Moving to Puerto Rico: visas, cost of living & immigrant guide

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Population

3,189,068

Population Growth Rate

-0.47%

Urban Population

98.900000

Population in Major Urban Areas

SAN JUAN (capital) 2.475 million

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Age Structure

17.400000

Median Age

38.200000

Birth Rate - births/1,000 population

11

Death Rate - deaths/1,000 population

8.23

Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman

1.64

Contraceptive Prevalance Rate - female 12-49

84.1%

Contraceptive Prevalence Rate - female 12-49

84.1%

Sex Ratio at Birth - male/female

1.020000

Net Migration Rate - migrant(s)/1,000 population

-7.73

Ethnic Groups

white (mostly Spanish origin) 80.5%, black 8%, Amerindian 0.4%, Asian 0.2%, mixed and other 10.9%

Nationality Noun

Puerto Rican(s) (US citizens)

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Literacy - total population

94.1%

Literacy - male

93.9%

Literacy - female

94.4%

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

Total School Life Expectancy - (primary to tertiary)

16.000000

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Life Expectancy at Birth

79.070000

Infant Mortality Rate

8.000000

Infant Mortality Rate - total deaths/1,000 live births

8.000000

Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births

20

Drinking Water Source - percent of urban population improved

93.600000

Sanitation Facility Access - percent of urban population improved

99.300000

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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.

Industries

pharmaceuticals, electronics, apparel, food products, tourism

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$28,500.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

-0.6%

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GDP - Gross Domestic Product (PPP)

$106,820,000,000 (USD)

GDP Per Capita

$28,500.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

-0.6%

GDP - official exchange rate

$61,460,000,000 (USD)

GDP - composition, by end use

• consumption: 90.7% government
• consumption: 15.4% investment in fixed
• capital: 12.9% investment in
• inventories: 0.2% exports of goods and
• services: 110.3% imports of goods and
• services: -129.5%

GDP by Sector- agriculture

0.9%

GDP by Sector- Industry

50.8%

GDP by Sector- services

48.4%

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Inflation Rate

6.5%

Exchange Rate per US Dollar

US dollar (USD)

Currency Name and Code

US Dollar (USD)

Fiscal Year

1 July - 30 June

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Labor Force

1,479,000

Unemployment Rate

12%

Major Industries

pharmaceuticals, electronics, apparel, food products, tourism

Agriculture Products

sugarcane, coffee, pineapples, plantains, bananas, livestock products, chickens

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Labor Force By Occupation- agriculture

2.1%

Labor Force By Occupation- industry

19%

Labor Force By Occupation- services

79%

Annual Budget

$6,700,000,000 (USD)

Budget Surplus or Deficit - percent of GDP

-3.1%

Taxes and other revenues - percent of GDP

7.2%

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Full Country Name

Commonwealth of Puerto Rico

Country Name

Puerto Rico

Abbreviation

PR

Etymology- history of name

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

Independence

none (territory of the US with commonwealth status)

National Holiday

US Independence Day, 4 July (1776); Puerto Rico Constitution Day, 25 July (1952)

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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

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

Executive Branch:

• chief of state: President Donald J. TRUMP (since 20 January 2025)
• head of government: Governor Jenniffer GONZÁLEZ-COLÓN (since 2 January 2025)
• cabinet: Cabinet appointed by governor with the consent of the Legislative Assembly election/appointment
• process: 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, but they can 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) most recent election
• date: 5 November 2024
• election results: 2024: Jenniffer GONZÁLEZ-COLÓN elected governor; percent of vote - Jenniffer GONZÁLEZ-COLÓN (PNP) 39.4%, Juan DALMAU Ramírez (PIP) 32.7%, Jesús Manuel ORTIZ (PPD) 21.1%, Javier JIMÉNEZ (PD) 6.7%, other 0.1% 2020: 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%, other 7.6% expected date of next
• election: 7 November 2028

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 as of April 2024 - men 14, women 13, percentage women 48.1% 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, percentage women 19.6%;
• Note: total Legislative Assembly percentage women 29.5%
• 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:

