Statistics Puerto Rico 
Puerto Rico in the World
Puerto Rico - Introduction 2017
top of pageBackground: Populated for centuries by aboriginal peoples the island was claimed by the Spanish Crown in 1493 following Christopher COLUMBUS' second voyage to the Americas. In 1898 after 400 years of colonial rule that saw the indigenous population nearly exterminated and African slave labor introduced Puerto Rico was ceded to the US as a result of the Spanish-American War. Puerto Ricans were granted US citizenship in 1917. Popularly elected governors have served since 1948. In 1952 a constitution was enacted providing for internal self-government. In plebiscites held in 1967 1993 and 1998 voters chose not to alter the existing political status with the US but the results of a 2012 vote left open the possibility of American statehood. Economic recession on the island has led to a net population loss since about 2005 as large numbers of residents moved to the US mainland. The trend has accelerated since 2010; in 2014 Puerto Rico experienced a net population loss to the mainland of 64,000 more than double the net loss of 26,000 in 2010. Hurricane Maria struck the island on 20 September 2017 causing catastrophic damage including destruction of the electrical grid that had been cripled by Hurricane Irma just two weeks before. It was the worst storm to hit the island in eight decades and damage is estimated in the tens of billions of dollars.
Area
Total: 9,104 km²
Land: 8,959 km²
Water: 145 km²
Rank: 171
Comparative: slightly less than three times the size of Rhode Island
Terrain: mostly mountains with coastal plain in north; precipitous mountains to the sea on west coast; sandy beaches along most coastal areas
Elevation
Mean elevation: 261 m
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m: highest point: Cerro de Punta 1338 m
Land use
Agricultural land: 22%
arable land: 6.6%
permanent crops: 5.6%
permanent pasture: 9.8%
permanent crops: 5.6%
permanent pasture: 9.8%
Forest: 63.2%
Other: 14.8%
Geography
Note: important location along the Mona Passage - a key shipping lane to the Panama Canal; San Juan is one of the biggest and best natural harbors in the Caribbean; many small rivers and high central mountains ensure land is well watered; south coast relatively dry; fertile coastal plain belt in north
Puerto Rico - People 2017
top of pagePopulation
Distribution: population clusters tend to be found along the coast the largest of these is found in and around San Juan; an exception to this is a sizeable population located in the interior of the island immediately south of the capital around Caguas; most of the interior particularly in the western half of the island is dominated by the Cordillera Central mountains where population density is low: 3,351,827 (July 2017 est.)
Rank: 134
Growth rate: -1.74% (2017 est.)
Growth rate rank: 234
Below poverty line: NA%
Ethnic groups: white 75.8% black/African American 12.4% other 8.5% (includes American Indian Alaskan Native Native Hawaiian other Pacific Islander and others) mixed 3.3%
Note: 99% of the population is Latino
Age structure
0-14 years: 15.77%
15-24 years: 13.71%
25-54 years: 38.1%
55-64 years: 12.93%
65 years and over: 19.48% (2017 est.)
Dependency ratios
Total dependency ratio: 49.6
Youth dependency ratio: 27.9
Elderly dependency ratio: 21.7
Potential support ratio: 4.6
Population distribution: population clusters tend to be found along the coast the largest of these is found in and around San Juan; an exception to this is a sizeable population located in the interior of the island immediately south of the capital around Caguas; most of the interior particularly in the western half of the island is dominated by the Cordillera Central mountains where population density is low
Urbanization
Urban population: 93.5% of total population
Rate of urbanization: -0.03% annual rate of change
Sex ratio
At birth: 1.02 male/female
0-14 years: 1.04 male/female
15-24 years: 1.05 male/female
25-54 years: 0.92 male/female
55-64 years: 0.83 male/female
65 years and over: 0.76 male/female
Total population: 0.91 male/female
Infant mortality rate
Total: 6.4 deaths/1000 live births
Male: 7 deaths/1000 live births
Female: 5.8 deaths/1000 live births
Rank: 166
Drinking water source:
urban: 93.6% of population
rural: 93.6% of population
total: 93.6% of population
urban: 6.4% of population
rural: 6.4% of population
total: 6.4% of population (2001 est.)
rural: 93.6% of population
total: 93.6% of population
urban: 6.4% of population
rural: 6.4% of population
total: 6.4% of population (2001 est.)
Sanitation facility access:
urban: 99.3% of population
rural: 99.3% of population
total: 99.3% of population
urban: 0.7% of population
rural: 0.7% of population
total: 0.7% of population (2015 est.)
rural: 99.3% of population
total: 99.3% of population
urban: 0.7% of population
rural: 0.7% of population
total: 0.7% of population (2015 est.)
