Puerto Rico's bank reports slight drop in economic activity

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Puerto Rico's Government Development Bank says indicators that measure the island's economic health have decreased slightly.

The bank says overall employment and electricity generation decreased in December compared with a year ago. Officials said gasoline consumption and cement sales were up slightly.

The bank said in a statement late Friday that the economic activity index overall saw a 1.4 percent reduction in December compared with a year ago.

The U.S. territory has spent eight years in recession and is struggling to reduce a $73 billion public debt.