<P> Puerto Rico has a GDP per capita of $16,300 (2010 est .). Compared to the rest of the world they are ranked 73rd . Puerto Rico's GDP per capita has been declining in recent years ($18,100 (2008 est .), and $17,400 (2009 est .)). According to statistics from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), its GDP per capita is the 10th highest in the Caribbean, behind the Bahamas ($30,400), Aruba ($25,300) Barbados ($25,000), Trinidad and Tobago ($20,000), Antigua & Barbuda ($17,800) and British dependencies Cayman Islands ($43,800), British Virgin Islands ($42,300) and Turks & Caicos ($29,100). </P> <P> In terms of personal income, federal transfer payments to Puerto Rico make up more than 20% of the island's personal income . By comparison, the poorest state, Mississippi, had a median level of $21,587, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's Current Population Survey, 2002 to 2004 Annual Social and Economic Supplements . Since 1952, the gap between Puerto Rico's per capita income and the national level has changed substantially--from one third the U.S. national average and roughly half that of the poorest state in 1952, to 10% less than the poorest state in 2007 . </P> <P> In 2010 the median income in Puerto Rico was $19,370, which is just over half that of the poorest state (Mississippi, $37,838) and 37% of the nationwide average ($51,144). According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor of the United States, the mean annual salary of residents of Puerto Rico is $27,190, the lowest among U.S. territories continuously surveyed periodically by this institution . Guam has the second lowest mean salary to $31,840, closely followed Mississippi, a state, with $34,770 . This spread in mean wages could be explained by a minimum wage law for certain industries that are capped to 70% of the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour . </P> <P> Puerto Rico's most competitive advantage lies on its labor force: a highly competitive, educated, and skilled labor force that enjoys American citizenship . This allows U.S. - based companies to relocate some of its operations to the island for cheaper labor costs while still maintaining a labor force subject to the rights and benefits given by American citizenship and federal regulations . Educated workers tend to be bilingual as well while costing 30--35% less than a worker in the mainland . </P>

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