• 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

Regions or States:

• Summary: 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

Political Parties and Leaders:

• Citizens' Victory Movement (Movimiento Victoria Ciudadana) or MVC [Manuel NATAL Albelo]
• Democratic Party of Puerto Rico [Charlie RODRIGUEZ]
• New Progressive Party or PNP [Pedro PIERLUISI Urrutia] (pro-US statehood)
• Popular Democratic Party or PPD [Jose Luis DALMAU] (pro-commonwealth)
• Project Dignity (Projecto Dignidad) or PD [Cesar VASQUEZ Muniz]
• Puerto Rican Independence Party or PIP [Ruben BERRIOS Martinez] (pro-independence)
• Republican Party of Puerto Rico [Jenniffer GONZALEZ]

Suffrage:

• 18 years of age
• universal
• note - island residents are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections

Citizenship Criteria:

see United States

Capital Name

San Juan

Capital - geographic coordinate

18 28 N, 66 07 W

Capital Time Difference

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

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International Organization Participation:

• AOSIS (observer)
• Caricom (observer)
• Interpol (subbureau)
• IOC
• UNWTO (associate)
• UPU
• WFTU (NGOs)

Diplomatic Representation from US:

• Embassy: none (territory of the US with commonwealth status)

Diplomatic Representation in the US:

• none (territory of the US)

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

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Geographic Location

The Caribbean

Geographic Coordinates

18 15 N, 66 30 W

Total Area

5,324 Square Miles 13,790 Square Kilometers

Land Area

3,425 Square Miles 8,870 Square Kilometers

Water Area

1,900 Square Miles 4,921 Square Kilometers

Coastline

311 Miles 501 Kilometers

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Terrain

• mostly mountains with coastal plain belt in north
• mountains precipitous to sea on west coast
• sandy beaches along most coastal areas

Highest Point

1,338 Meters

Highest Point Location

Cerro de Punta 1,338 m

Lowest Point Location

Caribbean Sea 0 m

Natural Resources

some copper and nickel; potential for onshore and offshore oil

Irrigated Land

85 Square Miles 220 Square Kilometers

Time Zone

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

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Climate

tropical marine, mild; little seasonal temperature variation

Terrain

• mostly mountains with coastal plain belt in north
• mountains precipitous to sea on west coast
• sandy beaches along most coastal areas

Location

Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic

Total Area

5,324 Square Miles 13,790 Square Kilometers

Environment - Current Issues

erosion; occasional drought causing water shortages

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Exports

$46,900,000,000 (USD)

Imports

$29,100,000,000 (USD)

Major Exports

chemicals, electronics, apparel, canned tuna, rum, beverage concentrates, medical equipment

Major Imports

chemicals, machinery and equipment, clothing, food, fish, petroleum products

Top Export Partners

US 90.3%, UK 1.6%, Netherlands 1.4%, Dominican Republic 1.4%

Top Import Partners

US 55.0%, Ireland 23.7%, Japan 5.4%

Export Partners

US 90.3%, UK 1.6%, Netherlands 1.4%, Dominican Republic 1.4%

Import Partners

US 55.0%, Ireland 23.7%, Japan 5.4%

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Airports - total

29

Airports with Paved Runways

17

Roadways- total

16,691 Miles 26,862 Kilometers

Ports and Terminals

Aguadilla, Arecibo, Fajardo, Guanica, Guayanilla, Guayama, Mayaguez, Playa de Ponce, San Juan

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Telephones

870,100

Cell Phones

3,354,000

Internet Users

1,000,000

Internet Country Code

.pr

Internet Hosts

482

Broadcast Media

• more than 30 TV stations operating
• cable TV subscription services are available
• roughly 125 radio stations

Telephone System

• assessment: modern system integrated with that of the US by high-capacity submarine cable and Intelsat with high-speed data capability
• domestic: digital telephone system; mobile-cellular services
• international: country code - 1-787, 939; submarine cables provide connectivity to the US, Caribbean, Central and South America; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat

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Electricity Consumption- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

22,060,000,000

Electricity Production- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

23,720,000,000

Natural Gas Consumption - Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

770,000,000

Natural Gas Imports- Cubic Meters (cu m)

750,000,000

Oil Consumption- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

151,600

Oil Production- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

436

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Anthem History

• 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)

Anthem Lyrics

OFFICIAL La Borinqueña official anthem lyrics march arrangement by Ramón Collado lyrics by Manuel Fernández Juncos La tierra de Borinquen donde he nacido yo es un jardín florido de mágico primor.

