In the year 1493, Juan Ponce de Leon, a Spanish explorer, accompanied Christopher Columbus on his voyage and subsequently assumed control of the present-day San Juan de Puerto Rico in 1508. (This is the only country in Latin America that is a United States territory and shares a significant historical connection with Peru, 2024) The conquest initiated by Spain created a permanent presence within the Caribbean islands and its people. During the colonization of Puerto Rico, Catholicism gained prominence due to the strong connection between the Spanish monarchy and the church. (Pariona, 2018) Genetic studies conducted on contemporary Puerto Ricans indicate a demographic history influenced by the blending of Indigenous American, African, and European populations. (Genetic ancestry in Puerto Rican Afro-descendants illustrates diverse histories of African diasporic populations, 2024) Since April 11, 1899, the United States Government has held complete control over Puerto Rico. (Puerto Rico’s link to the U.S. continues 125 years after its cession by Spain, 2024) Puerto Rico’s complex history of colonization, cultural blending, and political transitions has shaped its unique identity as a U.S. territory while preserving deep-rooted connections to its Spanish, Indigenous, and African heritage.
As of 2022, Puerto Rico’s total population was estimated to be projected the population to reach 3.17 million in 2024. (Statistics Report About Puerto Rico, 2023) In 2020, the median age was recorded at 43.6 years. In 2022, 13.44% of the population was under 14, with 63.63% of Puerto Rico’s age structure being anywhere from 15 to 64 years old; 22.93% of the population being 65 and up. The overall life expectancy is 79.7 years old. (Statistics Report About Puerto Rico, 2023) Currently, Puerto Rico is recorded to have 1,133,900 million people employed in August of 2024 and there are currently 68,000 people unemployed. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024) The unemployment rate is the lowest percentage recorded in more than 20 years. (Statistics Report About Puerto Rico, 2023) Despite current employment challenges, the steady decrease in the unemployment rate and the lowest recorded percentage in over 20 years signal positive momentum for Puerto Rico’s job market moving forward.
The minimum hourly wage in Puerto Rico is $10.50 an hour. (Another setback for the business sector with the minimum wage, 2024) The average weekly pay in the United States is $1,435, while the average weekly pay in Puerto Rico is $688. San Juan, being the capital, averaged at $839 a week. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024) In April of 2024, the average salary in Puerto Rico is $34,120. A study by the Institute for Youth Development found that the majority of low-income families under $35,000 annually, have women as the head of household and likely receive assistance from social support programs. (World wealth to grow 4.2% by 2023, 2024) In conclusion, Puerto Rico’s rich and complex history of colonization, cultural amalgamation, and evolving demographics continue to shape its identity and socioeconomic landscape today.
Figure 5: Total population of Puerto Rico from 2019 to 2029 (in million inhabitants)
