October 2023

Michael Lopez-Pelliccia

Economic Programs

U.S. Census Bureau

Federal Statistical 

Infrastructure 

for Puerto Rico

Data Products and Efforts to Improve Data Access for Puerto Rico
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The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the author 

and do not reflect the views of the U.S. Census Bureau.
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• Importance of data in evidence-driven decisions

• What are some of the challenges we face in P.R.

• What is the Census Bureau doing to tackle some of these

• What role can people play to help us

OBJECTIVES - ke y ta ke a wa ys -
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The U.S. Census Bureau

CONTEXT

In 2021, the President established the White 

House Working Group on Puerto Rico to 

coordinate federal efforts and to ensure 

resources from the federal and Puerto Rico 

governments were invested effectively, 

swiftly, and equitably. 

PILLAR 4

Improve governance and data collection 

and analysis in Puerto Rico to support 

greater transparency, access to 

information, administrative capacity, and 

a more robust business climate for 

Puerto Rico residents.

Pillar 4 link

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to serve as the nation's leading provider of quality data about its people and economy.
CHALLENGES - a n o ve rvie w -

Understanding Needs

Identify specific data needs and 

where the most critical information 

gaps exist

Sampling Frames

Access to high-quality sampling 

frames

Existing Data Sources

Discovery and research of 

administrative and alternative data 

sources 
STRATEGIC EFFORTS SUPPORTING PUERTO RICO - a n o ve rvie w -

Existing Products Expanding Products Statistical Capacity

Survey of State Government 

Research & Development 

(SGRD)

- - 

Puerto Rico’s official U.S. 

Census Profile Page

Puerto Rico’s first Annual 

Economic Survey

- - 

Administrative data

Federal and Puerto Rico’s 

Government 

Partnership Program 

University of Puerto Rico 

- -

Federal Statistical Research 

Data Center

- -

Supporting Puerto Rico 

Agencies conduct surveys
Puerto Rico’s Profile - Census.gov page

CONTEXT

A new webpage dedicated to Puerto Rico 

statistics is live on census.gov. The page 

includes data sets and resources covering 

topics for Puerto Rico such as population, 

demographics, income and employment, 

housing, businesses, and the economy.

link

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Increasing Puerto Rico’s awareness of the Bureau’s offering

https://www.census.gov/puerto-rico
STRATEGIC EFFORTS SUPPORTING PUERTO RICO - a n o ve rvie w -

Existing Products Expanding Products Statistical Capacity

Survey of State Government 

Research & Development 

(SGRD)

- - 

Puerto Rico’s official U.S. 

Census Profile Page

Puerto Rico’s first Annual 

Economic Survey

- - 

Administrative data

Federal and Puerto Rico’s 

Government 

Partnership Program 

University of Puerto Rico 

- -

Federal Statistical Research 

Data Center

- -

Supporting Puerto Rico 

Agencies conduct surveys
Expanding Coverage for Puerto Rico

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Puerto Rico’s Annual Economic Survey

CONTEXT

If funded, this initiative would support the 

establishment of a new business and 

economic program for Puerto Rico, 

including an annual Puerto Rico Economic 

Survey as well as a monthly/quarterly 

economic indicator collection for the 

island.

IMPROVEMENTS

• Cover the majority of sectors in the 

economy 

• Accelerate the availability of data for the 

island

• Public Sector

• Spanish collection instrument & support

• Further support BEA measure Gross 

Domestic Product annually
STRATEGIC EFFORTS SUPPORTING PUERTO RICO - a n o ve rvie w -

Existing Products Expanding Products Statistical Capacity

Survey of State Government 

Research & Development 

(SGRD)

- - 

Puerto Rico’s official U.S. 

Census Profile Page

Puerto Rico’s first Annual 

Economic Survey

- - 

Administrative data

Federal and Puerto Rico’s 

Government 

Partnership Program 

University of Puerto Rico 

- -

Federal Statistical Research 

Data Center

- -

Supporting Puerto Rico 

Agencies conduct surveys
Puerto Rico’s FSRDC 

CONTEXT

Federal Statistical Research Data Centers 

(FSRDC) are partnerships between federal 

statistical agencies and leading research 

institutions. FSRDCs provide secure 

environments supporting qualified 

researchers using restricted-access data 

while protecting respondent confidentiality.

Types of Restricted Census Data Available

• Economic data

• Demographic data

• Employer-Employee linked data

RESEARCH PROJECTS

• Poverty, education, population trends, 

trade and supply chains, and employee 

and employer trends

Expected Q4 FY-2024

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Supporting Puerto Rico’s greater and local access to critical data
STRATEGIC EFFORTS SUPPORTING PUERTO RICO - a n o ve rvie w -

Existing Products Expanding Products Statistical Capacity

Survey of State Government 

Research & Development 

(SGRD)

- - 

Puerto Rico’s official U.S. 

Census Profile Page

Puerto Rico’s first Annual 

Economic Survey

- - 

Administrative data

Federal and Puerto Rico’s 

Government 

Partnership Program 

University of Puerto Rico 

- -

Federal Statistical Research 

Data Center

- -

Supporting Puerto Rico 

Agencies conduct surveys
Research & Development

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Measuring Puerto Rico’s Public & Private Sector Investment

Survey of State Government Research & 

Development (SRGD)

SGRD collects data on the research and 

development activities funded and performed 

by state government agencies.

Business Enterprise Research & 

Development Survey (BERD) 

BERD collects data on the research and 

development activities funded and performed 

by private business.

Collaboration Efforts

- Working closely with the Puerto Rico 

Department of Economic Development and 

Commerce (DEDC)

- Survey Design

- Methodology

- Gap Analysis

- Build statistical capacity
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• Participate and encourage participation

• Help us identify gaps and interesting data

• Engage

HELP US - t h in g s t o c o n s id e r -
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 Michael A Lopez-Pelliccia Economic Programs

 U.S. Census Bureau 

 michael.a.lopez.pelliccia@census.gov