PlainSpending

Puerto Rico Federal Spending

$11,693 per resident in FY2025 - low intensity (rank #45).

$38.4B total · $11,693 per capita · FY2025 · Ranked #35 total, #45 per capita · 25.3% below national avg

In FY2025, Puerto Rico received $38.4B in federal spending - $11,693 per capita, ranking #45 among 57 states and 25.3% below the national average. The most common award type is direct payments, accounting for 52.0% of tracked awards. The top spending agency is Department of Health and Human Services.

Puerto Rico · FY2025

Puerto Rico received $38.4B in federal spending in FY2025 - $11,693 per resident, 25.3% below the national average, with direct payments the largest award category.

Total federal spending
$38.4B
#35 of 57 states
Per resident
$11,693
#45 per capita
Latest annual change
-$2.0B
FY2024 to FY2025 (-5.0%)
Top agency
Dept. of Health and Human Services
$13.9B

Low per-resident intensity

Puerto Rico ranks #44 of 56 by per-capita spending ($11,693) - a light intensity band.

According to USASpending.gov, Puerto Rico received $38.4B in FY2025 ($11,693 per resident; population 3,285,874). Total rank #35 and per-capita rank #45 (25.3% below the $15,647 national average) show volume vs intensity.

Low per-resident intensity still shows a full award-count mix: 4,393 contracts, 3,831 grants, 8,270 loans, and 20,259 direct payments. The most common award type is direct payments at 52.0% of tracked awards in the state, with loans a distant second at 8,270 awards. Department of Health and Human Services is the single largest federal agency operating in Puerto Rico, with $13.9B in obligations - more than Social Security Administration's $12.5B.

Over the available history, federal spending in Puerto Rico has contracted 22.0% from $49.3B in FY2020 to $38.4B in FY2025 - from a below-average intensity baseline. Combined with 78 counties and top recipient Puerto Rico Department of Health at $3.7B, the trail shows whether the light intensity is closing the gap.

Figures are award-transaction data from USASpending.gov (U.S. Department of the Treasury). See our methodology for per-capita denominators and award categories.

Source: USAspending.gov, Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) + System for Award Management (SAM) Puerto Rico federal awards (contracts, grants, loans, direct payments) for FY2025 · 2025 USAspending.gov publishes award-level data within ~30 days of obligation; categories follow OMB Object Class Codes. Per-capita metrics use Census ACS population estimates as the denominator.

Where this low-intensity state sits

Total Spending

$38.4B

Rank #35

Per Capita

$11,693

Rank #45

Population

3,285,874

Contract Awards

4,393

Grant Awards

3,831

Total Federal Spending

$38.4B

FY2025 obligations

Per Capita

$11,693

Rank #45

Counties Receiving

78

federal dollars

Top Agency Share

$13.9B

Department of Health and Human

Puerto Rico award-type mix by count (FY2025)

Awards52%21.2%11.3%9.8%Direct PaymentsLoansContractsGrantsOther
Per-state share of tracked federal awards BY COUNT across major OMB-aligned award types (not a dollar-value breakdown). Mandatory-vs-discretionary marker reflects the entitlement-vs-appropriated split.
Puerto Rico per-capita federal spending vs. national average 62.3%
National average

Compared against the national average of $15,647 per resident.

Awards by Type

Direct Payments is the most common award type at 52.0% of tracked awards in Puerto Rico (by count, not dollar value).

Direct Payments 20,259 awards (52.0%)
Loans 8,270 awards (21.2%)
Contracts 4,393 awards (11.3%)
Grants 3,831 awards (9.8%)
Other 2,242 awards (5.7%)

Comparison to National Average

Metric Puerto Rico National Avg Difference
Per Capita Spending $11,693 $15,647 -25.3%
Contracts Share 0.0% - -
Grants Share 0.0% - -

Top Federal Agencies in Puerto Rico

Federal agencies ranked by total spending in Puerto Rico during FY2025.

# Agency Spending % of Total
1 Department of Health and Human Services $13.9B 36.1%
2 Social Security Administration $12.5B 32.7%
3 Department of Agriculture $3.3B 8.6%
4 Department of Veterans Affairs $1.7B 4.4%
5 Department of Education $1.7B 4.4%
6 Department of Homeland Security $1.7B 4.3%
7 Department of Housing and Urban Development $1.2B 3.0%
8 Department of Defense $620.4M 1.6%
9 Department of Energy $575.3M 1.5%
10 Department of Transportation $513.2M 1.3%

Top Recipients in Puerto Rico

Organizations and entities receiving the most federal funds in Puerto Rico.

