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Puerto Rico Demographic Profile

Behind Puerto Rico's rich history and vibrant culture is a population that continues to evolve. Like many places around the world, the island has experienced demographic changes driven by migration, declining birth rates, longer life expectancy, and an aging population. These trends influence everything from education and healthcare to housing, employment, and economic development.

The following statistics provide a snapshot of Puerto Rico today, offering insight into the people who call the island home and the demographic trends shaping its future.

Being Puerto Rican is more than where you live. It is a shared heritage shaped by Indigenous, European, African, and immigrant influences; strengthened by family, language, music, and tradition; and carried proudly by millions of Boricuas both on the island and throughout the world.


Puerto Rico Population at a Glance

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Puerto Rico had an estimated 3,184,835 residents in 2025. The island's population has declined by approximately 642,000 people, or 16.8%, since reaching its peak in 2004.

Population Indicator Population / Change
Population (2025 estimate) 3,184,835
Population (2020 Census) 3,285,874
Population at Peak (2004) 3,826,878
Population Decline Since 2004 642,043
Percentage Decline Since 2004 16.8%
Population Change (2020–2025) -3.1%
Population Change (2024–2025) -17,686

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2025 Population Estimates; Pew Research Center, 2026. The 2025 population figure is an estimate, not a census count.

Overview


Population & Trends
Population Characteristics
Demographic Changes
Housing & Households
Health & Well-Being
Sources & References

Population & Historical Trends

Puerto Rico's population has changed significantly over the past century. From fewer than one million residents in 1900, the island experienced decades of population growth before reaching its estimated peak of approximately 3.83 million residents in 2004.

Since then, Puerto Rico has experienced a sustained population decline, influenced by migration, declining birth rates, and an aging population.

Historical Population of Puerto Rico

The following table illustrates Puerto Rico's population growth during the 20th century and the decline that began after 2004. Figures for 1900–1990 are decennial census counts; figures for 2000–2025 follow the historical population estimates published by Pew Research Center.

Year Population Data Type
2025 3,184,835 Population Estimate
2024 3,202,521 Population Estimate
2023 3,203,794 Population Estimate
2022 3,220,148 Population Estimate
2021 3,262,731 Population Estimate
2020 3,285,874 U.S. Census
2018 3,290,690 Population Estimate
2015 3,535,167 Population Estimate
2010 3,725,789 U.S. Census
2004 3,826,878 Population Estimate (Peak)
2000 3,808,610 U.S. Census
1990 3,522,037 U.S. Census
1980 3,196,520 U.S. Census
1970 2,712,033 U.S. Census
1960 2,349,544 U.S. Census
1950 2,210,703 U.S. Census
1940 1,869,255 U.S. Census
1930 1,543,913 U.S. Census
1920 1,299,809 U.S. Census
1910 1,118,012 U.S. Census
1900 953,243 U.S. Census

Note: Census figures represent official decennial population counts. Population estimates are revised periodically and may differ depending on the source and release date. The 2004 figure represents Puerto Rico's estimated population peak.

Puerto Rico's Changing Population: 1900–2025

From a century of growth to two decades of population decline.

Puerto Rico's population has undergone significant changes over the past century. After decades of steady growth, the island reached its population peak in 2004, with approximately 3.83 million residents.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2025 population estimates, Puerto Rico has approximately 3.18 million residents, representing a decline of more than 642,000 people, or nearly 17%, since its 2004 peak.

The population decline has been influenced by migration to the mainland United States, declining birth rates, an aging population, and periods of economic hardship and natural disasters.

The most substantial population losses occurred during the 2010s, particularly between 2014 and 2018. Although the pace of decline has varied in recent years, Puerto Rico continues to face important demographic changes.

Population History, 1765-2000

Puerto Rico's story is one of constant change. The island's population has evolved from the Indigenous Taíno communities before European contact to today's more than 3 million residents. View historical census data, population trends, and the major events that shaped Puerto Rico's demographic history.

Explore Population History, 1765-2000

Population Growth and Decline

Puerto Rico's population growth dynamics have shifted dramatically since the early 2000s. Rather than continuing to grow, the island has generally experienced negative population growth in recent years.

Indicator Value Year
Population Growth Rate -1.2% 2024 estimate
Population Growth Rate -1.29% 2023 estimate
Historical Population Doubling Time 88 yeas 2002 (historical)

Understanding Population Doubling Time:
Not applicable (2025). Population doubling time estimates how long it would take a population to double at a constant positive growth rate. Because Puerto Rico's population has been declining, this measure is no longer applicable to its current demographic trends.

