Puerto Rico

Code: RQ | Region: Central America N Caribbean

Introduction

Background

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Populated for centuries by aboriginal peoples, Puerto Rico was claimed by the Spanish Crown in 1493 after 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 that provided 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. A referendum held in late 2020 showed a narrow preference for 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. In 2017, Hurricane Maria was the worst storm to hit the island in eight decades, and damage was estimated in the tens of billions of dollars.

Geography

Location

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Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic

Geographic coordinates

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18 15 N, 66 30 W

Map references

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Central America and the Caribbean

Area

total

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9,104 sq km

land

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8,959 sq km

water

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145 sq km

Area - comparative

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slightly less than three times the size of Rhode Island

Land boundaries

total

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0 km

Coastline

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501 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea

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12 nm

exclusive economic zone

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200 nm

Climate

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tropical marine, mild; little seasonal temperature variation

Terrain

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mostly mountains with coastal plain in north; precipitous mountains to the sea on west coast; sandy beaches along most coastal areas

Elevation

highest point

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Cerro de Punta 1,338 m

lowest point

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Caribbean Sea 0 m

mean elevation

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261 m

Natural resources

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some copper and nickel; potential for onshore and offshore oil

Land use

agricultural land

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19% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

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arable land: 5.7% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

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permanent crops: 1.8% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

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permanent pasture: 11.6% (2023 est.)

forest

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50.3% (2023 est.)

other

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30.6% (2023 est.)

Irrigated land

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220 sq km (2012)

Population distribution

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population clusters tend to be found along the coast, with the largest of these in and around San Juan; an exception 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

Natural hazards

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periodic droughts; hurricanes

Geography - note

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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

People and Society

Population

total

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2,984,841 (2025 est.)

male

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1,400,771

female

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1,584,070

Nationality

noun

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Puerto Rican(s) (US citizens)

adjective

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Puerto Rican

Ethnic groups

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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% (2010 est.)

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note: 99% of the population is Latino

Languages

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Spanish, English

major-language sample(s)

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La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de información básica. (Spanish) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.

Religions

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Roman Catholic 56%, Protestant 33% (largely Pentecostal), other 2%, atheist 1%, none 7% (2014 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years

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12.5% (male 191,649/female 184,597)

15-64 years

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62.6% (male 904,406/female 986,778)

65 years and over

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24.9% (2024 est.) (male 322,698/female 429,322)

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio

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60.7 (2025 est.)

youth dependency ratio

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19.4 (2025 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

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41.2 (2025 est.)

potential support ratio

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2.4 (2025 est.)

Median age

total

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46.7 years (2025 est.)

male

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44.2 years

female

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47.8 years

Population growth rate

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-1.1% (2025 est.)

Birth rate

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7.78 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Death rate

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10.48 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Net migration rate

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-8.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Population distribution

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Urbanization

urban population

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93.6% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization

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-0.12% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Major urban areas - population

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2.440 million SAN JUAN (capital) (2023)

Sex ratio

at birth

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1.06 male(s)/female

0-14 years

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1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years

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0.92 male(s)/female

65 years and over

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0.75 male(s)/female

total population

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0.89 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Maternal mortality ratio

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11 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Infant mortality rate

total

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5.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)

male

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6.4 deaths/1,000 live births

female

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5.2 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth

total population

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82.1 years (2024 est.)

male

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78.9 years

female

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85.5 years

Total fertility rate

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1.27 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

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0.62 (2025 est.)

Drinking water source

improved: total

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total: 100% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: total

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total: 0% of population (2022 est.)

Physician density

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3.06 physicians/1,000 population (2018)

Sanitation facility access

improved: total

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total: 100% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: total

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total: 0% of population (2022 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

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40.9% (2022 est.)

Education expenditure

Education expenditure (% GDP)

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4.3% of GDP (2024 est.)

Education expenditure (% national budget)

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16% national budget (2025 est.)

