Puerto Rico has experienced significant changes in its population growth over the past century. During the mid-20th century, the island saw rapid population growth, peaking at around 3.8 million residents in 2000. However, since then, Puerto Rico has faced a steady population decline due to a combination of factors, including economic challenges, low birth rates, and significant migration to the mainland United States, particularly after major events such as Hurricane Maria in 2017. As of the most recent estimates in 2023, Puerto Rico's population has dropped to approximately 3.2 million, reflecting one of the fastest population declines among U.S. jurisdictions. This demographic shift has had wide-ranging implications for the island's economy, workforce, and social structure.
| Year | Population | Population Density Per Square KM |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 2,218,000 | 250.1 |
| 1955 | 2,250,000 | 253.7 |
| 1960 | 2,358,000 | 265.9 |
| 1965 | 2,596,774 | 292.8 |
| 1970 | 2,721,754 | 306.9 |
| 1975 | 2,935,124 | 330.9 |
| 1980 | 3,209,648 | 361.9 |
| 1985 | 3,382,106 | 381.3 |
| 1990 | 3,536,910 | 398.8 |
| 1995 | 3,683,103 | 415.3 |
| 2000 | 3,810,605 | 429.7 |
| 2005 | 3,821,525 | 430.9 |
| 2010 | 3,721,525 | 419.6 |
| 2015 | 3,472,858 | 391.6 |
| 2020 | 3,190,410 | 359.7 |
| 2022 | 3,098,423 | 349.4 |
| 2023 | 3,057,311 | 344.7 |
| 2024 | 3,019,450 | 340.4 |
| 2025 | 2,984,841 | 336.5 |
| 2030 | 2,818,318 | 317.8 |
| 2035 | 2,646,152 | 298.4 |
| 2040 | 2,469,336 | 278.4 |
| 2045 | 2,303,946 | 259.8 |
| 2050 | 2,163,684 | 244 |
| 2055 | 2,048,626 | 231 |
| 2060 | 1,957,948 | 220.8 |
| 2065 | 1,880,092 | 212 |
| 2070 | 1,803,798 | 203.4 |
| 2075 | 1,727,573 | 194.8 |
| 2080 | 1,650,107 | 186.1 |
| 2085 | 1,570,750 | 177.1 |
| 2090 | 1,489,755 | 168 |
| 2095 | 1,409,006 | 158.9 |
| 2100 | 1,332,415 | 150.2 |
Data from US Census International Database