Puerto Rico's economy showed no significant growth over the past year. The Economic Activity Index reached 128.6 points in August 2026, 0.1% above the level recorded in August 2025, according to data released by the Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC). The result differed when comparing August with the prior month: versus July, economic activity rose 0.8%.
Compared with August of last year, however, growth was only 0.1%. Although overall growth was just 0.1%, there were increases in employment and electricity generation. Puerto Rico reached 963,400 salaried jobs, 1.3% more than a year ago, while electricity generation rose 2.5%.
DDEC Secretary Carlos Ríos Pierluisi called the August result a favorable sign and highlighted the growth in employment. Governor Jenniffer González Colón said the figures reflect the economy's capacity to maintain its activity levels. The Economic Activity Index uses four indicators to measure the overall behavior of the economy: non-farm salaried employment, electric power generation, gasoline consumption, and cement sales.