Unemployment Rate: Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico's unemployment rate is currently 6.0% as of 2026. # Puerto Rico Unemployment Rate Puerto Rico's unemployment rate stands at 6% in 2026, reflecting a dramatic recovery from its all-time peak of 23.
Current (2026)
6.0%
-6.3% y/y
Peak (1983)
23.4%
Low (2024)
5.6%
Source
IMF World Economic Outlook
1980–2026 · 51 pts
Unemployment Rate — Puerto Rico
1980 — 2026
Unemployment Rate — Puerto Rico
Analysis# Puerto Rico Unemployment Rate
Puerto Rico's unemployment rate stands at 6% in 2026, reflecting a dramatic recovery from its all-time peak of 23.4% in 1983. The island has achieved a 64.9% decline in unemployment since 1980, positioning current levels near the historical low of 5.6% recorded in 2024. This sustained improvement demonstrates significant economic stabilization over four decades.
The most notable shift occurred between 2017 and 2024, when unemployment fell from 10.9% to 5.6%—a seven-year decline that underscores Puerto Rico's labor market strengthening. A minor uptick to 6.4% in 2025 suggests stabilization around the 6% range rather than continued downward momentum. Projections through 2026 indicate unemployment will remain in this moderate range, suggesting the island has successfully transitioned from crisis-level joblessness to near-historical lows.
Historical Data
51 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2030 | 5.9% | +0.00% |
| 2029 | 5.9% | +0.00% |
| 2028 | 5.9% | +1.72% |
| 2027 | 5.8% | -3.33% |
| 2026 | 6.0% | -6.25% |
| 2025 | 6.4% | +14.29% |
| 2024 | 5.6% | -5.08% |
| 2023 | 5.9% | -1.67% |
| 2022 | 6.0% | -25.00% |
| 2021 | 8.0% | -9.09% |
| 2020 | 8.8% | +6.02% |
| 2019 | 8.3% | -9.78% |
| 2018 | 9.2% | -15.60% |
| 2017 | 10.9% | -7.63% |
| 2016 | 11.8% | -2.48% |
| 2015 | 12.1% | -12.32% |
| 2014 | 13.8% | -2.82% |
| 2013 | 14.2% | -2.07% |
| 2012 | 14.5% | -9.38% |
| 2011 | 16.0% | -2.44% |
Show all 51 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 16.4% | +6.49% |
| 2009 | 15.4% | +30.51% |
| 2008 | 11.8% | +6.31% |
| 2007 | 11.1% | +4.72% |
| 2006 | 10.6% | -6.19% |
| 2005 | 11.3% | +6.60% |
| 2004 | 10.6% | -11.67% |
| 2003 | 12.0% | -1.64% |
| 2002 | 12.2% | +7.02% |
| 2001 | 11.4% | +11.76% |
| 2000 | 10.2% | -12.82% |
| 1999 | 11.7% | -12.03% |
| 1998 | 13.3% | -0.75% |
| 1997 | 13.4% | +0.00% |
| 1996 | 13.4% | -2.19% |
| 1995 | 13.7% | -5.52% |
| 1994 | 14.5% | -14.71% |
| 1993 | 17.0% | +1.80% |
| 1992 | 16.7% | +4.37% |
| 1991 | 16.0% | +11.11% |
| 1990 | 14.4% | -1.37% |
| 1989 | 14.6% | -2.67% |
| 1988 | 15.0% | -10.71% |
| 1987 | 16.8% | -11.11% |
| 1986 | 18.9% | -13.30% |
| 1985 | 21.8% | +5.31% |
| 1984 | 20.7% | -11.54% |
| 1983 | 23.4% | +2.63% |
| 1982 | 22.8% | +15.15% |
| 1981 | 19.8% | +15.79% |
| 1980 | 17.1% | — |
Related Data
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For Puerto Rico
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Demographics
People & population data