Major infectious diseases
Note: active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country ; it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex via blood transfusion or during pregnancy in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus (2016)
Literacy
Definition: age 15 and over can read and write
Total population: 93.3%
Male: 92.8%
Female: 93.8%
Puerto Rico - Government 2017
top of pageCountry name
Conventional long form: Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
Conventional short form: Puerto Rico
Etymology: Christopher COLUMBUS named the island San Juan Bautista and the capital city and main port Cuidad de Puerto Rico (Rich Port City); over time however the names were shortened and transposed and the island came to be called Puerto Rico and its capital San Juan
Government type: presidential democracy; a self-governing commonwealth in political association with the US
Administrative divisions: none (territory of the US with commonwealth status); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government but there are 78 municipalities (municipios singular - municipio) at the second order; Adjuntas Aguada Aguadilla Aguas Buenas Aibonito Anasco Arecibo Arroyo Barceloneta Barranquitas Bayamon Cabo Rojo Caguas Camuy Canovanas Carolina Catano Cayey Ceiba Ciales Cidra Coamo Comerio Corozal Culebra Dorado Fajardo Florida Guanica Guayama Guayanilla Guaynabo Gurabo Hatillo Hormigueros Humacao Isabela Jayuya Juana Diaz Juncos Lajas Lares Las Marias Las Piedras Loiza Luquillo Manati Maricao Maunabo Mayaguez Moca Morovis Naguabo Naranjito Orocovis Patillas Penuelas Ponce Quebradillas Rincon Rio Grande Sabana Grande Salinas San German San Juan San Lorenzo San Sebastian Santa Isabel Toa Alta Toa Baja Trujillo Alto Utuado Vega Alta Vega Baja Vieques Villalba Yabucoa Yauco
Constitution: previous 1900 (Organic Act or Foraker Act); latest ratified 3 March 1952 approved 3 July 1952 effective 25 July 1952 (2016)
Legal system: civil law system based on the Spanish civil code and within the framework of the US federal system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; note - island residents are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections
Executive branch
Chief of state: President Donald J. TRUMP ; Vice President Michael R. PENCE (since 20 January 2017)
Head of government: Governor Ricardo ROSSELLO
Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by governor with the consent of the Legislative Assembly
Electionsappointments: president and vice president indirectly elected on the same ballot by an Electoral College of 'electors' chosen from each state; president and vice president serve a 4-year term ; under the US Constitution residents of Puerto Rico do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; however they may vote in Democratic and Republican party presidential primary elections; governor directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 4-year term (no term limits); election last held on 8 November 2016 (next to be held in November 2020)
Election results: Ricardo ROSSELLO elected governor; percent of vote - Ricardo ROSSELLO 41.8% David BERNIER (PPD) 38.9% Alexandra LUGARO (independent) 11.1% Manuel CIDRE (independent) 5.7%
Legislative branch
Description: bicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa consists of the Senate or Senado ; the House of Representatives or Camara de Representantes (51 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms)
Elections: Senate - last held on 8 November 2016 ; House of Representatives - last held on 8 November 2016 (next to be held on 3 November 2020)
Election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PNP 21 PPD 7 PIP 1 Independent 1; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PNP 34 PPD 16 PIP 1
Note: Puerto Rico directly elects 1 member by simple majority vote to serve a 4-year term as a commissioner to the US House of Representatives; the commissioner can vote when serving on a committee and when the House meets as the Committee of the Whole House but not when legislation is submitted for a “full floor” House vote; election of commissioner last held on 8 November 2016
Judicial branch
Highest court: Supreme Court
Judge selection and term of office: justices appointed by the governor and confirmed by majority Senate vote; judges serve until compulsory retirement at age 70
Subordinate courts: Court of Appeals; First Instance Court comprised of superior and municipal courts
Political parties and leaders:
National Democratic Party [Charlie RODRIGUEZ]
National Republican Party of Puerto Rico [Jenniffer GONZALEZ]
New Progressive Party or PNP [Ricardo ROSSELLO] (pro-US statehood)
Popular Democratic Party or PPD [Alejandro GARCIA Padillo] (pro-commonwealth)
Puerto Rican Independence Party or PIP [Ruben BERRIOS Martinez] (pro-independence)
National Republican Party of Puerto Rico [Jenniffer GONZALEZ]
New Progressive Party or PNP [Ricardo ROSSELLO] (pro-US statehood)
Popular Democratic Party or PPD [Alejandro GARCIA Padillo] (pro-commonwealth)
Puerto Rican Independence Party or PIP [Ruben BERRIOS Martinez] (pro-independence)
