On Tuesday, April 14, the International Monetary Fund downgraded Jamaica’s growth prospects to -5.6 per cent. This is a severe contraction warranting substantial Government intervention. However, at times, the Government waits too late to respond...

The global COVID-19 spread has gone from bad to worse, with over 3.2 million confirmed cases and close to 250,000 deaths, not only has this pandemic claimed innumerable lives, it has also destabilised economies by freezing trade and other economic...

Empathetic, God-fearing, humanitarian, motivated, and optimistic – these are just a few words that come to mind when one thinks of Dr Kazi-Ann Kasimbie. Dr Kasimbie is the CEO and founder of Psychfactor Consulting Services, a psychological...

Western Bureau: A number of swimming officials in western Jamaica say that the region’s struggles with underdevelopment will continue even if the COVID-19 pandemic is brought under control. They say this is because they still lack proper pools to...

Latoya Rose used the last $3,000 she had to invest in 26 baby chicks and feed with the hope of turning a profit after they matured. Last Friday, as the Spaldings resident went to her coop to feed the chickens, they were all gone. “When I don’t see...

It was not the landing the Jamaicans who arrived at Kingston’s Norman Manley International Airport on Wednesday evening would want again. The 43 Jamaican ship workers of the Marella Discovery 2 were among the 115 people aboard the TUI charter flight that touched down amid the Kingston breeze and evening sunset.

“I know this has been some difficult times for us with the pandemic, but I know we are going to get through this together – Jamaica together. We are going to continue our social distancing. We are going to continue practising our incredible hygiene...

KINGSTOWN, St Vincent, CMC – St Vincent and the Grenadines students in Jamaica wanting to return home amid the coronavirus (COVID-19, including locked borders, must each pay an estimated US$1,3339 for a return flight. In a letter to the...

THE EDITOR, Madam: In times of great challenge and hardship we must continue, as a people, to uphold the values and attitudes that make us truly Jamaican. It is a time for true patriotism and for us to reach down and pull up those among us with...

St Petersburg is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque cities in the world – from its European-inspired architecture, its signature colourful, eclectic-style to its neoclassical and Baroque style to its water corridors, and the art, the city is a...

The sale of two Jewel properties will inject US$60 million into loss-making Playa Resorts while reducing the hotel rooms it operates in Jamaica by more 40 per cent. Playa announced the sale of Jewel Runaway Bay Beach Resort...

DESPITE TUMBLING sales and challenges with hire-purchase accounts, two of the largest retailers of home furniture and appliances, Courts Jamaica and Singer Jamaica, have found glimmers of hope during the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s because work-from...

MOST people's memories of Millie Small in 1964 are of her climbing international charts with the massive hit song, My Boy Lollipop. But for Dennis Smith, it was her return to Jamaica that year that made the greatest impression.

Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s minister of tourism, talks about key investment opportunities and the need for better international reporting when natural disasters strike.

This flower infused water is not only colorful but also refreshing! It pairs so well with many Mexican foods such as Mole Poblano... VIDEO https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJ68TOsJU9I -- posted by CLUBFOODY

MARKET NOTICE 08 May 2020 Bank of Jamaica FX Swap Arrangement Report for Week Ended: 08 May 2020 For...

Jamaican citizen charged in connection with the operation of a fraudulent lottery was arrested Tuesday in Orlando, Fla., following his indictment by a federal grand jury in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Aug. 9, 2012, the Justice Department, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Marshals Service announced today.

Oneike Mickhale Barnett pleaded guilty today in connection with a lottery scheme based in Jamaica that fraudulently induced elderly victims in the U.S. to send Barnett and his co-conspirators thousands of dollars to cover fees for lottery winnings that victims had not won.

Oneike Mickhale Barnett, a Jamaican citizen, was sentenced today in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., in connection with his role in a fraudulent lottery scheme based in Jamaica that targeted victims in the United States.

A man from Atlanta, Georgia, pleaded guilty today for his role in a Jamaican-based fraudulent lottery scheme

Breadfruit trees planted by Trees That Feed Foundation are creating food systems and jobs in Jamaica.

Jamaica and Uruguay today signed the Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters and Brazil deposited its instrument of ratification of the Convention on the occasion of the launch of the OECD’s Latin American and Caribbean Regional Programme and the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting.

The Convention will enter into force for Jamaica on 1 March 2019 and will generally apply from 1 January 2020, although it may apply for earlier periods between signatories if agreed to and applies in relation to any period regarding criminal matters.

