Jamaica by the numbers

The issues people raise most, measured with official data. Each chart says in one line what it shows, and links to where the numbers come from.

Most figures come from the World Bank, which republishes official Jamaican data (STATIN, PIOJ, Bank of Jamaica) and UN agencies. Newer figures are from the JCF, PIOJ and STATIN as reported in the press. Built 2026-09-24.

Healthcare

Doctors per 1,000 people

Jamaica has 0.46 doctors per 1,000 people (2023). The Latin America and Caribbean average is 2.6, more than five times as many.

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	Value	Year
Jamaica	0.46	2023
Latin America & Caribbean	2.57	2022
Singapore	2.83	2022

Source: World Bank: physicians per 1,000 people (WHO data)

Nurses and midwives per 1,000 people

Jamaica has 1.6 nurses and midwives per 1,000 people (2023), under half the regional average of 3.8.

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	Value	Year
Jamaica	1.6	2023
Latin America & Caribbean	3.8	2022
Singapore	6.6	2022

Source: World Bank: nurses and midwives per 1,000 people (WHO data)

Share of health spending paid out of pocket (%)

Jamaicans paid 20% of all health spending straight out of pocket in 2023, lower than the regional average of 30%. Public care has been free by law since 2008, which points to staffing, not fees, as the bigger gap.

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Year	Jamaica	Latin America & Caribbean
2023	20%	30%
2022	19%	30%
2021	22%	29%
2020	24%	27%
2019	27%	28%
2018	27%	28%
2017	27%	27%
2016	29%	28%
2015	31%	28%
2014	35%	30%
2013	37%	30%
2012	38%	31%
2011	37%	31%
2010	37%	31%
2009	38%	33%
2008	41%	35%
2007	41%	37%
2006	46%	39%
2005	45%	41%
2004	40%	41%
2003	45%	42%
2002	38%	42%
2001	38%	40%
2000	34%	38%

Source: World Bank: out-of-pocket spending (% of health spending)

Crime and safety

Murders per 100,000 people

The murder rate peaked at 62 per 100,000 in 2005. In 2025 it fell to about 24, the lowest in over 30 years. That is still above the regional average of 20 (2023).

Open dots for 2024 and 2025 are JCF murder counts divided by World Bank population; earlier years are the World Bank / UNODC series.

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Year	Jamaica	Latin America & Caribbean
2025	23.7	-
2024	40.2	-
2023	49.4	19.7
2022	53.1	20.0
2021	51.9	20.3
2020	47.1	20.4
2019	47.5	21.1
2018	45.7	23.1
2017	58.5	24.1
2016	48.2	23.6
2015	43.1	22.7
2014	36.0	23.4
2013	43.2	23.8
2012	39.8	24.5
2011	41.0	24.3
2010	52.6	23.9
2009	61.5	-
2008	59.4	-
2007	58.4	-
2006	49.6	-
2005	62.3	-
2004	55.0	-
2003	36.7	-
2002	39.6	-
2001	43.4	-
2000	34.0	-
1999	33.0	-
1998	33.4	-
1997	40.7	-
1996	36.6	-
1995	31.2	-
1994	28.0	-
1993	26.8	-
1992	26.1	-
1991	23.6	-
1990	22.9	-

Source: World Bank: intentional homicides per 100,000 (UNODC data) · Gleaner: 2025 policing year (JCF figures) · RJR: 673 murders in 2025, lowest in 31 years

Corruption

Corruption Perceptions Index score (0 = very corrupt, 100 = very clean)

Jamaica scored 44 in 2025, up from 38 in 2012, and has stayed at 43 or 44 since 2017. The world average is 43, so Jamaica sits in the middle: 73rd of 182 countries.

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Year	Jamaica
2025	44
2024	44
2023	44
2022	44
2021	44
2020	44
2019	43
2018	44
2017	44
2016	39
2015	41
2014	38
2013	38
2012	38

Source: Transparency International: Jamaica

Cost of living and the currency

Inflation: how fast prices rise each year (%)

Inflation averaged 4.0% in 2025, inside the Bank of Jamaica's 4 to 6% target. It has since climbed to 7.9% (August 2026), with food prices up 10.2%.

