Country profile · Latin America & Caribbean · UMC

🇯🇲 Jamaica

Upper middle income. Capital Kingston. Mid-pack GDP/cap (UMC · LONG) across 39 World Bank / WHO / ILO measures.

2.8 million
Population
$22 billion
GDP
$7,754
GDP / capita
71.6 years
Life expectancy
RSS
Latin America & Caribbean Upper middle income Capital: Kingston

Mid-pack GDP/cap · LONG

Jamaica ranks 127th of 217 by total GDP and 142nd for life expectancy - a upper middle income economy in Latin America & Caribbean.

#127
World GDP rank (of 217)
$7,754
GDP per capita
#142
Life-expectancy rank
#140
Population rank

Jamaica sits in the middle third of GDP/cap (#111 of 214) as a UMC economy with LONG longevity.

Jamaica vs all countries by total GDP

Where this economy's World Bank total GDP sits among every country with a positive observation (inventory signal, not a virtue ranking)

$22,014,429,051 127th of 214 higher than 87 of 214 countries

Countries banded by World Bank total GDP (current US$)

Each bar is a $0.001K-wide band; taller bars hold more countries. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count and share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source World Bank, GDP (current US$) · 2026-08-14

Jamaica on the global income map

Jamaica (JAM) mid GDP/cap pack - GDP per capita × life expectancy vs largest peers; gold rings = OECD.

Jamaica on the global income map Jamaica positioned by World Bank GDP per capita and life expectancy against its largest peers. Each point shows the latest available observation year for both measures. 50 60 70 80 90 $200 $1K $10K $100K GDP per capita (USD, log scale) Life expectancy at birth (years) India - GDP/cap $2,695 (2024) · life expectancy 72.2 years (2024) · lower-middle income IND China - GDP/cap $13,303 (2024) · life expectancy 78.0 years (2024) · upper-middle income CHN United States - GDP/cap $84,534 (2024) · life expectancy 78.9 years (2024) · high income · OECD USA Indonesia - GDP/cap $4,925 (2024) · life expectancy 71.3 years (2024) · upper-middle income IDN Pakistan - GDP/cap $1,479 (2024) · life expectancy 67.8 years (2024) · lower-middle income Nigeria - GDP/cap $1,084 (2024) · life expectancy 54.6 years (2024) · low income Brazil - GDP/cap $10,311 (2024) · life expectancy 76.0 years (2024) · upper-middle income Bangladesh - GDP/cap $2,593 (2024) · life expectancy 74.9 years (2024) · lower-middle income Russian Federation - GDP/cap $14,889 (2024) · life expectancy 73.4 years (2024) · high income Ethiopia - GDP/cap $1,134 (2024) · life expectancy 67.6 years (2024) · low income Mexico - GDP/cap $14,186 (2024) · life expectancy 75.3 years (2024) · high income · OECD Japan - GDP/cap $32,487 (2024) · life expectancy 84.0 years (2024) · high income · OECD Egypt, Arab Rep. - GDP/cap $3,338 (2024) · life expectancy 71.8 years (2024) · lower-middle income Philippines - GDP/cap $3,985 (2024) · life expectancy 69.9 years (2024) · lower-middle income Congo, Dem. Rep. - GDP/cap $693 (2024) · life expectancy 62.1 years (2024) · low income Viet Nam - GDP/cap $4,717 (2024) · life expectancy 74.7 years (2024) · upper-middle income Iran, Islamic Rep. - GDP/cap $5,190 (2024) · life expectancy 77.9 years (2024) · upper-middle income Turkiye - GDP/cap $15,893 (2024) · life expectancy 77.4 years (2024) · high income · OECD Germany - GDP/cap $56,104 (2024) · life expectancy 80.8 years (2024) · high income · OECD Thailand - GDP/cap $7,387 (2024) · life expectancy 76.6 years (2024) · upper-middle income United Kingdom - GDP/cap $53,246 (2024) · life expectancy 81.4 years (2024) · high income · OECD Tanzania - GDP/cap $1,193 (2024) · life expectancy 67.2 years (2024) · lower-middle income France - GDP/cap $46,103 (2024) · life expectancy 83.0 years (2024) · high income · OECD South Africa - GDP/cap $6,267 (2024) · life expectancy 66.3 years (2024) · upper-middle income Italy - GDP/cap $40,385 (2024) · life expectancy 84.0 years (2024) · high income · OECD Kenya - GDP/cap $2,133 (2024) · life expectancy 63.8 years (2024) · lower-middle income Myanmar - GDP/cap $1,359 (2024) · life expectancy 67.1 years (2024) · lower-middle income Colombia - GDP/cap $7,951 (2024) · life expectancy 77.9 years (2024) · upper-middle income · OECD Korea, Rep. - GDP/cap $36,239 (2024) · life expectancy 83.6 years (2024) · high income · OECD Sudan - GDP/cap $985 (2024) · life expectancy 66.5 years (2024) · low income Jamaica - GDP/cap $7,754 (2024) · life expectancy 71.6 years (2024) · upper-middle income Income tier Low Lower-middle Upper-middle High OECD member
  • Jamaica: GDP per capita $7,754 (2024), life expectancy 71.6 years (2024), upper-middle income.
  • India: GDP per capita $2,695 (2024), life expectancy 72.2 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • China: GDP per capita $13,303 (2024), life expectancy 78.0 years (2024), upper-middle income.
  • United States: GDP per capita $84,534 (2024), life expectancy 78.9 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • Indonesia: GDP per capita $4,925 (2024), life expectancy 71.3 years (2024), upper-middle income.
  • Pakistan: GDP per capita $1,479 (2024), life expectancy 67.8 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • Nigeria: GDP per capita $1,084 (2024), life expectancy 54.6 years (2024), low income.
  • Brazil: GDP per capita $10,311 (2024), life expectancy 76.0 years (2024), upper-middle income.
  • Bangladesh: GDP per capita $2,593 (2024), life expectancy 74.9 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • Russian Federation: GDP per capita $14,889 (2024), life expectancy 73.4 years (2024), high income.
  • Ethiopia: GDP per capita $1,134 (2024), life expectancy 67.6 years (2024), low income.
  • Mexico: GDP per capita $14,186 (2024), life expectancy 75.3 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • Japan: GDP per capita $32,487 (2024), life expectancy 84.0 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • Egypt, Arab Rep.: GDP per capita $3,338 (2024), life expectancy 71.8 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • Philippines: GDP per capita $3,985 (2024), life expectancy 69.9 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • Congo, Dem. Rep.: GDP per capita $693 (2024), life expectancy 62.1 years (2024), low income.
  • Viet Nam: GDP per capita $4,717 (2024), life expectancy 74.7 years (2024), upper-middle income.
  • Iran, Islamic Rep.: GDP per capita $5,190 (2024), life expectancy 77.9 years (2024), upper-middle income.
  • Turkiye: GDP per capita $15,893 (2024), life expectancy 77.4 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • Germany: GDP per capita $56,104 (2024), life expectancy 80.8 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • Thailand: GDP per capita $7,387 (2024), life expectancy 76.6 years (2024), upper-middle income.
  • United Kingdom: GDP per capita $53,246 (2024), life expectancy 81.4 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • Tanzania: GDP per capita $1,193 (2024), life expectancy 67.2 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • France: GDP per capita $46,103 (2024), life expectancy 83.0 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • South Africa: GDP per capita $6,267 (2024), life expectancy 66.3 years (2024), upper-middle income.
  • Italy: GDP per capita $40,385 (2024), life expectancy 84.0 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • Kenya: GDP per capita $2,133 (2024), life expectancy 63.8 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • Myanmar: GDP per capita $1,359 (2024), life expectancy 67.1 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • Colombia: GDP per capita $7,951 (2024), life expectancy 77.9 years (2024), upper-middle income, OECD member.
  • Korea, Rep.: GDP per capita $36,239 (2024), life expectancy 83.6 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • Sudan: GDP per capita $985 (2024), life expectancy 66.5 years (2024), low income.

