Cuba's Economic Makeover 🇨🇺
The island nation’s transformation has caught the attention of economists and policymakers worldwide for its recent shift to a more market-based economic system.

From the sunny shores of Cuba, a nation synonymous with socialism, comes a story of economic transformation. After decades of socialist rule, marked by state-controlled industries and limited private enterprise, Cuba is experiencing a resurgence of capitalism. This economic shift not only provides us with a unique opportunity to compare different economic systems but also allows us to witness a country grappling with the decision of how far to transition. The island nation’s transformation has certainly caught the attention of economists and policymakers worldwide.
Over the past two years, we've witnessed the remarkable comeback of private businesses that were banned for more than six decades. Small and medium-sized enterprises, which were approved back in 2021, are now flourishing and displacing some state-owned businesses. The private sector has become a significant contributor to the Cuban economy, employing more people than state enterprises and importing goods on a massive scale. Private grocery stores have emerged to fill the void left by government supermarkets, and various businesses have disrupted sectors once monopolized by the state.
This economic transformation in Cuba represents a paradigm shift from the highly centralized socialist economy envisioned by Fidel Castro to a country in transition. Faced with the most severe economic crisis since the end of Soviet subsidies in the 1990s, the Cuban government has reluctantly embraced the private sector. While controls and restrictions remain in place, the booming private sector is challenging the state-controlled Marxist economy and reshaping Cuba's economic landscape.
But what does this transformation mean in the broader context of economic systems? To understand the significance, we must explore the fundamental principles that shape different economic models. Every society must answer three basic economic questions:
What should we produce?
How should we produce it?
And for whom should we produce it?
Economies can fall along a continuum, ranging from pure market economies, where voluntary transactions based on supply and demand answer these questions, to command economies, where the central government determines production levels, controls distribution, and sets prices.
Rather than solely defining economies, the developments in Cuba allow us to compare different economic systems and explore their strengths and weaknesses. Comparative economics, the study of various economic systems and their approaches to resource allocation, production, distribution, and ownership, provides us with insights into how these models perform and the outcomes they generate.
For decades, Cuba has operated as a command economy, with the government controlling and directing economic activities. But in the early 1990s, the country began exploring market-based options. This led to the emergence of small private businesses like paladares, which are privately-owned restaurants, and home rentals for tourists. However, these businesses were not legally recognized as companies but rather classified as "self-employment" activities. This experimentation with market elements signaled a shift towards a mixed economic system, which combines state-operated enterprises with private businesses.
The resurgence of capitalism in Cuba raises important questions about the merits and drawbacks of different economic systems. Capitalism, with its emphasis on private ownership, free markets, competition, and profit incentives, allows for individual economic freedom and innovation. On the other hand, socialism, as practiced in Cuba for decades, emphasizes collective ownership, central planning, and income redistribution to achieve social equity. By comparing these two systems, we gain a deeper understanding of their impact on economic growth, efficiency, income inequality, and social welfare.
On a macro level, the growth of the private sector has created new employment opportunities. Around 1.6 million Cubans now work in private enterprises, surpassing state-employed individuals. This surge in job creation is crucial for a country grappling with economic challenges. But to truly understand the practical implications of this transition, we can zoom in on more specific examples.
Let's take a closer look at some of the specific benefits Cuba's shift towards a more market-oriented economy has brought. Firstly, the rapid expansion of the private sector has alleviated concerns about food insecurity. Private grocery stores have emerged to address food shortages when state-owned supermarkets struggle to keep their shelves stocked under resource constraints. Private enterprises are often more efficient, responsive to consumer needs, and able to adapt to market forces.
Now let's shift our focus to Cuba's tourism industry. Private bed and breakfast accommodations, known as casas particulares, have flourished, offering tourists unique and personalized experiences. These private businesses have transformed the tourism landscape, introducing a level of service and accommodation diversity that was previously absent under state control. The shift has not only attracted more tourists but also empowered local entrepreneurs and stimulated economic growth in surrounding communities.

And in the age of digital connectivity, the growth of e-commerce platforms in Cuba showcases the untapped potential of the private sector. Online marketplaces like Revolico have opened up avenues for local producers to connect with both domestic and international markets. Entrepreneurs sell their handmade crafts, artworks, and other products directly to consumers, bypassing the limitations imposed by state-controlled distribution channels.
The significance of Cuba's economic transformation reaches far beyond its borders. The transition from a centrally planned socialist economy to a more market-oriented system challenges conventional notions about economic development. Cuba's willingness to embrace market-oriented reforms, despite its socialist history, shows that they're trying a practical approach that combines what they believe to be the best parts of different economic systems.
The resurgence of the private sector challenges long-standing socialist practices and emphasizes the benefits of market-oriented approaches. Many of us are fortunate to be able to observe from a distance how the private sector contributes to economic growth, employment, innovation, and improved consumer welfare. Cubans are experiencing it in real time. It’s a reminder that economic systems are not set in stone. Societies constantly evaluate and adapt their systems to meet the evolving needs of their citizens.
At the end of May, there were 7,842 private companies registered with Cuba’s Ministry of Economy [Miami Herald]
Cuba scored 24.3 on the Economic Freedom Index in 2023 and finished one spot above North Korea [The Heritage Foundation]
Cuba imports 70 to 80% of its domestic food requirements, with most imports slated for social protection programs [World Food Programme]
On May 29, 2015, the U.S. State Department removed Cuba from its list of state sponsors of terrorism [Coucil on Foreign Relations]
In 2021, Cuba imported $3.45 billion, making it the #154 trade destination in the world [The Observatory of Economic Complexity]
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