Jamaica Records Lowest Poverty Rate in History at 8.2%

Jamaica is celebrating a historic milestone, as the country’s poverty rate has dropped to its lowest level since records began in 1989. According to the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), the national poverty rate fell to 8.2% in 2023—nearly half of the 16.7% recorded just two years earlier in 2021.

The announcement was made by PIOJ Director General Dr. Wayne Henry during a quarterly economic briefing on May 21. He attributed the drop to improvements in employment, wage increases, and the country’s continued recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This is a positive development,” said Dr. Henry. “However, we must interpret the data with some caution due to variability and changes in methodology.”

Breaking Down the Numbers

The figures, drawn from the Jamaica Survey of Living Conditions (JSLC) and collected by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), showed improvements across both urban and rural communities.

• In the Greater Kingston Metropolitan Area, poverty dropped from 10.4% in 2021 to just 3% in 2023.
• In rural areas, the rate was cut nearly in half—from 22.1% to 11.5%.

Extreme poverty, also known as food poverty (defined as the inability to afford the minimum daily caloric intake), also declined.

Dr. Henry emphasized that while the progress is real, comparisons across time must be made carefully. No poverty data was available for 2022, and methodological changes made to the JSLC mean that poverty data from before 2012 should not be directly compared to newer figures.

“While the trend in poverty reduction remains clear and credible, comparisons across years, particularly with pre-revision estimates, should be interpreted with caution,” he stated.

The higher poverty rate in 2021, he explained, was likely driven by the economic impact of the pandemic.

The drop in poverty rates comes as part of a broader wave of positive change in Jamaica. In March 2024, the country recorded its lowest monthly murder toll in 25 years. Government initiatives, including increased minimum wages and stronger social protection programs, have also contributed to the economic uplift.

Dr. Henry noted that updated poverty statistics for 2024 are expected to be released later this year.