Current Issues in Economics and Finance
Second District Highlights
The Causes and Consequences of Puerto Rico's Declining Population
2014 Volume 20 Number 4
JEL classification: J10, J24, R10

Authors: Jaison R. Abel and Richard Deitz

Puerto Rico’s population has been falling for nearly a decade, and the pace of decline has accelerated in recent years. Although a slowdown in the island’s birthrate has contributed to this decline, a surge in the out-migration of its citizens has been a more important factor. The exodus—which includes a large share of younger people—has hastened population aging, but it has not necessarily led to a “brain drain.” To counter its population loss, Puerto Rico must not only adopt measures to shore up its economy and expand job opportunities, but also enact fiscal reforms and improve the island’s amenities.

Available only in PDF.

Full article pdf   In English 8 pages / 326 kb
Full article pdf   In Spanish 8 pages / 294 kb
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