# Recipient Total Awards
1 Puerto Rico Department of Health $3.7B
2 Administracion DE Desarrollo Socioeconomico DE LA Familia $3.1B
3 Governor's Authorized Representative $1.6B
4 Department of Education of Puerto Rico $794.8M
5 Administration DE Vivienda Publica $578.0M
6 Puerto Rico Highway && Transportation Authority $390.2M
7 Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority $365.3M
8 Departamento DE Desarrollo Economico Y Comercio $254.7M
9 Puerto Rico Department of Housing $189.6M
10 Department of Family $173.7M
11 National University College $165.1M
12 Novel Construction LLC $82.1M
13 Sunnova Energy Corporation $81.3M
14 Natural and Environmental Resources, Department Of $71.5M

Spending Trends

The latest annual comparison is -$2.0B (-5.0%) from FY2024 to FY2025; this is a difference in recorded award obligations, not a claim about cause or local benefit. Federal spending in Puerto Rico decreased 22.0% from FY2020 to FY2025.

$30B$40B$50B$60B$70B FY2020FY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025 $38B
Fiscal Year Total Spending Per Capita Population
FY2025 $38.4B $11,693 3,285,874
FY2024 $40.4B $12,310 3,285,874
FY2023 $39.6B $12,064 3,285,874
FY2022 $39.0B $11,870 3,285,874
FY2021 $65.2B $19,850 3,285,874
FY2020 $49.3B $14,990 3,285,874

Counties in Puerto Rico

78 counties ranked by federal spending in FY2025.

# County Total Spending Per Capita Population
1 San Juan Municipio $13.9B $40,508 342,259
2 Guaynabo Municipio $2.1B $23,925 89,780
3 Bayamón Municipio $1.0B $5,651 185,187
4 Ponce Municipio $761.6M $5,539 137,491
5 Carolina Municipio $736.0M $4,754 154,815
6 Caguas Municipio $728.6M $5,726 127,244
7 Arecibo Municipio $666.7M $7,598 87,754
8 Mayagüez Municipio $467.6M $6,399 73,077
9 Humacao Municipio $388.7M $7,638 50,896
10 Aguadilla Municipio $374.3M $6,794 55,101
11 Toa Baja Municipio $345.1M $4,584 75,293
12 Cabo Rojo Municipio $261.6M $5,547 47,158
13 Toa Alta Municipio $256.7M $3,840 66,852
14 Cayey Municipio $246.2M $5,912 41,652
15 Trujillo Alto Municipio $230.7M $3,406 67,740
16 Gurabo Municipio $226.3M $5,571 40,622
17 Manatí Municipio $210.4M $5,329 39,492
18 Vega Baja Municipio $208.9M $3,839 54,414
19 Camuy Municipio $195.6M $5,958 32,827
20 Guayama Municipio $192.8M $5,267 36,614
21 San Sebastián Municipio $192.0M $4,881 39,345
22 Isabela Municipio $186.7M $4,347 42,943
23 Canóvanas Municipio $186.2M $4,398 42,337
24 Vega Alta Municipio $179.6M $5,073 35,395
25 Cidra Municipio $170.2M $4,258 39,970
26 Aguada Municipio $167.0M $4,379 38,136
27 Juana Díaz Municipio $165.5M $3,556 46,538
28 San Germán Municipio $164.2M $5,152 31,879
29 Lajas Municipio $163.6M $7,011 23,334
30 Yabucoa Municipio $162.5M $5,341 30,426
31 Dorado Municipio $161.7M $4,507 35,879
32 Las Piedras Municipio $160.0M $4,547 35,180
33 Yauco Municipio $155.1M $4,537 34,172
34 Fajardo Municipio $154.3M $4,804 32,124
35 San Lorenzo Municipio $152.7M $4,052 37,693
36 Juncos Municipio $151.3M $4,089 37,012
37 Coamo Municipio $150.2M $4,333 34,668
38 Hatillo Municipio $142.8M $3,711 38,486
39 Morovis Municipio $142.6M $4,964 28,727
40 Orocovis Municipio $139.0M $6,487 21,434
41 Moca Municipio $138.8M $3,707 37,460
42 Salinas Municipio $135.4M $5,252 25,789
43 Sabana Grande Municipio $134.3M $5,908 22,729
44 Utuado Municipio $131.9M $4,664 28,287
45 Aibonito Municipio $124.2M $5,040 24,637
46 Río Grande Municipio $122.4M $2,600 47,060
47 Quebradillas Municipio $121.3M $5,130 23,638
48 Lares Municipio $117.1M $4,166 28,105
49 Añasco Municipio $116.8M $4,562 25,596
50 Guayanilla Municipio $116.5M $6,550 17,784
51 Naranjito Municipio $116.4M $3,980 29,241
52 Corozal Municipio $114.7M $3,317 34,571
53 Barranquitas Municipio $112.0M $3,864 28,983
54 Barceloneta Municipio $107.5M $4,743 22,657
55 Aguas Buenas Municipio $97.6M $4,029 24,223
56 Naguabo Municipio $91.1M $3,894 23,386
57 Ciales Municipio $88.7M $5,222 16,984
58 Villalba Municipio $88.3M $3,997 22,093
59 Patillas Municipio $87.5M $5,475 15,985
60 Peñuelas Municipio $85.6M $4,197 20,399
61 Santa Isabel Municipio $84.5M $4,168 20,281
62 Cataño Municipio $82.3M $3,555 23,155
63 Luquillo Municipio $81.9M $4,607 17,781
64 Arroyo Municipio $81.5M $5,145 15,843
65 Hormigueros Municipio $79.3M $5,067 15,654
66 Maunabo Municipio $74.2M $7,006 10,589
67 Florida Municipio $66.6M $5,699 11,692
68 Rincón Municipio $66.5M $4,376 15,187
69 Guánica Municipio $63.8M $4,630 13,787
70 Adjuntas Municipio $61.4M $3,407 18,020
71 Loíza Municipio $61.3M $2,588 23,693
72 Comerío Municipio $60.7M $3,214 18,883
73 Ceiba Municipio $56.3M $4,982 11,307
74 Jayuya Municipio $54.6M $3,692 14,779
75 Vieques Municipio $50.1M $6,074 8,249
76 Maricao Municipio $17.3M $3,637 4,755
77 Las Marías Municipio $16.5M $1,863 8,874
78 Culebra Municipio $8.4M $4,699 1,792
DOGE impact for Puerto Rico → Per-capita rankings → Why spending varies by state →