Un cielo siempre nítido le sirve de dosel y dan arrullos plácidos las olas a sus pies.

Cuando a sus playas llegó Colón, exclamó lleno de admiración: ¡Oh! ¡Oh! ¡Oh! Ésta es la linda tierra que busco yo.

Es Borinquen, la hija, la hija del mar y el sol.

Del mar y el sol.

Del mar y el sol.

Del mar y el sol.

Del mar y el sol.

ROMANTIC La bella trigueña habanera by Francisco Ramírez salon dance arrangement by Félix Ástol Artés lyrics attributed to Francisco Ramírez or Félix Ástol Artés Bellísima trigueña imagen del candor del jardín de Borinquen pura y fragante flor.

Por ti se queda extátco todo el mortal que ve tu aire gentil, simpático tu breve y lindo pie.

Cuando te asomas a tu balcón la luz se eclipsa del mismo sol.

La luz se eclipsa del mismo sol.

Porque tus negros ojos dos rayos son que al que los mira, niña, abrásanle el corazón.

Tú galana descuellas entre las flores mil que adornan primorosas el tropical pensil.

En torno a ti el céfiro se mueve sin cesar.

El colibrí solícito te viene a acariciar.

Linda trigueña, mi dulce bien, eres la perla de Borinquen. ¡Oh! ¡Oh! ¡Oh!

Apiádate, trigueña, de mi dolor, que por ti me muero, me muero de inmenso amor.

De inmenso amor, de inmenso amor.

De inmenso amor, de inmenso amor. 19TH.

CENTURY PATRIOTIC La Borinqueña to the tune of "La bella trigueña" Revolutionary lyrics by Lola Rodríguez de Tió ¡Despierta, borinqueño, que han dado la señal! ¡Despierta de ese sueño, que es hora de luchar!

A ese llamar patriótico, ¿no arde tu corazón?

Ven, nos será simpático el ruido del cañón.

Mira, ya el cubano libre está; le dará el machete la libertad.

Ya el tambor guerrero dice en su son que es la manigua el sitio, el sitio de la reunión.

Bellísima Borinquen, a Cuba hay hay que seguir.

Tú tienes bravos hijos que quieren combatir.

Ya por más tiempo impávidos no podemos estar.

Ya no queremos, tímidos, dejarnos subyugar.

Nosotros queremos ser libres ya y nuestro machete afilado está. ¿Por qué entonces nosotros hemos de estar tan dormidos y sordos, y sordos a esa señal?

No hay que temer, riqueños, al ruido del cañón: que salvar a la patria es deber del corazón. ¡Ya no queremos déspotas! ¡Caiga el tirano ya!

Las mujeres indómitas también sabrán luchar.

Nosotros queremos la libertad y nuestro machete nos la dará.

Vámonos, borinqueñ, vámonos ya, que nos espera ansiosa, ansiosa la libertad.

La libertad, la libertad.

La libertad, la libertad. 20TH.

CENTURY PATRIOTIC La Borinqueña to the tune of the official anthem lyrics anonymously distributed at a 1968 political meeting Celebrating the Centennial of the Rebel Yell at Lares El pueblo de Borinquen se yergue con valor para expulsar al fiero tiránico invasor.

El Lares vuelve a refulgir machete redentor y en Macaná retumba ya el ruido del fusil.

Enarbolemos el pabellón unidos todos en el amor. ¡Oh! ¡Oh! ¡Oh!

Libre sea la tierra que vio Colón.

De Betances y Albizu la patria del corazón.

Del corazón.

Del corazón.

Del corazón.

Del corazón.