PRESS RELEASE September 13, 2018

RED STATE DATA CENTER OF PUERTO RICO

97,000 PEOPLE IMMIGRATED TO THE UNITED STATES IN 2017

The figure includes only a few of the people who migrated after Hurricane Maria.

San Juan, PR — El U.S. Census Bureau published today the most recent estimates of the Puerto Rico Community Survey known as Puerto Rico Community Survey (PRCS). These statistics refer to information collected during the 2017 calendar year and include social, economic and housing characteristics for Puerto Rico and municipalities with a population of 65,000 people or more. As the leading entity of the Network State Data Center Of U.S. Census Bureau in Puerto Rico, the Puerto Rico Statistics Institute (Institute) presents this brief summary of several findings from this disclosure:

1. During 2017, 97,000 people moved from Puerto Rico to the United States, while 20,000 people moved in the opposite direction, resulting in a net migratory movement of -77,000 people. Since the PRCS began to be carried out in 2005, this migratory movement, both in absolute and in net terms, represents the highest. These data will be described in greater depth in the Institute's 2017 Migrant Profile, which will be published in the coming months.
2. The median household income in Puerto Rico decreased by 3.7% between 2016 ($20,078) and 2017 ($19,343). Household income categories showed that 60% of households had incomes under $25,000. Of these, nearly half (29%) had incomes of less than $10,000.
3. In 2017, 44% of people and 41% of families were below the poverty level. In families where women are heads of household without a husband present, the percentage was 59%.
4. Puerto Rico had a GINI index of 0.55, ranking as the jurisdiction with the highest inequality in income distribution compared to other jurisdictions in the United States. The GINI index measures inequality, where a value of 0 is a perfect distribution of income and a value of 1 is a completely unequal distribution.

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“Although again in 2017 emigration broke records in the Community Survey, this was to be expected after the passage of Hurricane Maria. On the other hand, when analyzing these figures, it is important to recognize that the Community Survey is not designed to adequately capture the population displacement that can occur rapidly and volcanically following a natural disaster. As a result, we warned that these numbers only include some of the people who moved in the wake of Hurricane Maria. Many other people who may have moved temporarily or permanently are not captured in this Survey, either because they moved to other foreign countries, relocated to temporary housing where the Survey questionnaire does not arrive, or are even staying in the homes of family members who were living in the United States before 2017, among other possible reasons. In that sense, it will be necessary to wait to see the results of the Survey for 2018 to have a more complete picture of post-Maria migration,” explained Dr. Mario Marazzi-Santiago, executive director of the Institute.

More statistics on the Community Survey estimates can be obtained at: http://factfinder2.census.gov/. If you need assistance using this tool to obtain data, you may find the self-study guide for using this available tool useful: https://censo.estadisticas.pr/fact-finder. Information on the methodology used to produce the estimates can be accessed hither. More details on the characteristics of migrants between Puerto Rico and the United States 2017 will be available at the end of 2018 in the publication of the 2017 Migrant Profile. The Migrant Profile is an annual publication published by the Institute. To view the published Profiles press hither.

In addition, as the leading entity of the Puerto Rico SDC, the IEPR manages the SDC portal, where you can find 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/.

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. The Institute has in its inventory, accessible through www.estadisticas.pr.gov, over 300 statistical products. In addition, it is a custodian and provides access to over 100 data sets or “data sets” through www.data.pr.gov and to over 40 tables and more than 6 thousand indicators through: www.indicadores.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: Sandra Morales Blanes (787) 688-0401

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Welcome to the Governor's Council of Economists

‍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).