Puerto Rico's Trade Balance Surplus Increases by 30%
Exports increased by 3.6% compared to the previous calendar year, and
Imports increased by 0.8% compared to the previous calendar year
San Juan, Puerto Rico — March 3, 2026. The Puerto Rico Statistics Institute published external trade data for the month of December 2025, allowing for an analysis of performance in terms of international trade for the calendar year 2025, which covers January through December 2025. Annual exports totaled $62,435,255,371, representing an increase of 3.55% compared to the previous calendar year, while annual imports totaled $55,033,443,743, representing an increase of 0.79% compared to the same previous period. In the calendar year, a trade balance surplus of $7,401,811,628 was recorded, reflecting an increase of 30.02% compared to the $5,692,730,055 recorded in 2024.
Dr. Ronald G. Hernández Maldonado, Statistical Project Manager at the Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics, explained that the trade balance is the indicator that measures the difference between the value of exports and that of imports of goods in a jurisdiction. A surplus occurs when exports exceed imports; a deficit is when the opposite happens. This indicator constitutes one of the main measures of international trade,as it reflects both productive capacity and the level of dependence on foreign goods. In general terms, productive capacity refers to what Puerto Rico is able to produce and sell (as reflected in exports), and the level of dependence refers to what Puerto Rico needs to purchase from abroad (as reflected in imports).
Guánica lost 29% of its population according to the 2020 Census
A comparison of the 2010-2020 Decennial Censuses also indicates that 74 of the 78 municipalities lost at least 5% of their population in the past decade
San Juan, PR, August 12, 2021 — The U.S. Census Bureau today released more results of the official population enumeration, also known as the 2020 Decennial Census. The published data are related to the information necessary to begin electoral redistribution work in the jurisdictions of the states, Washington DC and Puerto Rico. These contain a little more detail compared to the total population data released last April. The data includes the total population, by characteristics of race and Hispanic origin at the level of states, municipalities, by age 18 and over and for more specific geographical areas such as census tracts and others. The results are as of April 1, 2020, which is the reference date of the Decennial Census. As part of the State Data Center Network of the U.S. Census Bureau in Puerto Rico, the Puerto Rico Statistics Institute (Institute) presents several initial findings from the results of the 2020 Census:
In a comparison between the 2010 Decennial Census and the 2020 Decennial Census, the results indicate that in percentage terms:
All municipalities in Puerto Rico reflected the loss of their resident population, with percentage changes ranging from -0.1% to 29.0%.
The municipalities with the highest population loss were Guánica (29%), Maricao (24%), Loíza (21%) and Yabucoa (20%).
On the other hand, the municipalities with the lowest population loss were Rincón (-0.1%), Culebra (1%), Naranjito and Barranquitas with about 4%.
In summary, some 74 municipalities showed a reduction in their resident population of at least 5% over the decade.
In addition, the population aged 18 and over changed between the Decennial Censuses:
At the Puerto Rico level, from 2,822,494 (2010) to 2,724,903 (2020), translating into a reduction of 97,591 people or -3.5% within that age group.
At the level of municipalities:
24 municipalities reflected an increase in this population group (18+) that ranged from 0.1% to 9.2%,
The remaining 54 municipalities reflected a population reduction (18+) of between -0.1% and -21.3%
Population reductions (18+) occurred in the following municipalities, Guánica (21%), Maricao (17%), Mayagüez (13%), Loíza (12%), Yabucoa and Yauco with 10%.
Regarding housing units, the results published at the Puerto Rico level indicate the following totals:
1,598,159 housing units
1,340,534 were busy
257,625 were vacant
“Broadly speaking, population changes in municipalities range from mild or moderate reductions to drastic reductions, with population losses of 10% or more, in most municipalities, in a single decade. The new publication of Census 2020 results begins to highlight changes that have occurred over the past decade. The data, in turn, give way to the beginning of countless possible analyses and comparisons that must be considered when making socioeconomic decisions in Puerto Rico, its regions and within municipalities,” said Alberto L. Velázquez-Estrada, Manager of Statistical Projects at the Institute.
Tables with published characteristics will not yet be published in the U.S. Census Bureau's data dissemination tool data.census.gov. Various data released today from the 2020 Census can be accessed through:
In addition, as the leading entity of Puerto Rico's SDC, 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 and official statistics on Puerto Rico's decennial population and housing censuses, among others. The Puerto Rico SDC portal can be accessed through: censo.estadisticas.pr.
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 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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