GEOGRAPHICAL DIFFERENTIALS IN THE SOCIOECONOMIC-STATUS OF PUERTO-RICANS - HUMAN-CAPITAL VARIATIONS AND LABOR-MARKET CHARACTERISTICS

This article examines the role of human capital and labor market chara cteristics in explaining geographical and individual differentials in socioeconomic outcomes of Puerto Rican women. The better socioeconomic performance of Puerto Ricans outside the Northeast can be in part rel ated to their larger amount of human capital. Labor market characteris tics also play a role, but their effects are generally small. Net of o ther characteristics, Northeast residence reduces labor force particip ation, increases female headship, but reduces welfare use. Of all grou ps examined, recent migrants from Puerto Rico located in the Northeast show the poorest socioeconomic outcomes.