The troubles of Cuba's demography The troubles of Cuba's demography Havana, May 11 (Prensa Latina) Decrease in fertility, increase in life expectancy at birth and migrations place Cuba in the middle of a 'demographic storm' and force the Government to think of alternatives to counteract its effects. The fact that fertility rate (average number of children per woman) is far from exceeding the 2.1 necessary for an adequate replacement every year since 1979 set off alarms, as this means that a pyramid of stable population is not guaranteed. An article by the Center for Demographic Studies of the University of Havana (CEDEM) considered the high levels of schooling and incorporation of women, in addition to economic difficulties and limited access to housing as determining elements of said index.