Country Profile: Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is an unincorporated organized territory of the United States located in the Caribbean, characterized by its rich history and diverse geography. With a population of nearly 3 million, it has experienced significant demographic changes due to economic challenges and natural disasters. The economy primarily relies on tourism and industry, particularly pharmaceuticals and electronics. Governance is structured with a republican form of local self-government, reflecting its unique political status.

Geography

Puerto Rico lies between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, just east of the Dominican Republic. The island has a total area of 9,104 sq km, mostly consisting of mountainous terrains and coastal plains, adorned with beautiful sandy beaches. The climate is tropical marine with mild seasonal variations, making it a favorable habitat for diverse wildlife and agriculture.

Coastline: 501 km
Highest Point: Cerro de Punta at 1,338 m
Land Use: 19% agricultural land (2023 est.)
Natural Hazards: Periodic droughts and hurricanes
Forest Coverage: 50.3% (2023 est.)

People and Society

Puerto Rico has an estimated population of 2,984,841 as of 2025, with a significantly urbanized demographic as 93.6% live in urban areas. The predominant ethnic group is White (75.8%), with a notable Latino culture reflected in its languages, Spanish and English. The society is predominantly Roman Catholic, with approximately 56% identifying with this faith.

Median Age: 46.7 years (2025 est.)
Life Expectancy at Birth: 82.1 years (2024 est.)
Birth Rate: 7.78 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Literacy Rate: 92.4% (2017 est.)
Urban Population Growth Rate: -0.12% (2020-2025 est.)

Economy

The economy of Puerto Rico is classified as a territory of the US, heavily reliant on tourism and industry, particularly pharmaceuticals and electronics. The territory has faced economic recession, exacerbated by hurricanes and the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a declining labor force. In 2024, the Real GDP is estimated at $141.344 billion with a growth rate of 3.2% anticipated.

GDP Per Capita: $44,100 (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate: 5.5% (2024 est.)
Exports: $65.368 billion (2024 est.)
Imports: $53.898 billion (2024 est.)
Public Debt: 50.1% of GDP (2016 est.)

Government

Puerto Rico operates as a commonwealth with a republican form of government, allowing for local self-governance while maintaining its status as a US territory. The capital, San Juan, serves as the political and cultural center. While residents are US citizens, they do not have voting rights in US presidential elections.

Executive: Governor Jenniffer González-Colón (since 2025)
Legislative Assembly: Bicameral; comprises a Senate (30 seats) and a House of Representatives (51 seats)
Judicial Branch: Supreme Court, comprising a chief justice and eight associate justices
Suffrage Age: 18 years
Next General Election: Scheduled for 7 November 2028

Military and Security

Puerto Rico's defense falls under the responsibility of the United States. The island maintains its own police force and the Puerto Rico National Guard. The National Guard has historical roots tracing back to Spanish militias from the early 16th century.

National Guard Established: 1919
Police Force: Puerto Rico Police

Energy

Puerto Rico's energy sector is predominantly reliant on fossil fuels, with 94.6% of installed electricity generation capacity sourced from these fuels. The total electricity consumption for 2023 is forecasted at 18.669 billion kWh.

Electricity Access: 100% (2022 est.)
Installed Capacity: 6.898 million kW (2023 est.)
Transmission Losses: 1.224 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Natural Gas Consumption: 2.315 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Renewal Energy Sources: Solar at 4.3% of total capacity (2023 est.)

Transportation

Puerto Rico features a developed transportation infrastructure, including airports and ports which facilitate both cargo and passenger transport.

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

Communications

The telecommunications sector in Puerto Rico is robust, with high mobile and internet penetration rates.

Mobile Cellular Subscriptions: 4.1 million (2024)
Internet Users: 87% of the population (2022 est.)
Fixed-line Subscriptions: 758,000 (2023 est.)
Broadband Fixed Subscriptions: 751,000 (2023 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	2,984,841 (2025 est.)
Area	9,104 sq km
GDP	$141.344 billion	(2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate	5.5%	(2024 est.)
Birth Rate	7.78 births/1,000	(2025 est.)
Life Expectancy at Birth	82.1 years	(2024 est.)
Median Age	46.7 years	(2025 est.)
Total Fertility Rate	1.27 children/woman	(2025 est.)
Urban Population	93.6%	(2023)
Electricity Access	100%	(2022 est.)