Puerto Rico (US) Labor Force Participation
Labor force participation rate SL.TLF.CACT.ZS
Puerto Rico (US)'s labor force participation was 42.78% in 2025, ranked 166th globally. This represents a 0.4% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Puerto Rico (US)'s labor force participation stood at 42.78% in 2025, a rise of +0.16pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 43.26% by 2026. Puerto Rico (US) ranked 166th globally.
Puerto Rico's labor force participation rate has experienced significant fluctuations over the past three and a half decades. With a current rate of 42.78%, the island territory ranks 166th globally, according to the World Bank. At its peak in 2005, the labor force participation rate reached 47.70%, while it hit a low of 38.02% in 2015. For comparison, Morocco's labor force participation rate is slightly higher at 43.94%, while Samoa's rate is 42.53%. Since Puerto Rico's earliest recorded rate in 1990 was 44.59%, the territory has experienced a decline in labor force participation over the years, albeit with a slight rebound in recent years. A sustained economic recovery in Puerto Rico, driven by investments in education and training, could potentially alter the trajectory of labor force participation, shifting the trend towards an increase in the labor force participation rate.
Data & projection
| Year | Labor Force Participation | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 44.01% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 43.63% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 43.26% | - | - |
| 2025 | 42.78% | +0.16pp | #166 |
| 2024 | 42.62% | +0.48pp | #167 |
| 2023 | 42.13% | +0.31pp | #169 |
| 2022 | 41.83% | +0.54pp | #171 |
| 2021 | 41.29% | +2.04pp | #172 |
| 2020 | 39.25% | +0.66pp | #178 |
| 2019 | 38.59% | +0.01pp | #180 |
| 2018 | 38.58% | +0.35pp | #180 |
| 2017 | 38.24% | +0.08pp | #181 |
| 2016 | 38.16% | +0.13pp | #181 |
| 2015 | 38.02% | −0.27pp | #180 |
| 2014 | 38.29% | −1.00pp | #180 |
| 2013 | 39.30% | −0.60pp | #180 |
| 2012 | 39.90% | −0.60pp | #180 |
| 2011 | 40.50% | −1.40pp | #181 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Puerto Rico (US) matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 1981. Historically, 38% of countries showing this pattern (117 out of 307) saw labor force participation improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Puerto Rico (US)'s labor force participation was 42.78% in 2025. Ranked 166th globally. This represents a 0.4% increase from the previous year.
Puerto Rico (US)'s labor force participation peaked at 47.70% in 1997.
The lowest labor force participation in Puerto Rico (US) was 38.02% in 2015.
Puerto Rico (US) ranks 166th globally in labor force participation as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Puerto Rico (US)'s labor force participation is projected to reach 43.26% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The labor force participation of Puerto Rico (US) in 2025 was 42.78%. This ranks 166th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_puerto-rico-us_labor-force-participation,
title = {Puerto Rico (US) Labor Force Participation},
url = {https://historysaid.com/puerto-rico-us/labor-force-participation/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}