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Year	Jamaica
2025	4.0%
2024	5.4%
2023	6.5%
2022	10.3%
2021	5.9%
2020	5.2%
2019	3.9%
2018	3.7%
2017	4.4%
2016	2.4%
2015	3.7%
2014	8.3%
2013	9.3%
2012	6.9%
2011	7.6%
2010	12.6%
2009	9.6%
2008	22.0%
2007	9.2%
2006	8.6%
2005	15.1%
2004	13.6%
2003	10.1%
2002	7.1%
2001	6.8%
2000	8.2%

Source: World Bank: inflation, consumer prices (STATIN data) · Observer: STATIN, inflation 7.9% in August 2026

Jamaican dollars needed to buy one US dollar

One US dollar cost J$159 in 2025, against J$117 ten years earlier. That is a steady slide of a few percent a year, not a collapse.

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Year	J$ per US$
2025	J$159
2024	J$156
2023	J$154
2022	J$153
2021	J$151
2020	J$142
2019	J$133
2018	J$129
2017	J$128
2016	J$125
2015	J$117
2014	J$111
2013	J$100
2012	J$89
2011	J$86
2010	J$87
2009	J$88
2008	J$73
2007	J$69
2006	J$66
2005	J$62
2004	J$61
2003	J$58
2002	J$48
2001	J$46
2000	J$43
1999	J$39
1998	J$37
1997	J$35
1996	J$37
1995	J$35
1994	J$33
1993	J$25
1992	J$23
1991	J$12
1990	J$7

Source: World Bank: official exchange rate (Bank of Jamaica data)

Jobs and people leaving

Unemployment rate (%)

Unemployment was 3.3% in 2025, close to its lowest on record (3.0% in 2023), and 11% for people aged 15 to 24. Low unemployment doesn't mean good pay: the minimum wage is J$17,000 a week, about US$107.

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Year	Youth (15 to 24)	Everyone
2025	10.8%	3.3%
2024	10.4%	3.1%
2023	10.0%	3.0%
2022	13.1%	4.1%
2021	16.8%	5.2%
2020	20.1%	6.5%
2019	16.0%	5.0%
2018	18.1%	5.5%
2017	21.7%	7.4%
2016	24.7%	8.6%
2015	25.8%	8.8%
2014	26.4%	9.1%
2013	27.2%	9.7%
2012	23.4%	8.7%
2011	20.4%	8.0%
2010	20.4%	7.6%
2009	18.6%	7.3%
2008	17.2%	6.7%
2007	17.0%	6.6%
2006	16.9%	6.6%
2005	16.8%	6.6%
2004	16.7%	6.5%
2003	16.6%	6.5%
2002	16.6%	6.6%
2001	16.6%	6.6%
2000	16.6%	6.8%
1999	16.6%	6.8%
1998	16.4%	6.8%
1997	16.0%	6.7%
1996	15.8%	6.6%
1995	15.1%	6.3%
1994	15.0%	6.3%
1993	14.7%	6.2%
1992	14.9%	6.4%
1991	14.5%	6.2%

Source: World Bank: unemployment (ILO estimates) · World Bank: youth unemployment (ILO estimates)

Net migration: people arriving minus people leaving, each year

More people leave Jamaica than arrive in every year since 1990, except 2020 (the pandemic year). Over the last ten years the net loss was about 88,000 people.

See the numbers

Year	Net migration
2025	-11,053
2024	-10,506
2023	-10,003
2022	-10,003
2021	-4,665
2020	0
2019	-10,335
2018	-10,335
2017	-10,335
2016	-10,335
2015	-10,335
2014	-10,335
2013	-10,335
2012	-10,498
2011	-11,577
2010	-13,248
2009	-14,941
2008	-16,191
2007	-16,588
2006	-16,840
2005	-17,071
2004	-17,256
2003	-17,380
2002	-17,428
2001	-17,466
2000	-17,498
1999	-17,542
1998	-17,623
1997	-17,756
1996	-18,285
1995	-19,092
1994	-19,960
1993	-20,731
1992	-21,426
1991	-23,014
1990	-25,085

Source: World Bank: net migration (UN population estimates)

The economy and Hurricane Melissa

Economic growth after Hurricane Melissa (% vs the same quarter a year before)

The economy shrank for three quarters in a row after Melissa hit in October 2025, but each quarter was less bad than the last. The Planning Institute expects growth to return by the end of 2026.