Literacy

total population

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92.4% (2017 est.)

male

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92.4% (2017 est.)

female

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92.4% (2017 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total

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17 years (2023 est.)

male

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16 years (2023 est.)

female

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18 years (2023 est.)

Environment

Environmental issues

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soil erosion; occasional droughts cause water shortages; industrial pollution

Climate

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tropical marine, mild; little seasonal temperature variation

Land use

agricultural land

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19% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

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arable land: 5.7% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

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permanent crops: 1.8% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

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permanent pasture: 11.6% (2023 est.)

forest

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50.3% (2023 est.)

other

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30.6% (2023 est.)

Urbanization

urban population

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93.6% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization

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-0.12% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions

total emissions

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18.833 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke

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2.49 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids

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11.801 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from consumed natural gas

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4.542 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually

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4.171 million tons (2024 est.)

Total water withdrawal

municipal

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796 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

industrial

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2.365 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

agricultural

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113.5 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Total renewable water resources

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7.1 billion cubic meters (2022)

Government

Country name

conventional long form

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Commonwealth of Puerto Rico

conventional short form

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Puerto Rico

abbreviation

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etymology

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Christopher COLUMBUS originally named the island San Juan Bautista (Saint John the Baptist) and the capital city and main port Cuidad de Puerto Rico (Rich Port City); over time, the names were shortened and transposed

Government type

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unincorporated organized territory of the US with local self-government; republican form of territorial government with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches; note - reference Puerto Rican Federal Relations Act, 2 March 1917, as amended by Public Law 600, 3 July 1950

Dependency status

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unincorporated organized territory of the US with commonwealth status; policy relations between Puerto Rico and the US conducted under the jurisdiction of the Office of the President

Capital

name

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San Juan

geographic coordinates

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18 28 N, 66 07 W

time difference

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UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology

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Spanish explorer Juan PONCE de Leon named the city in 1511 both for himself and for his name saint, Saint John

Administrative divisions

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no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US government, but 78 municipalities (municipios, singular - municipio) are considered 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

Legal system

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civil law system based on the Spanish civil code, within the framework of the US federal system

Constitution

history

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previous 1900 (Organic Act, or Foraker Act); latest ratified by referendum 3 March 1952, approved 3 July 1952, effective 25 July 1952

amendment process

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proposed by a concurrent resolution of at least two-thirds majority by the total Legislative Assembly membership; approval requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the membership of both houses and approval by a majority of voters in a special referendum; if passed by at least three-fourths Assembly vote, the referendum can be held concurrently with the next general election; constitutional articles such as the republican form of government or the bill of rights cannot be amended

Citizenship

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see United States

Suffrage

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18 years of age; universal

note

note: residents are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections

Executive branch

chief of state

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President Donald J. TRUMP (since 20 January 2025)

head of government

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Governor Jenniffer GONZÁLEZ-COLÓN (since 2 January 2025)

cabinet

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Cabinet appointed by governor with the consent of the Legislative Assembly

election/appointment process

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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 (eligible for a second term); under the US Constitution, residents of Puerto Rico do not vote in elections for US president and vice president, but they can 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)

most recent election date

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5 November 2024

election results

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2024: Jenniffer GONZÁLEZ-COLÓN elected governor; percent of vote - Jenniffer GONZÁLEZ-COLÓN (PNP) 39.4%, Juan DALMAU Ramírez (PIP) 32.7%, Jesús Manuel ORTIZ (PPD) 21.1%, Javier JIMÉNEZ (PD) 6.7%, other 0.1% 2020: Pedro PIERLUISI elected governor; percent of vote - Pedro PIERLUISI (PNP) 32.9%, Carlos DELGADO (PPD) 31.6%, Alexandra LUGARO (independent) 14.2%, Juan DALMAU (PIP) 13.7%, other 7.6%

expected date of next election

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7 November 2028

Legislative branch

legislature name

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Legislative Assembly (Asamblea Legislativa)

legislative structure

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bicameral

term in office

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4 years

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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 6 November 2018 (next to be held in November 2022)

