Cuba and Denmark represent states with different welfare models that have reached the same level of life expectancy. The purpose was to investigate and compare mortality changes in the two countries. Systematically collected information on population numbers and deaths for the entire Cuban and Danish populations was the basis of life table data used to quantify differences in the change in age-at-death distributions since 1955, age-specific contributions to differences in life expectancy, lifespan variation, and other changes in mortality patterns in Cuba and Denmark. Life expectancy in Cuba and Denmark converged until 2000, when the increase in life expectancy for Cuba slowed down. Since 1955, infant mortality has fallen in both countries but mostly in Cuba. Both populations experienced compression of mortality as lifespan variation decreased markedly, primarily due to postponement of early deaths. Given the different starting point in the mid-1900s and living conditions for Cubans and Danes, health status achieved among Cubans is striking. A rapidly ageing population is challenging both countries, but Cuban health and welfare are further burdened by a deteriorating economy in recent decades.

El artículo analiza la evolución histórica reciente de la actividad económica de la población, así como el efecto que ha producido sobre la disponibilidad de recursos laborales y de extinción del bono demográfico, como consecuencia de la pérdida de la capacidad de reemplazo de la población económicamente activa, resultado no del envejecimiento demográfico, sino de la declinación secular de la participación económica de la población, dada la incapacidad del modelo económico de absorber los recursos que la población pone a su disposición.