Employment in Puerto Rico grew 0.9% in August, matching July's pace, according to seasonally adjusted data from the Non-Agricultural Salaried Employment Survey by the Department of Labor and Human Resources (DTRH). About 8,700 jobs were created compared to last year, the highest figure in 24 months.
Despite this growth, the adjusted unemployment rate rose from 6.0% to 6.1%, the highest since 2023, driven by the fastest growth in the labor force since 2010—meaning the economy is creating jobs but not enough to absorb labor supply. The private sector added 7,500 jobs (up 1.0%), while public employment grew 0.6% (1,200 jobs), its first increase in 24 months, with gains in municipalities (1,400) and state government (200) but a drop in federal government (-400).
Job gains concentrated in Recreation and Lodging (4,800), Educational and Health Services (2,600), Trade, Transportation and Utilities (2,200), Manufacturing (1,100), Finance (400) and Construction (200), while Professional and Business Services (-3,500) and Information (-400) declined. Puerto Rico's economy lost 1,700 jobs in 2025 (-0.2%), contrasting with 1.0% growth in 2024, reflecting an overall slowdown after four years of strong post-pandemic job growth.