The National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI) released its Consumer Price Index (CPI) report for May 2026, highlighting a continuing and accelerating inflationary trend in Cuba.
The official report indicates that the overall CPI stood at 551.47 points based on December 2010, with a monthly increase of 1.85%, an accumulated rise of 9.16% from January to May, and a year-over-year increase of 15.89%.
This five-month accumulation surpasses the 7.45% recorded in the same period of 2025, suggesting that inflation is speeding up rather than slowing down.
The upward trend is consistent: the year-over-year variation climbed from 12.52% in January to 12.33% in February, 13.42% in March, 14.73% in April, and 15.89% in May, according to the accumulated inflation data for 2026.
Key Drivers of Price Increases
In May, the categories contributing most to the price surge were Restaurants and Hotels, which saw a monthly increase of 2.93% and a year-over-year rise of 26.54%, followed by Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages, with a 2.26% monthly and 19.24% annual increase.
Within the food basket, pork, powdered milk, ham, mutton, and ground coffee were the main contributors to the monthly increase.
Regional Price Disparities
ONEI also released a report detailing minimum and maximum prices by province, revealing significant territorial disparities.
Guantánamo is the priciest province for several essential items: packaged oil costs 1,555.56 pesos per liter, whole powdered milk is priced at 1,739.13 pesos for 500 grams, white cheese reaches 1,000 pesos per pound, and fresh fish costs 600 pesos per pound.
Cost of Living Versus Income
Conversely, Pinar del Río reports the lowest prices for many observed items, with packaged oil starting at 1,200 pesos per liter, rice at 220 pesos per pound, and eggs at 95 pesos each.
Despite Pinar del Río having the lowest prices, they remain unaffordable for most Cubans. Economist Javier Pérez Capdevila estimates that Cubans require around 96,000 pesos monthly to cover basic needs, with 70,070 pesos allocated solely to food. In 2025, the average official salary was just 6,930 pesos, roughly equivalent to 10 dollars.
This stark disparity, where the average income is over 13 times lower than the estimated cost of living, underscores the severe decline in purchasing power.
Moreover, economist Pedro Monreal has raised concerns about the "questionable reliability" of official statistics, suggesting that the CPI may understate the actual inflation rate, and that the combination of rising prices and an estimated GDP decline could lead to a stagflation scenario in Cuba.
Understanding Cuba's Economic Challenges
What is the current inflation rate in Cuba?
As of May 2026, the year-over-year inflation rate in Cuba is 15.89%.
Which categories have seen the highest price increases?
Restaurants and Hotels, as well as Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages, have experienced the most significant price hikes.
Where are the highest and lowest prices found in Cuba?
Guantánamo has the highest prices for several essential goods, while Pinar del Río offers the lowest prices for many items.