Datos clave sobre la violencia de pareja íntima en Puerto Rico (2017-2023)

La violencia de pareja íntima puede afectar no solo a la pareja o expareja, sino también a personas cercanas y a terceros presentes durante el incidente. Es por esto que el Sistema de Notificación de Muertes Violentas de Puerto Rico (PRVDRS), adscrito al Instituto de Estadísticas de Puerto Rico, ha publicado una nueva cápsula informativa que analiza la incidencia y el impacto de la violencia de pareja íntima en el archipiélago entre los años 2017 y 2023. El PRVDRS establece una tipología de víctimas de homicidios por violencia de pareja íntima distinguiendo entre víctimas directas, secundarias y terciarias.

A continuación, destacamos los hallazgos más relevantes:

• Mayor frecuencia en víctimas secundarias: Entre 2017 y 2023, las víctimas secundarias (como familiares, amistades o nuevas parejas) fueron la categoría con mayor frecuencia al registrar 145 casos. Esta cifra superó a las 138 víctimas directas (asesinadas por su pareja o expareja) y a las 11 víctimas terciarias (personas sin relación que fueron afectadas por estar en el momento y lugar del evento).

Violencia contra la mujer y diferencias marcadas por sexo

• Disparidad en víctimas directas: Al analizar las víctimas directas de homicidio por parte de su pareja o ex-pareja, se observa que por cada hombre hubo 5 mujeres víctimas de homicidio.

• Hombres como víctimas secundarias: A pesar del dato anterior, los hombres representan el grupo poblacional más afectado (57%) en la totalidad de homicidios relacionados con violencia de pareja íntima. Como víctimas secundarias, la diferencia es marcada: por cada mujer asesinada en este renglón, hubo 17 hombres asesinados. A menudo, estos homicidios afectan a la nueva pareja o personas que intentan brindar protección o apoyo.

• Incidentes de homicidio/suicidio: La mayoría de las víctimas en incidentes de homicidio/suicidio eran mujeres, totalizando 34 de las 38 víctimas registradas bajo estas circunstancias.

Uso de armas de fuego

Aproximadamente el 88% de los homicidios por violencia de pareja íntima se utilizó un arma de fuego.

Para más información y explorar las gráficas detalladas, descarga la cápsula informativa en la sección de Accede al documento.

Sobre la fuente de datos

El PRVDRS fue establecido en 2016 con el apoyo de los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC). El sistema recopila y consolida datos del Instituto de Ciencias Forenses, la Policía de Puerto Rico y el Registro Demográfico para ofrecer una visión clara y precisa de la violencia en el archipiélago.

Enlaces de interés: Sistema de Notificación de Muertes Violentas de Puerto Rico

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Dr. Orville M. Disdier, Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics, was a keynote speaker at the first BanCoop Executive Forum. The event, hosted by the Banco Cooperativo de Puerto Rico under the theme “Beyond Change: Perspectives for Anticipating and Leading in a Transforming Environment,” brought together over 160 leaders from Puerto Rico’s cooperative sector, including board members, CEOs, and special guests. Under the theme “Puerto Rico’s Demographic Context,” Dr. Disdier presented a talk titled “The Cooperative Member of the Future, Today: Data, Decisions, and Systemic Impact.” “The future of Puerto Rico is not set in stone, but is written in the data we hold in our hands today. Let us use that information to become the cooperative leaders Puerto Rico will need tomorrow, starting right now,” Disdier noted at the conclusion of his presentation. Access a copy of the presentation: The Cooperative Member of the Future, Today: Data, Decisions, and Systemic Impact.

El Instituto de Estadísticas de Puerto Rico presenta un análisis sobre la exposición potencial de las exportaciones de Puerto Rico a las nuevas medidas arancelarias de Canadá, vigentes desde el 8 de septiembre de 2026. El estudio compara, a nivel de seis dígitos del Sistema Armonizado (SA-6), los productos sujetos a estas medidas con las exportaciones de Puerto Rico hacia Canadá registradas para los años 2023, 2024, 2025 y de enero a julio de 2026.