Legislative branch - lower chamber

chamber name

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House of Representatives (Camara de Representantes)

number of seats

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51 (directly elected)

electoral system

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plurality/majority

scope of elections

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full renewal

term in office

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4 years

most recent election date

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11/3/2020

parties elected and seats per party

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PPD (26); PNP (21); MVC (2); PIP (1); PD (1)

percentage of women in chamber

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19.6%

expected date of next election

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November 2024

Legislative branch - upper chamber

chamber name

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Senate (Senado)

number of seats

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30 (directly elected)

electoral system

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plurality/majority

scope of elections

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full renewal

term in office

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4 years

most recent election date

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11/3/2020

parties elected and seats per party

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PPD (12); NP (10); MVC (2); PD (1); PIP (1); independent (1)

percentage of women in chamber

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48.1%

expected date of next election

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November 2024

Judicial branch

highest court(s)

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Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 8 associate justices)

judge selection and term of office

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justices appointed by the governor and confirmed by majority Senate vote; judges serve until compulsory retirement at age 70

subordinate courts

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Court of Appeals; First Instance Court comprised of superior and municipal courts

Political parties

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Citizens' Victory Movement (Movimiento Victoria Ciudadana) or MVC Democratic Party of Puerto Rico New Progressive Party or PNP (pro-US statehood) Popular Democratic Party or PPD (pro-commonwealth) Project Dignity (Projecto Dignidad) or PD Puerto Rican Independence Party or PIP (pro-independence) Republican Party of Puerto Rico

Diplomatic representation in the US

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none (territory of the US)

Diplomatic representation from the US

embassy

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none (territory of the US with commonwealth status)

International organization participation

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AOSIS (observer), Caricom (observer), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UNWTO (associate), UPU, WFTU (NGOs)

Independence

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none (territory of the US with commonwealth status)

National holiday

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US Independence Day, 4 July (1776); Puerto Rico Constitution Day, 25 July (1952)

Flag

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description: five equal horizontal bands of red alternating with white; a blue isosceles triangle based on the left side has a large five-pointed white star in the center meaning: the star stands for the country; the three sides of the triangle stand for the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the government; blue stands for the sky and the coastal waters, red for the blood shed by warriors, and white for liberty, victory, and peace

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note: design initially influenced by the US flag, but similar to the Cuban flag, with the colors of the bands and triangle reversed

National symbol(s)

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Puerto Rican spindalis (bird), coqui (frog)

National color(s)

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red, white, blue

National anthem(s)

title

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"The Star-Spangled Banner"

lyrics/music

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Francis Scott KEY/John Stafford SMITH

history

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official anthem, as a US commonwealth

National heritage

total World Heritage Sites

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1 (cultural); note - excerpted from the US entry

selected World Heritage Site locales

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La Fortaleza and San Juan National Historic Site

Economy

Economic overview

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US Caribbean island territorial economy; hit hard by COVID-19 and hurricanes; declining labor force and job growth after a decade of continuous recession; capital-based industry and tourism; high poverty; energy import-dependent

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024

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$141.344 billion (2024 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023

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$136.926 billion (2023 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022

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$136.247 billion (2022 est.)

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note: data in 2021 dollars

Real GDP growth rate

Real GDP growth rate 2024

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3.2% (2024 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2023

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0.5% (2023 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2022

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3% (2022 est.)

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note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Real GDP per capita

Real GDP per capita 2024

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$44,100 (2024 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2023

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$42,700 (2023 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2022

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$42,300 (2022 est.)

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note: data in 2021 dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

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$125.842 billion (2024 est.)

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note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022

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4.3% (2022 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2021

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2.4% (2021 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2020

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-0.5% (2020 est.)

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note: annual % change based on consumer prices

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

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0.7% (2024 est.)

industry

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48% (2024 est.)

services

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51.5% (2024 est.)

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note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption

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76% (2024 est.)

government consumption

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8.2% (2024 est.)

investment in fixed capital

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14.6% (2024 est.)

investment in inventories

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0.2% (2024 est.)

exports of goods and services

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51.9% (2024 est.)

imports of goods and services

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-42.8% (2024 est.)

