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Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

more than 30 TV stations operating; cable TV subscription services are available; roughly 125 radio stations (2007)

Internet country code [time series]

.pr

Internet users [time series]

total: 2,873,895 | percent of population: 80.3% (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 98

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

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 (2016)

Telephones - fixed lines [time series]

total subscriptions: 813,546 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 23 (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 86

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

total: 3,227,281 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 90 (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 137

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

sugarcane, coffee, pineapples, plantains, bananas; livestock products, chickens

Budget [time series]

revenues: $9.086 billion | expenditures: $9.684 billion (2016 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]

-0.6% of GDP (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 57

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

4% (31 December 2016 est.) | 3.3% (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 157

Debt - external [time series]

$56.82 billion (31 December 2010 est.) | $52.98 billion (31 December 2009 est.) | country comparison to the world: 62

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

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.

Exchange rates [time series]

the US dollar is used

Exports [time series]

$73.2 billion (2016 est.) | $70.9 billion (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 41

Exports - commodities [time series]

chemicals, electronics, apparel, canned tuna, rum, beverage concentrates, medical equipment

Fiscal year [time series]

1 July - 30 June

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$105 billion (2016 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$128.7 billion (2016 est.) | $130.5 billion (2015 est.) | $130.6 billion (2014 est.) | note: data are in 2016 dollars | country comparison to the world: 80

GDP - composition, by end use [time series]

GDP - composition, by sector of origin [time series]

agriculture: 0.8% | industry: 50.2% | services: 48.5% (2016 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$37,700 (2016 est.) | $38,100 (2015 est.) | $37,800 (2014 est.) | note: data are in 2016 dollars | country comparison to the world: 47

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

-2.6% (2016 est.) | -1.1% (2015 est.) | -1.2% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 202

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA% | highest 10%: NA%

Imports [time series]

$48.86 billion (2016 est.) | $48.8 billion (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 50

Imports - commodities [time series]

chemicals, machinery and equipment, clothing, food, fish, petroleum products

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

-1.4% (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 175

Industries [time series]

pharmaceuticals, electronics, apparel, food products, tourism

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

-0.3% (2016 est.) | -0.3% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 39

Labor force [time series]

1.139 million (December 2014 est) | country comparison to the world: 143

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 2.1% | industry: 19% | services: 79% (2005)

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$NA

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA%

Public debt [time series]

91.6% of GDP (2016 est.) | 95.1% of GDP (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 23

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

9% of GDP (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 215

Unemployment rate [time series]

11.8% (2016 est.) | 15% (December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 164

Energy

Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]

19 million Mt (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 82

Crude oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 181

Crude oil - imports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 181

Crude oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 186

Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2017 es) | country comparison to the world: 184

Electricity - consumption [time series]

18.88 billion kWh (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 72

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 189

Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]

94.8% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 56

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]

1.6% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 141

Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 173

Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]

4.2% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 103

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 193

Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]

6.118 million kW (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 75

Electricity - production [time series]

20.3 billion kWh (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 75

Electricity access [time series]

population without electricity: 357,805 | electrification - total population: 91% | electrification - urban areas: 91% | electrification - rural areas: 80% (2012)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

2.24 billion cu m (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 84

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 172

Natural gas - imports [time series]

1.48 billion cu m (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 54

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 187

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2014 es) | country comparison to the world: 188

Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]

155,000 bbl/day (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 68

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

6,274 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 90

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

158,800 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 44

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 190

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 9,104 sq km | land: 8,959 sq km | water: 145 sq km | country comparison to the world: 171

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly less than three times the size of Rhode Island

Climate [time series]

tropical marine, mild; little seasonal temperature variation

Coastline [time series]

501 km

Elevation [time series]

mean elevation: 261 m | elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m | highest point: Cerro de Punta 1,338 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

soil erosion; occasional drought causing water shortages

Geographic coordinates [time series]

18 15 N, 66 30 W

Geography - note [time series]

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 [time series]

220 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries [time series]

0 km

Land use [time series]

agricultural land: 22% | arable land 6.6%; permanent crops 5.6%; permanent pasture 9.8% | forest: 63.2% | other: 14.8% (2011 est.)

