
Key Homicide Data in Puerto Rico: An Analysis in the International Context
The Puerto Rico Violent Death Reporting System (PRVDRS), attached to the Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics, has published a new information capsule with 2024 data analyzing the archipelago's situation compared to the rest of the world.
Below, we highlight the most relevant findings regarding the incidence of homicides in Puerto Rico and worldwide:
Puerto Rico's Position in the Region
- Homicide Rate: Puerto Rico recorded a crude rate of 15.2 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants.
- Caribbean Ranking: Among the 11 countries and jurisdictions analyzed in the Caribbean region, Puerto Rico ranks 10th, placing below jurisdictions such as the Turks and Caicos Islands (103.2), Haiti (64.3), Trinidad and Tobago (41.5), and Jamaica (40.4).
- Compared to the Regional Average: Although Puerto Rico's figure (15.2) sits below the Latin America and Caribbean average (19.3), it remains nearly three times higher than the global homicide average (5.1 per 100,000 inhabitants).
Firearm Prevalence: Puerto Rico – The Second Highest Figure in the Region
- 89.2% of Homicides Involve Firearms: Nearly 9 out of 10 homicides in the archipelago are committed using a firearm.
- Regional Leader: Alongside Saint Kitts and Nevis (89.3%), Puerto Rico presented the highest proportion of firearm homicides in all of Latin America and the Caribbean.
- International Contrast: This figure far exceeds the global average for firearm homicides (67.2%). The document emphasizes that a large portion of these incidents in Puerto Rico is related to organized crime.
Comparison by Gender and Racial Groups (Puerto Rico vs. United States)
When adjusting rates by age and comparing Puerto Rico's population with various groups in the U.S., significant disparities by sex are observed:
- Men: Men in Puerto Rico present the second-highest homicide risk rate (32.5 per 100,000 inhabitants), surpassed only by Black men in the U.S. (41.5). This figure is considerably higher than that of Hispanic men (8.6) and White men (3.6) in the U.S.
- Women: The adjusted rate for women in Puerto Rico is 3.9 per 100,000 inhabitants, placing below the risk level observed in Black women (6.9) and Native American women (5.9) in the U.S.
For more information, download the information capsule in the Access the Document section.
About the Data Source
The PRVDRS was established in 2016 with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The system consolidates and validates information from the Bureau of Forensic Sciences, the Puerto Rico Police, and the Demographic Registry of the Department of Health to generate rigorous and internationally comparable statistics.
Links of interest: Puerto Rico Violent Death Reporting System

Institute presents Demographic and Economic Indicators
Experts from the Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics made a presentation to the Board of Directors of the Puerto Rico Cooperative Bank.
Dr. Ronald Hernández Maldonado and Mr. Alberto L. Velázquez Estrada presented updated information on sociodemographic and economic indicators.
Considering Puerto Rico's statistical information is vital in planning and decision-making in public and private entities.
Access demographic data:
https://www.estadisticas.pr.gov/productos/state-data-center-de-puerto-rico
Access economic indicators:
https://www.estadisticas.pr.gov/productos/indicadores-economicos

Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics to present new data on migration
In a specialized webinar today, April 30, 2026
At a time when migration continues to influence Puerto Rico's economy, demography and public planning, the Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics announced the holding of the webinar ”2023—2024 Migrant Profile”, which will present the most recent findings on population movements between Puerto Rico and the rest of the United States.
The event will be held this Thursday, April 30, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., in virtual mode, and will offer an updated analysis of changes in migratory patterns, as well as the sociodemographic characteristics of people who migrate and return to Puerto Rico. The activity is free of charge but requires registration at: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/2574211161276128093.
The session will be led by Alberto L. VelázquezEstrada, Senior Manager of Statistical Projects at the Institute, who will present data on variables such as age, educational level, income and mobility trends. In addition, essential methodological aspects for the study of migration will be discussed both in Puerto Rico and in other jurisdictions of the United States.
The analysis is based on statistical products such as the Migrant Profile, which integrate information from official sources such as the U.S. Census Bureau Community Survey, and other population mobility metrics.
Velázquez highlighted that this type of analysis is key to understanding the impact of migration in areas such as the labor market, government planning and economic development, as well as for guiding decision-making based on data. “This webinar is part of the Institute's Academies and Workshops program, an initiative that seeks to strengthen access and use of reliable statistics among professionals, researchers, students and the general public,” said Velázquez.
To learn more about the Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics, you can access www.estadisticas.pr.gov or follow their social networks: Facebook (@estadisticas .pr), X (@EstadisticasPR), Instagram (@institutodeestadisticas) and LinkedIn (Institute of Statistics of Puerto Rico).

In Puerto Rico, we need more information about the deaf community.
For this reason, the registration of the deaf community in Puerto Rico is being carried out.
If you are deaf, have hearing loss, or are a family member or caregiver, get involved.
Your information will help develop more effective services, programs and public policies.
It only takes 3-5 minutes
Access it here: surveymonkey.com/r/sordospr

To amend articles 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27; and to add a new article 19A to Act No. 134 of June 28, 1969, as amended, known as the “Puerto Rico Explosives Act”, with the purpose of establishing a modern, agile and harmonized regulatory framework for manufacturing, use, possession, storage, sale, transfer and disposal of explosives and regulated substances; restructure the pricing scheme to reflect actual costs associated with the issuance of permits, supervision, inspection and oversight operations; and for other related purposes.

PROPOSED REGULATIONS UNDER REVIEW IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE PUBLIC POLICY OF THE GOVERNMENT OF PUERTO RICO FOR CITIZEN COMMENTS
Pursuant to the powers and authorities granted by the Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics Act, Act No. 209 of August 28, 2003, as amended, and the Uniform Administrative Procedure Act of the Government of Puerto Rico, Act No. 38 of June 30, 2017, as amended, the Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics proposes to amend the Regulation on Information Requirement Orders of the Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics and the Regulation of the Statistical Coordination Committee.
The Regulation on Information Requirement Orders of the Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics establishes the regulatory framework and procedures for the Institute to request information from public and private entities, ensuring the quality, transparency, and accessibility of Puerto Rico’s statistical data. It also defines the duties of the parties, secure digital delivery methods, due process for objecting to orders, and applicable administrative penalties in cases of noncompliance. You can access the proposed regulation here: Regulation on Information Requirement Orders of the Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics.
The Regulation of the Statistical Coordination Committee (CCE) governs the operation of the CCE, establishing the procedures for the appointment of its members, their technical duties, and the rules for the creation of specialized working groups. It defines the responsibilities of government agency heads to ensure the flow of data and establishes administrative penalties for noncompliance, promoting transparency and quality in Puerto Rico’s statistical system. You can access the proposed regulation here: Regulation of the Statistical Coordination Committee.

To amend paragraphs (gg) and (mm) and add a new paragraph (rr) to Article 1.02; to amend paragraph (e) of Article 2.02 of Act No. 168-2019, as amended, known as the “Puerto Rico Weapons Act of 2020”, to establish the mandatory requirement for the use of a holster for carrying firearms; and for other related purposes.