Labor force participation rate in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico: Labor force participation rate was 42.8% in 2025. ▼ Falling
Labor force participation rate in Puerto Rico, 1990–2025
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for labor force participation rate in Puerto Rico is 42.8%, measured in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 0.4% on the previous year and up 12.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labor force participation rate in Puerto Rico peaked at 47.7% in 1997 and was at its lowest, 38.0%, in 2015.
Puerto Rico ranks 170th of 186 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 36 years of available data.
Labor force participation rate in Puerto Rico, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 44.6% | — |
| 1991 | 45.6% | +2.4% |
| 1992 | 45.6% | -0.2% |
| 1993 | 47.1% | +3.4% |
| 1994 | 46.6% | -1.1% |
| 1995 | 46.1% | -1.1% |
| 1996 | 46.9% | +1.7% |
| 1997 | 47.7% | +1.7% |
| 1998 | 47.5% | -0.3% |
| 1999 | 47.3% | -0.5% |
| 2000 | 45.9% | -2.9% |
| 2001 | 46.1% | +0.3% |
| 2002 | 46.2% | +0.3% |
| 2003 | 46.7% | +1.1% |
| 2004 | 46.7% | -0.1% |
| 2005 | 47.7% | +2.2% |
| 2006 | 47.2% | -1.0% |
| 2007 | 46.1% | -2.3% |
| 2008 | 44.8% | -2.9% |
| 2009 | 43.2% | -3.6% |
| 2010 | 41.9% | -3.0% |
| 2011 | 40.5% | -3.3% |
| 2012 | 39.9% | -1.5% |
| 2013 | 39.3% | -1.5% |
| 2014 | 38.3% | -2.6% |
| 2015 | 38.0% | -0.7% |
| 2016 | 38.2% | +0.4% |
| 2017 | 38.2% | +0.2% |
| 2018 | 38.6% | +0.9% |
| 2019 | 38.6% | +0.0% |
| 2020 | 39.2% | +1.7% |
| 2021 | 41.3% | +5.2% |
| 2022 | 41.8% | +1.3% |
| 2023 | 42.1% | +0.7% |
| 2024 | 42.6% | +1.1% |
| 2025 | 42.8% | +0.4% |
Puerto Rico compared with similar countries
- Puerto Rico's 42.8% is below the median for high income countries, which is 62.3%, 69% of the median. (62 countries reporting)
- Puerto Rico's 42.8% is below the median for Latin America & Caribbean, which is 63.1%, 68% of the median. (31 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 46.5% | 44.6% | 47.7% | 10 |
| 2000s | 46.1% | 43.2% | 47.7% | 10 |
| 2010s | 39.1% | 38.0% | 41.9% | 10 |
| 2020s | 41.6% | 39.2% | 42.8% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Puerto Rico
More work & labour data for Puerto Rico
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -2.24 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -2.19 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -2.28 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -2.36 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate -0.5786 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 3,139 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 142.52 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 521.69 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 473.93 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 995.62 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is labor force participation rate in Puerto Rico?
- Labor force participation rate in Puerto Rico was 42.8% in 2025, according to ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest labor force participation rate recorded in Puerto Rico?
- The highest recorded value was 47.7% in 1997.
- What is the lowest labor force participation rate recorded in Puerto Rico?
- The lowest recorded value was 38.0% in 2015.
- How does Puerto Rico rank for labor force participation rate?
- Puerto Rico ranks 170th out of 186 countries with data for 2025.
- Is labor force participation rate rising or falling in Puerto Rico?
- Over the last ten years it is up 12.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Puerto Rico data come from?
- The figures come from ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Labor force participation rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of the working-age population (ages 15 and over) who are economically active (employed or unemployed).