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Migration is the Driving Force of Rapid Aging in Puerto Rico: A Research Brief

Author

Listed:
  • Amílcar Matos-Moreno

    (University of Michigan
    Population Research Institute, Pennsylvania State University)

  • Alexis R. Santos-Lozada

    (Population Research Institute, Pennsylvania State University
    Pennsylvania State University)

  • Neil Mehta

    (University of Texas Medical Branch)

  • Carlos F. Mendes de Leon

    (University of Michigan)

  • Félice Lê-Scherban

    (Drexel University
    Drexel University)

  • Amélia A. Lima Friche

    (Federal University of Minas Gerais)

Abstract

The combined effects of declining fertility and increased longevity have accelerated population aging in different parts of the world. Unlike other countries, Puerto Rico is also experiencing unprecedented levels of working-age out-migration. The full impact of high out-migration on Puerto Rican demography is not fully understood. Placing Puerto Rico’s aging process in an international context is useful in identifying the role out-migration is having on the accelerated aging of the Puerto Rican society. Using the World Population Prospects 2019 estimates, we compared the pattern of rapid aging found for Puerto Rico with the trajectories of six other countries with the highest population of 65+ in the World, Europe, and the Caribbean from 1960 to 2020. Prior to 2010, the aging process in Puerto Rico was comparable to the other countries. After 2010, the percent of the population over 65 years in Puerto Rico nearly doubled from 13.1% to 21%. The nearly doubling of the percent of older adults is not observed in any of the comparison countries. We find that the rapid aging of Puerto Rico, changing from a linear trend to an exponential one, is a result of accelerating levels of out-migration, which is concentrated in the working-age population.

Suggested Citation

  • Amílcar Matos-Moreno & Alexis R. Santos-Lozada & Neil Mehta & Carlos F. Mendes de Leon & Félice Lê-Scherban & Amélia A. Lima Friche, 2022. "Migration is the Driving Force of Rapid Aging in Puerto Rico: A Research Brief," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 41(3), pages 801-810, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:poprpr:v:41:y:2022:i:3:d:10.1007_s11113-021-09683-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s11113-021-09683-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Simiao Chen & Michael Kuhn & Klaus Prettner & David E Bloom, 2018. "The macroeconomic burden of noncommunicable diseases in the United States: Estimates and projections," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(11), pages 1-14, November.
    2. Monica Alexander & Kivan Polimis & Emilio Zagheni, 2019. "The Impact of Hurricane Maria on Out‐migration from Puerto Rico: Evidence from Facebook Data," Population and Development Review, The Population Council, Inc., vol. 45(3), pages 617-630, September.
    3. Alexander, Monica & Zagheni, Emilio & Polimis, Kivan, 2019. "The impact of Hurricane Maria on out-migration from Puerto Rico: Evidence from Facebook data," SocArXiv 39s6c, Center for Open Science.
    4. Massimo Livi-Bacci, 2001. "Demographic shocks: the view from history," Conference Series ; [Proceedings], Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, vol. 46.
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