Government and Politics Issues

Puerto Rico As A State

The United States House of Representatives has passed a bill which requires a vote by Puerto Ricans this year on whether their island should become another U.S. state, continue as a commonwealth or become independent. But the outlook for Senate passage is still uncertain. The islanders appear to be divided on the issue.

What kind of a state would Puerto Rico be?

  • The 13.5 percent unemployment rate there is higher than any U.S. state, compared to a U.S. national average of 5.0 percent.

  • Those who do have jobs tend to be relatively more skilled and bilingual.

  • Its economy grew 2.5 percent in 1997 -- compared to an overall 3.8 percent rate for the 50 states.

  • Per capita personal income is only $8,000 on the island -- compared with roughly $18,000 in the poorest state, Mississippi, and $26,000 in the nation as a whole.

  • Its gross domestic product in 1997 was estimated at $47.29 billion -- roughly the size of Columbus, Ohio, or Orlando, Florida.

Curiously for an area with balmy weather and tropical beaches, the percentage of jobs in tourism is below the U.S. average of about 10 percent.

Source: Lucinda Harper, "Puerto Rice Offers Mixed Merits as State," Wall Street Journal, March 16, 1998.

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