The JSE decreased 137795 points or 27.12% since the beginning of 2020, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks this benchmark index from Jamaica. Historically, the Jamaica Stock Market (Jamaica SE) reached an all time high of 528380.50 in August of 2019. Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) Market Index is a major stock market index which tracks the performance all ordinary companies listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange.

IP Addresses in Jamaica increased to 166943 IP in the first quarter of 2017 from 164347 IP in the fourth quarter of 2016. IP Addresses in Jamaica averaged 129865.08 IP from 2007 until 2017, reaching an all time high of 175378 IP in the second quarter of 2015 and a record low of 60356 IP in the third quarter of 2007. This page includes a chart with historical data for JamaicaIP Addresses.

Temperature in Jamaica decreased to 26.05 celsius in December from 26.08 celsius in November of 2015. Temperature in Jamaica averaged 26.09 celsius from 1824 until 2015, reaching an all time high of 28.82 celsius in July of 1869 and a record low of 22.07 celsius in January of 1852. This page includes a chart with historical data for Jamaica Average Temperature.

Precipitation in Jamaica increased to 171.27 mm in December from 66.85 mm in November of 2015. Precipitation in Jamaica averaged 176.37 mm from 1901 until 2015, reaching an all time high of 1162.21 mm in October of 2005 and a record low of 1.71 mm in March of 2006. This page includes a chart with historical data for Jamaica Average Precipitation.

Jamaica recorded a government debt equivalent to 103.30 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product in 2017. Government Debt to GDP in Jamaica averaged 126.57 percent from 1980 until 2017, reaching an all time high of 212.40 percent in 1984 and a record low of 70.50 percent in 1996. Generally, Government debt as a percent of GDP is used by investors to measure a country ability to make future payments on its debt, thus affecting the country borrowing costs and government bond yields. This page provides - Jamaica Government Debt To GDP - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Jamaica recorded a Current Account deficit of 2.80 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product in 2018. Current Account to GDP in Jamaica averaged -8.02 percent from 1998 until 2018, reaching an all time high of -1.20 percent in 2016 and a record low of -20.40 percent in 2008. The Current account balance as a percent of GDP provides an indication on the level of international competitiveness of a country. Usually, countries recording a strong current account surplus have an economy heavily dependent on exports revenues, with high savings ratings but weak domestic demand. On the other hand, countries recording a current account deficit have strong imports, a low saving rates and high personal consumption rates as a percentage of disposable incomes. This page provides - Jamaica Current Account to GDP - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Military Expenditure in Jamaica increased to 201 USD Million in 2018 from 144 USD Million in 2017. Military Expenditure in Jamaica averaged 96.19 USD Million from 1976 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 201 USD Million in 2018 and a record low of 60.80 USD Million in 1985.

The Gross Domestic Product per capita in Jamaica was last recorded at 4841.65 US dollars in 2018. The GDP per Capita in Jamaica is equivalent to 38 percent of the world's average. GDP per capita in Jamaica averaged 4463.16 USD from 1966 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 5370.56 USD in 1972 and a record low of 3473.10 USD in 1985. The GDP per capita is obtained by dividing the country’s gross domestic product, adjusted by inflation, by the total population. This page provides - Jamaica GDP per capita - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Money Supply M2 in Jamaica increased to 560699.72 JMD Million in May from 551952.47 JMD Million in April of 2019. Money Supply M2 in Jamaica averaged 219327.93 JMD Million from 1999 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 560699.72 JMD Million in May of 2019 and a record low of 79732.50 JMD Million in March of 1999. This page provides - Jamaica Money Supply M2- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The Gross Domestic Product per capita in Jamaica was last recorded at 8265.60 US dollars in 2018, when adjusted by purchasing power parity (PPP). The GDP per Capita, in Jamaica, when adjusted by Purchasing Power Parity is equivalent to 47 percent of the world's average. GDP per capita PPP in Jamaica averaged 8143.77 USD from 1990 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 8706.30 USD in 2007 and a record low of 7301.10 USD in 1990. The GDP per capita PPP is obtained by dividing the country’s gross domestic product, adjusted by purchasing power parity, by the total population. This page provides - Jamaica GDP per capita PPP - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Deposit Interest Rate in Jamaica decreased to 3.20 percent in 2018 from 3.70 percent in 2017. Deposit Interest Rate in Jamaica averaged 13.49 percent from 1979 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 36.40 percent in 1994 and a record low of 3.20 percent in 2018. The Deposit Interest Rate is the average rate paid by commercial banks to individuals or corporations on deposits. This page includes a chart with historical data for Deposit Interest Rate in Jamaica.

