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Jamaica · Quality of life

Human development, happiness, safety, access and environment.

14 indicators · 12 with data

Composite

HDI

index (0–1)

117th of 193 · 27th in Latin America
HDIJamaica's hdi rose from 0.7 in 1994 to 0.7 in 2023.1995200020052010201520200.640.660.680.700.720.740.7

Jamaica's hdi rose from 0.7 in 1994 to 0.7 in 2023.

Wellbeing

Life satisfaction

score (0–10)

48th of 146 · 10th in Latin America
Life satisfactionJamaica's life satisfaction rose from 6.2 in 2011 to 6.3 in 2025.20122014201620182020202220245.25.45.65.866.26.46.3

Jamaica's life satisfaction rose from 6.2 in 2011 to 6.3 in 2025.

Longevity

Life expectancy

years

142nd of 217 · 37th in Latin America
Life expectancyJamaica's life expectancy rose from 71.5 yrs in 1995 to 71.6 yrs in 2024.19952000200520102015202068697071727371.6 yrs

Jamaica's life expectancy rose from 71.5 yrs in 1995 to 71.6 yrs in 2024.

Healthy life expectancy at birth

years

105th of 185 · 23rd in Latin America
Healthy life expectancy at birthJamaica's healthy life expectancy at birth fell from 63.6 yrs in 2000 to 61.7 yrs in 2021.2000200520102015202061626364656661.7 yrs

Jamaica's healthy life expectancy at birth fell from 63.6 yrs in 2000 to 61.7 yrs in 2021.

Inequality

Gini index

index (0 = perfect equality, 100 = perfect inequality)

65th of 81 · 3rd in Latin America*
Gini indexJamaica's gini index fell from 43.2 in 1988 to 39.9 in 2021.1990199520002005201020152020303540455039.9

Jamaica's gini index fell from 43.2 in 1988 to 39.9 in 2021.

Air

Air pollution (PM2.5)

micrograms per m³

125th of 200 · 29th in Latin America
Air pollution (PM2.5)Jamaica's air pollution (pm2.5) rose from 18.7 in 1994 to 21.7 in 2023.19952000200520102015202018202221.7

Jamaica's air pollution (pm2.5) rose from 18.7 in 1994 to 21.7 in 2023.

Crime

Homicide rate

per 100,000 people

81st of 83 · 24th in Latin America
Homicide rateJamaica's homicide rate rose from 28.0 /100k in 1994 to 49.4 /100k in 2023.19952000200520102015202020304050607049.4 /100k

Jamaica's homicide rate rose from 28.0 /100k in 1994 to 49.4 /100k in 2023.

Access

Access to electricity (% of population)

% of population

143rd of 215 · 33rd in Latin America
Access to electricity (% of population)Jamaica's access to electricity (% of population) rose from 80.4 % in 1995 to 97.7 % in 2024.19952000200520102015202080%90%100%97.7 %

Jamaica's access to electricity (% of population) rose from 80.4 % in 1995 to 97.7 % in 2024.

Adoption

Internet users

% of population

55th of 182 · 5th in Latin America
Internet usersJamaica's internet users rose from 0.1 % in 1995 to 90.1 % in 2024.1995200020052010201520200%20%40%60%80%100%90.1 %

Jamaica's internet users rose from 0.1 % in 1995 to 90.1 % in 2024.

Attainment

Expected years of schooling

years

131st of 195 · 25th in Latin America
Expected years of schoolingJamaica's expected years of schooling rose from 10.9 yrs in 1994 to 12.4 yrs in 2023.1995200020052010201520209101112131412.4 yrs

Jamaica's expected years of schooling rose from 10.9 yrs in 1994 to 12.4 yrs in 2023.

Unemployment

Unemployment

% of labour force

51st of 185 · 5th in Latin America
UnemploymentJamaica's unemployment fell from 6.6 % in 1996 to 3.3 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020250%2%4%6%8%10%3.3 %

Jamaica's unemployment fell from 6.6 % in 1996 to 3.3 % in 2025.

Gender

Women in parliament

% of seats

74th of 184 · 19th in Latin America
Women in parliamentJamaica's women in parliament rose from 11.7 % in 1997 to 30.2 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020250%10%20%30%30.2 %

Jamaica's women in parliament rose from 11.7 % in 1997 to 30.2 % in 2025.

No data available (2)

These indicators exist in the registry but no source reports a value for Jamaica.

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