States With Similar Per Capita Spending

States with per capita federal spending closest to Puerto Rico's $11,693.

Washington

$11,619 per capita

$89.5B total

Arkansas

$11,603 per capita

$34.9B total

American Samoa

$11,788 per capita

$586.0M total

Iowa

$11,432 per capita

$36.5B total

Wyoming

$12,119 per capita

$7.0B total

Compare Puerto Rico to another state side-by-side →

States with similar total federal spending

Nearest nationwide peers by total obligation volume ($38.4B here) - a different axis from the per-capita neighbors above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does Puerto Rico rank nationally in federal spending?

Puerto Rico ranks #45 of 57 on per-capita intensity ($11,693 - a light band) and #35 on absolute volume ($38.4B) in FY2025.

Which federal agencies spend the most in Puerto Rico?

The top federal agency spending in Puerto Rico is Department of Health and Human Services with $13.9B. Followed by Social Security Administration ($12.5B) and Department of Agriculture ($3.3B).

How much federal spending did Puerto Rico receive in FY2025?

Puerto Rico received $38.4B in total federal spending during Fiscal Year 2025. This equates to $11,693 per capita for the state's population of 3,285,874.

How does Puerto Rico's federal spending per capita compare to the national average?

Puerto Rico's $11,693 runs 25.3% below the $15,647 national average (rank #45 of 57).

What is the largest category of federal spending in Puerto Rico?

The most common award type is direct payments, accounting for 20,259 awards (52.0% of tracked awards). The second-largest is loans at 8,270 awards.

How many counties in Puerto Rico receive federal spending?

78 counties in Puerto Rico receive federal spending. The county receiving the most is San Juan Municipio with $13.9B.

How has federal spending in Puerto Rico changed over time?

Federal spending in Puerto Rico decreased by 22.0% from FY2020 ($49.3B) to FY2025 ($38.4B).

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and presented.

Verify with USASpending.gov → Verify population with U.S. Census Bureau →