Jamaica scored 58.25 points out of 100 on the 2018 Global Competitiveness Report published by the World Economic Forum. Competitiveness Index in Jamaica averaged 16.34 Points from 2007 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 58.25 Points in 2019 and a record low of 3.76 Points in 2012. The most recent 2018 edition of Global Competitiveness Report assesses 140 economies. The report is made up of 98 variables, from a combination of data from international organizations as well as from the World Economic Forum’s Executive Opinion Survey. The variables are organized into twelve pillars with the most important including: institutions; infrastructure; ICT adoption; macroeconomic stability; health; skills; product market; labour market; financial system; market size; business dynamism; and innovation capability. The GCI varies between 1 and 100, higher average score means higher degree of competitiveness. With the 2018 edition, the World Economic Forum introduced a new methodology, aiming to integrate the notion of the 4th Industrial Revolution into the definition of competitiveness. It emphasizes the role of human capital, innovation, resilience and agility, as not only drivers but also defining features of economic success in the 4th Industrial Revolution. This page provides the latest reported value for - Jamaica Competitiveness Index - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Jamaica is the 80 most competitive nation in the world out of 140 countries ranked in the 2018 edition of the Global Competitiveness Report published by the World Economic Forum. Competitiveness Rank in Jamaica averaged 86.46 from 2007 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 107 in 2012 and a record low of 67 in 2007. The most recent 2018 edition of Global Competitiveness Report assesses 140 economies. In 2018, the World Economic Forum introduced a new methodology emphasizing the role of human capital, innovation, resilience and agility, as not only drivers but also defining features of economic success in the 4th Industrial Revolution. As a result, the GCI scale changed to 1 to 100 from 1 to 7, with higher average score meaning higher degree of competitiveness. The report is made up of 98 variables organized into twelve pillars with the most important including: institutions; infrastructure; ICT adoption; macroeconomic stability; health; skills; product market; labour market; financial system; market size; business dynamism; and innovation capability. This page provides the latest reported value for - Jamaica Competitiveness Rank - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Jamaica is ranked 71 among 190 economies in the ease of doing business, according to the latest World Bank annual ratings. The rank of Jamaica improved to 71 in 2019 from 75 in 2018. Ease of Doing Business in Jamaica averaged 76.58 from 2008 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 94 in 2013 and a record low of 65 in 2015. The Ease of doing business index ranks countries against each other based on how the regulatory environment is conducive to business operationstronger protections of property rights. Economies with a high rank (1 to 20) have simpler and more friendly regulations for businesses. This page includes a chart with historical data for Ease of Doing Business in Jamaica.

Terrorism Index in Jamaica decreased to 0.47 in 2018 from 1.09 in 2017. Terrorism Index in Jamaica averaged 0.12 from 2002 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 1.09 in 2017 and a record low of 0 in 2003. The Global Terrorism Index measures the direct and indirect impact of terrorism, including its effects on lives lost, injuries, property damage and the psychological aftereffects. It is a composite score that ranks countries according to the impact of terrorism from 0 (no impact) to 10 (highest impact).

Jamaica scored 43 points out of 100 on the 2019 Corruption Perceptions Index reported by Transparency International. Corruption Index in Jamaica averaged 37.25 Points from 1998 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 44 Points in 2017 and a record low of 30 Points in 2009. The Corruption Perceptions Index ranks countries and territories based on how corrupt their public sector is perceived to be. A country or territory’s score indicates the perceived level of public sector corruption on a scale of 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). This page provides the latest reported value for - Jamaica Corruption Index - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Jamaica is the 74 least corrupt nation out of 175 countries, according to the 2019 Corruption Perceptions Index reported by Transparency International. Corruption Rank in Jamaica averaged 72.40 from 1998 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 99 in 2009 and a record low of 45 in 2002. The Corruption Perceptions Index ranks countries and territories based on how corrupt their public sector is perceived to be. A country or territory's rank indicates its position relative to the other countries and territories in the index. This page provides the latest reported value for - Jamaica Corruption Rank - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

