Flag description:
five equal horizontal bands of blue (top and bottom) alternating
with white; a red equilateral triangle based on the hoist side bears
a white, five-pointed star in the center; design influenced by the
US flag
Economy Cuba
Economy - overview:
The government continues to balance the need for economic loosening
against a desire for firm political control. It has undertaken
limited reforms to increase enterprise efficiency and alleviate
serious shortages of food, consumer goods, and services. A major
feature of the economy is the dichotomy between relatively efficient
export enclaves and inefficient domestic sectors. The average
Cuban's standard of living remains at a lower level than before the
depression of the 1990s, which was caused by the loss of Soviet aid
and domestic inefficiencies. The government in 2004 strengthened its
controls over dollars coming into the economy from tourism,
remittances, and trade.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$33.92 billion (2004 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
3% (2004 est.)
GDP - per capita:
purchasing power parity - $3,000 (2004 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 6.6% industry: 25.5% services: 67.9% (2004 est.)
Labor force: 4.55 million note: state sector 78%, non-state sector 22% (2004 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture 24%, industry 25%, services 51% (1999)
Unemployment rate:
2.5% (2004 est.)