Los resultados muestran una exposición variable y concentrada en un grupo reducido de productos. El mayor valor se observó en 2024, cuando nueve categorías identificadas totalizaron aproximadamente $4.78 millones, frente a $861 mil en 2025 y $104 mil entre enero y julio de 2026. Este análisis ofrece una primera aproximación a la exposición de las exportaciones de Puerto Rico y establece una base para dar seguimiento a su comportamiento una vez estén disponibles datos posteriores a la entrada en vigor de los nuevos aranceles.

Para acceder al estudio, click aquí

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Puerto Rico is aging rapidly: Aging Index increases 41% in five years

Demographic, migration, and health trends are among the key findings in the Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics' 2025-2026 Results Report

Puerto Rico is aging rapidly, experiencing significant shifts in migration patterns, and facing health trends that pose new challenges for service planning and public policy. The Aging Index rose 41% between 2020 and 2025, while recent estimates pointed to a slowdown in net emigration, with fewer residents leaving combined with stable numbers of people arriving in Puerto Rico. Added to this are findings related to type 1 diabetes in adolescents and other social and health indicators that help define the profile of a population in transition.

These findings are part of the work developed, analyzed, or released by the Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics during the 2025-2026 fiscal year, a period in which the entity strengthened its tools for documenting demographic changes, health conditions, economic statistics, and other issues of social impact. The work carried out during this period is compiled in its 2025-2026 Results Report.

One of the most significant changes is observed in the age composition. Puerto Rico's Aging Index went from 168 in 2020 to 237 in 2025, representing a 41% increase in just five years. This means that there are currently about 237 people aged 65 or older for every 100 people under 15, and the index increased in all 78 municipalities. This transformation is occurring simultaneously with a sustained reduction in the young and working-age population.

The population estimate for Puerto Rico stood at 3,184,835 inhabitants as of July 1, 2025, while most regions continue to show a loss of working-age population. Vital indicators add another dimension to the phenomenon. Data released by the Institute show that births in Puerto Rico fell 70% between 2000 and 2025, dropping from 59,460 to 18,003. Since 2016, deaths have consistently exceeded births, consolidating a negative natural population growth.

“The data is showing us a different Puerto Rico than just a few years ago. A rapidly aging population, accompanied by changes in its composition and needs, requires us to think and act differently in how we plan health services, the care of our elderly, and the development of our communities. The 2025-2026 Results Report captures part of the work we have done to generate, analyze, and make accessible information that allows us to better understand these transformations. Having reliable statistics allows us to anticipate these changes and make evidence-based decisions,” said Dr. Orville M. Disdier Flores, Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics.

Health indicators that require attention

In the area of health, one of the notable findings during the period is related to type 1 diabetes among adolescents aged 15 to 19. The Type 1 Pediatric Diabetes platform, developed in conjunction with the Pediatric Diabetes Foundation, gathers information corresponding to the 2009-2024 period and identified an upward trend in the incidence rate of this condition among adolescents. The results were presented during the Endocrine Society's annual conference, ENDO 2026, held in Chicago.

The Institute also continued to expand the information available on other issues affecting the health and safety of the population. Among these are statistics on violent deaths, gender-based violence, and femicides. During the fiscal year, the Gender-Based Violence Statistics Platform was expanded, and femicide statistics for the years 2021 to 2025 were published. Among the data examined regarding domestic violence, the Danger Assessment analysis found that extreme and constant jealousy is the most frequently identified risk factor, present in 50% of the cases analyzed. Meanwhile, one in four women filing a complaint (25%) was in severe or extreme danger of suffering a femicide. Likewise, the Puerto Rico Violent Death Reporting System strengthened its capabilities during the fiscal year to collect and analyze information on homicides and suicides. The system developed a statistical data platform and published periodic bulletins with updated data on violent deaths. The system integrates data from the Puerto Rico Police, the Institute of Forensic Sciences, and the Demographic Registry, and during the period, it incorporated spatial analysis to identify areas of higher and lower incidence of violent deaths.

Data to anticipate Puerto Rico's needs

The 2025-2026 Results Report also documents the development and strengthening of tools to make this data more accessible. Among these are the Demographic Observatory, which integrates indicators of population, fertility, mortality, and migration, as well as new interactive platforms related to violent deaths and femicides.

