Children under age 6 with all available parents in the labor force in Puerto Rico

Secure employment is a key contributor to the financial stability and well-being of families. Employment insecurity and the accompanying income loss can disrupt daily living and relationships that limit families' ability to invest in their children's development, which can, in turn, diminish children's achievement in schools and chances of future success. Even a full- time job at a low wage does not necessarily lift a family out of poverty. Not only does the federal minimum wage at $7.25 fail to provide a livable income, it is insufficient to lift families out of poverty. Without access to benefits and tax credits, a single parent with two children (88% of families with children in Puerto Rico has one or two children), would need to earn at least $9.67 per hour - $2.42 more than the current federal minimum wage – working full time for 50 weeks per year just to reach the poverty line.

Secure employment is a key contributor to the financial stability and well-being of families. Employment insecurity and the accompanying income loss can disrupt daily living and relationships that limit families' ability to invest in their children's development, which can, in turn, diminish children's achievement in schools and chances of future success. Even a full- time job at a low wage does not necessarily lift a family out of poverty. Not only does the federal minimum wage at $7.25 fail to provide a livable income, it is insufficient to lift families out of poverty. Without access to benefits and tax credits, a single parent with two children (88% of families with children in Puerto Rico has one or two children), would need to earn at least $9.67 per hour - $2.42 more than the current federal minimum wage – working full time for 50 weeks per year just to reach the poverty line.