Topic: Photos of Puerto Rico

Topic: Introduction
Background: Populated for centuries by aboriginal peoples, the island was claimed by the Spanish Crown in 1493 following 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 providing 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. 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. The trend has accelerated since 2010; in 2014, Puerto Rico experienced a net population loss to the mainland of 64,000, more than double the net loss of 26,000 in 2010. Hurricane Maria struck the island on 20 September 2017 causing catastrophic damage, including destruction of the electrical grid that had been crippled by Hurricane Irma just two weeks before. It was the worst storm to hit the island in eight decades, and damage is estimated in the tens of billions of dollars. A referendum held in late 2020 showed a narrow preference for American statehood.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.

Topic: Geography
Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic
Geographic coordinates: 18 15 N, 66 30 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area: total: 9,104 sq km

land: 8,959 sq km

water: 145 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly less than three times the size of Rhode Island
Land boundaries: total: 0 km
Coastline: 501 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate: tropical marine, mild; little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain: mostly mountains with coastal plain in north; precipitous mountains to the sea on west coast; sandy beaches along most coastal areas
Elevation: highest point: Cerro de Punta 1,338 m

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

mean elevation: 261 m
Natural resources: some copper and nickel; potential for onshore and offshore oil
Land use: agricultural land: 22% (2018 est.)

arable land: 6.6% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 5.6% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 9.8% (2018 est.)

forest: 63.2% (2018 est.)

other: 14.8% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 220 sq km (2012)
Population distribution: population clusters tend to be found along the coast, the largest of these is found in and around San Juan; an exception to this is a sizeable population located in the interior of the island immediately south of the capital around Caguas; most of the interior, particularly in the western half of the island, is dominated by the Cordillera Central mountains, where population density is low
Natural hazards: periodic droughts; hurricanes
Geography - note: important location along the Mona Passage - a key shipping lane to the Panama Canal; San Juan is one of the biggest and best natural harbors in the Caribbean; many small rivers and high central mountains ensure land is well watered; south coast relatively dry; fertile coastal plain belt in north
Map description: Puerto Rico map showing major population centers and islands of this US territory in the Caribbean Sea.Puerto Rico map showing major population centers and islands of this US territory in the Caribbean Sea.

Topic: People and Society
Population: 3,098,423 (2022 est.)
Nationality: noun: Puerto Rican(s) (US citizens)

adjective: Puerto Rican
Ethnic groups: White 75.8%, Black/African American 12.4%, other 8.5% (includes American Indian, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian, other Pacific Islander, and others), mixed 3.3% (2010 est.)

note: 99% of the population is Latino
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% (largely Pentecostal), other 2%, atheist 1%, none 7% (2014 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 14.22% (male 231,406/female 222,061)

15-24 years: 12.78% (male 207,169/female 200,373)

25-54 years: 37.73% (male 573,114/female 630,276)

55-64 years: 13.5% (male 197,438/female 232,931)

65 years and over: 21.77% (2020 est.) (male 297,749/female 396,551)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 57.7

youth dependency ratio: 24.8

elderly dependency ratio: 32.8

potential support ratio: 3 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 43.6 years

male: 41.6 years

female: 45.3 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: -1.38% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 7.87 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 9.76 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: -11.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: population clusters tend to be found along the coast, the largest of these is found in and around San Juan; an exception to this is a sizeable population located in the interior of the island immediately south of the capital around Caguas; most of the interior, particularly in the western half of the island, is dominated by the Cordillera Central mountains, where population density is low
Urbanization: urban population: 93.6% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: -0.12% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 2.443 million SAN JUAN (capital) (2022)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 0.91 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.85 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female

total population: 0.89 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio: 21 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 6.04 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 6.61 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 5.43 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 81.68 years

male: 78.47 years

female: 85.08 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.24 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA
Drinking water source: improved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 100% of population

unimproved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 0% of population (2020 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: NA
Physicians density: 3.06 physicians/1,000 population (2018)
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 100% of population

unimproved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 0% of population (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA
Education expenditures: 6.1% of GDP (2014 est.)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 92.4%

male: 92.4%

female: 92.4% (2017)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 16 years

male: 15 years

female: 18 years (2018)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 26.6%

male: 28.9%

female: 23.1% (2012 est.)

Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: soil erosion; occasional droughts cause water shortages; industrial pollution
Climate: tropical marine, mild; little seasonal temperature variation
Land use: agricultural land: 22% (2018 est.)

arable land: 6.6% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 5.6% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 9.8% (2018 est.)

forest: 63.2% (2018 est.)

other: 14.8% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 93.6% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: -0.12% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 4,170,953 tons (2015 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 583,933 tons (2013 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 14% (2013 est.)
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 796 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 2.365 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 113.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 7.1 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: Commonwealth of Puerto Rico

conventional short form: Puerto Rico

abbreviation: PR

etymology: Christopher COLUMBUS named the island San Juan Bautista (Saint John the Baptist) and the capital city and main port Cuidad de Puerto Rico (Rich Port City); over time, however, the names were shortened and transposed and the island came to be called Puerto Rico and its capital San Juan
Government type: unincorporated organized territory of the US with local self-government; republican form of territorial government with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches; note - reference Puerto Rican Federal Relations Act, 2 March 1917, as amended by Public Law 600, 3 July 1950
Dependency status: unincorporated organized territory of the US with commonwealth status; policy relations between Puerto Rico and the US conducted under the jurisdiction of the Office of the President
Capital: name: San Juan

geographic coordinates: 18 28 N, 66 07 W

time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: the name dates to 1521 and the founding of the city under the name "Ciudad de San Juan Bautista de Puerto Rico" (City of Saint John the Baptist of Puerto Rico)
Administrative divisions: none (territory of the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 78 municipalities (municipios, singular - municipio) at the 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
Independence: none (territory of the US with commonwealth status)
National holiday: US Independence Day, 4 July (1776); Puerto Rico Constitution Day, 25 July (1952)
Constitution: history: previous 1900 (Organic Act, or Foraker Act); latest ratified by referendum 3 March 1952, approved 3 July 1952, effective 25 July 1952

amendments: proposed by a concurrent resolution of at least two-thirds majority by the total Legislative Assembly membership; approval requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the membership of both houses and approval by a majority of voters in a special referendum; if passed by at least three-fourths Assembly vote, the referendum can be held concurrently with the next general election; constitutional articles such as the republican form of government or the bill of rights cannot be amended; amended 1952
Legal system: civil law system based on the Spanish civil code and within the framework of the US federal system
Citizenship: see United States
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; note - island residents are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections
Executive branch: chief of state: President Joseph R. BIDEN Jr. (since 20 January 2021); Vice President Kamala D. HARRIS (since 20 January 2021)

head of government: Governor Pedro PIERLUISI (since 2 January 2021)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by governor with the consent of the Legislative Assembly

elections/appointments: president and vice president indirectly elected on the same ballot by an Electoral College of 'electors' chosen from each state; president and vice president serve a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); under the US Constitution, residents of Puerto Rico do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; however, they may vote in Democratic and Republican party presidential primary elections; governor directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 4-year term (no term limits); election last held on 3 November 2020 (next to be held on  November 2024)

election results: 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%

note: on 24 July 2019, Governor Ricardo ROSSELLO announced his resignation effective 2 August 2019; as Secretary of State, Pedro PIERLUISI succeeded Governor Ricardo ROSSELLO; on 7 August 2019 the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico ruled Pedro PIERLUISI accession was unconstitutional and Wanda VAZQUEZ is sworn in as governor
Legislative branch: description:
bicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa consists of:
Senate or Senado (30 seats statutory, 27 current; 16 members directly elected in 8 2-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 11 at-large members directly elected by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms)
House of Representatives or Camara de Representantes (51 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms)

elections:
Senate - last held on 3 November 2020 (next to be held on 5 November 2024 )
House of Representatives - last held on 3 November 2020 (next to be held on 5 November 2024)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PPD 12, NP 10, MVC 2, PD 1,  PIP 1, independent 1; composition - men 17, women 10; percent of women 37% House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PPD 26, PNP 21, MVC 2,  PIP 1, PD 1; composition - men 41, women 10, percent of women 19.6%; note - total Legislative Assembly percent of women 25.6% note: Puerto Rico directly elects 1 member by simple majority vote to serve a 4-year term as a commissioner to the US House of Representatives; the commissioner can vote when serving on a committee and when the House meets as the Committee of the Whole House but not when legislation is submitted for a 'full floor' House vote; election of commissioner last held on 6 November 2018 (next to be held in November 2022)Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PPD 12, NP 10, MVC 2, PD 1,  PIP 1, independent 1; composition - men 17, women 10; percent of women 37%note: Puerto Rico directly elects 1 member by simple majority vote to serve a 4-year term as a commissioner to the US House of Representatives; the commissioner can vote when serving on a committee and when the House meets as the Committee of the Whole House but not when legislation is submitted for a 'full floor' House vote; election of commissioner last held on 6 November 2018 (next to be held in November 2022)
Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 8 associate justices)

