| variable | 1980-1989 | 1990-1999 | 2000-2007 | 2008-2009 | 2010-2019 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| real gdp growth | 3.2 | 0.94 | 1.43 | -2.4 | 0.42 | 2.7 | -0.5 | -0.1 | -1.2 | 3.1 |
| CPI % | 17.84 | 26.41 | 11.55 | 11.1 | 5.53 | 6.5 | 5.5 | 3.9 | 6.1 | 5.5 |
| Unemployment rate | 22.51 | 15.82 | 11.9 | 11.9 | 12.08 | 4.4 | 4.2 | 3.4 | - | - |
| Debt/GDP % | - | 85.1 | 116.1 | 138.05 | 114.1 | 66.5 | 62.5 | 67.7 | 65.8 | 65.0 |
| Current account balance/GDP % | -9.04 | -2.41 | -10.73 | -8.0 | -4.98 | 2.7 | 2.9 | 1.2 | -6.0 | -6.6 |
Data derived from World Economic Outlook Database. To see main macroeconomic indicator in graphs click here
Europeans first saw Jamaica when Christopher COLUMBUS arrived in 1494, and the Spanish settled the island early in the 16th century. The Native Taino, who had inhabited Jamaica for centuries, were gradually exterminated and replaced with African slaves. England seized the island in 1655 and established a plantation economy based on sugar, cocoa, and coffee. The abolition of slavery in 1834 freed a quarter-million slaves, many of whom became small farmers. Jamaica gradually increased its independence from Britain. In 1958, it joined other British Caribbean colonies in forming the Federation of the West Indies. Jamaica withdrew from the Federation in 1961 and gained full independence in 1962. Deteriorating economic conditions during the 1970s led to recurring violence as rival gangs affiliated with the major political parties evolved into powerful organized crime networks involved in international drug smuggling and money laundering. Violent crime, drug trafficking, corruption, and poverty pose significant challenges to the government today. Nonetheless, many rural and resort areas remain relatively safe and contribute substantially to the economy.
Area: 10,991 sq km km2
Climate: tropical; hot, humid; temperate interior
Natural resources: bauxite, alumina, gypsum, limestone
Groups: Black 92.1%, mixed 6.1%, East Indian 0.8%, other 0.4%, unspecified 0.7% (2011 est.)
Languages:
Religions: Protestant 64.8% (includes Seventh Day Adventist 12.0%, Pentecostal 11.0%, Other Church of God 9.2%, New Testament Church of God 7.2%, Baptist 6.7%, Church of God in Jamaica 4.8%, Church of God of Prophecy 4.5%, Anglican 2.8%, United Church 2.1%, Methodist 1.6%, Revived 1.4%, Brethren 0.9%, and Moravian 0.7%), Roman Catholic 2.2%, Jehovah's Witness 1.9%, Rastafarian 1.1%, other 6.5%, none 21.3%, unspecified 2.3% (2011 est.)
Capital: Kingston
Government type: parliamentary democracy (Parliament) under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm
Chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor General Sir Patrick L. ALLEN (since 26 February 2009)
Head of government: Prime Minister Andrew HOLNESS (since 3 March 2016)
Description: Parliament - bicameral
upper-middle-income Caribbean island economy; key agriculture and tourism sectors; high crime, youth unemployment, and poverty; susceptible to natural disasters and global commodity price shocks; progress in reducing public debt and moderating inflation within target range
agriculture, mining, manufacture, construction, financial and insurance services, tourism, telecommunications
GDP by sector: Agriculture: 9.8% (2024 est.), Industry: 18.3% (2024 est.), Services: 60.3% (2024 est.)
Export partners: USA 37%, Russia 7%, Latvia 7%, Iceland 7%, UK 5% (2023)
Export commodities: aluminum oxide, refined petroleum, natural gas, liquor, processed fruits and nuts (2023)
Import partners: USA 39%, China 11%, Brazil 4%, Colombia 4%, Japan 4% (2023)
Import commodities: refined petroleum, natural gas, cars, crude petroleum, plastic products (2023)
Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, south of Cuba
Military expenditure: 2024: 1.4% of GDP (2024 est.)
Information derived from worldfactbook.io (Lupon Media), open successor to the CIA World Factbook. Data sourced from World Bank, IMF, UN and other international organizations.