Puerto Rico - PR - PRI - PUR - Central America and the Caribbean

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

embassy: none (territory of the US with commonwealth status)

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)

18 15 N, 66 30 W

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

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

total population: 0.89 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

periodic droughts; hurricanes

slightly less than three times the size of Rhode Island

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. 

soil erosion; occasional droughts cause water shortages; industrial pollution

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

top five export commodities based on value in dollars

none (territory of the US); 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

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

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Puerto Rico Police Bureau (Negociado de la Policía de Puerto Rico); Puerto Rico (US) National Guard (Guardia Nacional de Puerto Rico or GNPR)

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

revenues: $9.268 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: $9.974 billion (2017 est.)

name: San Juan

geographic coordinates: 18 28 N, 66 07 W

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

etymology: the name dates to 1521 and the founding of the city under the name "Ciudad de San Juan Bautista de Puerto Rico" (City of Saint John the Baptist of Puerto Rico)

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

tropical marine, mild; little seasonal temperature variation

501 km

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

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

the US dollar is used

chief of state: President Joseph R. BIDEN Jr. (since 20 January 2021)

head of government: Governor Jenniffer GONZÁLEZ-COLÓN (since 2 January 2025)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by governor with the consent of the Legislative Assembly

elections/appointments: 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; 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 5 November 2024 (next to be held on 7 November 2028)

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%

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

none (territory of the US with commonwealth status)

pharmaceuticals, electronics, apparel, food products, tourism

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

total: 0 km

agricultural land: 19% (2022 est.)

agricultural land: arable land: 5.7% (2022 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops: 1.8% (2022 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture: 11.6% (2022 est.)

forest: 56.1% (2022 est.)

other: 24.9% (2022 est.)

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

legislature name: Legislative Assembly (Asamblea Legislativa)

legislative structure: bicameral

term in office: 4 years

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)

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 92.4%

male: 92.4%

female: 92.4% (2021)

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

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

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

noun: Puerto Rican(s) (US citizens)

adjective: Puerto Rican

some copper and nickel; potential for onshore and offshore oil

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

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

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

18 years of age; universal; note - island residents are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections

general assessment: Puerto Rico has a small telecom market which in recent years has been deeply affected by a combination of economic mismanagement and natural disasters, including two hurricanes which landed in late 2017 and an earthquake which struck in January 2020; these disasters caused considerable destruction of telecom infrastructure, which in turn led to a marked decline in the number of subscribers for all services; compounding these difficulties have been a long-term economic downturn which encouraged many people not to resume telecom services after these were restored; after some delay, the FCC in late 2019 issued an order relating to the release of funds to help rebuild telecom infrastructure; although Puerto Rico is a US territory it lags well behind the mainland US states in terms of fixed-line and broadband services; this is partly due to high unemployment rates (and consequently low disposable income) and poor telecoms investment in a market; the mobile market has been impacted by several mergers and acquisitions over the last few years; the activities of large multinational telcos continue to impact the Puerto Rican market; operators have secured spectrum in the 600MHz and 3.5GHz bands, thus enabling them to expand the reach of LTE services and launch services based on 5G;  the growing number of submarine cables landing in Puerto Rico is helping to drive down the cost of telecom services, creating a demand for streaming content from abroad; the uptake of cloud-based applications for both business and individuals is also creating a heightened demand for affordable services (2021)

domestic: fixed-line is 22 per 100 and mobile-cellular is 112 per 100 persons (2021)

international: country code - 1-787, 939; landing points for the GTMO-PR, AMX-1, BRUSA, GCN, PCCS, SAm-1, Southern Caribbean Fiber, Americas-II, Antillas, ARCOS, SMPR-1, and Taino-Carib submarine cables providing connectivity to the mainland US, Caribbean, Central and South America; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (2019)

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

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

defense is the responsibility of the US

conventional long form: Commonwealth of Puerto Rico

conventional short form: Puerto Rico

abbreviation: PR

etymology: Christopher COLUMBUS 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, however, the names were shortened and transposed and the island came to be called Puerto Rico and its capital San Juan

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

Central America and the Caribbean

220 sq km (2012)

none (territory of the US)

percent of population: 87% (2022 est.)

.pr

$117.902 billion (2023 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Standard & Poors rating: D (2015)

note: The year refers to the year in which the current credit rating was first obtained.

total: 16 years

male: 15 years

female: 18 years (2018)

urban population: 93.6% of total population (2023)

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

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

improved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 100% of population

unimproved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 0% of population (2020 est.)

name: "La Borinquena" (The Puerto Rican)

lyrics/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 (see United States)

2.440 million SAN JUAN (capital) (2023)

Puerto Rican spindalis (bird), coqui (frog); national colors: red, white, blue

household consumption: 80% (2023 est.)

government consumption: 7.1% (2023 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 13.7% (2023 est.)

investment in inventories: 0.5% (2023 est.)

exports of goods and services: 53.9% (2023 est.)

imports of goods and services: -47.8% (2023 est.)