Overview

Jamaica has a population of 2.8 million, making it the 140th-most populous country out of 217 tracked in Latin America & Caribbean.

Its economy totals $22 billion - ranked 127th globally by total GDP. GDP per capita stands at $7,754, placing it in the Upper middle income category.

Life expectancy at birth is 71.6 years (ranked 142nd globally), reflecting overall health outcomes as measured by the World Bank.

The capital is Kingston.

👥 Demographics

Population
2.8 million
2024
Population Ages 0-14
18.7%
2024
Population Ages 65+
8.2%
2024
Population Density
262.2/km²
2023
Urban Population
58.9%
2024

💰 Economy

Foreign Direct Investment
$305.1 million
2024
GDP (Current USD)
$22 billion
2024
GDP Growth Rate
-0.5%
2024
GDP Per Capita (Current USD)
$7,753.812
2024
Government Debt (% of GDP)
97.9%
2020
Inflation (Consumer Prices)
5.4%
2024
Unemployment Rate
3.2%
2024

🏥 Health

Health Expenditure (% of GDP)
7.6%
2023
Infant Mortality Rate
16.4 per 1,000
2024
Life Expectancy at Birth
71.6 years
2024
Maternal Mortality Ratio
130
2023
Physicians (per 1,000 people)
0.5 per 1,000
2023
Stunting Prevalence (under 5)
4.6
2018
Under-5 Mortality Rate
17.8 per 1,000
2024

📚 Education

Education Expenditure (% of GDP)
5.5%
2024
School Enrollment (Primary)
97.3
2024
School Enrollment (Secondary)
84.5
2024
School Enrollment (Tertiary)
26.2
2015
Youth Literacy Rate
93.6
2022

🌍 Environment

CO2 Emissions Per Capita
2.8
2024
Electric Power Consumption
1,205 kWh
2023
Forest Area
56.2
2023
Freshwater Withdrawal
12.4
2022
Renewable Energy Consumption
10.5%
2021

🏗️ Infrastructure

Access to Electricity
97.7%
2023
Access to Sanitation
73.6%
2024
Internet Users
90.1%
2024
Mobile Subscriptions
117.7
2024

⚖️ Social

Female Labor Participation
62.9
2024
GINI Index
39.9
2021
Intentional Homicides
49.4
2023
Male Labor Participation
76.2
2024
Net Migration
-10,506
2024
Poverty (< $2.15/day)
1.4%
2021

🌐 Livability Score

One composite verdict from 4 of 5 World Bank series (life expectancy, under-5 mortality, electricity access, clean-water access, homicide rate), each benchmarked against every country tracking that series. A missing series never silently drags the score down: its weight redistributes across the series Jamaica does report.

Overall
F
35/100
Life expectancy F
71.6 years
World Bank, 2024 (217-country benchmark)
Under-5 mortality D
17.8 per 1,000
World Bank, 2024 (196-country benchmark)
Access to electricity D
97.7%
World Bank, 2023 (215-country benchmark)
Access to clean water N/A
N/A
World Bank
Safety (homicide rate) F
49.4 per 100,000
UNODC via World Bank, 2023 (195-country benchmark)

All indicators for Jamaica

39 latest observations from World Bank WDI, WHO GHO, and ILO ILOSTAT (vintage through 2026-08-14). Values match the topic cards above; this table is the machine-readable export view analysts expect on a country profile.

