People and Society of Puerto Rico

Nationality

Puerto Rican(s) (US citizens)

Ethnic Groups

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

Population

3,205,691

Population in Major Urban Areas

SAN JUAN (capital) 2.475 million

Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth in Puerto Rico is notably high compared to many other territories and nations in the Caribbean and Latin America, reflecting the island's relatively advanced healthcare infrastructure and access to medical services. As of the most recent estimates, the average life expectancy at birth in Puerto Rico stands at approximately 80 years overall, with women typically living longer than men — around 83 years for females compared to roughly 77 years for males. These figures place Puerto Rico among the higher-performing territories in the Western Hemisphere in terms of longevity. Several factors contribute to this outcome. Puerto Rico benefits from its status as a U.S. territory, which grants residents access to federal healthcare programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. The island has a well-established network of hospitals, clinics, and medical professionals, particularly concentrated in the San Juan metropolitan area. Chronic diseases remain a significant health concern on the island, with cardiovascular disease and diabetes ranking among the leading causes of mortality. Obesity rates are elevated compared to many U.S. states, and these conditions place long-term pressure on the healthcare system. Despite this, ongoing public health initiatives and access to modern medical treatments have helped sustain relatively strong life expectancy outcomes. Puerto Rico experienced a significant public health crisis following Hurricane Maria in September 2017, which caused widespread disruption to healthcare infrastructure and contributed to a substantial spike in mortality. Estimates of the storm's death toll varied considerably, with studies suggesting thousands of excess deaths in the months following the disaster — far exceeding initial official counts. The island's healthcare system has since worked to rebuild capacity, though persistent challenges including population emigration, an aging demographic, and ongoing economic strain continue to affect the availability and distribution of medical resources. Overall, Puerto Rico's life expectancy figures reflect a complex interplay of strong institutional healthcare access, persistent chronic disease burdens, and ongoing socioeconomic challenges that the island continues to navigate.

Infant Mortality Rate

Puerto Rico has achieved notably low infant mortality rates compared to many countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, reflecting the island's access to modern healthcare infrastructure and its close ties to the United States healthcare system. As a U.S. territory, Puerto Rico benefits from federal health programs such as Medicaid and Medicare, which help extend medical services to a broad segment of the population. In recent years, Puerto Rico's infant mortality rate has hovered around 6 to 7 deaths per 1,000 live births, a figure that places it well below regional averages for Latin America and the Caribbean, though slightly above the mainland United States average of approximately 5.4 deaths per 1,000 live births. This gap reflects ongoing challenges the island faces, including economic hardship, healthcare workforce shortages, and the lingering effects of natural disasters such as Hurricane Maria in 2017, which severely disrupted the island's healthcare delivery systems. The leading causes of infant mortality in Puerto Rico are consistent with those seen in developed nations and include congenital anomalies, low birth weight, premature birth complications, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Socioeconomic disparities within the island also play a role, as access to prenatal care can vary significantly between urban and rural communities. Puerto Rico has made meaningful progress in reducing infant mortality over recent decades, largely due to improvements in neonatal intensive care, expanded prenatal screening programs, and public health initiatives targeting maternal health. The island's network of hospitals and clinics, many of which are affiliated with U.S. accreditation bodies, maintains relatively high standards of neonatal care. Continued investment in maternal and child health services, efforts to retain medical professionals on the island — many of whom emigrate to the mainland United States — and rebuilding healthcare infrastructure following natural disasters remain central priorities for improving infant health outcomes in Puerto Rico.

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

Education Culture

Education is a high priority in Puerto Rico. Today, the literacy rate is about 90 percent. Children are required to attend school between the ages of five and seventeen. There are three levels of schooling. The primary level included kindergarten, plus six grades, and the middle and high levels each had three grades. Education for all children began in Puerto Rico when the United States took over the government from the Spanish. Puerto Rico’s Department of Education administers the island’s school system. Classes are taught in Spanish, but students study English as a second language for twelve years of their schooling. Many Puerto Rico’s high school graduates go on to college.

• Roman Catholic85.0%
• Protestant and other15.0%

Spanish

• Spanish

• Eugenio Maria de Hostos

  Author · 1839

  Eugenio Maria de Hostos, Puerto Rican patriot, and author, was born on Jan. 11, 1839.

• Jose Celso Barbosa

  Reformer · 1857

  Jose Celso Barbosa, Puerto Rican physician and patriot, was born on July 27, 1857.

• Luis Munoz

  Author · 1859

  Luis Munoz, Puerto Rican patriot and poet, was born on July 17, 1859.

• Jose de Diego

  Government Leader · 1866

  Jose de Diego, Puerto Rican patriot and political leader was born on April 16, 1866.

• Roberto Clemente

  Athlete · 1934

  Roberto Clemente, Puerto Rican baseball player, was born in Carolina, Puerto Rico on Aug. 18, 1934. He played his entire career in Major League Baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates.