Jamaica Facts, Map, Population, GDP

Capital

Kingston

Population

2,938,503 (2025 est.)

Area

10,991 sq km

Location

Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, south of Cuba

🧭 Background

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.

🗺️ Geography

Location

Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, south of Cuba

Geographic coordinates

18 15 N, 77 30 W

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Area — total

10,991 sq km

Area — land

10,831 sq km

Area — water

160 sq km

Area - comparative

About half the size of New Jersey; slightly smaller than Connecticut

Land boundaries — total

0 km

Coastline

1,022 km

Maritime claims — territorial sea

12 nm

Maritime claims — contiguous zone

24 nm

Maritime claims — exclusive economic zone

200 nm

Maritime claims — continental shelf

200 nm or to edge of the continental margin

Climate

Tropical; hot, humid; temperate interior

Terrain

Mostly mountains, with narrow, discontinuous coastal plain

Elevation — highest point

Blue Mountain Peak 2,256 m

Elevation — lowest point

Caribbean Sea 0 m

Elevation — mean elevation

18 m

Natural resources

Bauxite, alumina, gypsum, limestone

Land use — agricultural land

38.5% (2023 est.)

Land use — agricultural land: arable land

Arable land: 11.1% (2023 est.)

Land use — agricultural land: permanent crops

Permanent crops: 6.3% (2023 est.)

Land use — agricultural land: permanent pasture

Permanent pasture: 21.1% (2023 est.)

Land use — forest

56.2% (2023 est.)

Land use — other

5.3% (2023 est.)

Irrigated land

250 sq km (2012)

Population distribution

Population density is high throughout, but increases in and around Kingston, Montego Bay, and Port Esquivel

Natural hazards

Hurricanes (especially July to November)

Geography - note

Third largest island in the Caribbean (after Cuba and Hispaniola); strategic location between Cayman Trench and Jamaica Channel, the main sea lanes for the Panama Canal

👥 People and Society⬆️ Top

Population — total

2,938,503 (2025 est.)

Population — male

1,453,759

Population — female

1,484,744

Nationality — noun

Jamaican(s)

Nationality — adjective

Jamaican

Ethnic groups

Black 92.1%, mixed 6.1%, East Indian 0.8%, other 0.4%, unspecified 0.7% (2011 est.)

Languages

English, Jamaican patois

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.)

Age structure — 0-14 years

23.8% (male 342,691/female 329,773)

Age structure — 15-64 years

65.7% (male 914,364/female 941,816)

Age structure — 65 years and over

10.4% (2024 est.) (male 140,440/female 154,629)

Dependency ratios — total dependency ratio

50.6 (2025 est.)

Dependency ratios — youth dependency ratio

36 (2025 est.)

Dependency ratios — elderly dependency ratio

14.6 (2025 est.)

Dependency ratios — potential support ratio

6.9 (2025 est.)

Median age — total

28.8 years (2025 est.)

Median age — male

30.1 years

Median age — female

31.7 years

Population growth rate

0.25% (2025 est.)

Birth rate

16.08 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Death rate

7.37 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Net migration rate

-6.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Population distribution

Population density is high throughout, but increases in and around Kingston, Montego Bay, and Port Esquivel

Urbanization — urban population

57.4% of total population (2023)

Urbanization — rate of urbanization

0.79% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Major urban areas - population

597,000 KINGSTON (capital) (2023)

Sex ratio — at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

Sex ratio — 0-14 years

1.04 male(s)/female

Sex ratio — 15-64 years

0.97 male(s)/female

Sex ratio — 65 years and over

0.91 male(s)/female

Sex ratio — total population

0.98 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Mother's mean age at first birth

21.2 years (2008 est.)

Maternal mortality ratio

130 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Infant mortality rate — total

14.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)

Infant mortality rate — male

11.9 deaths/1,000 live births

Infant mortality rate — female

9.4 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth — total population

76.3 years (2024 est.)

Life expectancy at birth — male

74.5 years

Life expectancy at birth — female

78.1 years

Total fertility rate

1.86 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

0.91 (2025 est.)

Drinking water source — improved: urban

Urban: 95.4% of population (2022 est.)

Drinking water source — improved: rural

Rural: 85.4% of population (2022 est.)

Drinking water source — improved: total

Total: 91.1% of population (2022 est.)