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

total dependency ratio: 56.3

youth dependency ratio: 21.3

elderly dependency ratio: 34.9

potential support ratio: 2.9 (2021 est.)

see United States

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

electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)

improved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 100% of population

unimproved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 0% of population (2020 est.)

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.)

note: 99% of the population is Latino

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

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.

highest point: Cerro de Punta 1,338 m

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

mean elevation: 261 m

3.06 physicians/1,000 population (2018)

NA

municipal: 800 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

industrial: 2.37 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

agricultural: 110 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

7.1 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

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

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

municipal solid waste generated annually: 4,170,953 tons (2015 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 583,933 tons (2013 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 14% (2013 est.)

total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural); note - excerpted from the US entry

selected World Heritage Site locales: La Fortaleza and San Juan National Historic Site

38 (2024)

consumption: 1.299 million metric tons (2022 est.)

exports: 3 metric tons (2022 est.)

imports: 1.299 million metric tons (2022 est.)

fossil fuels: 97.4% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

solar: 1.4% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

wind: 0.8% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

hydroelectricity: 0.3% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

biomass and waste: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

consumption: 1.409 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

imports: 1.409 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

refined petroleum consumption: 80,000 bbl/day (2022 est.)

0.61 (2024 est.)

37.4% (2023 est.)

total ports: 14 (2024)

large: 0

medium: 3

small: 4

very small: 7

ports with oil terminals: 7

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

chamber name: House of Representatives (Camara de Representantes)

number of seats: 51 (directly elected)

electoral system: plurality/majority

scope of elections: full renewal

term in office: 4 years

most recent election date: 11/3/2020

parties elected and seats per party: PPD (26); PNP (21); MVC (2); PIP (1); PD (1)

percentage of women in chamber: 19.6%

expected date of next election: November 2024

chamber name: Senate (Senado)

number of seats: 30 (directly elected)

electoral system: plurality/majority

scope of elections: full renewal

term in office: 4 years

most recent election date: 11/3/2020

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%

expected date of next election: November 2024

1.172 million (2023 est.)

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

total: 13.7% (2023 est.)

male: 14.9% (2023 est.)

female: 10.5% (2023 est.)

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

-9.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

total: 46.1 years (2024 est.)

male: 44.2 years

female: 47.8 years

34 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)

51.6% of GDP (2017 est.)

1.26 children born/woman (2024 est.)

5.96% (2023 est.)
6% (2022 est.)
7.9% (2021 est.)

note: % of labor force seeking employment

total: 3,019,450

male: 1,418,753

female: 1,600,697 (2024 est.)

17.26 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke: 2.935 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids: 11.561 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

from consumed natural gas: 2.763 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

total : 9,104 sq km

land: 8,959 sq km

water: 145 sq km

8.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

$137.828 billion (2023 est.)
$137.056 billion (2022 est.)
$132.334 billion (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

total: 26,862 km (2012) (includes 454 km of expressways)

20 (2024)

total: 5.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

male: 6.4 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 5.2 deaths/1,000 live births

total subscriptions: 4.04 million (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 120 (2022 est.)

1.8% (2017 est.)
-0.3% (2016 est.)

$0 (2017 est.)
$0 (2016 est.)

$43,000 (2023 est.)
$42,600 (2022 est.)
$40,600 (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

total: 751,000 (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 23 (2023 est.)

76.228 million Btu/person (2022 est.)

10.2 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

7.8 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

installed generating capacity: 6.601 million kW (2022 est.)

consumption: 18.1 billion kWh (2022 est.)

transmission/distribution losses: 1.224 billion kWh (2022 est.)

NA

$51.509 billion (2022 est.)
$45.052 billion (2021 est.)
$44.513 billion (2020 est.)

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

$59.787 billion (2022 est.)
$57.916 billion (2021 est.)
$62.237 billion (2020 est.)

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

total subscriptions: 758,000 (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 23 (2023 est.)

total population: 82.1 years (2024 est.)

male: 78.9 years

female: 85.5 years

0.56% (2023 est.)
3.57% (2022 est.)
0.39% (2021 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

4.3% (2014 est.)

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

agriculture: 0.7% (2023 est.)

industry: 49.1% (2023 est.)

services: 50.6% (2023 est.)

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

0% of GDP (2018 est.)

0% of GDP (2018 est.)

3.6% of GDP (2021 est.)

-1.2% (2024 est.)