The Sales Tax Rate in Jamaica stands at 16.50 percent. Sales Tax Rate in Jamaica averaged 16.64 percent from 2006 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 17.50 percent in 2010 and a record low of 16.50 percent in 2007. In Jamaica, the sales tax rate is a tax charged to consumers based on the purchase price of certain goods and services. The benchmark we use for the sales tax rate refers to the highest rate. Revenues from the Sales Tax Rate are an important source of income for the government of Jamaica. This page provides - Jamaica Sales Tax Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The Corporate Tax Rate in Jamaica stands at 25 percent. Corporate Tax Rate in Jamaica averaged 29.76 percent from 2005 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 33.33 percent in 2006 and a record low of 25 percent in 2013. In Jamaica, the Corporate Income tax rate is a tax collected from companies. Its amount is based on the net income companies obtain while exercising their business activity, normally during one business year. The benchmark we use refers to the highest rate for Corporate Income. Revenues from the Corporate Tax Rate are an important source of income for the government of Jamaica. This page provides - Jamaica Corporate Tax Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The Personal Income Tax Rate in Jamaica stands at 30 percent. Personal Income Tax Rate in Jamaica averaged 26.33 percent from 2004 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 35 percent in 2010 and a record low of 25 percent in 2005. In Jamaica, the Personal Income Tax Rate is a tax collected from individuals and is imposed on different sources of income like labour, pensions, interest and dividends. The benchmark we use refers to the Top Marginal Tax Rate for individuals. Revenues from the Personal Income Tax Rate are an important source of income for the government of Jamaica. This page provides - Jamaica Personal Income Tax Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The Social Security Rate For Employees in Jamaica stands at 6.75 percent. Social Security Rate For Employees in Jamaica averaged 6.58 percent from 2004 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 6.75 percent in 2014 and a record low of 6.50 percent in 2005. In Jamaica, the Social Security Rate is a tax related with labor income charged to both companies and employees. Revenues from the Social Security Rate are an important source of income for the government of Jamaica because they help to pay for many social programs including welfare, health care and many other benefits. This page provides - Jamaica Social Security Rate For Employees - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The Social Security Rate in Jamaica stands at 18.75 percent. Social Security Rate in Jamaica averaged 18.28 percent from 2004 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 18.75 percent in 2014 and a record low of 18 percent in 2005. In Jamaica, the Social Security Rate is a tax related with labor income charged to both companies and employees. Revenues from the Social Security Rate are an important source of income for the government of Jamaica because they help to pay for many social programs including welfare, health care and many other benefits. This page provides - Jamaica Social Security Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The Social Security Rate For Companies in Jamaica stands at 12 percent. Social Security Rate For Companies in Jamaica averaged 11.67 percent from 2004 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 12 percent in 2014 and a record low of 11.50 percent in 2005. In Jamaica, the Social Security Rate is a tax related with labor income charged to both companies and employees. Revenues from the Social Security Rate are an important source of income for the government of Jamaica because they help to pay for many social programs including welfare, health care and many other benefits. This page provides - Jamaica Social Security Rate For Companies - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Money Supply M1 in Jamaica increased to 258036.28 JMD Million in May from 256591.03 JMD Million in April of 2019. Money Supply M1 in Jamaica averaged 94571.40 JMD Million from 1999 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 258036.28 JMD Million in May of 2019 and a record low of 26564.60 JMD Million in March of 1999. This page provides - Jamaica Money Supply M1- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Youth Unemployment Rate in Jamaica increased to 18 percent in the fourth quarter of 2019 from 17.30 percent in the third quarter of 2019. Youth Unemployment Rate in Jamaica averaged 27.78 percent from 2012 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 37 percent in the second quarter of 2013 and a record low of 17.30 percent in the third quarter of 2019. This page provides - Jamaica Youth Unemployment Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Labor Force Participation Rate in Jamaica decreased to 64.50 percent in the fourth quarter of 2019 from 65.20 percent in the third quarter of 2019. Labor Force Participation Rate in Jamaica averaged 63.68 percent from 2012 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 65.50 percent in the second quarter of 2017 and a record low of 61.70 percent in the third quarter of 2012. This page provides - Jamaica Labor Force Participation Rate- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Imports in Jamaica decreased to 1533478.91 USD Thousand in the third quarter of 2019 from 1650616.35 USD Thousand in the second quarter of 2019. Imports in Jamaica averaged 1160601.19 USD Thousand from 1992 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 2437559.33 USD Thousand in the second quarter of 2008 and a record low of 395093 USD Thousand in the second quarter of 1992. Jamaica mainly imports oil, ethanol, wheat, lye, electronic appliances, vehicles, metals and rice. Jamaica’s main imports partner is the United States (42 percent of total imports). Other imports partners include Venezuela, Trinidad & Tobago, China, Brazil, Japan, Canada, the United Kingdom and Mexico. This page provides - Jamaica Imports - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.