Comments on: US Census Confirms that Puerto Rico’s Population Continues to Decrease

By: JANET RIVERA MELERO

JANET RIVERA MELERO — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 22:42:09 +0000

My mom moved to the states ,with 4 small kids and one in her belly,me,in 1949. .I was born in 1950 in Manhattan,(LOVE THAT ISLAND),she went to night school, learned English,worked in restaurants for years especially at Dunkanway doughnut shop on Broadway, all her children spoke English and still do.Now i am the only one that moved back to Puerto Rico with my 5 small children in 1980 all speak English and my grandchildren, some decided to go back to the states some are still here, what I mean is my sisters and brothers all professionals did not have any problem in learning English.I was born into the American Society, i spoke English since I was born the words that I herd were it is a baby girl! English is like a disease, once you got it everyone has it except those who are afraid to catch it, yes ,afraid of how silly they sound but not because they cannot learn it. After all, Americans speak some Spanish, they catch it more when they come down to the island the difference? Americans do not care how it sounds or how the words come out, but the people in Puerto Rico are proud people, and if it does not come out right they are afraid of trying, English speaking teachers need to deal with this problem.

By: Julito Varela

Julito Varela — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 00:54:53 +0000

Yes PRico’s population has been decreasing for years

By: Karrie

Karrie — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 00:43:54 +0000

So Puerto Rico’s population is decreasing? I had no idea- very interesting info, even more interesting is the discourse put forward by the above bloggers regarding the reasons for this decline.

By: Bruce R. Harris

Bruce R. Harris — Tue, 01 May 2012 17:38:00 +0000

If you can’t speak English then you are less likely to move to a country where English is spoken if you want to make a living. So you stay where Spanish is mainly spoken which is Puerto Rico. Language has nothing to do with welfare Julito. Not sure why you pulled that one out of your ass. And I live here in Puerto Rico, so I know bilingualism is not prevalent here. Young educated professionals are leaving the island because they learned to speak English fluently and are moving to where the jobs are. But don’t worry, you still have the minimum wage uneducated crowd who are staying here to fill the remedial jobs. Be happy, most people here are buying into the “not our culture” motto!

By: Julito Varela

Julito Varela — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 13:54:15 +0000

That’s a pretty silly comment, Bruce, because you are assuming that Spanish is a welfare language when it fact bilingualism is actually more prevalent in Puerto Rico than you think. This is more economic that cultural. Sorry, not agreeing with you on this one.

By: Bruce R. Harris

Bruce R. Harris — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 13:26:26 +0000

All the more reason why Puerto Ricans should keep insisting that english is not part of the culture here and therefore should not be taught in schools. If you only speak spanish then you are more likely to stay here on the island and raise a family on welfare or a minimum wage job.

By: Julito Varela

Julito Varela — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 04:05:52 +0000

Luis, thank you for all the comments you have posted. They add to this entire topic and I really appreciate it!

By: Luis Arroyo

Luis Arroyo — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 01:28:27 +0000

As young professionals move to the states, the island is left with a graying population lacking young workers to put into the general tax fund for running the island. Making PR yet MORE dependent on Federal SSI /medicare Funds. Its funny how the very same people who oppose statehood are the first to move there! Unfortunately,just as many statehooders move out as well, maintaining the statehood/commonwealth tie at the polls.

By: Julito Varela

Julito Varela — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 15:45:12 +0000

So, a declining population is a good thing in your opinion? Most island economists would think differently, especially since the majority of those people who are leaving are younger and professional. They will benefit other economies, but there is no question that PR has gotten poorer in the last few years because of the talent leaving.

And traffic and congestion is just like any Latin American country. It really isn’t that bad outside of the San Juan metro area.

By: newenglandfather

newenglandfather — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 15:35:47 +0000

How bad is this stat? Isn’t the island overpopulated? The reason isn’t idea I’m sure, high unemployment, crime, etc. But it’s the same reason my parents left the island (which we go back to often). “Tapon” is a natural way of life there on any major road way. There’s an abundance of well educated workforce there. They must support their families so I don’t hold it against them for seeking employment elsewhere.