EXPLAINING THE GROWTH OF PUERTO-RICAN POVERTY, 1970-1980

With data from the U.S. Bureau of the Census 1970 Public Use Samples a nd 1980 Public Use Microdata Sample tape files for 34 metropolitan sta tistical areas, the authors examine cross-metropolitan variations in P uerto Rican poverty, using an instrumental variables regression model. The analyses highlight the role of residential segregation and econom ic restructuring on Puerto Rican poverty in 1970 and 1980. Decompositi on of changes during the 1970s revealed that the primary sources respo nsible for increased Puerto Rican poverty rates were structural: The e ffects of segregation on poverty grew stronger during the decade, and the ability of manufacturing employment and self-employment to attenua te poverty grew weaker.