Abstract:

Abstract The demographic transition in Cuba, the country in the American continent withone of the highest levels of elderly in the population, is in a more advanced stage than in Brazil. Having this in mind, this article aims at confronting the demographics from Cuba and Brazil in order to further develop experience exchanges, as well as to search for similarities, differences, and specially complementarities between the two countries. When compared to Brazil’s, Cuba’s demographic indicators reinforce its longer transaction period. There are similarities when comparing differentials of gender, skin color, urban or rural residence, and marital status of the elderly population. Some complementarities are related to specific welfare models directed to the elderly and social security laws adopted in Cuba that could be put into practice in Brazil. Regarding accessibility, Cuba needs more investment in infrastructure than Brazil, where there is a relative concern about the subject, although it still needs improvement. In sum, even when considering the differences in population and territorial density, both countries have much to offer in terms of searching for successful public policies directed to the well-being of the elderly.

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