Urban Population: Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico's urban population is currently 94.3% as of 2024. # Puerto Rico Urban Population Puerto Rico's urban population reached 94.
Current (2024)
94.3%
+0.1% y/y
Peak (2000)
94.4%
Low (1960)
44.3%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1960–2024 · 65 pts
Urban Population — Puerto Rico
1960 — 2024
Urban Population — Puerto Rico
Analysis# Puerto Rico Urban Population
Puerto Rico's urban population reached 94.254% in 2024, representing one of the highest urbanization rates in the world. This figure sits just 0.15 percentage points below the all-time peak of 94.404% recorded in 2000. The trajectory since 1960—when only 44.308% of the population lived in urban areas—reveals a dramatic 112.7% increase over six decades, reflecting fundamental shifts in economic activity, infrastructure development, and migration patterns.
The recent trend shows steady growth from 2015 onward, with consistent annual increases averaging 0.06 percentage points. Puerto Rico's urbanization plateaued near its peak around 2000 and has remained at elevated levels throughout the past two decades. Absent significant demographic reversals or major rural development initiatives, the urban population share will likely stabilize within the 94-95% range, characteristic of fully urbanized economies with limited remaining rural populations.
Historical Data
65 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 94.3% | +0.08% |
| 2023 | 94.2% | +0.07% |
| 2022 | 94.1% | +0.06% |
| 2021 | 94.1% | +0.05% |
| 2020 | 94.0% | +0.06% |
| 2019 | 94.0% | +0.06% |
| 2018 | 93.9% | +0.05% |
| 2017 | 93.9% | +0.04% |
| 2016 | 93.8% | +0.03% |
| 2015 | 93.8% | +0.02% |
| 2014 | 93.8% | +0.01% |
| 2013 | 93.8% | +0.01% |
| 2012 | 93.8% | +0.00% |
| 2011 | 93.8% | +0.00% |
| 2010 | 93.8% | -0.01% |
| 2009 | 93.8% | -0.04% |
| 2008 | 93.8% | -0.07% |
| 2007 | 93.9% | -0.09% |
| 2006 | 94.0% | -0.10% |
| 2005 | 94.1% | -0.10% |
Show all 65 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 94.2% | -0.10% |
| 2003 | 94.2% | -0.08% |
| 2002 | 94.3% | -0.06% |
| 2001 | 94.4% | -0.03% |
| 2000 | 94.4% | +0.09% |
| 1999 | 94.3% | +0.38% |
| 1998 | 94.0% | +0.65% |
| 1997 | 93.4% | +0.91% |
| 1996 | 92.5% | +1.15% |
| 1995 | 91.5% | +1.37% |
| 1994 | 90.2% | +1.57% |
| 1993 | 88.8% | +1.75% |
| 1992 | 87.3% | +1.92% |
| 1991 | 85.7% | +2.06% |
| 1990 | 83.9% | +2.19% |
| 1989 | 82.1% | +2.29% |
| 1988 | 80.3% | +2.36% |
| 1987 | 78.4% | +2.41% |
| 1986 | 76.6% | +2.42% |
| 1985 | 74.8% | +2.40% |
| 1984 | 73.0% | +2.35% |
| 1983 | 71.4% | +2.25% |
| 1982 | 69.8% | +2.11% |
| 1981 | 68.4% | +1.91% |
| 1980 | 67.1% | +1.75% |
| 1979 | 65.9% | +1.67% |
| 1978 | 64.8% | +1.62% |
| 1977 | 63.8% | +1.59% |
| 1976 | 62.8% | +1.59% |
| 1975 | 61.8% | +1.60% |
| 1974 | 60.8% | +1.64% |
| 1973 | 59.9% | +1.70% |
| 1972 | 58.9% | +1.78% |
| 1971 | 57.8% | +1.90% |
| 1970 | 56.8% | +2.10% |
| 1969 | 55.6% | +2.41% |
| 1968 | 54.3% | +2.65% |
| 1967 | 52.9% | +2.82% |
| 1966 | 51.4% | +2.91% |
| 1965 | 50.0% | +2.90% |
| 1964 | 48.6% | +2.79% |
| 1963 | 47.2% | +2.57% |
| 1962 | 46.1% | +2.21% |
| 1961 | 45.1% | +1.70% |
| 1960 | 44.3% | — |
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