CapitalSan Juan
Population2,984,841
Area9,104 km²
GDP per capita$44,100
LanguagesSpanish, English
Life Expectancy82.1 yr
Governmentan unincorporated organized territory of the US with local self-governance; it has a republican form of territorial government consisting of distinct executive, legislative, and judicial branches; note - see Puerto Rican Federal Relations Act, 2 March 1917, as amended by Public Law 600, 3 July 1950
Introduction
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.
Geography
Area
land
8,959 sq km
water
145 sq km
total
9,104 sq km
Climate
tropical marine climate, characterized by mild conditions and minimal seasonal temperature fluctuation
Terrain
predominantly mountainous terrain with a coastal plain to the north; steep mountains descending to the sea along the western coastline; sandy shores lining most coastal regions
Land use
other
30.6% (2023 est.)
forest
50.3% (2023 est.)
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.)
Location
Caribbean region, situated between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, to the east of the Dominican Republic
Coastline
501 km
Elevation
lowest point
Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point
Cerro de Punta 1,338 m
mean elevation
261 m
Irrigated land
220 sq km (2012)
Map references
Central America and the Caribbean
Land boundaries
total
0 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea
12 nm
exclusive economic zone
200 nm
Natural hazards
experiences periodic droughts and hurricanes
Geography - note
strategically located along the Mona Passage, an essential shipping route to the Panama Canal; San Juan boasts one of the largest and finest natural harbors in the Caribbean; numerous small rivers and the prominent central mountain range provide ample water supply; the southern coast is comparatively arid; a fertile coastal plain extends in the northern region
Natural resources
contains some copper and nickel resources; potential exists for both onshore and offshore oil deposits
Area - comparative
approximately three times the area of Rhode Island
Geographic coordinates
18 15 N, 66 30 W
Population distribution
population is primarily concentrated along the coastline, with the largest communities situated in and around San Juan; however, a significant population also resides in the interior region just south of the capital near Caguas; much of the interior, especially in the island's western section, is dominated by the Cordillera Central mountains, resulting in low population density.
People & Society
Literacy
male
92.4% (2017 est.)
female
92.4% (2017 est.)
total population
92.4% (2017 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.
Religions
Roman Catholic 56%, Protestant 33% (predominantly Pentecostal), other 2%, atheist 1%, none 7% (2014 estimate)
Sex ratio
at birth
1.06 male(s)/female
0-14 years
1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years
0.92 male(s)/female
total population
0.89 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over
0.75 male(s)/female
Birth rate
7.78 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
10.48 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age
male
44.2 years
total
46.7 years (2025 est.)
female
47.8 years
Population
male
1,400,771
total
2,984,841 (2025 est.)
female
1,584,070
Nationality
noun
Puerto Rican(s) (US citizens)
adjective
Puerto Rican
Urbanization
urban population
93.6% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
-0.12% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
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)
Ethnic groups
White 75.8%, Black/African American 12.4%, other 8.5% (which includes American Indian, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian, other Pacific Islander, and additional groups), mixed 3.3% (2010 estimate)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
60.7 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio
19.4 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio
2.4 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
41.2 (2025 est.)
Physician density
3.06 physicians/1,000 population (2018)
Net migration rate
-8.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Total fertility rate
1.27 children born/woman (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.)
Infant mortality rate
male
6.4 deaths/1,000 live births
total
5.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female
5.2 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate
-1.1% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.62 (2025 est.)
Population distribution
population concentrations are generally located along the coastline, with the most significant presence in and around San Juan; however, there is a notable community situated in the interior of the island, immediately south of the capital near Caguas; the majority of the interior, especially in the western portion of the island, is characterized by the Cordillera Central mountain range, where the density of the population is low
Life expectancy at birth
male
78.9 years
female
85.5 years
total population
82.1 years (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
11 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: total
total: 100% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Major urban areas - population
2.440 million SAN JUAN (capital) (2023)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
40.9% (2022 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
male
16 years (2023 est.)
total
17 years (2023 est.)
female
18 years (2023 est.)