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note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

Agricultural products

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milk, plantains, bananas, tomatoes, chicken, oranges, mangoes/guavas, pineapples, eggs, pumpkins/squash (2023)

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note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Industries

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pharmaceuticals, electronics, apparel, food products, tourism

Labor force

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1.152 million (2024 est.)

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note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

Unemployment rate

Unemployment rate 2024

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5.5% (2024 est.)

Unemployment rate 2023

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5.8% (2023 est.)

Unemployment rate 2022

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6% (2022 est.)

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note: % of labor force seeking employment

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

total

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12.5% (2024 est.)

male

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14% (2024 est.)

female

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9.8% (2024 est.)

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note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

Budget

revenues

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$9.268 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures

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$9.974 billion (2017 est.)

Public debt

Public debt 2016

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50.1% of GDP (2016 est.)

Exports

Exports 2024

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$65.368 billion (2024 est.)

Exports 2023

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$63.563 billion (2023 est.)

Exports 2022

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$59.712 billion (2022 est.)

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note: GDP expenditure basis - exports of goods and services in current dollars

Exports - partners

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Italy 15%, Netherlands 15%, Belgium 9%, Japan 8%, Germany 8%, Austria 8%, Spain 7%, China 5% (2019)

Exports - commodities

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packaged medicines, medical cultures/vaccines, hormones, orthopedic and medical appliances, sulfur compounds (2019)

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top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Imports

Imports 2024

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$53.898 billion (2024 est.)

Imports 2023

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$56.889 billion (2023 est.)

Imports 2022

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$52.15 billion (2022 est.)

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note: GDP expenditure basis - imports of goods and services in current dollars

Imports - partners

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Ireland 38%, Singapore 9%, Switzerland 8%, South Korea 5% (2019)

Imports - commodities

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nitrogen compounds, sulfur compounds, refined petroleum, medical cultures/vaccines, cars (2019)

Exchange rates

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the US dollar is used

Energy

Electricity access

electrification - total population

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100% (2022 est.)

Electricity

installed generating capacity

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6.898 million kW (2023 est.)

consumption

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18.669 billion kWh (2023 est.)

transmission/distribution losses

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1.224 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels

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94.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

solar

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4.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

wind

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0.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

hydroelectricity

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0.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

biomass and waste

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0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Coal

consumption

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1.124 million metric tons (2023 est.)

exports

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500 metric tons (2023 est.)

imports

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1.124 million metric tons (2023 est.)

Petroleum

refined petroleum consumption

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80,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Natural gas

consumption

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2.315 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

exports

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15.627 million cubic meters (2023 est.)

imports

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2.331 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

Energy consumption per capita

Total energy consumption per capita 2023

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86.286 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Communications

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions

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758,000 (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

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23 (2023 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions

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4.1 million (2024 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

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126 (2024 est.)

Broadcast media

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more than 30 TV stations; cable TV subscription services are available; roughly 125 radio stations

Internet country code

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.pr

Internet users

percent of population

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87% (2022 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total

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751,000 (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

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23 (2023 est.)

Transportation

Airports

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20 (2025)

Heliports

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40 (2025)

Ports

total ports

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14 (2024)

large

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medium

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small

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very small

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ports with oil terminals

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key ports

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Arroyo, Ensenada Honda, Mayaguez, Playa de Guanica, Playa de Guayanilla, Playa de Ponce, San Juan

Military and Security

Military and security forces

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Puerto Rico Police; Puerto Rico (US) National Guard (Guardia Nacional de Puerto Rico or GNPR) (2025)

note

note: the GNPR was created by order of the US Congress in June 1919; the organization traces its lineage and history to Spanish militias created in 1511 and is one of the oldest organizations in the US National Guard system

Military - note

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defense is the responsibility of the US

Transnational Issues

Refugees and internally displaced persons

IDPs

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146 (2024 est.)