Drinking water source — unimproved: urban

Urban: 4.6% of population (2022 est.)

Drinking water source — unimproved: rural

Rural: 14.6% of population (2022 est.)

Drinking water source — unimproved: total

Total: 8.9% of population (2022 est.)

Health expenditure — Health expenditure (as % of GDP)

7.2% of GDP (2021)

Health expenditure — Health expenditure (as % of national budget)

19% of national budget (2022 est.)

Physician density

0.46 physicians/1,000 population (2023)

Hospital bed density

1.7 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Sanitation facility access — improved: urban

Urban: 98.6% of population (2022 est.)

Sanitation facility access — improved: rural

Rural: 99.4% of population (2022 est.)

Sanitation facility access — improved: total

Total: 98.9% of population (2022 est.)

Sanitation facility access — unimproved: urban

Urban: 1.4% of population (2022 est.)

Sanitation facility access — unimproved: rural

Rural: 0.6% of population (2022 est.)

Sanitation facility access — unimproved: total

Total: 1.1% of population (2022 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

24.7% (2016)

Alcohol consumption per capita — total

3.46 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Alcohol consumption per capita — beer

1.19 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Alcohol consumption per capita — wine

0.25 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Alcohol consumption per capita — spirits

1.66 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Alcohol consumption per capita — other alcohols

0.35 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Tobacco use — total

9% (2025 est.)

Tobacco use — male

15.1% (2025 est.)

Tobacco use — female

3.1% (2025 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

2.5% (2018 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

35.2% (2022 est.)

Education expenditure — Education expenditure (% GDP)

5.5% of GDP (2024 est.)

Education expenditure — Education expenditure (% national budget)

17.9% national budget (2024 est.)

Literacy — female

90.8% (2022 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) — total

13 years (2015 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) — male

12 years (2015 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) — female

14 years (2015 est.)

🌿 Environment⬆️ Top

Environmental issues

Heavy rates of deforestation; coastal waters polluted by industrial waste, sewage, and oil spills; damage to coral reefs; air pollution in Kingston from vehicle emissions; land erosion

International environmental agreements — party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

International environmental agreements — signed, but not ratified

None of the selected agreements

Climate

Tropical; hot, humid; temperate interior

Land use — agricultural land

38.5% (2023 est.)

Land use — agricultural land: arable land

Arable land: 11.1% (2023 est.)

Land use — agricultural land: permanent crops

Permanent crops: 6.3% (2023 est.)

Land use — agricultural land: permanent pasture

Permanent pasture: 21.1% (2023 est.)

Land use — forest

56.2% (2023 est.)

Land use — other

5.3% (2023 est.)

Urbanization — urban population

57.4% of total population (2023)

Urbanization — rate of urbanization

0.79% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions — total emissions

7.89 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions — from coal and metallurgical coke

239,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions — from petroleum and other liquids

6.04 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions — from consumed natural gas

1.611 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Particulate matter emissions

14.8 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

Waste and recycling — municipal solid waste generated annually

1.052 million tons (2024 est.)

Waste and recycling — percent of municipal solid waste recycled

15% (2022 est.)

Total water withdrawal — municipal

339.867 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Total water withdrawal — industrial

43.989 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Total water withdrawal — agricultural

78.972 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Total renewable water resources

10.823 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

🏛️ Government⬆️ Top

Country name — conventional long form

None

Country name — conventional short form

Jamaica

Country name — etymology

From the Arawak word xaymaca, meaning "Land of Wood and Water" or possibly "Land of Springs"

Government type

Parliamentary democracy (Parliament) under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm

Capital — name

Kingston

Capital — geographic coordinates

18 00 N, 76 48 W

Capital — time difference

UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Capital — etymology

The name is a blend of the words "king's" and "town;" named after the English king at the time of the city's founding in 1692, WILLIAM III

Administrative divisions

14 parishes; Clarendon, Hanover, Kingston, Manchester, Portland, Saint Andrew, Saint Ann, Saint Catherine, Saint Elizabeth, Saint James, Saint Mary, Saint Thomas, Trelawny, Westmoreland

Legal system

Common law system based on the English model

Constitution — history

Several previous (pre-independence); latest drafted 1961-62, submitted to British Parliament 24 July 1962, entered into force 6 August 1962 (at independence)

Constitution — amendment process

Proposed by Parliament; passage of amendments to "non-entrenched" constitutional sections, such as lowering the voting age, requires majority vote by the Parliament membership; passage of amendments to "entrenched" sections, such as fundamental rights and freedoms, requires two-thirds majority vote of Parliament; passage of amendments to "specially entrenched" sections such as the dissolution of Parliament or the executive authority of the monarch requires two-thirds approval by Parliament and approval in a referendum

International law organization participation

Has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

Citizenship — citizenship by birth

Yes

Citizenship — citizenship by descent only

Yes

Citizenship — dual citizenship recognized

Yes

Citizenship — residency requirement for naturalization

4 out of the previous 5 years

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch — chief of state

King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor General Sir Patrick L. ALLEN (since 26 February 2009)

Executive branch — head of government

Prime Minister Andrew HOLNESS (since 3 March 2016)

Executive branch — cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister

Executive branch — election/appointment process

The monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the governor general appoints the leader of the majority party or majority coalition in the House of Representatives as prime minister

Legislative branch — legislature name

Parliament

Legislative branch — legislative structure

Bicameral

Legislative branch - lower chamber — chamber name

House of Representatives

Legislative branch - lower chamber — number of seats

63 (all directly elected)

Legislative branch - lower chamber — electoral system

Plurality/majority

Legislative branch - lower chamber — scope of elections

Full renewal

Legislative branch - lower chamber — term in office

5 years

Legislative branch - lower chamber — most recent election date

9/3/2025

Legislative branch - lower chamber — parties elected and seats per party

Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) (35); People's National Party (PNP) (28)

Legislative branch - lower chamber — percentage of women in chamber

30.2%

Legislative branch - lower chamber — expected date of next election

August 2030

Legislative branch - upper chamber — chamber name

Senate

Legislative branch - upper chamber — number of seats

21 (all appointed)

Legislative branch - upper chamber — scope of elections

Full renewal

Legislative branch - upper chamber — term in office

5 years

Legislative branch - upper chamber — most recent election date

9/18/2025

Legislative branch - upper chamber — percentage of women in chamber

33.3%

Legislative branch - upper chamber — expected date of next election

September 2030

Judicial branch — highest court(s)

Court of Appeal (consists of president of the court and a minimum of 4 judges); Supreme Court (40 judges organized in specialized divisions)

Judicial branch — judge selection and term of office

Chief justice of the Supreme Court and president of the Court of Appeal appointed by the governor-general on the advice of the prime minister; other judges of both courts appointed by the governor-general on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission; judges of both courts serve till age 70

Judicial branch — subordinate courts

Resident magistrate courts, district courts, and petty sessions courts

Political parties

Jamaica Labor Party or JLP Jamaica Progressive Party or JPP People's National Party or PNP United Independents' Congress or UIC

Diplomatic representation in the US — chief of mission

Ambassador Antony B. ANDERSON (since 24 July 2025)

Diplomatic representation in the US — chancery

1520 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

Diplomatic representation in the US — telephone

[1] (202) 452-0660

Diplomatic representation in the US — FAX

[1] (202) 452-0036

Diplomatic representation in the US — email address and website

Contactus@jamaicaembassy.org Jamaican Embassy (embassyofjamaica.org)

Diplomatic representation in the US — consulate(s) general

Miami, New York

Diplomatic representation from the US — chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Scott RENNER (since 13 August 2025)

Diplomatic representation from the US — embassy

142 Old Hope Road, Kingston 6

Diplomatic representation from the US — mailing address

3210 Kingston Place, Washington DC 20521-3210

Diplomatic representation from the US — telephone

(876) 702-6000

Diplomatic representation from the US — FAX

(876) 702-6348

Diplomatic representation from the US — email address and website

KingstonACS@state.gov https://jm.usembassy.gov/

International organization participation

ACP, ACS, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-15, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Petrocaribe, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Independence

6 August 1962 (from the UK)

National holiday

Independence Day, 6 August (1962)

Flag

Description: diagonal yellow cross divides the flag into four triangles, two green (top and bottom) and two black (left and right) meaning: green stands for hope, vegetation, and agriculture; black for hardships overcome and to be faced; and yellow for sunshine and natural resources

National symbol(s)

Green-and-black streamertail (bird), guaiacwood (Guiacum officinale)

National color(s)

Green, yellow, black

National anthem(s) — title

"Jamaica, Land We Love"

National anthem(s) — lyrics/music

Hugh Braham SHERLOCK/Robert Charles LIGHTBOURNE

National anthem(s) — history

Adopted 1962

National heritage — total World Heritage Sites

2 ( 1mixed,1 cultural)

National heritage — selected World Heritage Site locales

Blue and John Crow Mountains (m); The Archaeological Ensemble of 17th Century Port Royal (c)

💹 Economy⬆️ Top

Economic overview

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

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) — Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024

$29.13 billion (2024 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) — Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023

$29.341 billion (2023 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) — Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022

$28.596 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP growth rate — Real GDP growth rate 2024

-0.7% (2024 est.)

Real GDP growth rate — Real GDP growth rate 2023

2.6% (2023 est.)

Real GDP growth rate — Real GDP growth rate 2022

5.2% (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita — Real GDP per capita 2024

$10,300 (2024 est.)

Real GDP per capita — Real GDP per capita 2023

$10,300 (2023 est.)

Real GDP per capita — Real GDP per capita 2022

$10,100 (2022 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$19.93 billion (2024 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) — Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024

5.4% (2024 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) — Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023

6.5% (2023 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) — Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022

10.3% (2022 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin — agriculture

9.8% (2024 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin — industry

18.3% (2024 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin — services

60.3% (2024 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use — household consumption

76.2% (2019 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use — government consumption

13.6% (2019 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use — investment in fixed capital

24.1% (2019 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use — investment in inventories

0.2% (2019 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use — exports of goods and services

38% (2019 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use — imports of goods and services

-52.1% (2019 est.)

Agricultural products

Sugarcane, goat milk, yams, chicken, oranges, coconuts, bananas, plantains, pumpkins/squash, pineapples (2023)

Industries

Agriculture, mining, manufacture, construction, financial and insurance services, tourism, telecommunications

Industrial production growth rate

-1.5% (2024 est.)

Labor force

1.57 million (2024 est.)

Unemployment rate — Unemployment rate 2024

4.9% (2024 est.)

Unemployment rate — Unemployment rate 2023

4.4% (2023 est.)

Unemployment rate — Unemployment rate 2022

4.1% (2022 est.)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) — total

14.5% (2024 est.)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) — male

12.9% (2024 est.)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) — female

16.4% (2024 est.)

Population below poverty line

16.7% (2021 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income — Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2021

39.9 (2021 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share — lowest 10%

2.2% (2021 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share — highest 10%

29.6% (2021 est.)

Remittances — Remittances 2024

17.9% of GDP (2024 est.)

Remittances — Remittances 2023

18.5% of GDP (2023 est.)

Remittances — Remittances 2022

21.6% of GDP (2022 est.)

Budget — revenues

$4.041 billion (2020 est.)

Budget — expenditures

$4.466 billion (2020 est.)

Public debt — Public debt 2020

106.3% of GDP (2020 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

25.7% (of GDP) (2020 est.)

Current account balance — Current account balance 2024

$678.808 million (2024 est.)

Current account balance — Current account balance 2023

$568.932 million (2023 est.)

Current account balance — Current account balance 2022

-$136.401 million (2022 est.)

Exports — Exports 2024

$7.124 billion (2024 est.)

Exports — Exports 2023

$7.275 billion (2023 est.)

Exports — Exports 2022

$6.424 billion (2022 est.)

Exports - partners

USA 37%, Russia 7%, Latvia 7%, Iceland 7%, UK 5% (2023)

Exports - commodities

Aluminum oxide, refined petroleum, natural gas, liquor, processed fruits and nuts (2023)

Imports — Imports 2024

$9.524 billion (2024 est.)

Imports — Imports 2023

$9.866 billion (2023 est.)

Imports — Imports 2022

$9.726 billion (2022 est.)

Imports - partners

USA 39%, China 11%, Brazil 4%, Colombia 4%, Japan 4% (2023)

Imports - commodities

Refined petroleum, natural gas, cars, crude petroleum, plastic products (2023)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold — Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023

$4.869 billion (2023 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold — Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022

$4.52 billion (2022 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold — Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2021

$4.838 billion (2021 est.)

Debt - external — Debt - external 2023

$9.636 billion (2023 est.)

Exchange rates — Currency

Jamaican dollars (JMD) per US dollar -

Exchange rates — Exchange rates 2024

156.44 (2024 est.)

Exchange rates — Exchange rates 2023

154.159 (2023 est.)

Exchange rates — Exchange rates 2022

153.427 (2022 est.)

Exchange rates — Exchange rates 2021

150.79 (2021 est.)

Exchange rates — Exchange rates 2020

142.403 (2020 est.)

⚡ Energy⬆️ Top

Electricity access — electrification - total population

100% (2022 est.)

Electricity — installed generating capacity

1.242 million kW (2023 est.)

Electricity — consumption

3.301 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Electricity — transmission/distribution losses

1.181 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Electricity generation sources — fossil fuels

87.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Electricity generation sources — solar

2.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Electricity generation sources — wind

6.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Electricity generation sources — hydroelectricity

2.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Electricity generation sources — biomass and waste

1.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Coal — consumption

106,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

Coal — exports

100 metric tons (2022 est.)

Coal — imports

105,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

Petroleum — total petroleum production

3,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Petroleum — refined petroleum consumption

41,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Natural gas — consumption

822.549 million cubic meters (2023 est.)

Natural gas — imports

822.549 million cubic meters (2023 est.)

Energy consumption per capita — Total energy consumption per capita 2023

42.095 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

📡 Communications⬆️ Top

Telephones - fixed lines — total subscriptions

459,000 (2023 est.)

Telephones - fixed lines — subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

16 (2023 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular — total subscriptions

3.34 million (2024 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular — subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

118 (2024 est.)

Broadcast media

3 free-to-air TV stations, subscription cable services, and roughly 30 radio stations (2019)

Internet country code

.jm

Internet users — percent of population

83% (2023 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions — total

448,000 (2023 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions — subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

16 (2023 est.)

🚚 Transportation⬆️ Top

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

6Y

Airports

20 (2025)

Heliports

2 (2025)

Merchant marine — total

40 (2023)

Merchant marine — by type

Bulk carrier 1, general cargo 11, oil tanker 1, other 27

Ports — total ports

11 (2024)

Ports — large

0

Ports — medium

1

Ports — small

2

Ports — very small

8

Ports — ports with oil terminals

5

Ports — key ports

Falmouth, Kingston, Lucea, Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, Port Antonio, Port Esquivel, Port Kaiser, Rio Bueno, Rocky Point, Savannah la Mar

🛡️ Military and Security⬆️ Top

Military and security forces

Jamaica Defense Force (JDF): Jamaica Regiment (Land Force), Maritime, Air, and Cyber Command (MACC), Support Brigade, Caribbean Military Academy, Jamaica National Reserve (2025)

Military expenditures — Military Expenditures 2024

1.4% of GDP (2024 est.)

Military expenditures — Military Expenditures 2023

1.2% of GDP (2023 est.)

Military expenditures — Military Expenditures 2022

1.3% of GDP (2022 est.)

Military expenditures — Military Expenditures 2021

1.4% of GDP (2021 est.)

Military expenditures — Military Expenditures 2020

1.7% of GDP (2020 est.)

Military and security service personnel strengths

Approximately 4,000 active Jamaica Defense Forces (2025)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

The JDF's inventory features equipment mostly from Australia, the Netherlands, and the US (2025)

Military service age and obligation

18-23 for voluntary military service (17 with parental consent) for men and women; 18-28 for the reserves; no conscription; since 2017, the JDF's standard mode of recruitment is to enroll recruits ages 18-23 through the Jamaica National Service Corps (JNSC), which has a service requirement of 12 months (2025)

Military - note

In addition to its responsibility of defending against external aggression, the Jamaican Defense Force's (JDF) primary missions are border, cyber, internal, and maritime security; other missions include search and rescue, disaster response, humanitarian assistance, and peacekeeping; it has arrest authority and partners with the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), particularly in support of combating crime and violence; both the JDF and JCF are under the Ministry of National Security, which directs policy for the security forces; the JDF participates in bilateral and multinational training exercises, including with the armed forces of Canada, the UK, the US, and other Caribbean nations while Jamaica had a militia force as early as the 1660s, the JDF was constituted in 1962 from the West India Regiment (WIR), a British colonial regiment which dates back to 1795 (2025)

🌐 Transnational Issues⬆️ Top

Illicit drugs — USG identification

Major illicit drug-producing and/or drug-transit country (2025)