Country Profile: Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the Caribbean, has a rich history influenced by indigenous cultures and colonial powers. The island, with a population of approximately 2.98 million people, is characterized by a diverse society and a tropical marine climate. Economically, Puerto Rico faces challenges, including a high unemployment rate and reliance on imported energy, but it is known for its pharmaceutical and tourism industries. Governance is provided through a local self-government system, with the residents holding US citizenship but limited voting rights in federal elections.

Geography

Puerto Rico is situated in the Caribbean, flanked by the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic. The island's landscape features mostly mountains and a coastal plain, with the highest point being Cerro de Punta at 1,338 meters. The climate is tropical and mild, ensuring little seasonal temperature variation. Puerto Rico's strategic position along the Mona Passage has historically made it a key shipping lane.

Area: 9,104 sq km
Coastline: 501 km
Climate: Tropical marine
Elevation: Mean elevation of 261 m
Natural Resources: Copper, nickel, and potential oil
Land Use: 50.3% forested land

People and Society

Puerto Rico's population is estimated to be around 2.98 million, with a diverse ethnic composition, including a majority of White (75.8%) and a significant Black or African American population (12.4%). The official languages are Spanish and English, reflecting the cultural blend of the island. Puerto Ricans are predominantly Roman Catholic, with a notable Protestant community. The society is characterized by high urbanization, with 93.6% of residents living in urban areas.

Population Growth Rate: -1.1% (2025 est.)
Life Expectancy: 82.1 years (2024 est.)
Urban Population: 93.6% (2023)
Literacy Rate: 92.4% (2017)
Median Age: 46.7 years (2025 est.)
Total Fertility Rate: 1.27 children per woman (2025 est.)

Economy

Puerto Rico's economy, classified as a territorial economy, has suffered from recent economic downturns triggered by global events such as COVID-19 and natural disasters like hurricanes. The island is characterized by a high dependency on tourism and capital-based industries. Despite these challenges, Puerto Rico has a growing GDP, with services making up a significant portion of economic activity.

Real GDP (PPP): $141.344 billion (2024 est.)
GDP per Capita: $44,100 (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate: 5.5% (2024 est.)
Major Industries: Pharmaceuticals, electronics, and tourism
Exports: $65.368 billion (2024 est.)
Poverty Rate: High and rising

Government

Puerto Rico operates as an unincorporated organized territory of the US, possessing its own constitution and a republican form of government. The local government consists of an elected governor, a bicameral legislature, and a judicial branch. While Puerto Ricans are US citizens, they do not have voting representation in Congress, and their rights in federal elections are limited.

Capital: San Juan
Governor: Jenniffer González-Colón (since January 2, 2025)
Legislative Assembly: Bicameral, with a House of Representatives (51 seats) and a Senate (30 seats)
Suffrage Age: 18 years
Constitution Ratified: March 3, 1952 (effective July 25, 1952)

Military and Security

Military responsibility in Puerto Rico is primarily held by the United States, with defense managed by the US National Guard and local police forces. The Puerto Rico National Guard, established in 1919, plays a key role in security and emergency response.

National Guard Established: 1919
Puerto Rico Police Force: Active and responsible for local law enforcement
Defense Responsibility: US federal government

Energy

Puerto Rico's energy sector is heavily reliant on imported fossil fuels, with fossil fuels accounting for about 94.6% of its energy generation capacity. Despite efforts to incorporate renewable energy sources such as solar, the island faces challenges in energy sustainability and infrastructure.

Electricity Access: 100% (2022)
Installed Capacity: 6.898 million kW (2023 est.)
Electricity Consumption: 18.669 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Natural Gas Consumption: 2.315 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

Environment

Environmental issues in Puerto Rico include soil erosion, industrial pollution, and periodic droughts. The island's diverse ecosystems face pressures from urbanization and climate change, highlighting the need for sustainable management practices.

Urban Population: 93.6% (2023)
Carbon Dioxide Emissions: 18.833 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Forest Cover: 50.3% (2023 est.)

Transportation

Puerto Rico has a well-developed transportation network, with multiple ports and airports facilitating domestic and international travel. The island's transportation infrastructure supports economic activities and tourism.

Airports: 20 (2025)
Ports: 14 (2024)
Heliports: 40 (2025)

Communications

The communication infrastructure in Puerto Rico includes extensive landline and mobile telephony, as well as high internet penetration rates. The island has a diverse media landscape, with numerous television and radio stations.

Mobile Subscriptions: 4.1 million (2024 est.)
Internet Users: 87% of the population (2022 est.)
Fixed Line Subscriptions: 758,000 (2023 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	2,984,841 (2025 est.)
Area	9,104 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$141.344 billion (2024)
Unemployment Rate	5.5% (2024 est.)
Energy Consumption	18.669 billion kWh (2023)
Birth Rate	7.78 births/1,000 (2025)
Life Expectancy	82.1 years (2024)
Median Age	46.7 years (2025 est.)
Urban Population	93.6% (2023)
Total Fertility Rate	1.27 children/woman (2025)