Puerto Rico paid $919,734,046 in tariffs during 2025

The current situation presents an opportunity to strengthen production in Puerto Rico and increase its presence in the U.S. market through reshoring strategies.

The Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics presented estimates related to the scope of the tariff burden in Puerto Rico.  The data shows that the amount of tariffs on imports increased by 288.66% between 2024 and 2025.  In 2024, the total amount of tariffs was $236,641,688, while in 2025 it increased to $919,734,046.

Annual Tariffs 2010-2025

Between 2010 and 2025, the year 2025 showed the highest amount in tariffs.  These amounted to $919,734,046, representing an increase of $683,092,358 compared to 2024, equivalent to a year-over-year increase of 288.66%.  

On the other hand, an analysis of the effective tariff rate provided a clearer view of the impact of tariffs by directly relating the amount of tariffs in U.S. dollars (USD) to the total value of imports in USD.  In 2025, the effective tariff rate was 4.81%, representing an increase of 3.64 percentage points compared to 2024.

The impact of tariff regulations in 2025 can be observed in the monthly behavior of tariffs collected that year. These show a marked increase starting in April, reaching levels above $100 million in several months, while imports remained relatively stable. This imbalance between both variables directly translates into the observed increase in the effective tariff rate throughout 2025.  

Effective from April 2025, increases in tariff rates were observed, which aligns with the tariff policies applied in the same month.  During the second half of the year, significant increases were recorded, with November being the month with the highest effective tariff rate (7.61%) during 2025.

The full study can be accessed at: Tariffs in Puerto Rico 2025.

Almost half of child caregivers in Puerto Rico raise their children differently than they were raised.

Parenting Experiences Survey Reveals Generational Shifts in Discipline, Communication, and Family Priorities

The Survey of Child Rearing Experiences in Puerto Rico revealed, among other data, that 48.6% of surveyed caregivers use disciplinary styles different from those they experienced with their own parents, reflecting a possible generational shift in parenting practices and in how Puerto Rican families approach the upbringing, communication, and well-being of children.

The study, developed through an alliance between ESCAPE, the Family Strengthening Center, and the Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics, collected the experiences, challenges, and needs of 1,143 voluntary participants via a self-administered online questionnaire conducted between February and June 2025. The survey was descriptive in nature and explored topics related to parenting experiences, discipline and communication, technology and quality time, as well as support needs and expectations for children's futures.

Among the most relevant findings of the survey are:

• More than two-thirds of respondents stated that parenting is more difficult or much more difficult than they expected.

• The main challenge identified was achieving a work-life balance (62.3%).

• 44.3% cited lack of personal time and rest as one of their biggest challenges.

• 41.6% expressed a need for tools to manage stress and their own mental health.

• 57.2% reported arguments related to the use of technological devices at home.

• 4% identified the use of physical aggression as a disciplinary strategy.

• 94% of participants indicated that they praise their children's achievements "almost always" or "always."

• Most participants defined discipline as a formative tool for teaching values and setting clear boundaries.

The survey also reflected that caregivers prioritize the development of self-esteem and self-confidence, responsible decision-making, and healthy emotional management for children's futures.

"The information collected allows us to better understand how family dynamics are changing and what real challenges are faced by those responsible for raising children in Puerto Rico. This data is fundamental for developing more effective public policies, programs, and interventions tailored to the current needs of Puerto Rican families," stated Dr. Orville M. Disdier Flores, Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics.

Meanwhile, Yadira Pizarro Quiles, Executive Director of ESCAPE, highlighted that the results provide an important X-ray of families' emotional and structural needs. "This survey confirms the importance of continuing to strengthen families through prevention. Understanding how mothers, fathers, and caregivers are experiencing parenting allows us to better direct our efforts, develop support tools, and promote strategies that strengthen children's well-being and help prevent child abuse in Puerto Rico."

As part of the strategic recommendations derived from the study, it is proposed to strengthen emotional support initiatives for caregivers, promote flexible work policies, drive digital literacy campaigns at home, and expand preventive education efforts on parenting and those related to child well-being and protection.

The Survey of Child Rearing Experiences in Puerto Rico is available at the following link: www.estadisticas.pr.gov/productos/encuesta-de-experiencias-de-crianza-de-menores-en-puerto-rico-2025.

To amend Articles 3 and 4 of Act No. 3 of March 13, 1942, as amended, known as the "Working Mothers Protection Act," for the purpose of extending the maternity leave period for private sector employees from eight (8) to twelve (12) weeks, generally distributed as six (6) weeks of prenatal leave and six (6) weeks of postnatal leave, with the possibility of prenatal/postnatal redistribution subject to medical certification; to reaffirm the full payment of the employee's salary during said period; to extend these benefits, equally, to adoptive mothers; and for other related purposes.

To direct the Department of Health to conduct, in collaboration with the Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics and the Graduate School of Public Health of the Medical Sciences Campus of the University of Puerto Rico, a prevalence study to determine the statistical incidence of autism spectrum disorders in Puerto Rico.

Institute Presents Social and Health Profile of Schoolchildren

Dr. Orville M. Disdier, Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics, was a keynote speaker at the First Puerto Rican Summit on School Health Promotion. During his presentation, he provided an update on the social and health profile of schoolchildren in Puerto Rico, highlighting the impact of social determinants on inequalities.

Dr. Disdier explained that Puerto Rico is facing a school enrollment crisis linked to demographic changes, as well as significant socioeconomic vulnerability, evidenced by more than 50% of minors living below the poverty level. However, he emphasized that despite high income inequality and various health challenges, education remains the primary driver of social mobility and an essential path to economic advancement.

Access a copy of the presentation at: The Social and Health Profile of Schoolchildren in Puerto Rico.

The Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics will provide guidance on how to access and interpret Puerto Rico's financial statistics in the "Financial Statistics" webinar this Thursday, May 21.

The Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics announced it will host the "Financial Statistics" webinar, an educational initiative aimed at presenting and contextualizing the main indicators of Puerto Rico's financial system, as well as the official sources available for their analysis and interpretation.

The event will take place this Thursday, May 21, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., as part of the Institute's Academies and Workshops Program. The webinar will be offered virtually via the GoToWebinar platform, will include 1.5 contact hours and will be free of charge, although prior registration is required via the following link: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/8839159147111590485.

The speaker will be the Institute's statistical projects manager, Dr. Ronald G. Hernández Maldonado, who will discuss indicators published by entities such as the Office of the Commissioner of Financial Institutions (OCIF), the Public Corporation for the Supervision and Insurance of Cooperatives of Puerto Rico (COSSEC), and the Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics itself.

Topics to be discussed include the main data sources for financial statistics used in Puerto Rico, the interpretation of economic and financial indicators, and the official platforms where the public can access this information for analysis, research, and decision-making.

“Financial statistics provide a better understanding of the behavior of various economic sectors and facilitate informed decision-making in both public and private spheres. Access to and understanding of this data is fundamental for promoting more precise analyses of Puerto Rico's economic reality and strengthening the use of official and reliable information,” said Hernández Maldonado.

"Financial education based on empirical data is the first step towards more accurate decision-making, both personally and collectively. We encourage all citizens to participate in this free virtual event, designed to make financial statistics an accessible, useful, and highly valuable tool for everyone,” said Dr. Orville M. Disdier Flores, Executive Director of the Institute.

The webinar is aimed at professionals, researchers, students, and individuals interested in the economic and financial analysis of Puerto Rico. As requirements, participants must have an internet connection and access to a computer or tablet.