Economic Activities in Cuba: Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, and Quaternary

Cuba, with a population of approximately 9.7 million (2024 estimate, down sharply from past censuses owing to mass emigration and the lowest birth rate in decades, per independent demographic estimates), is among the most populous Caribbean nations. Located in the Caribbean, it covers a total area of 109,880 square kilometers.

Cuba’s economy in 2022 showed a nominal GDP of about $100 billion. This figure should be read with caution: Cuban official GDP is calculated using an unrealistic 1:1 peso-to-dollar peg and is widely regarded by economists as overstated and unreliable. On the same official basis, GDP per capita is reported at roughly $11,255.

Despite facing severe challenges, including chronic energy shortages and a contracting population, Cuba’s state-dominated economy continues to seek growth and external investment.

What are the economic activities of Cuba?

• Primary activities: 4% of GDP.
• Secondary activities: 22.7% of GDP.
• Tertiary activities: 73.4% of GDP.

Primary Sector of Cuba

Cuba’s primary sector, dominated by agriculture, thrives due to its tropical climate and rich natural resources. With 61.67% of the land dedicated to agriculture, the country produces a diverse range of crops and animal products. Key agricultural products include sugarcane, cassava, plantains, vegetables, mangoes/guavas, milk, pumpkins/squash, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, and bananas.

Despite contributing only 4% to the GDP, agriculture remains vital to the economy. The abundance of crops and animal products not only sustains the agricultural sector but also provides essential food sources for the population.

The country’s geological diversity, ranging from mineral-rich mountains to fertile plains, provides abundant natural resources. Key resources include cobalt, nickel, iron ore, chromium, copper, salt, timber, silica, petroleum, and arable land. These resources drive the economy through mining, agriculture, and forestry industries, contributing significantly to the nation’s development.Cuba’s oil production of approximately 33,912 barrels per day places it 43rd in the world ranking. With oil reserves of 124,000,000 barrels, the country holds 0.01% of the world’s oil reserves, further bolstering its economic activity.Cuba’s natural gas production in 2020 reached 1.2 billion m³, ranking 63rd globally in natural gas production.

Secondary Sector of Cuba

What is the secondary sector or what are secondary activities?The secondary sector comprises industries that transform raw materials into finished products for consumption. In Cuba, main industrial products include petroleum, nickel, cobalt, pharmaceuticals, tobacco, construction materials, steel, cement, agricultural machinery, and sugar. These products are manufactured for domestic consumption and export.In 2023, Cuba’s manufacturing exports accounted for a small percentage of the country’s total exports, indicating their lack of significance in driving the economy.

Tertiary sector of Cuba

What is the tertiary sector or what are tertiary activities?The tertiary sector in Cuba encompasses a wide range of services that focus on enhancing productivity and meeting various needs. Key activities include healthcare and medical care, education and training, banking and finance, tourism and hospitality, transportation and logistics, and communication and information exchange. These sectors play a crucial role in Cuba’s economy by providing essential services to both consumers and businesses, contributing to the overall development and growth of the country.Notably, Tourism is a vital economic driver for Cuba. Arrivals have fallen well below the pre-pandemic peak of about 4.2 million (2019): the island received roughly 2.2 million international visitors in 2024, the lowest in nearly two decades, amid the country’s energy and economic crisis. The island’s beaches, like Varadero and Cayo Coco, remain major draws, but the sector’s decline reflects Cuba’s broader downturn.Another example of tertiary economic activity is the mobile cellular sector, with approximately 7.6 million subscriptions, supporting technological growth by enhancing communication and access to digital services across the population.

Military Activities and Economic Sectors of Cuba

The military is a good example of many economic activities working together. In Cuba, the primary sector helps provide resources needed for military use. The secondary sector focuses on making military equipment. The tertiary sector offers services like training and support. The quaternary sector involves research and development for better technology. Lastly, the quinary sector deals with high-level decisions and strategies for national defense.

In 2023, Cuba’s military expenditure was 128 million US dollars, which is 0.13% of the country’s GDP. The active military force consists of 49,000 personnel. This means there are about 10.9 active military members for every 1,000 people in the country.

International Trade of Cuba

Import Activities of Cuba

Cuba relies heavily on imports of food, fuel and manufactured goods. Goods imports totalled roughly $8 billion in 2023, falling further in 2024, according to Trading Economics figures, reflecting acute shortages of hard currency.Cuba’s main import partners are Spain, China, US, Brazil, and Netherlands. The country imports poultry, wheat, milk, plastic products, and soybean oil to meet its domestic needs and support its economy.

Exports Activities of Cuba

Cuba’s goods exports are modest: total merchandise exports were only about $1.9 billion in 2023, declining toward $1.5 billion in 2024, according to Trading Economics. (Services, chiefly the export of medical personnel, are a far larger but separately reported earner.) Goods export revenue alone is therefore a small share of GDP.Cuba primarily exports tobacco, nickel, zinc ore, liquor, and raw sugar. Its top export partners are China (40%), Spain (13%), Germany (5%), Portugal (4%), and Switzerland (4%).

Cuba economy challenges in 2024

Cuba faces deep challenges in 2024 and 2025 with widespread protests over basic necessities and electricity shortages, despite increasing foreign investment. Cuba remains a unique tobacco exporter with a controversial oil-for-doctors deal with Venezuela, while corruption remains widespread.

Sources

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• World Bank: Cuba
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• CIA World Factbook: Cuba
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• Trading Economics: Cuba Exports
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• Trading Economics: Cuba Imports
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• Wikipedia: Economy of Cuba

Last updated: June 20, 2026