Puerto Ricos citizens leave island despite improving economy
Puerto Ricos economy is on the mend, but it may take more than an improving economy to keep the islands citizens from moving to the…
Puerto Rican population declines on Island, grows on U.S. mainland. (Shutterstock)
Puerto Ricos economy is on the mend, but it may take more than an improving economy to keep the islands citizens from moving to the U.S. mainland, as this century has shown the largest decrease in the population of Puerto Rico since the Great Migration of the 1950s and 1960s.
SEE ALSO: Spain to help Puerto Rico with it’s embattled economy
From 2010 to 2013, over 144,000 Puerto Rican citizens moved from the islands to the U.S. mainland, according to a new report released Monday by the Pew Hispanic Trends Project.
Since 2006, the population of Puerto Ricans living in the U.S. has exceeded the population of Puerto Ricans living on the islands, with approximately 4.9 million Puerto Ricans in the U.S. and 3.5 million on the islands as of 2012.
Since 2000, over 200,000 people left the U.S. territory to move stateside, with most hoping to escape the floundering Puerto Rican economy, which is now struggling with a debt load of more than $70 billion.
The search for economy opportunity is the most commonly given explanation for moving by island-born Puerto Ricans, the report said.
So where are Puerto Ricans moving to in search for economic opportunity?
Puerto Ricans have left the financially troubled island for the U.S. mainland. (Shutterstock)
Bronx County, New York boasts the largest Puerto Rican population on the mainland, with 298,921 Puerto Ricans living in the county as of 2013.
Puerto Rico’s population plummets. (PEW)
This number is just slightly smaller than the amount of Puerto Ricans living on the islands biggest city, San Juan, whose population in 2013 was 374,682.
About half of Puerto Ricans living in the U.S. moved to the Northeast, but large Puerto Rican populations can also be found in the Southwest and the South, particularly in Florida.
The exodus from the islands of Puerto Rico doesnt appear to be slowing down anytime soon.
The Census Bureau estimates that by 2050, Puerto Ricos population will drop to about 3 million people as more island born Puerto Ricans move stateside.
The Puerto Rican government hopes that a stable economy may help change its citizens minds about leaving.
Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla noted the economys recent success, stating, Weve achieved substantial results, including passing the first balanced budget in 12 years, achieving our target of creating 50,000 new jobs since taking office and bringing global businesses like Lufthansa to Puerto Rico.
Garcia Padilla has implemented a series of economic reforms to tackle the U.S. territorys $70 billion debt, including raising taxes and increasing the retirement age to 67.
Despite the recent progress of the Puerto Rican economy, it is still far from fixed.
There is more work to be done, Garcia Padilla said, And we continue to execute on a comprehensive plan to drive economic growth and fiscal stability.
SEE ALSO: Puerto Rico suffers an economic crisis
