Jamaica: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

Essential data for planning your trip to Jamaica — from population and demographics to economic indicators, healthcare infrastructure, tourism trends, and digital connectivity.

Population & Geography

Population
2,934,855
#136 of 197 countries
Area
10,991 km²
#168 of 248 countries
Density
267.0 / km²
#54 of 245 countries

Jamaica has a population of 2,934,855 spread across 10,991 km², giving it an average density of 267.0 people per km². This moderate density means a mix of bustling cities and quieter rural areas to explore.

Population Density Map

Population density map of Jamaica
< 5 25–100 500–1k 2.5k–5k > 10k / km²

Most Populous Cities

Kingston, Jamaica
937,700
3546 / km²
Spanish Town
145,018
2187 / km²
Portmore, Saint Catherine
102,861
2176 / km²
Montego Bay
82,867
1925 / km²
Mandeville, Jamaica
47,115
1778 / km²
May Pen
44,755
1403 / km²
Old Harbour, Jamaica
26,024
2019 / km²
Linstead
20,660
1745 / km²
Half Way Tree
18,552
3529 / km²
Savanna-la-Mar
16,553
1715 / km²

Demographics

Median Age
28.8
Life Expectancy
76.3 yrs
Government
parliamentary democracy (Parliament) under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm
Ethnic Groups
Religions
GDP by Sector

Population Trends

How a country's age structure is shifting tells you a lot about what to expect on the ground. A growing elderly population often means better healthcare and higher costs, while a young population signals energy and growth but potentially less developed infrastructure.

Age Structure Over Time
Population Growth Rate (%)
Urban vs Rural (%)
Birth & Death Rates (per 1,000)

Economy & Cost of Living

Understanding the local economy helps travellers budget effectively and set expectations. Jamaica is classified as an upper middle income country by the World Bank. Prices are roughly 60% of US levels, meaning costs are moderate and most travellers will find it reasonably affordable.

Income Level
Upper middle income
GDP per Capita
$7,542
Cost of Living
60% of US
Inflation
6.5%
Inequality
39.9
Moderate
GDP per Capita (USD)
GDP Growth (%)
Inflation Rate (%)
Employment
GDP/Capita (PPP)
$10,300
Unemployment
4.9%

Tourism

Tourism data reveals how popular a destination is and how much infrastructure exists to support visitors. Tourism accounts for 48.1% of Jamaica's total exports, making it a major pillar of the economy — expect well-developed tourist infrastructure, but also crowded hotspots.

Tourism % of Exports
48.1%
Air Passengers
180,951
International Tourist Arrivals
Tourism Receipts (USD)
Air Passengers Carried
Tourism as % of Exports

Health & Safety Infrastructure

Healthcare quality matters when you're far from home. These indicators help gauge what level of medical care is available — Jamaica has 0.46 physicians per 1,000 people, which is well below the global average of 1.7. Travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is strongly recommended.

Physicians
0.46/1k
Hospital Beds
1.65/1k
Health Spend
$520/person
Infant Mortality
18.3/1k
Immunization
94%
Safe Drinking Water
87.6%
Bottled water recommended
Basic Sanitation
91.6%
Health Expenditure per Capita (USD)
Hospital Beds per 1,000

Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure

Staying connected while travelling is essential for navigation, communication, and remote work. In Jamaica, 89% of the population uses the internet — expect widely available WiFi in hotels, cafes, and public spaces. There are 115 mobile subscriptions per 100 people, and local SIM cards are easy to find.

Internet Users
89.5%
Mobile Subs
115/100
Broadband
15.8/100
Electricity Access
97.7%
Internet Users (%)
Urbanization (%)

Source: World Bank Open Data