A Cuban woman took to TikTok to reveal her Mother's Day purchase made with 11,300 Cuban pesos. Her haul consisted of two rolls of toilet paper, two jars of cream, and a set of shampoo and conditioner—just five basic hygiene items as her maximum gift for the occasion.
Known as Yanela sin Filtro on the platform, she began her video last Wednesday by showcasing 10,000 pesos in hundred-peso bills—a total of one hundred bills—intending to illustrate what could be bought with that amount for a Sunday gift.
Ultimately, the sum fell short. "It wasn't enough with ten thousand pesos; I had to add thirteen hundred more. It was eleven thousand three hundred pesos in total: two rolls of toilet paper, two jars of cream, the shampoo set, and an extra shampoo. Just five little items," she explained in the video.
The 11,300 pesos spent represent more than 1.6 times the average monthly salary in Cuba. According to the National Office of Statistics and Information, the average monthly salary in Cuba in 2025 was 6,930 pesos, equivalent to merely 13 to 15 dollars at the informal exchange rate.
The minimum wage stands at 2,100 pesos per month—just over five dollars—and the minimum pension is around 3,727 pesos. Independent economists estimate that the minimum cost of living exceeds 50,000 pesos per person monthly, about seven times the state average salary.
In this context, shampoo, cream, or toilet paper have become luxury items. A mini shopping trip for basic groceries in May cost 3,875 pesos, which is 56% of the average monthly salary. A tube of toothpaste was priced at over 1,000 pesos at a Havana mipyme in April.
Yanela concluded the video with a sense of resignation: "But well, there's no other choice, you have to do it, and I'm not even finished yet."
State-Sponsored Markets Under Scrutiny
State-organized markets for the occasion also faced criticism. The "Art for Mom" fair in Sancti Spíritus was derided on social media as "art for rich moms," with users pointing out that "if you buy a gift, you don't eat." In Camagüey, the food fair was criticized for exorbitant prices and shortages, with the repeated online comment: "just root vegetables for the people, meat for the bosses."
Meanwhile, CIMEX advertised motorcycles for Mother's Day starting at $1,950 in Cienfuegos—more than 130 times the average monthly salary.
The Cuban Observatory for Human Rights estimates that 89% of the Cuban population lives in extreme poverty, and 79% of those over 70 cannot have three daily meals. The story of Martha, a 77-year-old grandmother from Santiago who travels nearly 15 kilometers at dawn pushing a cart to sell okra, went viral on Mother's Day, garnering over 53,000 views on Facebook.
Understanding Cuba's Economic Struggles
What is the average monthly salary in Cuba?
As of 2025, the average monthly salary in Cuba was reported to be 6,930 pesos, which translates to approximately 13 to 15 dollars at the informal exchange rate.
How does the cost of living compare to wages in Cuba?
Independent economists suggest that the minimum cost of living in Cuba exceeds 50,000 pesos per person monthly, which is about seven times the average state salary.
What percentage of Cubans live in extreme poverty?
The Cuban Observatory for Human Rights estimates that 89% of the Cuban population lives in extreme poverty.