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This paper attempts to make an estimate of the effectiveness and efficiency of the Public Sector in Cuba, in comparison with all Latin American and Caribbean countries in the period 2001-2012. The work followed the scheme of the composite indicators, through Afonzo, Shuknecht, and Tanzi's methodology. The empirical results reveal the existence of positive results in the fulfillment and scope of the functions of the Public Sector in Cuba, especially in the field of healthcare and education, although the efficiency index obtained was one of the lowest in the region. However, this methodology proved to have inaccuracies that introduce bias in the comparison. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper goes deeply into those determiners of qualified workforce that contribute to Cuba's economic growth. Based on estimates of production performances and accounting of such growth, elements contribution was determined, and it was corroborated that contribution of Cuban qualified workforce has been positive and meaningful, but with a tendency to decrease. As to what was previously stated, asimetries were identified regarding composition, provision, and performance of the aforementioned workforce. The main conclusion is that combination of such distortions has determined that its effective use is lower than that which is socially required and potential, all those in terms of economic growth and sustainability. Such has produced expenditures in terms of efficiencies that may be synthesize in productivity and inefficiency potential losses of education expenditures, whose correction demands a comprehensive design of public policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]