Location [time series]

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

Map references [time series]

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 12 nm | exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Natural hazards [time series]

periodic droughts; hurricanes

Natural resources [time series]

some copper and nickel; potential for onshore and offshore oil

Population distribution (Population - distribution) [time series]

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

Terrain [time series]

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

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

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

Capital [time series]

name: San Juan | geographic coordinates: 18 28 N, 66 07 W | time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship [time series]

see United States

Constitution [time series]

previous 1900 (Organic Act, or Foraker Act); latest ratified 3 March 1952, approved 3 July 1952, effective 25 July 1952 (2016)

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Commonwealth of Puerto Rico | conventional short form: Puerto Rico | 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

Dependency status [time series]

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 [time series]

none (territory of the US with commonwealth status)

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

none (territory of the US)

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Donald J. TRUMP (since 20 January 2017); Vice President Michael R. PENCE (since 20 January 2017) | head of government: Governor Ricardo ROSSELLO (since 2 January 2017) | 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 8 November 2016 (next to be held in November 2020) | election results: Ricardo ROSSELLO elected governor; percent of vote - Ricardo ROSSELLO (PNP) 41.8%, David BERNIER (PPD) 38.9%, Alexandra LUGARO (independent) 11.1%, Manuel CIDRE (independent) 5.7%

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

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

Government type [time series]

presidential democracy; a self-governing commonwealth in political association with the US

Independence [time series]

none (territory of the US with commonwealth status)

International organization participation [time series]

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

Judicial branch [time series]

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 [time series]

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

Legislative branch [time series]

description: bicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa consists of the Senate or Senado (27 seats; 16 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 11 at-large members directly elected by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms); 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 (next to be held on 3 November 2020); 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 (next to be held on 6 November 2018)

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

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)

National holiday [time series]

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

National symbol(s) [time series]

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

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

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)

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Boricua Popular Army or EPB (a revolutionary group also known as Los Macheteros)

Suffrage [time series]

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

Introduction

Background [time series]

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.

Military and Security

Military - note [time series]

defense is the responsibility of the US

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

no regular indigenous military forces; paramilitary National Guard, Police Force

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 15.77% (male 270,656/female 258,073) | 15-24 years: 13.71% (male 233,667/female 225,812) | 25-54 years: 38.1% (male 607,954/female 669,149) | 55-64 years: 12.93% (male 198,720/female 234,713) | 65 years and over: 19.48% (male 281,413/female 371,670) (2017 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

8.1 births/1,000 population (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 222

Death rate [time series]

8.6 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 76

Dependency ratios [time series]

total dependency ratio: 49.6 | youth dependency ratio: 27.9 | elderly dependency ratio: 21.7 | potential support ratio: 4.6 (2015 est.)

Drinking water source [time series]

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

6.4% of GDP (2013)

Ethnic groups [time series]

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 (2010 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 6.4 deaths/1,000 live births | male: 7 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 5.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 166

Languages [time series]

Spanish, English

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 80.9 years | male: 77.6 years | female: 84.4 years (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 32

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write | total population: 93.3% | male: 92.8% | female: 93.8% (2015 est.)

Major infectious diseases [time series]

note: active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); 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)

Major urban areas - population [time series]

SAN JUAN (capital) 2.463 million (2015)

Maternal mortality ratio [time series]

14 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 139

Median age [time series]

total: 41.5 years | male: 39.5 years | female: 43.2 years (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 52

Nationality [time series]

noun: Puerto Rican(s) (US citizens) | adjective: Puerto Rican

Net migration rate [time series]

-16.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 218

Population [time series]

3,351,827 (July 2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 134

Population distribution [time series]

Population growth rate [time series]

-1.74% (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 234

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant and other 15%

Sanitation facility access [time series]

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 14 years | male: 13 years | female: 15 years (2014)

Sex ratio [time series]

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.22 children born/woman (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 220

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) (Unemployment, youth ages 15-24) [time series]

total: 26.6% | male: 28.9% | female: 23.1% (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 33

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 93.5% of total population (2017) | rate of urbanization: -0.03% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

increasing numbers of illegal migrants from the Dominican Republic cross the Mona Passage to Puerto Rico each year looking for work

Transportation

Airports [time series]

29 (2013) | country comparison to the world: 119

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 17 | over 3,047 m: 2 | 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 | 914 to 1,523 m: 7 | under 914 m: 5 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 12 | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 | 914 to 1,523 m: 1 | under 914 m: 10 (2013)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

major seaport(s): Ensenada Honda, Mayaguez, Playa de Guayanilla, Playa de Ponce, San Juan | container port(s) (TEUs): San Juan (1,484,595) | LNG terminal(s) (import): Guayanilla Bay

Roadways [time series]

total: 26,862 km (includes 454 km of expressways) (2012) | country comparison to the world: 99