“Our goal is not only to produce statistics, but to ensure that this data becomes useful knowledge. When we can identify how our population is aging, what is happening with certain health conditions, or where populations with particular needs exist, we put information into the hands of Puerto Rico that can help direct resources and develop better responses,” added Disdier.

As part of this work, during the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the Institute also developed priority research, including the Profile of Sexual Aggression Behavior against Minors in Puerto Rico, the first Registry of the Deaf Community in Puerto Rico, as well as the strengthening of the Needs Study of the Deaf Community. The latter seeks to expand the database to understand the characteristics and needs of this population and contribute to the planning of accessible services.

Essential statistics to face economic challenges

The Institute published the study Tariffs in Puerto Rico 2025, which revealed that total import tariffs reached $919.7 million (an increase of $683.1 million compared to 2024, equivalent to a year-over-year growth of 288.7%) and a record effective tariff rate of 4.81%, with the greatest burden concentrated in key sectors such as construction, manufacturing, and food. Likewise, the Lag Index for Puerto Rico was published, a multidimensional tool based on economic mobility and demographic indicators that showed relative improvement in 42 municipalities.

Specialized training to improve statistics

The Institute held 14 online workshops and offered 7 webinars to more than 1,000 people, the recordings of which were published on YouTube to expand their reach. It also provided a specialized workshop on “R for Economic Statistics” to the statistical staff of the Puerto Rico Department of Economic Development, which resulted in improvements in the efficiency and effectiveness of their statistical processes.

The 2025-2026 Results Report compiles these and other initiatives developed by the Institute in ten strategic areas and is available in the “Results Report” section at: 2025-2026 Results Report.

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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 of Statistics publishes the latest report on violent deaths: 733 fatalities in 2023

Data from the Puerto Rico Violent Death Reporting System reveals 483 homicides and 241 suicides in Puerto Rico

The Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics (Institute), through the Puerto Rico Violent Death Reporting System (PRVDRS), has presented the findings of its latest report for the year 2023. The data reveals that 674 violent death incidents were recorded in Puerto Rico, resulting in 733 fatalities.

Of the total victims reported, 483 were homicides (65.9%), 241 were suicides (32.9%), six were legal interventions (0.8%), and three were deaths of undetermined intent (0.4%), totaling 733 victims. The crude violent death rate stood at 22.9 per 100,000 inhabitants. Men accounted for nearly nine out of every 10 victims (87.4%).

Key findings from the 2023 Report:

• Homicide profile: Violence primarily affected individuals between the ages of 15 and 39. Additionally, 38.5% of homicides (186 cases) occurred in settings of collective violence linked to drug trafficking.

• Gender-based and family violence: 34 fatalities related to family violence were documented. Of the 24 cases related to intimate partner violence, 91.7% (22 victims) were women. In nearly 8 out of 10 of these femicides (77.3%), a firearm was used.

• Mental health: The suicide rate was 7.5 per 100,000 inhabitants (13.1 for men; 2.5 for women), with asphyxiation being the primary method.

• Firearm use: 90.7% of homicides in Puerto Rico were committed with firearms, compared to a global average of 55.8%.

In light of these figures, researchers at the Institute emphasized that the collection and publication of this data should serve as a catalyst for changing strategies in Puerto Rico. "Over nearly 10 years, invaluable data has been collected. This allows us to understand the magnitude of this problem from a public health perspective, identifying the contexts of violence in Puerto Rico to develop evidence-based prevention strategies for both government agencies and community organizations," stated Dr. Diego Zavala, epidemiologist and co-investigator of the PRVDRS.

For his part, Mario O. Font Martin, the PRVDRS coordinator, emphasized that "violence is a phenomenon that cannot be addressed exclusively by law enforcement agencies; it requires a comprehensive and multisectoral approach."

Marking the tenth anniversary of the PRVDRS's affiliation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the executive director of the Institute, Dr. Orville M. Disdier, highlighted the importance of the project's trajectory: "Scientific evidence shows us that violence is a modifiable behavior if we understand its causes and take appropriate preventive actions. This report is one of the primary scientific tools for promoting changes in strategy."

The 2023 Puerto Rico Violent Death Report is available on the Institute's website in the official section for the Puerto Rico Violent Death Reporting System: Puerto Rico Violent Death Reporting System - 2023 Annual Report.