Explore Population Growth Rate

Population by Municipality

The U.S. Census Bureau publishes population estimates for Puerto Rico and its 78 municipalities (municipios).

A municipio is the primary legal subdivision of Puerto Rico and is treated by the U.S. Census Bureau as the statistical equivalent of a county.


Population Characteristics

Puerto Rico's population is characterized by high population density, predominantly urban communities, and an increasingly older age distribution.

The following statistics provide a closer look at the island's population characteristics, including settlement patterns, age distribution, and the balance between male and female residents.

Population Density & Distribution

Indicator Value Year
Population Density 941 people per sq. mi. (363 per sq. km) 2026 estimate
Urban Population 93.7% 2024 estimate
Rural Population 6.3% 2024 estimate
Rate of Urbanization -0.12% annually 2020–2025 estimate

Puerto Rico is one of the more densely populated areas in the Caribbean. Most residents live in urban communities, particularly within the San Juan metropolitan area and other major municipalities.

Population Rankings

Indicator Value Year
World Population Rank 135th 2026 estimate
U.S. Population Rank 33rd 2026 estimate
Share of World Population 0.04% 2020

Age Structure

Puerto Rico's age distribution reflects an increasingly older population, with adults age 65 and over representing a substantial share of residents.

Age Group Population Share Male Female
0–14 years 12.5% 191,649 184,597
15–64 years 62.6% 904,406 986,778
65 years and over 24.9% 322,698 429,322

Source: 2024 estimates.

Median Age

Population Group Median Age
Total Population 46.1 years
Male 44.2 years
Female 47.8 years

Source: 2024 estimates.

Dependency Ratios

Dependency ratios compare the number of children and older adults with the working-age population. These indicators help illustrate the potential economic and social responsibilities associated with an aging population.

Indicator Ratio
Total Dependency Ratio 57.1
Youth Dependency Ratio 21.0
Elderly Dependency Ratio 35.5
Potential Support Ratio 2.9

Source: 2024 estimates.

Sex Ratio

Puerto Rico's sex ratio varies by age group, with women representing a larger share of the population among older residents.

Age Group Males per Female
At Birth 1.06
0–14 years 1.04
15–64 years 0.92
65 years and over 0.75
Total Population 0.89

Source: 2024 estimates.


Demographic Changes & Migration

Puerto Rico is undergoing significant demographic changes driven by migration, declining birth rates, and an aging population.

These trends influence the island's workforce, economy, healthcare system, education, and long-term community development.

Why Is Puerto Rico's Population Declining?

Puerto Rico's population decline reflects several interconnected demographic and economic factors.

Birth and Death Rates

Indicator Value Year
Birth Rate 6.9 births per 1,000 population 2025 estimate
Birth Rate 7.8 births per 1,000 population 2024 estimate
Death Rate 10.2 deaths per 1,000 population 2024 estimate
Death Rate 10.0 deaths per 1,000 population 2023 estimate

Puerto Rico has experienced a substantial reduction in births over the past two decades, contributing to slower population replacement. In addition, ccording to the U.S. Census Bureau, Puerto Rico recorded approximately 17,950 births and 32,857 deaths between July 2024 and June 2025 - when the number of deaths exceeds the number of births, a population experiences what demographers call natural population decline.

Fertility and Reproduction

Indicator Value Year
Total Fertility Rate 1.26 children per woman 2024 estimate
Total Fertility Rate 1.25 children per woman 2023 estimate
Gross Reproduction Rate 0.61 2024 estimate
Gross Reproduction Rate 0.61 2023 estimate

Puerto Rico's low fertility rate contributes to its changing age structure and long-term population decline.

An Aging Population

Puerto Rico's population is becoming increasingly older as fewer children are born and the age distribution shifts toward older adults.

According to 2024 estimates, approximately 24.9% of the population was age 65 or older. This demographic shift has important implications for healthcare, retirement, housing, and the workforce.

As the population ages, demand for healthcare services, accessible housing, transportation, and community support may increase.

Economic and Environmental Challenges

Economic instability, employment opportunities, and major hurricanes have also influenced migration patterns and long-term population trends.

