Puerto Rico en Transición: Del Boom al Declive Poblacional

Summary

Demographer Raúl Figueroa Y discusses Puerto Rico's demographic changes, highlighting a declining population, especially among the youth. The island has experienced a significant drop from 2010 to 2020, with an acceleration post-2020. Despite a slower migration rate, an aging population is observed, with more people over 65 than under 18. The video also addresses factors like fertility rates, mortality, and migration, projecting a continued population decline and aging by 2050, with implications for infrastructure and services.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Puerto Rico's population is decreasing, with an official drop of around 440,000 people between the 2010 and 2020 censuses.
• 📉 The decline is not uniform across age groups; the population of younger people, especially those under 25 and 30, has decreased the most.
• 👵 The population of older individuals, particularly those over 50, is increasing, leading to an accelerated aging of the population.
• 🔄 In 2000, there were more children and young people under 18 than people over 65, but by 2020, this ratio had reversed.
• 🌐 The population pyramid of Puerto Rico is no longer traditional, potentially becoming inverted with a smaller base of younger people.
• 🚺 There are more women than men in Puerto Rico, especially in the older age groups, with women outliving men.
• 💔 The main causes of population change are birth rates, death rates, and migration, with more people leaving the island than arriving.
• 📊 Since 2016, there have been more deaths than births each year, contributing to natural population decrease.
• 📈 The risk of death has slightly increased after the COVID-19 pandemic, especially among those aged 60 and above.
• 🏠 There's a rise in non-family households and a decrease in traditional family households, impacting social structures.
• 📉 The total fertility rate in Puerto Rico is very low, with women averaging less than one child in their lifetime.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video script?

The main topic of the video script is the demographic changes occurring in Puerto Rico, including population decline, aging population, and the implications of these changes.

What is the current trend in Puerto Rico's population size?

The current trend is a decrease in population size, with an official drop of around 440,000 people between the years 2010 and 2020.

Is the population decline in Puerto Rico uniform across all age groups?

No, the population decline is not uniform. The most significant decrease is observed in the younger age groups, while the older age groups, especially those above 50 years, are increasing.

What was the ratio of young people to older people in Puerto Rico in the year 2000?

In the year 2000, there were 2.56 young people (under 18 years old) for every older person (over 65 years old).

How has the ratio of young to old people changed by 2020?

By 2020, the ratio had inverted, with more people over 65 years old than under 18 years old. The ratio dropped to less than one young person per older person.

What is the current gender ratio at birth in Puerto Rico?

For every 100 females born, there are approximately 105 males born.

Why are there more women than men in Puerto Rico's older population?

Women tend to live longer than men, which results in a higher number of older women in the population.

What are the three main components that determine the size and structure of the population?

The three main components are fertility (natality), mortality, and migration (both immigration and emigration).

How has migration affected Puerto Rico's population in recent years?

Migration has led to a net loss of population in recent years, with more people leaving the island than arriving, particularly to the United States.

What is the current fertility rate in Puerto Rico?

The fertility rate is low, with women on average having less than one child during their reproductive life, which is among the lowest rates globally.

What are the projected demographic changes for Puerto Rico by 2050?

By 2050, it is projected that Puerto Rico's population will continue to decrease, potentially reaching around 2 million people, with an aging population where about one in three will be 65 years or older.