judge selection and term of office: justices appointed by the governor and confirmed by majority Senate vote; judges serve until compulsory retirement at age 70

subordinate courts: Court of Appeals; First Instance Court comprised of superior and municipal courts
Political parties and leaders: Citizens' Victory Movement (Movimiento Victoria Ciudadana) or MVC [Manuel NATAL Alberto]
National Democratic Party [Charlie RODRIGUEZ]
National Republican Party of Puerto Rico [Jenniffer GONZALEZ]
New Progressive Party or PNP [Ricardo ROSSELLO] (pro-US statehood)
Popular Democratic Party or PPD [Alejandro GARCIA Padillo] (pro-commonwealth)
Project Dignity (Projecto Dignidad) or PD [Cesar VASQUEZ Muniz]
Puerto Rican Independence Party or PIP [Ruben BERRIOS Martinez] (pro-independence)
International organization participation: AOSIS (observer), Caricom (observer), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UNWTO (associate), UPU, WFTU (NGOs)
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of the US)
Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy: none (territory of the US with commonwealth status)
Flag description: five equal horizontal bands of red (top, center, and bottom) alternating with white; a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bears a large, white, five-pointed star in the center; the white star symbolizes Puerto Rico; the three sides of the triangle signify the executive, legislative and judicial parts of the government; blue stands for the sky and the coastal waters; red symbolizes the blood shed by warriors, while white represents liberty, victory, and peace

note: design initially influenced by the US flag, but similar to the Cuban flag, with the colors of the bands and triangle reversed
National symbol(s): Puerto Rican spindalis (bird), coqui (frog); national colors: red, white, blue
National anthem: name: "La Borinquena" (The Puerto Rican)

lyrics/music: Manuel Fernandez JUNCOS/Felix Astol ARTES

note: music adopted 1952, lyrics adopted 1977; the local anthem's name is a reference to the indigenous name of the island, Borinquen; the music was originally composed as a dance in 1867 and gained popularity in the early 20th century; there is some evidence that the music was written by Francisco RAMIREZ; as a commonwealth of the US, "The Star-Spangled Banner" is official (see United States)
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

Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Puerto Rico had one of the most dynamic economies in the Caribbean region until 2006; however, growth has been negative for each of the last 11 years. The downturn coincided with the phaseout of tax preferences that had led US firms to invest heavily in the Commonwealth since the 1950s, and a steep rise in the price of oil, which generates most of the island's electricity.   Diminished job opportunities prompted a sharp rise in outmigration, as many Puerto Ricans sought jobs on the US mainland. Unemployment reached 16% in 2011, but declined to 11.5% in December 2017. US minimum wage laws apply in Puerto Rico, hampering job expansion. Per capita income is about two-thirds that of the US mainland.   The industrial sector greatly exceeds agriculture as the locus of economic activity and income. Tourism has traditionally been an important source of income with estimated arrivals of more than 3.6 million tourists in 2008. Puerto Rico's merchandise trade surplus is exceptionally strong, with exports nearly 50% greater than imports, and its current account surplus about 10% of GDP.   Closing the budget deficit while restoring economic growth and employment remain the central concerns of the government. The gap between revenues and expenditures amounted to 0.6% of GDP in 2016, although analysts believe that not all expenditures have been accounted for in the budget and a better accounting of costs would yield an overall deficit of roughly 5% of GDP. Public debt remained steady at 92.5% of GDP in 2017, about $17,000 per person, or nearly three times the per capita debt of the State of Connecticut, the highest in the US. Much of that debt was issued by state-run schools and public corporations, including water and electric utilities. In June 2015, Governor Alejandro GARCIA Padilla announced that the island could not pay back at least $73 billion in debt and that it would seek a deal with its creditors.   Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico square on in September 2017, causing electrical power outages to 90% of the territory, as well as extensive loss of housing and infrastructure and contamination of potable water. Despite massive efforts, more than 40% of the territory remained without electricity as of yearend 2017. As a result of the destruction, many Puerto Ricans have emigrated to the US mainland.Puerto Rico had one of the most dynamic economies in the Caribbean region until 2006; however, growth has been negative for each of the last 11 years. The downturn coincided with the phaseout of tax preferences that had led US firms to invest heavily in the Commonwealth since the 1950s, and a steep rise in the price of oil, which generates most of the island's electricity. Diminished job opportunities prompted a sharp rise in outmigration, as many Puerto Ricans sought jobs on the US mainland. Unemployment reached 16% in 2011, but declined to 11.5% in December 2017. US minimum wage laws apply in Puerto Rico, hampering job expansion. Per capita income is about two-thirds that of the US mainland. The industrial sector greatly exceeds agriculture as the locus of economic activity and income. Tourism has traditionally been an important source of income with estimated arrivals of more than 3.6 million tourists in 2008. Puerto Rico's merchandise trade surplus is exceptionally strong, with exports nearly 50% greater than imports, and its current account surplus about 10% of GDP. Closing the budget deficit while restoring economic growth and employment remain the central concerns of the government. The gap between revenues and expenditures amounted to 0.6% of GDP in 2016, although analysts believe that not all expenditures have been accounted for in the budget and a better accounting of costs would yield an overall deficit of roughly 5% of GDP. Public debt remained steady at 92.5% of GDP in 2017, about $17,000 per person, or nearly three times the per capita debt of the State of Connecticut, the highest in the US. Much of that debt was issued by state-run schools and public corporations, including water and electric utilities. In June 2015, Governor Alejandro GARCIA Padilla announced that the island could not pay back at least $73 billion in debt and that it would seek a deal with its creditors. Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico square on in September 2017, causing electrical power outages to 90% of the territory, as well as extensive loss of housing and infrastructure and contamination of potable water. Despite massive efforts, more than 40% of the territory remained without electricity as of yearend 2017. As a result of the destruction, many Puerto Ricans have emigrated to the US mainland.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $106.82 billion (2020 est.)

$111.16 billion (2019 est.)

$109.53 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: -2.4% (2017 est.)

-1.3% (2016 est.)

-1% (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $33,400 (2020 est.)

$34,800 (2019 est.)

$34,300 (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $104.2 billion (2017 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.8% (2017 est.)

-0.3% (2016 est.)
Credit ratings: Standard & Poors rating: D (2015)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 0.8% (2017 est.)

industry: 50.1% (2017 est.)

services: 49.1% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 87.7% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 12.2% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 11.7% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 0.5% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 117.8% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -129.8% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: milk, plantains, bananas, poultry, tomatoes, mangoes/guavas, eggs, oranges, gourds, papayas
Industries: pharmaceuticals, electronics, apparel, food products, tourism
Industrial production growth rate: -2.1% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 1.139 million (December 2014 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 2.1%

industry: 19%

services: 79% (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate: 10.8% (2017 est.)

11.8% (2016 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 26.6%

male: 28.9%

female: 23.1% (2012 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA
Budget: revenues: 9.268 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 9.974 billion (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -0.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 51.6% of GDP (2017 est.)

50.1% of GDP (2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues: 8.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Current account balance: $0 (2017 est.)

$0 (2016 est.)
Exports: $73.17 billion (2017 est.)

$73.2 billion (2016 est.)
Exports - partners: Italy 15%, Netherlands 15%, Belgium 9%, Japan 8%, Germany 8%, Austria 8%, Spain 7%, China 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities: packaged medicines, medical cultures/vaccines, hormones, orthopedic and medical appliances, sulfur compounds (2019)
Imports: $49.01 billion (2017 est.)

$48.86 billion (2016 est.)
Imports - partners: Ireland 38%, Singapore 9%, Switzerland 8%, South Korea 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities: nitrogen compounds, sulfur compounds, refined petroleum, medical cultures/vaccines, cars (2019)
Debt - external: $56.82 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

$52.98 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates: the US dollar is usedthe US dollar is used

Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020)
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 6.18 million kW (2020 est.)

consumption: 15,203,140,000 kWh (2019 est.)

exports: 0 kWh (2020 est.)

imports: 0 kWh (2020 est.)

transmission/distribution losses: 2.5 billion kWh (2019 est.)
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 94.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

solar: 1.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

wind: 3.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

hydroelectricity: 0.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

biomass and waste: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Coal: production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

consumption: 1.361 million metric tons (2020 est.)

exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

imports: 1.502 million metric tons (2020 est.)

proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Petroleum: total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)

refined petroleum consumption: 79,000 bbl/day (2019 est.)

crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)

crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)

crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 18,420 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 127,100 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Natural gas: production: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

consumption: 1,366,512,000 cubic meters (2020 est.)

exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

imports: 1,366,512,000 cubic meters (2020 est.)

proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 18.999 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke: 3.774 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids: 11.407 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from consumed natural gas: 3.818 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: 94.379 million Btu/person (2019 est.)

Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 711,512 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 25 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 3,483,570 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 122 (2020 est.)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Puerto Rico has a small telecom market which in recent years has been deeply affected by a combination of economic mismanagement and natural disasters, including two hurricanes which landed in late 2017 and an earthquake which struck in January 2020; these disasters caused considerable destruction of telecom infrastructure, which in turn led to a marked decline in the number of subscribers for all services; compounding these difficulties have been a long-term economic downturn which encouraged many people not to resume telecom services after these were restored; after some delay, the FCC in late 2019 issued an order relating to the release of funds to help rebuild telecom infrastructure; although Puerto Rico is a US territory it lags well behind the mainland US states in terms of fixed-line and broadband services; this is partly due to high unemployment rates (and consequently low disposable income) and poor telecoms investment in a market largely dominated by the incumbent Puerto Rico Telephone Company; this dominance was augmented after the company was acquired by the largest wireless operator in Latin America, América Móvil, in 2007; the acquisition by Liberty Global of the remaining cable TV operator Choice Cable, completed in mid-2015, created a monopoly player in this sector; Liberty Cablevisión (renamed Liberty Communications of Puerto Rico in 2020), now wholly-owned by Liberty Global’s LLA division, is in a stronger position to capitalize on scale, and so provide improved services based on greater investment and on the use of technology based on the DOCSIS3.1 standard; Liberty Communications has also become better placed in the bundled service market following LLA’s acquisition of AT&T’s wireless and wire line units in Puerto Rico; the mobile market has been impacted by several mergers and acquisitions over the last few years; in early 2017 Sprint and Open Wireless agreed to merge their networks in a bid to offer better market competition by increasing their scale and combining spectrum holdings; the T-Mobile US acquisition of Sprint Communications was approved in April 2020, and LLA’s acquisition of AT&T’s Puerto Rican and US Virgin Islands operations was finalized in October 2020; the activities of large multinational telcos such as América Móvil, T-Mobile US, and LLA, continue to impact the Puerto Rican market; operators have secured spectrum in the 600MHz and 3.5GHz bands, thus enabling them to expand the reach of LTE services and launch services based on 5G;  the growing number of submarine cables landing in Puerto Rico is helping to drive down the cost of telecom services, creating a demand for streaming content from abroad; the uptake of cloud-based applications for both business and individuals is also creating a heightened demand for affordable services. (2021)

domestic: digital telephone system; mobile-cellular services; fixed-line nearly 25 per 100 and mobile-cellular nearly 122 per 100 persons (2020)

international: country code - 1-787, 939; landing points for the GTMO-PR, AMX-1, BRUSA, GCN, PCCS, SAm-1, Southern Caribbean Fiber, Americas-II, Antillas, ARCOS, SMPR-1, and Taino-Carib submarine cables providing connectivity to the mainland US, Caribbean, Central and South America; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (2019)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
Broadcast media: more than 30 TV stations operating; cable TV subscription services are available; roughly 125 radio stations
Internet country code: .pr
Internet users: total: 2,559,600 (2020 est.)

percent of population: 78% (2020 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 671,284 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 24 (2020 est.)

Topic: Transportation
Airports: total: 29 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 17

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 7

under 914 m: 5 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 12

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 10 (2021)
Roadways: total: 26,862 km (2012) (includes 454 km of expressways)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Ensenada Honda, Mayaguez, Playa de Guayanilla, Playa de Ponce, San Juan

container port(s) (TEUs): San Juan (2,142,662) (2019)

LNG terminal(s) (import): Guayanilla Bay

Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: no regular indigenous military forces; National Guard, State Guard, Police Force
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US

Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: illegal migrants from the Dominican Republic cross the Mona Passage to Puerto Rico each year looking for workillegal migrants from the Dominican Republic cross the Mona Passage to Puerto Rico each year looking for work