Environment
Climate
tropical marine climate, characterized by mild temperatures and minimal seasonal fluctuations
Land use
other
30.6% (2023 est.)
forest
50.3% (2023 est.)
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.)
Urbanization
urban population
93.6% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
-0.12% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually
4.171 million tons (2024 est.)
Environmental issues
soil degradation; intermittent droughts result in water scarcity; pollution from industrial activities
Total water withdrawal
municipal
796 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
industrial
2.365 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
agricultural
113.5 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
total emissions
18.833 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from consumed natural gas
4.542 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke
2.49 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids
11.801 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Total renewable water resources
7.1 billion cubic meters (2022)
Government
Flag
description: five equal horizontal stripes of red alternating with white; a blue isosceles triangle on the left side features a prominent five-pointed white star at its center
meaning: the star symbolizes the nation; the three sides of the triangle represent the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government; blue signifies the sky and coastal waters, red represents the blood shed by heroes, and white stands for liberty, victory, and peace
Capital
name
San Juan
etymology
The city was named in 1511 by Spanish explorer Juan PONCE de Leon, honoring both himself and his patron saint, Saint John.
time difference
UTC-4 (one hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
18 28 N, 66 07 W
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
see United States
Constitution
history
previous 1900 (Organic Act, or Foraker Act); most recent ratified by referendum on 3 March 1952, approved on 3 July 1952, effective from 25 July 1952
amendment process
proposed through a concurrent resolution requiring at least a two-thirds majority from the total membership of the Legislative Assembly; approval needs a two-thirds majority from both houses and a majority from voters in a special referendum; if it receives at least three-fourths of the Assembly's vote, the referendum may coincide with the next general election; constitutional provisions like the republican form of government or the bill of rights are immutable
Country name
etymology
Christopher COLUMBUS initially named the island San Juan Bautista (Saint John the Baptist) and the capital city along with the main port Cuidad de Puerto Rico (Rich Port City); over time, these names were shortened and interchanged
abbreviation
PR
conventional long form
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
conventional short form
Puerto Rico
Independence
none (territory of the US with commonwealth status)
Legal system
a civil law system based on the Spanish civil code, operating within the framework of the US federal system
Government type
an unincorporated organized territory of the US with local self-governance; it has a republican form of territorial government consisting of distinct executive, legislative, and judicial branches; note - see Puerto Rican Federal Relations Act, 2 March 1917, as amended by Public Law 600, 3 July 1950
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 8 associate justices)
subordinate courts
Court of Appeals; First Instance Court which includes superior and municipal courts
judge selection and term of office
justices appointed by the governor and confirmed by a majority vote in the Senate; judges serve until they reach the compulsory retirement age of 70
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%
head of government
Governor Jenniffer GONZÁLEZ-COLÓN (in office since 2 January 2025)
most recent election date
5 November 2024
election/appointment process
the president and vice president are indirectly elected on the same ballot by an Electoral College consisting of electors selected from each state; they serve a term of 4 years (eligible for one additional term); according to the US Constitution, Puerto Rican residents cannot vote in the elections for US president and vice president, although they can participate in the presidential primaries of the Democratic and Republican parties; the governor is directly elected via a simple-majority popular vote for a 4-year term (with no term limits)
expected date of next election
7 November 2028
National holiday
US Independence Day, 4 July (1776); Puerto Rico Constitution Day, 25 July (1952)
Dependency status
an unincorporated organized territory of the US functioning under commonwealth status; policy relations between Puerto Rico and the US are managed by the Office of the President
National color(s)
red, white, blue
National heritage
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
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
Legislative branch
term in office
4 years
legislature name
Legislative Assembly (Asamblea Legislativa)
legislative structure
bicameral
National anthem(s)
title
"The Star-Spangled Banner"
history
official anthem, as a US commonwealth
lyrics/music
Francis Scott KEY/John Stafford SMITH
National symbol(s)
Puerto Rican spindalis (bird), coqui (frog)
Administrative divisions
there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US government; however, there are 78 municipalities (municipios, singular - municipio) recognized as 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
Legislative branch - lower chamber
chamber name
House of Representatives (Camara de Representantes)
term in office
4 years
number of seats
51 (directly elected)
electoral system
plurality/majority
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
11/3/2020
expected date of next election
November 2024
percentage of women in chamber
19.6%
parties elected and seats per party
PPD (26); PNP (21); MVC (2); PIP (1); PD (1)
Legislative branch - upper chamber
chamber name
Senate (Senado)
term in office
4 years
number of seats
30 (directly elected)
electoral system
plurality/majority
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
11/3/2020
expected date of next election
November 2024
percentage of women in chamber
48.1%
parties elected and seats per party
PPD (12); NP (10); MVC (2); PD (1); PIP (1); independent (1)
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (territory of the US)
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy
none (territory of the US with commonwealth status)
International organization participation
AOSIS (observer), Caricom (observer), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UNWTO (associate), UPU, WFTU (NGOs)
Economy
Budget
revenues
$9.268 billion (2017 est.)
