An analysis of the Census Information Center (CIC) of the University of Puerto Rico at Cayey showed that the percentage of young people between 16 and 24 years of age who do not study or work (known as 'nini' in Spanish) has been rising in recent years in the country.

The analysis is based on data from tables B14005 and micro data of the Puerto Rico Community survey, and breaks down these by ethnicities by making notable differences in the incidence of ninis.

In the period from 2010 to 2014 the highest proportion of 'nini' has Puerto Ricans with 16.83%, followed by Dominicans who reside on the island with 13.53%, while the Cuban population obtained a rate of 0.02%.

'These ethnic differences do not necessarily respond to the greater Puerto Rican population. When calculating rates, what we are trying to measure is the percentage of ninis within each ethnic group. That is, within the Dominican population, how many young people there are that do not work or study versus in the Cuban population. More research is needed to explain why these minority ethnicities have a smaller proportion of ninis', said the ICC Director.

The analysis also shows that during the period 2005 to 2009, there were a greater number of young 'nini' with a total of 81,512 while from 2010 to 2014 there were 80,631. However, this decrease is not completely positive since it is affected by the large number of young people who have migrated in both periods, which explains why the percentage of ninis increases. On the other hand, during the most recent period there was a significant increase of women within this group.

'Although the incidence of young people who are not working or studying affects men proportionately more, the rate of women increased significantly during 2009 to 2014. On the other hand, as more young people migrate, more need to integrate Nini generation to the productive sector. We must continue to promote study and work in young people to reduce this situation', said Caraballo, who is also a researcher at the Interdisciplinary Research Institute of UPR-Cayey.

According to the CIC director, the Community Survey is currently one of the few representative databases available in Puerto Rico to measure the black population in Puerto Rico.

The CIC is an entity attached to the Bureau of the Census and the Institute of Interdisciplinary Research of the UPR in Cayey, whose purpose is to disseminate economic and population census data to the different communities. They also consult with organization.