Oct to Dec 2025 is the PIOJ's first estimate; it was later revised to about -7.3%.

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	Value	Year
Oct to Dec 2025	-7.1%
Jan to Mar 2026	-4.1%
Apr to Jun 2026	-2.9%

Source: Gleaner: PIOJ, economy contracts 2.9% in June quarter

Economic growth each year (%)

Since 1990 Jamaica's economy has grown about 1.3% a year on average, with the sharpest drops in 2020 (COVID) and 2009 (the global financial crisis).

See the numbers

Year	GDP growth
2025	0.1%
2024	-0.5%
2023	2.8%
2022	6.4%
2021	5.7%
2020	-8.3%
2019	1.8%
2018	2.5%
2017	2.3%
2016	2.8%
2015	0.9%
2014	0.7%
2013	0.5%
2012	-0.6%
2011	1.7%
2010	-1.5%
2009	-4.3%
2008	-0.8%
2007	1.4%
2006	2.9%
2005	0.9%
2004	1.3%
2003	3.7%
2002	2.0%
2001	1.3%
2000	0.9%
1999	1.1%
1998	-2.3%
1997	-1.1%
1996	-0.1%
1995	2.4%
1994	1.4%
1993	9.4%
1992	2.0%
1991	4.8%
1990	4.2%

Source: World Bank: GDP growth (STATIN / PIOJ data)

Could Jamaica be Singapore?

Income per person (US$)

In 1965 Jamaica ($549) was slightly richer per person than Singapore ($517). By 2025, Singapore was at $98,814 and Jamaica at $8,003: Singapore is now about 12 times richer per person.

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Year	Singapore	Jamaica
2025	$98,814	$8,003
2024	$94,897	$7,754
2023	$86,383	$7,542
2022	$91,228	$6,626
2021	$80,885	$5,626
2020	$61,772	$5,299
2019	$66,069	$6,031
2018	$67,033	$5,977
2017	$61,436	$5,605
2016	$57,204	$5,302
2015	$55,646	$5,339
2014	$57,565	$4,975
2013	$56,967	$5,124
2012	$55,548	$5,341
2011	$53,891	$5,233
2010	$47,237	$4,810
2009	$38,927	$4,428
2008	$40,009	$5,030
2007	$39,433	$4,716
2006	$33,768	$4,417
2005	$29,961	$4,184
2004	$27,608	$3,808
2003	$23,730	$3,550
2002	$22,160	$3,681
2001	$21,700	$3,504
2000	$23,853	$3,453
1999	$21,797	$3,432
1998	$21,829	$3,419
1997	$26,376	$3,297
1996	$26,233	$2,929
1995	$24,915	$2,631
1994	$21,552	$2,203
1993	$18,290	$2,221
1992	$16,136	$1,458
1991	$14,502	$1,710
1990	$11,862	$1,930
1989	$10,395	$1,865
1988	$8,914	$1,632
1987	$7,539	$1,411
1986	$6,800	$1,191
1985	$7,002	$917
1984	$7,228	$1,048
1983	$6,633	$1,619
1982	$6,078	$1,494
1981	$5,597	$1,370
1980	$4,928	$1,249
1979	$3,901	$1,144
1978	$3,194	$1,262
1977	$2,846	$1,569
1976	$2,759	$1,450
1975	$2,490	$1,417
1974	$2,342	$1,193
1973	$1,685	$972
1972	$1,264	$971
1971	$1,071	$809
1970	$926	$748
1969	$813	$642
1968	$709	$591
1967	$626	$633
1966	$567	$612
1965	$517	$549
1964	$486	$514
1963	$511	$480
1962	$472	$458
1961	$449	$447
1960	$428	$424

Source: World Bank: GDP per capita, current US$

Food and farming

Food as a share of everything Jamaica imports (%)

Food makes up about 21% of Jamaica's imports (2023), roughly US$1.3 billion a year. Farming is 8.7% of the economy (2025).

