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Explore our Blog, a space that brings together updates and official communications that shape our community. Stay up to date through memorials, announcements, activities and publications in our newsroom.
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Memorials
April 1, 2026
P. del S. 298

To create the Puerto Rico Human Trafficking Observatory under the Puerto Rico Civil Rights Commission, to dispose of its powers and prerogatives, to provide for its organization, to create the position of Director of the Puerto Rico Human Trafficking Observatory, to grant it functions and duties, to require the creation and development of a Strategic Plan to combat human trafficking in Puerto Rico, as well as to establish the public policy of the Government of Puerto Rico; and for other purposes.

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Memorials
October 3, 2019
P. of S. 99

To create the “Puerto Rico Mobile Emergency Alert System Act”; establish the obligation of mobile phone companies to implement an emergency alert system for mobile devices in Puerto Rico; establish regulatory authority; and for other related purposes.

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Memorials
September 25, 2019
R. of S. 984

To order the Committee on Social Welfare and Family Affairs of the Senate of Puerto Rico to carry out a comprehensive study on the development, implementation and operation of the concept of Collaborative Housing (Co-housing) in Puerto Rico.

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Announcements
September 23, 2019
Suicide Prevention Week

Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics

Committed to Suicide Prevention Month

Help lines/Useful links:

Suicidal Behavior Intervention Lines available 7 days/24 hours:

Emergencies: 911

ASSMCA PAS line: 1-800-981-0023

Car.# 2 Km 8.2 Bo. Juan Sánchez, Former Mepsi Center Hospital, Bayamón

Suicide Prevention Lifeline — National Network (TALK): 1-800-273-8255

Poison Control Center (Poison Help): 1-800-222-1222

Interesting Links:

https://es-la.facebook.com/PrevencionSuicidioPR/

http://www.salud.gov.pr/Dept-de-Salud/Pages/Unidades-Operacionales/Comision-para-la-Prevencion-de-Suicidio.aspx

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Announcements
August 23, 2019
Just over 2% of the population emigrated in 2017

PRESS RELEASE

PUERTO RICO STATE DATA CENTER NETWORK (SDC-PR)

Just over 2% of the population emigrated in 2017

This is indicated by the net migratory balance in the most recent Migrant Profile

San Juan, PR, August 23, 2019 — During the calendar year 2017, it was estimated that around 2.4% of the population immigrated to other jurisdictions in the United States, translating into nearly 77,000 people in net terms. This was revealed by the Migrant Profile 2017, which was published today by the Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics, and which presents an overview of the migratory movement in Puerto Rico in the calendar year 2017. Within 13 years of information from the Community Survey of the U.S. Census Bureau, this figure marks the migratory peak of this source. In addition, the profile uses information on the net movement of air passengers from the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) and the Ports Authority. Here are the main findings:

  1. In 2017, Puerto Rico's migration indicators expanded, showing the effect of the impact of hurricanes: 97,000 people migrated to the United States, increasing the record level of Community Survey data from the previous year
    • 77,000 people migrated to the United States in net terms, a new mark compared to information from the Community Survey
    • 27,000 people immigrated to the United States with some post-secondary education in net terms, according to the Community Survey
    • 294 thousand air passengers to all destinations in net terms according to BTS
  2. The migratory trend intensified in the current decade (2010-2017); in net terms:
    • 458,000 people migrated to other jurisdictions in the United States, according to the Community Survey
    • 737,000 air passengers left for all destinations, according to BTS

3. The ten states with the highest emigration from Puerto Rico (2017), in descending order, were Florida, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New York, Texas, New Jersey, Connecticut, Ohio, Georgia, and North Carolina.

4. The median income of emigrants and immigrants between Puerto Rico and the United States fell by 11% and 2%, respectively.

5. By 2017, 37% of emigrants and 50% of immigrants were living in poverty, according to the Community Survey.

6. According to data from the Community Survey, the management and professional occupational group continued to have the highest proportion among emigrants, followed by service occupations. As for specific occupations:

    • It was estimated that between 657 and 4,043 emigrants were employed as packers and packers. From 1,072 to 3,416 they were employed as customer service representatives.
    • In turn, it was estimated that 924 to 3,170 were teachers and 774 to 2,676 were responsible for building maintenance and cleaning.

