2020 Edition

Background

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. 

Area

land

8,959 sq km

total

9,104 sq km

water

145 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly less than three times the size of Rhode Island

Climate

tropical marine, mild; little seasonal temperature variation

Coastline

501 km

Elevation

highest point

Cerro de Punta 1,338 m

lowest point

Caribbean Sea 0 m

mean elevation

261 m

Geographic coordinates

18 15 N, 66 30 W

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

Irrigated land

220 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

total

0 km

Land use

agricultural land

19% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 5.7% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 1.8% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 11.6% (2023 est.)

forest

50.3% (2023 est.)

other

30.6% (2023 est.)

Location

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

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

periodic droughts; hurricanes

Natural resources

some copper and nickel; potential for onshore and offshore oil

Population distribution

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

Terrain

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

Age structure

0-14 years

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

15-64 years

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

65 years and over

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

Birth rate

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

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

40.9% (2022 est.)

Death rate

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

Dependency ratios

elderly dependency ratio

41.2 (2025 est.)

potential support ratio

2.4 (2025 est.)

total dependency ratio

60.7 (2025 est.)

youth dependency ratio

19.4 (2025 est.)

Drinking water source

improved: total

total: 100% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: total

total: 0% of population (2022 est.)

Education expenditure

Education expenditure (% GDP)

4.3% of GDP (2024 est.)

Education expenditure (% national budget)

16% national budget (2025 est.)

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% (2010 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

0.62 (2025 est.)

Infant mortality rate

female

5.2 deaths/1,000 live births

male

6.4 deaths/1,000 live births

total

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

Languages

Languages

Spanish, English

major-language sample(s)

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

Life expectancy at birth

female

85.5 years

male

78.9 years

total population

82.1 years (2024 est.)

Literacy

female

92.4% (2017 est.)

male

92.4% (2017 est.)

total population

92.4% (2017 est.)

Major urban areas - population

2.440 million SAN JUAN (capital) (2023)

Maternal mortality ratio

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

Median age

female

47.8 years

male

44.2 years

total

46.7 years (2025 est.)

Nationality

adjective

Puerto Rican

noun

Puerto Rican(s) (US citizens)

Net migration rate

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

Physician density

3.06 physicians/1,000 population (2018)

Population

female

1,584,070

male

1,400,771

total

2,984,841 (2025 est.)

Population growth rate

-1.1% (2025 est.)

Religions

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

Sanitation facility access

improved: total

total: 100% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: total

total: 0% of population (2022 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

18 years (2023 est.)

male

16 years (2023 est.)

total

17 years (2023 est.)

Sex ratio

0-14 years

1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years

0.92 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.75 male(s)/female

at birth

1.06 male(s)/female

total population

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

Total fertility rate

1.27 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

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

urban population

93.6% of total population (2023)

Administrative divisions

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

Capital

etymology

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

geographic coordinates

18 28 N, 66 07 W

name

San Juan

time difference

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

Citizenship

see United States

Constitution

amendment process

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

history

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

Country name

abbreviation

PR

conventional long form

Commonwealth of Puerto Rico

conventional short form

Puerto Rico

etymology

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

Dependency status

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

Diplomatic representation from the US

embassy

none (territory of the US with commonwealth status)

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (territory of the US)

Executive branch

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by governor with the consent of the Legislative Assembly

chief of state

President Donald J. TRUMP (since 20 January 2025)

election results

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%

election/appointment process

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)

expected date of next election

7 November 2028

head of government

Governor Jenniffer GONZÁLEZ-COLÓN (since 2 January 2025)

most recent election date

5 November 2024

Flag

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

Government type

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

Independence

none (territory of the US with commonwealth status)

International organization participation

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

Judicial branch

highest court(s)

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

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

Legal system

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

Legislative branch

legislative structure

bicameral

legislature name

Legislative Assembly (Asamblea Legislativa)

term in office

4 years

Legislative branch - lower chamber

chamber name

House of Representatives (Camara de Representantes)

electoral system

plurality/majority

expected date of next election

November 2024

most recent election date

11/3/2020

number of seats

51 (directly elected)

parties elected and seats per party

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

percentage of women in chamber

19.6%

scope of elections

full renewal

term in office

4 years

Legislative branch - upper chamber

chamber name

Senate (Senado)

electoral system

plurality/majority

expected date of next election

November 2024

most recent election date

11/3/2020

number of seats

30 (directly elected)

parties elected and seats per party

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

percentage of women in chamber

48.1%

scope of elections

full renewal

term in office

4 years

National anthem(s)

history

official anthem, as a US commonwealth

lyrics/music

Francis Scott KEY/John Stafford SMITH

title

"The Star-Spangled Banner"

