Countries | Home / countries / Jamaica

Last update: January, 21 2021

Jamaica

flag of Jamaica
Government
NameJamaica
Jamaican PatoisJumieka
Government typeParliamentary democracy (Parliament) under a constitutional monarchy(a Commonwealth realm)
CapitalKingston (661,862 (2016))
CurrencyJamaican dollar (JMD)
Organization
Member StateCommonwealth of Nations
People
Population (2020)2,961,161 (141st)
Density of population266 P/km2
NationalityJamaican
Official languages
English
Ethnic groups (2011)
Black92.1%
Mixed6.1%
East Indian0.8%
Other0.4%
Unspecified0.7%
Religions (2011)
Protestant64.8%
Seventh Day Adventist12.0%
Pentecostal11.0%
Other Church of God9.2%
New Testament Church of God7.2%
Baptist6.7%
Church of God in Jamaica4.8%
Church of God of Prophecy4.5%
Anglican2.8%
United Church2.1%
Methodist1.6%
Revived1.4%
Brethren0.9%
Moravian0.7%
Roman Catholic2.2%
Jehovah’s Witness1.9%
Rastafarian1.1%
Other6.5%
None21.3%
Unspecified2.3%
Life expectancy (2020)
Male73.4 years
Female77.1 years
Total population75.2 years (120th)
Homicides
Total (2018)43.9 per 100,000 people (2nd)
Geography
Land area10,831 km2
water area160 km2
total area10,991 km2 (167th)
Mean elevation18 m
Lowest point
Caribbean Sea0 m
Highest point
Blue Mountain Peak2,256 m
Land use (2011)
Agricultural land41.4%
Arable land11.1%
Permanent crops9.2%
Permanent pasture21.1%
Forest31.1%
Other27.5%
Urbanization
Urban population (2020)56.3%
Rate of urbanization0.82% annual rate of change (2015 – 2020)
Economy
Labor force (2017)1.348 million  (135th)
Labor force by occupation (2017)
Agriculture16.1%
Industry16%
Services 67.9%
Unemployment rate (2017)12.2% (162nd)
GDP (PPP) (estimate 2018)
Total$26.981 billion (134th)
Per capita$9,434 (109th)
GDP (nominal) (estimate 2018)
Total$15.424 billion (119th)
Per capita$5,393 (95th)
GDP by sector (estimate 2017)
Agriculture7%
Industry21.1%
Services71.9%
Exports (2017)$1.296 billion (151st)
Exports partners (2017)
US39.1%
Netherlands12.3%
Canada8.4%
Imports (2017)$5.151 billion (126th)
Imports partners (2017)
US40.6%
Colombia6.8%
Japan5.8%
China5.8%
Trinidad and Tobago4.7%

Jamaica on the world map

Jamaica on the world map

Jamaica top 10 largest cities (2016)

  1. Kingston (661,862)
  2. Portmore (182,153)
  3. Spanish Town (147,152)
  4. Montego Bay (110,115)
  5. May Pen (61,548)
  6. Mandeville (49,695)
  7. Old Harbour (28,912)
  8. Savanna-la-Mar (22,633)
  9. Ocho Rios (16,671)
  10. Linstead (15,231)

Demography

Population pyramid

population pyramid of Jamaica (2020)

Age structure data

Estimate for 2020:

  • 0-14 years: 25.2% (male 360,199/female 347,436)
  • 15-24 years: 17.95% (male 255,102/female 248,927)
  • 25-54 years: 38.06% (male 518,583/female 550,410)
  • 55-64 years: 9.63% (male 133,890/female 136,442)
  • 65 years and over: 9.17% (male 121,969/female 135,612)

Remark: the age structure of a population affects a nation’s key socioeconomic issues. Countries with young populations (high percentage under age 15) need to invest more in schools, while countries with older populations (high percentage ages 65 and over) need to invest more in the health sector. The age structure can also be used to help predict potential political issues. For example, the rapid growth of a young adult population unable to find employment can lead to unrest.

Population from 1950 to 2020

CC BY

Source: United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2019). World Population Prospects 2019, Online Edition. Rev. 1.


Evolution of the life expectancy from 1960 to 2018

CC BY

Source: World Development Indicators, The World Bank

Economy

Agriculture:

sugar cane, bananas, coffee, citrus, yams, ackees, vegetables, poultry, goats, milk, shellfish

Industries:

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

Exports – commodities:

alumina, bauxite, chemicals, coffee, mineral fuels, waste and scrap metals, sugar, yams

Imports – commodities:

food and other consumer goods, industrial supplies, fuel, parts and accessories of capital goods, machinery and transport equipment, construction materials

Time zone and current time in Jamaica

Go to our interactive map to get the current time in Jamaica

Sources: