In 2025, Cuba recorded 64,850 abortions, a figure alarmingly close to the 68,064 live births reported during the same period, according to the recent Health Statistical Yearbook from the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP).
Official statistics reveal a striking ratio of 94.8 abortions for every 100 births, marking the highest level since 1986 amid a deepening demographic crisis and ongoing shortages of contraceptives on the island.
The 2025 Health Statistical Yearbook, published by MINSAP, indicates that the number of abortions barely changed compared to 2024, which saw 64,764 abortions. However, the abortion-to-birth ratio increased from 90.1 to 94.8 per 100.
A report by 14ymedio highlights that the scarcity of condoms, birth control pills, and other contraceptive methods forces many Cuban women to rely on the informal market or depend on supplies sent by relatives abroad.
The outlet notes that an emergency contraceptive pill, which cost between 700 and 900 pesos in 2023, now sells for up to 1,800 pesos on online marketplaces.
This situation has been previously documented. In October, CiberCuba reported warnings from experts about how the lack of condoms exacerbates teenage pregnancies.
Although authorities have implemented new measures to prioritize adolescent access to contraceptives, supply issues persist.
The health yearbook itself uses data from 2019 to report on contraceptive use by province, without providing updated figures on current availability.
Decline in Preventive Health Screenings
Official statistics also show a decline in reproductive health services. The number of women with updated cytology tests, used to detect precancerous lesions on the cervix, plummeted from 871,196 in 2018 to just 197,457 in 2025, a drop of 77.3%.
The same document reports 506 deaths from cervical cancer in 2025, compared to 479 the previous year.
Continued Alarms Over Reproductive Health
In January 2023, authorities in Cienfuegos acknowledged that terminated pregnancies outnumbered births, especially among teenagers.
More recently, in July 2025, cases were documented of teenagers resorting to clandestine abortions and hazardous methods amid difficulties accessing reproductive health services.
Notably, 136,214 people died in 2025, nearly doubling the 68,064 births recorded.
The country's effective population fell to 9.43 million, losing over 313,000 residents in a year, largely due to emigration and a negative natural balance.
Understanding Cuba's Demographic Challenges
What is the abortion-to-birth ratio in Cuba for 2025?
The abortion-to-birth ratio in Cuba for 2025 was 94.8 abortions for every 100 live births.
What are some causes of Cuba's demographic crisis?
Cuba's demographic crisis is attributed to a high abortion rate, a scarcity of contraceptives, and significant emigration, leading to a negative natural population balance.
How has the availability of contraceptives affected reproductive health in Cuba?
The limited availability of contraceptives in Cuba has led to increased abortion rates and teenage pregnancies, as many women turn to informal markets or rely on supplies from abroad.