expenditures
$9.974 billion (2017 est.)
Exports
Exports 2022
$59.712 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2023
$63.563 billion (2023 est.)
Exports 2024
$65.368 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.)
Industries
pharmaceuticals, electronics, clothing, food items, tourism
Labor force
1.152 million (2024 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2016
50.1% of GDP (2016 est.)
Exchange rates
the United States dollar is the currency used
Economic overview
Territorial economy of the US Caribbean island; significantly affected by COVID-19 and hurricanes; a diminishing labor force and job creation following a decade of ongoing recession; reliant on capital-based industries and tourism; elevated poverty levels; dependent on energy imports
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2022
6% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023
5.8% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2024
5.5% (2024 est.)
Exports - partners
Italy 15%, Netherlands 15%, Belgium 9%, Japan 8%, Germany 8%, Austria 8%, Spain 7%, China 5% (2019)
Imports - partners
Ireland 38%, Singapore 9%, Switzerland 8%, South Korea 5% (2019)
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.)
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.)
Agricultural products
milk, plantains, bananas, tomatoes, chicken, oranges, mangoes/guavas, pineapples, eggs, pumpkins/squash (2023)
Exports - commodities
packaged pharmaceuticals, medical cultures/vaccines, hormones, orthopedic and medical devices, sulfur compounds (2019)
Imports - commodities
nitrogen compounds, sulfur compounds, refined petroleum, medical cultures/vaccines, automobiles (2019)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$125.842 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
76% (2024 est.)
government consumption
8.2% (2024 est.)
investment in inventories
0.2% (2024 est.)
investment in fixed capital
14.6% (2024 est.)
exports of goods and services
51.9% (2024 est.)
imports of goods and services
-42.8% (2024 est.)
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.)
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.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male
14% (2024 est.)
total
12.5% (2024 est.)
female
9.8% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry
48% (2024 est.)
services
51.5% (2024 est.)
agriculture
0.7% (2024 est.)
Energy
Coal
exports
500 metric tons (2023 est.)
imports
1.124 million metric tons (2023 est.)
consumption
1.124 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
refined petroleum consumption
80,000 bbl/day (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.)
Natural gas
exports
15.627 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
imports
2.331 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
consumption
2.315 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Electricity access
electrification - total population
100% (2022 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Total energy consumption per capita 2023
86.286 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
wind
0.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar
4.3% 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.)
biomass and waste
0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
87% (2022 est.)
Broadcast media
over 30 television channels; subscription services for cable television are offered; approximately 125 radio broadcasters
Internet country code
.pr
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
758,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
23 (2023 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions
4.1 million (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
126 (2024 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total
751,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
23 (2023 est.)
Transportation
Ports
large
0
small
4
medium
3
key ports
Ensenada Honda, Arroyo, Playa de Guanica, Playa de Guayanilla, Playa de Ponce, Mayaguez, San Juan
very small
7
total ports
14 (2024)
ports with oil terminals
7
Airports
20 (2025)
Heliports
40 (2025)
Military & Security
Military - note
The responsibility for defense lies with the United States.
Military and security forces
Puerto Rico Police; Puerto Rico (US) National Guard (Guardia Nacional de Puerto Rico or GNPR) (2025)
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons
IDPs
146 (2024 est.)