Migration and the Puerto Rican Diaspora

Migration has played a central role in shaping Puerto Rico's population and communities. For decades, many residents have relocated to the mainland United States in search of employment, education, and economic opportunities. Migration accelerated during periods of economic difficulty and following major natural disasters.

According to the 2021 U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey estimates, approximately 5.8 million people of Puerto Rican origin lived in the 50 U.S. states and Washington, D.C.

This represented a substantial increase from approximately 2.7 million in the 1990 Census and exceeded the number of people living on the island.

Indicator Value Year
Net Migration Rate -9.6 migrants per 1,000 population 2024 estimate
Net Migration Rate 10.76 migrants per 1,000 population 2023 estimate

Puerto Ricans Beyond the Island

Today, more people of Puerto Rican origin live in the mainland United States than on the island itself.

Puerto Rican communities throughout the United States maintain strong cultural connections through language, music, food, traditions, family relationships, and shared heritage.

This relationship between the island and its diaspora remains an important part of Puerto Rico's demographic and cultural identity.

Interesting Fact


Housing & Households

Housing and household characteristics provide important insights into living conditions, family structures, and the economic circumstances of Puerto Rico's residents.

Housing

Indicator Value
Owner-Occupied Housing Unit Rate 68.1%
Median Value of Owner-Occupied Housing Units $124,600
Median Monthly Owner Costs (With Mortgage) $882
Median Monthly Owner Costs (Without Mortgage) $179
Median Gross Rent $568

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2019–2023.

Families & Households

Indicator Value
Total Households 1,239,243
Persons per Household 2.60
Average Family Size 3.07 people
Living in the Same House One Year Ago 93.8%
Language Other Than English Spoken at Home 95.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2019–2023.

Marriage & Divorce

Indicator Value Year
Marriage Rate 5.1 per 1,000 persons 2025 estimate
Divorce Rate 4.47 per 1,000 persons 2025 estimate

Health & Well-Being

Health indicators provide insight into the well-being of Puerto Rico's residents, including life expectancy, mortality, healthcare access, and public health.

Life Expectancy & Mortality

Indicator Value Year
Life Expectancy at Birth 82.1 years 2024 estimate
Male Life Expectancy 78.9 years 2024 estimate
Female Life Expectancy 85.5 years 2024 estimate

Leading Causes of Death

Major causes of death in Puerto Rico include:

Source: 2023–2024 data.

Maternal & Infant Health

Indicator Value Year
Maternal Mortality Rate 34 deaths per 100,000 live births 2020 estimate
Maternal Mortality Rate 21 deaths per 100,000 live births 2017 estimate
Infant Mortality Rate 5.8 deaths per 1,000 live births 2024 estimate
Male Infant Mortality Rate 6.4 deaths per 1,000 live births 2024 estimate
Female Infant Mortality Rate 5.2 deaths per 1,000 live births 2024 estimate

Reproductive Health

Indicator Value Year
Currently Married Women (Ages 15–49) 37.4% 2023 estimate
Contraceptive Use 82.8% 2019–2020

Healthcare Access & Insurance

Indicator Value Year
Physician Density 3.06 physicians per 1,000 population 2018
Persons Without Health Insurance (Under 65) 7.4% Year to verify

Water & Sanitation

Indicator Value Year
Improved Drinking Water Source 100% 2020 estimate
Unimproved Drinking Water Source 0% 2020 estimate
Improved Sanitation Facilities 97.2% 2017 estimate
Unimproved Sanitation Facilities 2.8% 2017 estimate

Disability & Public Health

Indicator Value Year
Population Under 65 With a Disability 15.3% 2012–2016
People Living With HIV/AIDS 18,422 2012

Of the people reported as living with HIV/AIDS in the 2012 data, approximately 68% were men and 32% were women.

Sources and References

Population and demographic information on this page is based on data published by the U.S. Census Bureau, Pew Research Center, and the Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics. Figures may represent census counts, annual population estimates, or demographic surveys, depending on the year and indicator.

Data note: Population estimates are subject to revision. The most recent population figure presented on this page is the U.S. Census Bureau's July 1, 2025 estimate. Other demographic indicators may reflect earlier survey years.




Did You Know?

Puerto Rico was first enumerated by the U.S. Census Bureau for the U.S. War Department in 1899. Puerto Rico has been included as part of the decennial census since 1910. The Census Bureau conducted the first economic census in Puerto Rico in 1909.