Population & Economic Dynamics in Puerto Rico

Educational Attainment Trend (2013–2023)

The Attainment Trend line chart displays the overall percentage of the population aged 25 and over with a Bachelor's degree or higher. For Puerto Rico as a whole, this trend shows an initial decline followed by a rebound, often reflecting the turbulent economic and demographic period after the 2008 financial crisis, the debt crisis, and natural disasters. The general trend for the entire island suggests a net decrease in the percentage of highly educated residents since 2013, despite a recent uptick.

This net decrease, or slow growth, is often attributed to two major factors:

• Out-migration (Brain Drain): Economic conditions and natural disasters (like Hurricane Maria in 2017) have driven significant out-migration, which is often negatively selective on educational attainment—meaning the loss is primarily of workers with college degrees or higher, or at least a significant portion of them. This selective migration decreases the overall human capital on the island.
• Economic Demand: A weak local economy may not generate sufficient high-skill jobs to retain the new graduates from local universities, leading them to seek opportunities on the mainland.

Municipal Differences (Map and Local Data)

The Annual Change chart and the Cumulative Percentage Change metric card (and the Choropleth Map when set to Cumulative % Change) highlight the geographic disparities. Areas that show a significant red-to-orange (negative or low-gain) coloring on the map typically align with municipalities experiencing the most pronounced out-migration and/or economic decline. Conversely, areas in green (positive change) might indicate regions that have retained or attracted a higher proportion of college-educated residents, potentially due to local economic hubs or residential preferences.

Supporting Resources and Data

For more in-depth data and analysis, you can refer to the following:

• US Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) Table S1501: The source of this educational attainment data. The link is provided in the details panel.
• Federal Reserve Bank of New York: Analysis on human capital, education quality, and migration from Puerto Rico.
• Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): Reports detailing population loss and out-migration patterns across various educational attainment groups.
• NAEP (The Nation's Report Card): Provides data on the academic performance of K-12 students in Puerto Rico, which provides context for the future workforce's educational foundation.