Jamaica: cost of living

What is the income tax threshold in Jamaica?

The individual income tax threshold is J$1,876,614 a year for 2026, according to Tax Administration Jamaica. It is scheduled to rise to J$1,978,212 in 2027 and J$2,003,496 in 2028.

Income above the threshold is taxed at 25% up to J$6 million a year, and at 30% above that. Pensioners and people aged 65 and over get an extra J$250,040 of relief each, so a pensioner aged 65 or over pays no income tax on the first J$2,376,694 in 2026. These figures are for income tax only. Employees also pay contributions to the National Insurance Scheme, the National Housing Trust and the education tax, which have their own rates.

Official sources: TAJ: Individual income tax rates, threshold and exemptions 2013-2028 (PDF)

What is the poverty rate in Jamaica?

7.8% of Jamaicans lived below the national poverty line in 2024, down from 8.2% in 2023, according to data published by the World Bank. In 2021 the rate was 16.7%.

The national figures come from the Jamaica Survey of Living Conditions, run by the Planning Institute of Jamaica and STATIN. A person is counted as poor if their household's consumption falls below the cost of a basic basket of food and other needs. The survey does not yet cover the period after Hurricane Melissa in October 2025. STATIN's living conditions and poverty pages carry tables on poverty by region, food poverty and the Gini coefficient.

Official sources: World Bank: Poverty headcount at national poverty lines, Jamaica · STATIN: living conditions and poverty

Why are food prices rising in Jamaica?

Drought has been the main driver, according to the Bank of Jamaica's September 2026 policy statement. It says the rise in headline inflation to 7.9% in August 2026 mainly reflected drought conditions that cut crop yields, particularly of vegetables, as well as higher international commodity prices feeding into petrol costs.

The bank expects agricultural prices to stay high for longer than it had projected because of El Niño. Core inflation, which leaves out agricultural food and fuel, was lower at 5.2%. The bank says this shows only limited spread of price rises to processed food and services so far. STATIN's monthly CPI release on its press release page breaks the index down by division, including food and non-alcoholic beverages and transport.

Official sources: Bank of Jamaica: Monetary Policy Press Release, September 2026 · STATIN: press releases

What is the inflation rate in Jamaica?

The IMF puts consumer price inflation in Jamaica at 4.0% in 2025. The peak was 22.0% in 2008 and the low 2.4% in 2016. It is 10th highest of 29 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 2.1%. World rank, highest first: 51st of 165.

What share of people in Jamaica live in extreme poverty?

The World Bank puts the share of people living on less than $3.00 a day in Jamaica at 1.4% in 2021. That compares with 4.5% in 2004. It is 10th highest of 13 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 3.1%. World rank, highest first: 34th of 80.

What share of Jamaica lives below the poverty line?

The World Bank puts the share of people below the national poverty line in Jamaica at 7.8% in 2024. That is the lowest since at least 2012. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 27.8%, and Jamaica placed 12th highest of 12. World rank, highest first: 28th of 31.

What is Jamaica's Gini coefficient?

The World Bank puts the Gini index in Jamaica at 39.9 in 2021. It was 45.5 in 2004. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 42.4, and Jamaica placed 11th highest of 13. Of 80 countries with 2021 data, 16th highest.

How many people in Jamaica face food insecurity?

In 2024, moderate or severe food insecurity in Jamaica was 55.8%, according to the FAO. Its high point since 2015 was 2023, at 56.4%; its low point was 2018, at 45.8%. It is 2nd highest of 21 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 28.0%. Worldwide: 24th of 135.