Havana, November 14 (RHC-acn) -- The Cubans are considered as the longest-lived population in The Americas with over 18 percent senior citizens, according to demographic research studies.

Cuba´s indicators compare to those in the so-called First World, said Rafael Araujo, an expert with the Center for Demographic Studies at the University of Havana. But this achievement also poses a challenge to the ongoing update of the island´s economic model because Cuba is a developing nation with an aging population.

The expert said that the increase of the expectancy of life, now over 79 years, proves the survival capacity of persons over 60, who lead the population figures in most territories. He also drew attention on fertility indicators by saying that Cuban couples delay procreation due to economic and social factors and others related to personal development.

Araujo is participating at a workshop in Havana on the sociological issue, underway in the south central province of Cienfuegos.

A recent meeting of the Cuban government stressed the need to address the population aging issue which will pose a challenge to the economic future of the country, and to encourage the fertility rate in an effort to counter the problem.