TopicIndicatorValueYear
DemographicsPopulation2.8 million2024
DemographicsPopulation Ages 0-1418.7%2024
DemographicsPopulation Ages 65+8.2%2024
DemographicsPopulation Density262.2/km²2023
DemographicsUrban Population58.9%2024
EconomyForeign Direct Investment$305.1 million2024
EconomyGDP (Current USD)$22 billion2024
EconomyGDP Growth Rate-0.5%2024
EconomyGDP Per Capita (Current USD)$7,753.8122024
EconomyGovernment Debt (% of GDP)97.9%2020
EconomyInflation (Consumer Prices)5.4%2024
EconomyUnemployment Rate3.2%2024
HealthHealth Expenditure (% of GDP)7.6%2023
HealthInfant Mortality Rate16.4 per 1,0002024
HealthLife Expectancy at Birth71.6 years2024
HealthMaternal Mortality Ratio1302023
HealthPhysicians (per 1,000 people)0.5 per 1,0002023
HealthStunting Prevalence (under 5)4.62018
HealthUnder-5 Mortality Rate17.8 per 1,0002024
EducationEducation Expenditure (% of GDP)5.5%2024
EducationSchool Enrollment (Primary)97.32024
EducationSchool Enrollment (Secondary)84.52024
EducationSchool Enrollment (Tertiary)26.22015
EducationYouth Literacy Rate93.62022
EnvironmentCO2 Emissions Per Capita2.82024
EnvironmentElectric Power Consumption1,205 kWh2023
EnvironmentForest Area56.22023
EnvironmentFreshwater Withdrawal12.42022
EnvironmentRenewable Energy Consumption10.5%2021
InfrastructureAccess to Electricity97.7%2023
InfrastructureAccess to Sanitation73.6%2024
InfrastructureInternet Users90.1%2024
InfrastructureMobile Subscriptions117.72024
SocialFemale Labor Participation62.92024
SocialGINI Index39.92021
SocialIntentional Homicides49.42023
SocialMale Labor Participation76.22024
SocialNet Migration-10,5062024
SocialPoverty (< $2.15/day)1.4%2021

🫀 Disease Burden

Jamaica's standout GHO cell is maternal mortality at 130 per 100,000 births (fleet midpoint 47) - that ratio, not the shared ischaemic-heart card, is what this profile is for. Summary metrics use 2021 data; cause-specific cards show their own observation year.

NCD Death Rate
766
per 100K · 2021
Road Traffic Deaths
17.8
per 100K · 2021
Maternal Mortality
130
per 100K births · 2021

Sources: WHO Global Health Observatory. NCD mortality rate: 2021. Rates are age-standardized per 100,000 population. Premature NCD risk covers cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory disease.

Compare Jamaica with near GDP/cap peers

Side-by-side pages for the closest ABS GDP/cap neighbours - not a full-roster dropdown.

What the data says about Jamaica

Jamaica is classified as an upper-middle-income economy, a tier where statistical capacity, and therefore data completeness, varies more widely than in high-income countries, so a missing or older data point on this profile usually reflects reporting lag rather than an absence of the underlying activity. Output and income figures are reported at market exchange rates in current dollars, which means currency depreciation or appreciation can shift the headline numbers for a small economy like this one even when the real economy is barely moving. Because these economies are also the ones most likely to shift income tier within a decade, the trend over several years usually tells a more useful story than any single year's value.

Jamaica sits in the middle third of GDP/cap (#111 of 214) as a UMC economy with LONG longevity.

Jamaica holds 2.8 million people and $22 billion GDP (127th) at $7,754 per person - mid GDP/cap band, UMC, LE 71.6 years (142nd, LONG). 39 WDI/WHO/ILO cells fill the topic blocks.

Nearest ABS GDP/cap peer: Belize at $7,681 (Δ $73). Open that profile or the GDP/cap leaderboard before treating any single year as destiny.

What to do with Jamaica's numbers

Jamaica is classified UMC with LONG. Use that context before comparing any single figure to another country.

  • Compare Jamaica directly against any other country, side by side, on the indicators that matter to you. Compare countries
  • See exactly where Jamaica ranks among all 217 tracked countries on a specific indicator, not just the ones shown here. Indicator rank finder
  • Learn the common mistakes people make citing country statistics before you quote a number from this page. Reading country profiles

Figures above are sourced from World Bank, WHO, and ILO (OECD where applicable) as cited below; always verify against the primary source before citing a specific number.

Source: World Bank Open Data, Source: WHO Global Health Observatory, Source: ILO ILOSTAT. World Bank and ILO data licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Disclaimer: This information is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, financial, or legal advice. See our full disclaimer and editorial policy.