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Year	Food imports
2023	20.5%
2022	20.6%
2021	21.0%
2020	21.5%
2019	18.0%
2018	16.4%
2017	16.7%
2016	18.6%
2015	18.0%
2014	17.6%
2013	17.4%
2012	16.6%
2011	16.7%
2010	17.7%
2009	18.1%
2008	12.2%
2007	12.7%
2006	14.4%
2005	14.7%
2004	15.1%
2003	15.1%
2002	15.2%
2001	15.4%
2000	15.5%
1999	17.5%
1998	18.2%
1997	16.7%
1996	14.6%
1995	14.3%
1994	14.0%
1993	14.0%
1992	14.8%
1991	14.4%

Source: World Bank: food imports (% of merchandise imports) · US Commerce Dept: Jamaica food imports, citing STATIN · World Bank: agriculture (% of GDP)

Power, water and internet

Electricity from renewable sources (%)

About 13% of Jamaica's electricity came from renewables in 2021. The government's target is 50% by 2030.

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Year	Renewables
2021	12.8%
2020	13.1%
2019	12.0%
2018	12.3%
2017	11.7%
2016	8.3%
2015	7.2%
2014	7.1%
2013	6.6%
2012	6.9%
2011	6.4%
2010	5.4%
2009	5.2%
2008	5.6%
2007	4.0%
2006	3.4%
2005	3.0%
2004	2.8%
2003	2.5%
2002	2.0%
2001	1.5%
2000	1.7%
1999	5.0%
1998	5.2%
1997	6.3%
1996	6.4%
1995	5.7%
1994	5.6%
1993	4.7%
1992	4.5%
1991	6.7%
1990	7.6%

Source: World Bank: renewable electricity output · JIS: renewable energy target

People with at least basic drinking water (%)

88% of people have at least basic drinking water (2024), so about 1 in 8 still don't. Only about half of households have an indoor tap.

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Year	Basic water access
2024	87.6%
2023	87.9%
2022	88.2%
2021	88.6%
2020	88.9%
2019	89.2%
2018	89.6%
2017	89.9%
2016	90.2%
2015	90.5%
2014	90.8%
2013	91.2%
2012	91.5%
2011	91.8%
2010	92.1%
2009	92.4%
2008	92.7%
2007	93.0%
2006	93.4%
2005	93.5%
2004	93.5%
2003	93.6%
2002	93.4%
2001	93.2%
2000	93.0%

Source: World Bank: basic drinking water services (WHO/UNICEF data) · Gleaner: 2023 Survey of Living Conditions (indoor taps)

People using the internet (%)

90% of Jamaicans used the internet in 2024, up from almost nobody in 2000. Getting people online is no longer the barrier to moving government services online.

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Year	Internet users
2024	90%
2023	89%
2022	86%
2021	82%
2020	76%
2019	71%
2018	68%
2017	55%
2016	44%
2015	42%
2014	40%
2013	37%
2012	34%
2011	37%
2010	28%
2009	24%
2008	24%
2007	21%
2006	16%
2005	13%
2004	10%
2003	8%
2002	6%
2001	4%
2000	3%

Source: World Bank: individuals using the internet (ITU data)

Issues without good official data

Roads and infrastructure: No regular official measure of road condition is published.
Beach access: No official figure. Advocacy groups estimate under 1% of the coastline is public beach.
Education and literacy: The last official adult literacy figure is 79.9%, from 1999.
Public transport: No current official figure for the size of the JUTC bus fleet.
Accountability, service attitudes, badmind: Not something statistics can measure. That's what our survey is for.
Child abuse, discrimination, mental health: Official data is patchy and not published as a regular series.

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