Puerto Rico’s digital use nears 90% as trends shift
Puerto Rico is entering 2026 with one of the region’s most digitally connected populations, according to the “Digital 2026 Puerto Rico” report.
By late 2025, the island registered 2.8 million internet users, representing 88.9% of the population. The analysis also found 3.8 million active mobile connections — 120% of total population — and 2.4 million social media identities, or 75.5% of residents.
Despite the saturation, growth continues. Internet use increased by 1.5% from the previous year, and social media users rose 2.5%. The data reflect Puerto Rico’s steady integration into the global digital economy and the normalization of connected lifestyles across demographics and sectors.
Mobile landscape: Connectivity matures
Mobile access remains the cornerstone of Puerto Rico’s digital life. With 3.8 million mobile connections, most users maintain multiple SIMs or eSIM accounts for personal and business use. Roughly 95.8% of those connections now qualify as broadband, meaning they access 3G, 4G or 5G networks, according to the report.
However, mobile growth slowed slightly, down 5% year over year, signaling a mature market. This stability suggests that telecom providers may increasingly focus on service quality, pricing and value-added offerings rather than subscriber expansion.
Internet use: Expanding reach amid challenges
The report noted that 360,000 residents remain offline — about 11% of the population — a figure shaped by income gaps, infrastructure limitations and age demographics. Still, connectivity improved among adults and rural users, indicating progress toward bridging Puerto Rico’s digital divide.
“Puerto Rico’s internet adoption rate increased by a relative 1.7% during the year,” the report stated, noting gradual but consistent progress.
With a median population age of 45.8 and more than 93% living in urban areas, the island’s digital ecosystem reflects both demographic maturity and the urban concentration of connectivity infrastructure.
Social media: Stable growth, platform shifts
Social media use continues to evolve. YouTube led engagement with 2.4 million users, reaching 84.9% of internet users. Facebook followed with 1.9 million, equivalent to 60% of the total population. Instagram reported the strongest annual gain, up 12.9% to 1.7 million users, or 54% of the population.
TikTok showed remarkable growth — 7,540% year over year — reaching 573,000 adult users by the end of 2025. LinkedIn rose 9.1% to 1.2 million members, indicating a strengthening professional audience, while Reddit’s user base more than doubled to 741,000, reflecting rising participation in community-based digital platforms.
“Social media user identities increased by 60,000 during the year,” the report noted. “At the end of 2025, 84.9% of internet users accessed at least one social media platform.”
Platform trends: YouTube leads, Meta stabilizes
Meta’s properties remain dominant, though growth has slowed. Facebook’s user base held steady through 2025, while Messenger reached 1.3 million users, covering 40% of the population. Instagram continues to attract younger audiences, while TikTok’s explosive adoption underscores shifting content consumption habits.
LinkedIn’s 37% penetration reflects Puerto Rico’s evolving professional market, with women representing 51.9% of the platform’s users. Reddit’s expansion and Snapchat’s slight decline illustrate a dynamic, competitive social media environment shaped by niche interests and algorithm-driven engagement.
The digital outlook for 2026
Puerto Rico’s high internet penetration and multi-platform engagement paint a picture of a digitally mature market. The combination of stable connectivity, demographic diversity and rising use of short-form and professional networks positions the island as a growing test bed for digital commerce and innovation in the Caribbean.
With 75% of Puerto Ricans active on social media and mobile connectivity exceeding the total population, the digital economy is expected to deepen its role in advertising, e-commerce and public communication strategies across sectors.