“The continuity in the publication of the Migrant Profile allows us to contrast the most recent estimates of the migrant population against the behavior of previous years. The various series show the trend and changes in the size and characteristics of migrants in demographic and socio-economic aspects. This new publication reflects the immediate effect of the impact of the hurricanes up to December 2017, maximizing the migratory flow to figures never before recorded in Puerto Rico. In the field of education, for the third consecutive year (2015-2017), more than 50% of emigrants aged 25 and over had some post-secondary education. On the other hand, the scenario is presented that more than a third of emigrants, once residing in a state, live below the poverty level.” said Alberto L. Velázquez-Estrada, Manager of Statistical Projects at the Institute.

See more details and information about the 2017 Migrant Profile, as well as previous publications, in the Publications section of the Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics: Publications.

The Puerto Rico Statistics Institute is an autonomous governmental entity responsible for coordinating the Government's statistical production service to ensure that the data collection and statistics systems, on which public policies are based, are complete, reliable, and have quick and universal access. In addition, as the leading entity of the SDC in Puerto Rico, the Institute manages the SDC portal, which contains the main statistical reports and publications of the U.S. Census Bureau on Puerto Rico, specifically those that are most in demand, such as annual population estimates; the Puerto Rico Community Survey (Puerto Rico Community Survey) and official statistics on Puerto Rico's 10-year population and housing censuses, among others. The Puerto Rico SDC portal can be accessed through: https://censo.estadisticas.pr/.

For more information you can visit our website: www.estadisticas.pr.gov. In addition, you can follow us on social networks through Facebook (@estadisticas .pr), Twitter (@EstadisticasPR) and LinkedIn (Institute of Statistics of Puerto Rico) accounts.

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Press Contact:

Idia Martínez

787-603-3200

imartinez@upfrontpr.net

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Announcements
June 26, 2019
Data from the World Values Survey for Puerto Rico revealed

PRESS RELEASE

OFFICE OF THE ACTING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Data from the World Values Survey for Puerto Rico revealed

54% of people do not leave their house at night as a security measure

In Puerto Rico, family is the most important aspect (94%), followed by work (70%), free time (66%) and religion (65%). These are some of the data reflected in the recent World Values Survey for Puerto Rico carried out by a team of professors and students from the University of the Sacred Heart, led by Dr. Javier Hernández, director of the Department of Business Administration of Sagrado, and supported by the Institute of Statistics of Puerto Rico. The study was revealed at the Forum and presentation on the World Values Survey for Puerto Rico 2018, at the Sacred Heart University, where a panel of renowned experts in different areas analyzed and commented on the results.


The World Values Survey is an instrument that allows the development of statistics on the ethical, social, economic and political values of Puerto Ricans, as well as the assessment of their daily lives, civic and governmental institutions, and their connection with the world of work, their families and their communities. This survey provides an opportunity to address the nature of social capital in Puerto Rico vis-a-vis the rest of the world and, therefore, to know what the people are prepared to do and what they need to plan their development as a social, economic and cultural collective.

One of the relevant data from this study points out that the majority of people in Puerto Rico (91%) consider themselves quite happy or very happy. However, despite the fact that 85% understand that their neighborhood is very safe or quite safe, 71% avoid carrying a lot of cash and 54% do not leave their house at night, as a security measure. On the other hand, only a minority thinks that most people can be trusted (18%).

The study also reveals that a majority has no interest in politics (52%) and would not vote for any political party and only for independent candidates (54%). In 2001, the percentage that showed no interest in politics represented 28%.

For the lead author of the study, Dr. Javier Hernández, “The World Values Survey is a valuable tool that will allow us to compare results with over 60 countries. It is part of the efforts to make Puerto Rico part of the main international indicators and to support institutional decision-making. The survey addresses issues of great relevance to the government, academia, the third sector and civil society, so we invite all sectors to analyze their results.”