International organization participation: AOSIS (observer) Caricom (observer) Interpol (subbureau) IOC UNWTO (associate) UPU WFTU (NGOs)
Diplomatic representation
In the us: none (territory of the US)
From the us: none (territory of the US with commonwealth status)
Flag description: five equal horizontal bands of red (top center and bottom) alternating with white; a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bears a large white five-pointed star in the center; the white star symbolizes Puerto Rico; the three sides of the triangle signify the executive legislative and judicial parts of the government; blue stands for the sky and the coastal waters; red symbolizes the blood shed by warriors while white represents liberty victory and peace
Note: design initially influenced by the US flag but similar to the Cuban flag with the colors of the bands and triangle reversed
National anthem
Name: 'La Borinquena'
Lyrics and music: Manuel Fernandez JUNCOS/Felix Astol ARTES
Note: music adopted 1952 lyrics adopted 1977; the local anthem's name is a reference to the indigenous name of the island Borinquen; the music was originally composed as a dance in 1867 and gained popularity in the early 20th century; there is some evidence that the music was written by Francisco RAMIREZ; as a commonwealth of the US 'The Star-Spangled Banner' is official
Puerto Rico - Economy 2017
top of pageEconomy overview:
Puerto Rico had one of the most dynamic economies in the Caribbean region until 2006; however growth has been negative for each of the last 11 years. The downturn coincided with the phaseout of tax preferences that had led US firms to invest heavily in the Commonwealth since the 1950s and a steep rise in the price of oil which generates most of the island's electricity.
Diminished job opportunities prompted a sharp rise in outmigration as many Puerto Ricans sought jobs on the US mainland. Unemployment reached 16% in 2011 but declined to 13.7% in December 2014. US minimum wage laws apply in Puerto Rico hampering job expansion. Per capita income is about two-thirds that of the US mainland.
The industrial sector greatly exceeds agriculture as the locus of economic activity and income. Tourism has traditionally been an important source of income with estimated arrivals of more than 3.6 million tourists in 2008. Puerto Rico's merchandise trade surplus is exceptionally strong with exports nearly 50% greater than imports and its current account surplus about 10% of GDP.
Closing the budget deficit while restoring economic growth and employment remain the central concerns of the government. The gap between revenues and expenditures amounted to 0.6% of GDP in 2016 although analysts believe that not all expenditures have been accounted for in the budget and a better accounting of costs would yield an overall deficit of roughly 5% of GDP. Public debt declined to 92.5% of GDP in 2016 about $17,000 per person or nearly three times the per capita debt of the State of Connecticut the highest in the US. Much of that debt was issued by state-run schools and public corporations including water and electric utilities. In June 2015 Governor Alejandro GARCIA Padilla announced that the island could not pay back at least $73 billion in debt and that it would seek a deal with its creditors.
Diminished job opportunities prompted a sharp rise in outmigration as many Puerto Ricans sought jobs on the US mainland. Unemployment reached 16% in 2011 but declined to 13.7% in December 2014. US minimum wage laws apply in Puerto Rico hampering job expansion. Per capita income is about two-thirds that of the US mainland.
The industrial sector greatly exceeds agriculture as the locus of economic activity and income. Tourism has traditionally been an important source of income with estimated arrivals of more than 3.6 million tourists in 2008. Puerto Rico's merchandise trade surplus is exceptionally strong with exports nearly 50% greater than imports and its current account surplus about 10% of GDP.
Closing the budget deficit while restoring economic growth and employment remain the central concerns of the government. The gap between revenues and expenditures amounted to 0.6% of GDP in 2016 although analysts believe that not all expenditures have been accounted for in the budget and a better accounting of costs would yield an overall deficit of roughly 5% of GDP. Public debt declined to 92.5% of GDP in 2016 about $17,000 per person or nearly three times the per capita debt of the State of Connecticut the highest in the US. Much of that debt was issued by state-run schools and public corporations including water and electric utilities. In June 2015 Governor Alejandro GARCIA Padilla announced that the island could not pay back at least $73 billion in debt and that it would seek a deal with its creditors.
Real gdp purchasing power parity:
$128.7 billion (2016 est.)
$130.5 billion (2015 est.)
$130.6 billion (2014 est.)
$130.5 billion (2015 est.)
$130.6 billion (2014 est.)
Note: data are in 2016 dollars
Rank: 80
Real gdp per capita:
$37,700 (2016 est.)
$38,100 (2015 est.)
$37,800 (2014 est.)
$38,100 (2015 est.)
$37,800 (2014 est.)
