Some unemployment numbers

While the US in general has an unemployment rate of 4.8%, Puerto Rico in general has an unemployment of around 12%.
However the unemployment is not even across the island. The north and metro area are doing the best, while other towns are much worse.
Here are a few unemployment numbers:
Villalba 22%
Salinas 21.8%
Patillas 21.7%
Lajas 19.9%
Arroyo 19.7%
Lares 19.3%
Guanica 18.8%

On the flip side you have:
Culebra 4.3%
Guynabo 6.4%
Trujillo Alto 7.5%
San Juan 8.1%
Dorado 8.1%

A factor that may skew this number is work that is done Off the Books.

True, but that's not steady income. It's not Government or private industries hiring people.

Right, unemployment rates is based on jobs on the market versus people looking. Unadvertised jobs and under the table work is not taken into consideration. Those are mostly adhoc, they come and go and can not be measured.

ReyP wrote:

Right, unemployment rates is based on jobs on the market versus people looking. Unadvertised jobs and under the table work is not taken into consideration. Those are mostly adhoc, they come and go and can not be measured.


I will agree with you,but on the other hand, the jobs under the table are the ones driving the economy in the island. Most small shops, cafes and small business will hired under the table and underpaying. So the reality is harder to comprehend.