Jamaica: health and care

What is the life expectancy in Jamaica?

Life expectancy at birth in Jamaica was 71.6 years in 2024, according to the World Bank, little changed from 71.5 years in 2023 and up from 69.1 years in 2021.

The dip in 2021 reflects deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic. Life expectancy at birth is the average number of years a newborn would live if death rates at each age stayed as they were that year. It is not a forecast for any one person. The World Bank series draws on UN population estimates. STATIN publishes deaths by cause, age and parish on its births, deaths and migration pages.

Official sources: World Bank: Life expectancy at birth, Jamaica · STATIN: births, deaths and migration

What is the infant mortality rate in Jamaica?

Jamaica's infant mortality rate was 16.4 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2024, according to the World Bank, down from 17.1 in 2021.

The infant mortality rate counts deaths of babies before their first birthday. The World Bank figure is a modelled estimate from the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation, which smooths registration data and surveys, so it can differ from figures counted directly from death registrations. STATIN's health tables include infant, under-five and maternal mortality rates, and its births and deaths tables list the leading causes of infant deaths.

Official sources: World Bank: Infant mortality rate, Jamaica · STATIN: health statistics

What is the maternal mortality rate in Jamaica?

Jamaica's maternal mortality ratio was 130 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2023, according to the modelled estimate published by the World Bank. It was 186 in 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and 138 in 2022.

The ratio counts deaths of women from pregnancy-related causes during pregnancy or within 42 days of its end. Because maternal deaths are rare events in a small country, the estimate moves noticeably from year to year and should be read as a trend. The estimates come from the UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-agency Group. The Ministry of Health and Wellness runs maternal death surveillance in Jamaica.

Official sources: World Bank: Maternal mortality ratio, Jamaica

What is the HIV rate in Jamaica?

1.1% of Jamaicans aged 15 to 49 were living with HIV in 2024, according to the World Bank, which publishes UNAIDS estimates. The rate was 1.2% from 2021 to 2023.

The figure is a modelled estimate of prevalence, meaning everyone living with the virus, whether diagnosed or not. It is not the number of new infections in a year. Prevalence can stay level even as new infections fall, because treatment means people with HIV live longer. The Ministry of Health and Wellness runs Jamaica's HIV programme and publishes surveillance reports, and STATIN's health tables include HIV prevalence among pregnant women.

Official sources: World Bank: Prevalence of HIV, Jamaica

How many doctors does Jamaica have?

Jamaica had 0.46 doctors per 1,000 people in 2023, according to the World Bank, which publishes World Health Organization data. With a population of about 2.84 million, that is roughly 1,300 doctors.

The figure counts physicians, both generalists and specialists, reported to the WHO by the health ministry. Earlier values were 0.55 in 2018 and 0.47 in 2016. Changes between years can reflect how doctors are counted, for example whether private practitioners are included, as well as real changes. STATIN's health tables include a table on the number of healthcare workers.

Official sources: World Bank: Physicians per 1,000 people, Jamaica · STATIN: health statistics

What is the average life expectancy in Jamaica?

According to the UN Population Division, life expectancy at birth in Jamaica was 71.6 years in 2024. Its high point since 2005 was 2013, at 72.4 years; its low point was 2021, at 69.1 years. Latin America & Caribbean median: 74.0 years; Jamaica is 28th highest of 33. World rank, highest first: 120th of 193.

What is the infant mortality rate in Jamaica?

In 2024, the infant mortality rate in Jamaica was 16.4 per 1,000, according to the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation. No year since 2005 has been lower. It is 8th highest of 33 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 12.1 per 1,000. World rank, highest first: 76th of 192.

What is maternal mortality in Jamaica?

In 2023, the maternal mortality ratio in Jamaica was 130 per 100,000, according to the WHO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 81.0 per 100,000 (2005) to 186 per 100,000 (2021). Latin America & Caribbean median: 55.0 per 100,000; Jamaica is 4th highest of 33. Of 192 countries with 2023 data, 56th highest.

How much does Jamaica spend on health?

7.6% of GDP: that is current health spending in Jamaica for 2023, according to the WHO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 5.5% of GDP (2006) to 8.7% of GDP (2022). Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 6.8% of GDP, and Jamaica placed 12th highest of 33. World rank, highest first: 67th of 191.

How much do people in Jamaica pay for health care themselves?

The WHO puts out-of-pocket health spending in Jamaica at 20.2% in 2023. Its high point since 2005 was 2006, at 45.7%; its low point was 2022, at 19.0%. Latin America & Caribbean median: 29.3%; Jamaica is 29th highest of 33. Of 191 countries with 2023 data, 125th highest.

What is the doctor to patient ratio in Jamaica?

0.46 per 1,000: that is the number of doctors per 1,000 people in Jamaica for 2023, according to the WHO. Since 2008 it has ranged from 0.36 per 1,000 (2012) to 0.55 per 1,000 (2018). Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 2.4 per 1,000, and Jamaica placed 9th highest of 9. Of 58 countries with 2023 data, 40th highest.

What is hospital capacity in Jamaica?

According to the WHO, hospital beds per 1,000 people in Jamaica was 1.6 per 1,000 in 2023. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2009. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 2.1 per 1,000, and Jamaica placed 14th highest of 22. Worldwide: 52nd of 73.

What is measles vaccine coverage in Jamaica?

94.0%: that is measles vaccination among children aged 12 to 23 months in Jamaica for 2024, according to WHO and UNICEF. Its high point since 2005 was 2016, at 95.0%; its low point was 2007, at 76.0%. Latin America & Caribbean median: 89.5%; Jamaica is 9th highest of 32. Of 191 countries with 2024 data, 68th highest.