Proportion of population below international poverty line in Jamaica

Jamaica: Proportion of population below international poverty line was 1.4% in 2021. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2021)
1.4%
Change on year
up 250.0%
World rank
50th
of 110 countries
All-time high
20.5%
in 1993
All-time low
0.4%
in 2018
Years of data
9
1988–2021

Proportion of population below international poverty line in Jamaica, 1988–2021

051015201988200420211988: 13.81990: 11.61993: 20.51996: 8.31999: 5.72002: 6.42004: 4.52018: 0.42021: 1.4

Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.

Analysis

The most recent figure for proportion of population below international poverty line in Jamaica is 1.4%, measured in 2021.

The figure is up 250.0% on the previous year and up 250.0% over five years.

Over the whole period, proportion of population below international poverty line in Jamaica peaked at 20.5% in 1993 and was at its lowest, 0.4%, in 2018.

Jamaica ranks 50th of 110 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.

Proportion of population below international poverty line in Jamaica, year by year

Annual values for Proportion of population below international poverty line (%) in Jamaica, 1988 to 2021.
Year Value Change
1988 13.8%
1990 11.6% -15.9%
1993 20.5% +76.7%
1996 8.3% -59.5%
1999 5.7% -31.3%
2002 6.4% +12.3%
2004 4.5% -29.7%
2018 0.4% -91.1%
2021 1.4% +250.0%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1980s 13.8% 13.8% 13.8% 1
1990s 11.5% 5.7% 20.5% 4
2000s 5.5% 4.5% 6.4% 2
2010s 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 1
2020s 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 1

Countries ranked near Jamaica

  1. 47 Kyrgyzstan 2.2% compare
  2. 48 Paraguay 2.1% compare
  3. 49 Mexico 1.6% compare
  4. 50 Egypt 1.4% compare
  5. 52 Japan 1.2% compare
  6. 53 Lithuania 1.1% compare
  7. 53 Serbia 1.1% compare

See the full ranking of 164 places →

More poverty & inequality data for Jamaica

All data for Jamaica →

Frequently asked questions

What is proportion of population below international poverty line in Jamaica?
Proportion of population below international poverty line in Jamaica was 1.4% in 2021, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
What is the highest proportion of population below international poverty line recorded in Jamaica?
The highest recorded value was 20.5% in 1993.
What is the lowest proportion of population below international poverty line recorded in Jamaica?
The lowest recorded value was 0.4% in 2018.
How does Jamaica rank for proportion of population below international poverty line?
Jamaica ranks 50th out of 110 countries with data for 2021.
Where does this Jamaica data come from?
The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Proportion of population below international poverty line (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Proportion of population below international poverty line in Jamaica. Statizoid, drawing on United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Retrieved 01 September 2026, from https://poverty.statizoid.com/stat/proportion-of-population-below-international-poverty-line-percent/jamaica/

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About this data

Indicator
Proportion of population below international poverty line (%)
Source
United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database
Licence
UN SDG Global Database (open, attribution requested)
Coverage
164 places, 3,780 data points, 1963–2025
Last refreshed