Note: data are in 2016 dollars
Rank: 47
Gdp composition by end use
Household consumption: 87.2%
Government consumption: 12.3%
Investment in fixed capital: 11.8%
Investment in inventories: 0.5%
Exports of goods and services: 115.8%
Imports of goods and services: -127.6%
Labor force: 1.139 million (December 2014 est)
Rank: 143
By occupation agriculture: 2.1%
By occupation industry: 19%
By occupation services: 79%
Budget
Revenues: $9.086 billion
Expenditures: $9.684 billion
Surplus or deficit: -0.6% of GDP (2016 est.)
Surplus or deficit rank: 57
Exports:
$73.2 billion (2016 est.)
$70.9 billion (2015 est.)
$70.9 billion (2015 est.)
Rank: 41
Commodities: chemicals electronics apparel canned tuna rum beverage concentrates medical equipment
Imports:
$48.86 billion (2016 est.)
$48.8 billion (2015 est.)
$48.8 billion (2015 est.)
Rank: 50
Commodities: chemicals machinery and equipment clothing food fish petroleum products
Puerto Rico - Energy 2017
top of pageElectricity
Access population without electricity: 357,805
Access electrification total population: 91%
Access electrification urban areas: 91%
Access electrification rural areas: 80%
Production: 20.3 billion kWh (2015 est.)
Production rank: 75
Consumption: 18.88 billion kWh (2015 est.)
Consumption rank: 72
Exports: 0 kWh (2016 est.)
Exports rank: 189
Imports: 0 kWh (2016 est.)
Imports rank: 193
Installed generating capacity: 6.118 million kW (2015 est.)
Installed generating capacity rank: 75
Generation sources fossil fuels: 94.8% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)
Generation sources fossil fuels rank: 56
Generation sources nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)
Generation sources nuclear rank: 173
Generation sources hydroelectricity: 1.6% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)
Generation sources hydroelectricity rank: 141
Generation sources other renewable sources: 4.2% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)
Generation sources other renewable sources rank: 103
Petroleum
Petroleum total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2016 est.)
Petroleum total petroleum production rank: 186
Crude oil exports: 0 bbl/day (2014 est.)
Crude oil exports rank: 181
Crude oil imports: 0 bbl/day (2014 est.)
Crude oil imports rank: 181
Crude oil proven reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2017 es)
Crude oil proven reserves rank: 184
Refined petroleum
Products production: 0 bbl/day (2014 est.)
Products production rank: 190
Products consumption: 155,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Products consumption rank: 68
Products exports: 6,274 bbl/day (2014 est.)
Products exports rank: 90
Products imports: 158,800 bbl/day (2014 est.)
Products imports rank: 44
Natural gas
Production: 0 m³ (2014 est.)
Production rank: 187
Consumption: 2.24 billion m³ (2015 est.)
Consumption rank: 84
Exports: 0 m³ (2014 est.)
Exports rank: 172
Imports: 1.48 billion m³ (2015 est.)
Imports rank: 54
Proven reserves: 0 m³ (1 January 2014 es)
Proven reserves rank: 188
Carbon dioxide emissions
From consumption of energy: 19 million Mt (2013 est.)
From consumption of energy rank: 82
Puerto Rico - Communication 2017
top of pageTelephones
Fixed lines total subscriptions: 813,546
Fixed lines subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 23
Fixed lines rank: 86
Mobile cellular total: 3,227,281
Mobile cellular subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 90
Mobile cellular rank: 137
Telephone system
General assessment: modern system integrated with that of the US by high-capacity submarine cable and Intelsat with high-speed data capability
Domestic: digital telephone system; mobile-cellular services
International: country code - 1-787 939; submarine cables provide connectivity to the US Caribbean Central and South America; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat
Broadcast media: more than 30 TV stations operating; cable TV subscription services are available; roughly 125 radio stations (2007)
Puerto Rico - Military 2017
top of pagePuerto Rico - Transportation 2017
top of pageAirports: 29 (2013)
Rank: 119
With paved runways total: 17
With paved runways over 3047 m: 2
With paved runways 2438 to 3047 m: 1
With paved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 2
With paved runways 914 to 1523 m: 7
With paved runways under 914 m: 5
With unpaved runways total: 12
With unpaved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 1
With unpaved runways 914 to 1523 m: 1
With unpaved runways under 914 m: 10
Ports and terminals
Major seaport: Ensenada Honda Mayaguez Playa de Guayanilla Playa de Ponce San Juan
Container port: San Juan (1,484,595)
LNG terminal: Guayanilla Bay
Puerto Rico - Transnational issues 2017
top of pageDisputes international: increasing numbers of illegal migrants from the Dominican Republic cross the Mona Passage to Puerto Rico each year looking for work
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