Exile Cubans send money from Scandinavia to their loved ones in Cuba Title

Even more than 2,4 Million Cubans live abroad. For many years Cubans had started a new life, mainly in the United States, but some emigrate also to Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland and Iceland - the welfare states in northern Europe. So even in the middle of the Baltic Sea on the Swedish island of Gotland, a Cuban café can be found on a farm in the small town of Visby. Like the host Ivan, who was born and raised in Cuba and went to Sweden in 2005, some Cubans have started a new life in the far north. Although not at first glance Cubans and Scandinavians have a lot in common, such as their love of live, music, houses in vivid colours and last but not least good food. So in spite of other cultural or climatological differences Cubans undertake a life project like Ivan, who shares his love of Cuban and Swedish cuisine with his guests.

77 percent of emigrants send some kind of help to their families in Cuba

With their income from work in in Scandinavia Cuban emigrants send money to Cuba and help their relatives who remain on the island. Around 38 percent of the 11 million people in Cuba have relatives abroad. Due to several sources, it is estimated that 77 percent of emigrants send some kind of help to their families and friends in that Caribbean island country, either permanently or temporarily. This support is received by 32 percent of Cubans residing in the country, mainly in the form of money or medicines.

Age pyramid is growing due to emigration - Exile Cubans often support parents and grandparents

2022 is expected to be the year of the largest Cuban exodus in history. While Cubans who cannot leave look with hope to their compatriots who, once settled, will help to alleviate the difficult situation on the island. This continues a trend that has been going on for years. And it is mostly the young, well-educated who go and support their older relatives on the island. Forecasts predict, that the proportion of people over 65 in the island's population will rise from 15.8 percent today to 20.7 percent in 2030 and 27.8 percent in 2040.

With the devaluation of the currency and a high inflation rate, it is not easy to access the basic food basket without the foreign currency that arrives from abroad. The help of the Cuban community in the Diaspora is inevitable, so that their loved ones - mostly their parents or grandparents - can make a living and even have access to medicines that are not available in Cuba right now. It is not a secret, that the solidarity and help of Cubans once they leave their native country, the ties are maintained as the first day helping everyone.

Covid 19 pandemic had a great impact on tourism -
one of the most important economic sectors in Cuba

The Covid 19 pandemic additionally brought one of the country's most important economic sectors, tourism, to a standstill in 2020. According to the World Bank, the gross domestic product in 2020 fell by almost 11 per cent as a result. Many Cubans work in the tourism sector and lost their income due to the impact of the pandemic. After reopening the borders in November 2021, tourism in Cuba is slowly recovering, but is not yet at the level it was before. The number of international guests 2021 decreased about more than 67 per cent due to official data from the National Statistics and Information Office.

Money transfers from the cuban diaspora are more important than ever

Although for Cubans right now, remittances are more important than ever. Since 1993 you can send money to your relatives and friends in Cuba. These transactions used to support basic needs of the Cuban family. Nowadays, they also cover communication expenses, spare parts and repair or purchase of automobiles, restoration or purchase of houses, private lessons and even vacation stays in hotels.

With sendvalu, Cubans have been able to support their
friends and family on the Island in a simple way since 2006

Since 2006, sendvalu has helped hundreds of thousands of satisfied customers around the world to send money to their loved ones in a simple, fast and inexpensive way. Sending money to Cuba through our platforms is becoming more and more common for Cubans from anywhere in the world, especially from Nordic countries such Sweden. They can transfer money to a debit card through sendvalu with the partner Lemargo. Usually the money will be credited to the recipient's card within 24 hours on business days. For the elderly or those with limited mobility, you can use the home delivery service, which is of great value especially for people who have parents or grandparents on the island.

For new customers, the first money transfer is automatically free of charge, while existing customers benefit from a particularly fast money transfer