“The return of Puerto Rico to the World Values Survey represents an important effort, since it allows us to continue with the recommendation of the Institute of Statistics to make Puerto Rico part of the main indicators at the global level. In the same way, this project represents a vital source of information to contribute to the culture of evidence-based decision-making. This is valuable information about our values, beliefs and political culture, among other information, necessary to guide public policy decisions. The survey results have a multisectoral scope, which is key for different levels of government, the non-governmental sector and the academy,” said Dr. Orville M. Disdier, acting executive director of the Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics.

The Sacred Heart University, established in 1880 by the religious order of the Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, is a Catholic, private, non-profit institution that promotes a unique and innovative educational project in an environment characterized by excellent community life. The University offers associate degrees, baccalaureates, combined degrees, master's degrees, post-baccalaureate certificates and collaborative agreements with other universities in and outside of Puerto Rico. The academic offer focuses on the areas of Business Administration, Natural Sciences, Communication, Nursing and Humanities-Social Sciences.

The Puerto Rico Statistics Institute is an autonomous governmental entity responsible for coordinating the Government's statistical production service to ensure that the data collection and statistics systems, on which public policies are based, are complete, reliable, and have quick and universal access.

For more information or to access the 2018 World Values Survey for Puerto Rico you can visit the website: https://estadisticas.pr.gov/ or through the social networks of Facebook (@estadisticas .pr), Twitter (@EstadisticasPR) and LinkedIn (Institute of Statistics of Puerto Rico).

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Press Contacts:

Lourdes Burgos/787-562-2932/ lburgos@upfrontpr.net

Idia Martinez/787-603-3200/ imartinez@upfrontpr.net

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Announcements
June 4, 2019
First food safety study presented results

PRESS RELEASE

OFFICE OF THE ACTING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Results from the first food safety study in Puerto Rico presented

Under the name Puerto Rico Food Security Survey 2015, and in collaboration with the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance, BRFSS) administered in Puerto Rico by the Department of Health, the Puerto Rico Statistics Institute (Institute) presented the results of the first study on this topic to be carried out in Puerto Rico. The BRFSS is a continuous epidemiological surveillance system that is carried out in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States and its jurisdictions, including Puerto Rico. The study population was adults aged 18 and over and the response rate in Puerto Rico was 71.1%, placing us among the top 25 jurisdictions with the highest participation. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, food insecurity is a key factor that complements the undernourishment indicator and makes it possible to improve the characterization of hunger.

“The large amount of food imported into Puerto Rico, among other aspects, makes the population more vulnerable to food insecurity. This is why it is essential to know the statistics related to this aspect, as well as the risk behaviors, morbidities and health practices of vulnerable populations,” said the Institute's acting executive director, Dr. Orville M. Disdier.

From the most relevant data from this study, it is estimated that 33% of the population aged 18 and over in Puerto Rico were food insecure. Similarly, 21.7% of the people interviewed indicated that, in the 12 months before the study, there were times when they had to serve themselves less food or stop eating one of their daily meals due to lack of money. A quarter of these (25.8%) did so almost every month.

The study also revealed, among others, that the Arecibo region had the highest percentage of food insecurity with 40.6%, while the metropolitan area and Ponce were the regions with the lowest food insecurity with 31.8% and 31.4% respectively. 44.3% of food-insecure people perceived their health as regular or poor. This percentage was higher in women (47.6%) compared to men (38.7%). People diagnosed with a depressive disorder were 2.7 times more likely to belong to the food-insecure group than people who had not been diagnosed with a depressive disorder.

“One of the most revealing results is related to poverty and its impact on food insecurity. The study concluded that people with an income of less than $25,000 are 3.3 times more likely to belong to the food insecure group than people with an income of $25,000 or more,” said Myribel Santiago, Project Manager of the Institute and lead author of the study.

The Puerto Rico Statistics Institute is an autonomous entity, created by Act No. 209 of August 28, 2003, as amended, in order to promote changes in the systems for the collection and analysis of the information that is generated, so that it is complete, reliable and has quick and universal access. The Puerto Rico Statistics Institute is responsible for establishing criteria and standards for the collection and analysis of information from government agencies, and for supporting those private sectors that are interested in demonstrating and giving public evidence of the objectivity of statistical data. To access the study you can visit Publications.

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Contact: Lourdes Burgos, R-27

lburgos@upfrontpr.net 787-562-2932

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