National color(s)

red, white, blue

National heritage

selected World Heritage Site locales

La Fortaleza and San Juan National Historic Site

total World Heritage Sites

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

National holiday

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

National symbol(s)

Puerto Rican spindalis (bird), coqui (frog)

Political parties

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

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agricultural products

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

Budget

expenditures

$9.974 billion (2017 est.)

revenues

$9.268 billion (2017 est.)

Economic overview

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

Exchange rates

the US dollar is used

Exports

Exports 2022

$59.712 billion (2022 est.)

Exports 2023

$63.563 billion (2023 est.)

Exports 2024

$65.368 billion (2024 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

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

GDP - composition, by end use

exports of goods and services

51.9% (2024 est.)

government consumption

8.2% (2024 est.)

household consumption

76% (2024 est.)

imports of goods and services

-42.8% (2024 est.)

investment in fixed capital

14.6% (2024 est.)

investment in inventories

0.2% (2024 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

0.7% (2024 est.)

industry

48% (2024 est.)

services

51.5% (2024 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$125.842 billion (2024 est.)

Imports

Imports 2022

$52.15 billion (2022 est.)

Imports 2023

$56.889 billion (2023 est.)

Imports 2024

$53.898 billion (2024 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

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

Industries

pharmaceuticals, electronics, apparel, food products, tourism

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2020

-0.5% (2020 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2021

2.4% (2021 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022

4.3% (2022 est.)

Labor force

1.152 million (2024 est.)

Public debt

Public debt 2016

50.1% of GDP (2016 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022

$136.247 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023

$136.926 billion (2023 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024

$141.344 billion (2024 est.)

Real GDP growth rate

Real GDP growth rate 2022

3% (2022 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2023

0.5% (2023 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2024

3.2% (2024 est.)

Real GDP per capita

Real GDP per capita 2022

$42,300 (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2023

$42,700 (2023 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2024

$44,100 (2024 est.)

Unemployment rate

Unemployment rate 2022

6% (2022 est.)

Unemployment rate 2023

5.8% (2023 est.)

Unemployment rate 2024

5.5% (2024 est.)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

female

9.8% (2024 est.)

male

14% (2024 est.)

total

12.5% (2024 est.)

Coal

consumption

1.124 million metric tons (2023 est.)

exports

500 metric tons (2023 est.)

imports

1.124 million metric tons (2023 est.)

Electricity

consumption

18.669 billion kWh (2023 est.)

installed generating capacity

6.898 million kW (2023 est.)

transmission/distribution losses

1.224 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Electricity access

electrification - total population

100% (2022 est.)

Electricity generation sources

biomass and waste

0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

fossil fuels

94.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

hydroelectricity

0.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

solar

4.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

wind

0.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Energy consumption per capita

Total energy consumption per capita 2023

86.286 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Natural gas

consumption

2.315 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

exports

15.627 million cubic meters (2023 est.)

imports

2.331 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

Petroleum

refined petroleum consumption

80,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

23 (2023 est.)

total

751,000 (2023 est.)

Broadcast media

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

Internet country code

.pr

Internet users

percent of population

87% (2022 est.)

Telephones - fixed lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

23 (2023 est.)

total subscriptions

758,000 (2023 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

126 (2024 est.)

total subscriptions

4.1 million (2024 est.)

Airports

20 (2025)

Heliports

40 (2025)

Ports

key ports

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

large

0

medium

3

ports with oil terminals

7

small

4

total ports

14 (2024)

very small

7

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of the US

Military and security forces

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

Refugees and internally displaced persons

IDPs

146 (2024 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions

from coal and metallurgical coke

2.49 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from consumed natural gas

4.542 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids

11.801 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

total emissions

18.833 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Environmental issues

soil erosion; occasional droughts cause water shortages; industrial pollution

Total renewable water resources

7.1 billion cubic meters (2022)

Total water withdrawal

agricultural

113.5 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

industrial

2.365 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

municipal

796 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually

4.171 million tons (2024 est.)