n/a
309%
2025
Government debt per person n/a
$10,790
2025
Government debt per person rank n/a
58/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,472
2026
$2,659
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$3.98B
2002
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
33.2%
2006
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
1.2%
2006
Government expenditure, % of GDP
49%
2026
20.3%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
5.5%
2019-2020
252%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
58.9%
2026
Unemployment rate
1.7%
2018
7.53%
2020
Population
10893750
28692435

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cuba

Venezuela
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cuba Venezuela
2025 - 252%
2024 - 49.4%
2023 - 338%
2022 - 186.5%
2021 - 1,589%
2020 5.5% 2,355%
2019 5.5% 19,906%
2018 5.5% 65,374%
2017 - 438%
2016 4.5% 254.9%
2015 4.4% 121.7%
2014 - 62.2%
2013 6% 40.6%
2012 5.5% 21.1%
2011 4.7% 26.1%
2010 0.7% 28.2%
2009 -0.5% 26%
2008 3.4% 31.4%
2007 3.1% 18.7%
2006 5% 13.7%
2005 7% 16%
2004 3.1% 21.7%
2003 4.1% 31.1%
2002 7.1% 22.4%
2001 - 12.5%
2000 - 16.2%
1999 0.3% 23.6%
1998 - 35.8%
1997 - 50%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (1999–2020, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 22 years, Cuba has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.16%, compared with 4,039% in Venezuela. In 2020, inflation was 5.5% in Cuba and 252% in Venezuela.

Top exports between countries

Cuba
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $98.5M
Metals $2.3M
Machinery & equipment $1.18M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $388K
Raw agricultural goods $90K
Textiles & consumer goods $65K
Weapons & explosives $51K
Raw materials & minerals $35K
Wood & paper products $4K
Venezuela
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $2.23M
Raw materials & minerals $2.19M
Chemicals & pharma $1.8M
Metals $447K
Machinery & equipment $129K

Balance of trade

Cuba Venezuela
Current account balance n/a
-$3.87B
2016
Current account balance ranking n/a
155/190
2016
Current account balance, % of GDP n/a
-3.43%
2016
Goods imports n/a
$16.3B
2016
Goods exports n/a
$27.4B
2016
Service imports n/a
$9.47B
2016
Service exports n/a
$1.28B
2016
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
82.4%
2024
10.1%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.5%
2024
14.9%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Cuba Venezuela
Economic freedom 25.2 27.3
Economic freedom ranking 195/197 194/197
Property rights 27.7 0
Government integrity 33 6.9
Judicial effectiveness 16 5.1
Tax burden 51.9 73.4
Government spending 0 93
Fiscal health 0 29.1
Business freedom 41.4 31.1
Labor freedom 20 35.5
Monetary freedom 20 0
Trade freedom 72.8 43.2
Investment freedom 10 0
Financial freedom 10 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cuba
Venezuela
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cuba Venezuela
2026 25.2 27.3
2025 25.4 27.6
2024 25.7 28.1
2023 24.3 25.8
2022 29.5 24.8
2021 28.1 24.7
2020 26.9 25.2
2019 27.8 25.9
2018 31.9 25.2
2017 33.9 27
2016 29.8 33.7
2015 29.6 34.3
2014 28.7 36.3
2013 28.5 36.1
2012 28.3 38.1
2011 27.7 37.6
2010 26.7 37.1
2009 27.9 39.9
2008 27.5 44.7
2007 28.6 47.9
2006 29.3 44.6
2005 35.5 45.2
2004 34.4 46.7
2003 35.1 54.8
2002 32.4 54.7
2001 31.6 54.6
2000 31.3 57.4
1999 29.7 56.1
1998 28.2 54
1997 27.8 52.8
1996 27.8 54.5
1995 27.8 59.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Cuba is 25.2, ranking 195/197, compared to 27.3 for Venezuela, ranking 194/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cuba Venezuela
Services, % of GDP
73.4%
2024
51.7%
2014
Industry, % of GDP
23.8%
2024
37.2%
2014
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.24%
2024
5.03%
2014
GNI, Atlas method
$101B
2019
$110B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP n/a
$20,840
2011
Total reserves including gold
$144M
1960
$9.79B
2017
Total reserves ranking
173/177
1960
80/177
2017
Net foreign direct investment n/a
-$27M
2016
Net inflows of foreign direct investment n/a
$1.63B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$2.6B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
33.1%
2015
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
9.87%
2020
5.93%
2025

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/venezuela | CC BY

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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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2013–2022, 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.