Characteristics of Puerto Rican Migrants to, and from, the United States

The objective of this paper is to assess the current state of our knowledge about the socio-economic and motivational characteristics of Puerto Rican migrants to, and from, the United States mainland. Focusing on these characteristics of the migrants makes it possible to determine the significance of the migration for Puerto Rico, by indicating which population segments the Island is losing, and gaining. It also enables one to see the significance of the move for the migrants themselves. Perhaps a social mobility process is involved, in which the more motivated migrate to the mainland to improve their socio-economic status, and the most successful return to Puerto Rico.