Quick facts
Jamaica population overview
Jamaica is the 14th most populous of 41 countries and territories in North America. The United Nations put the population at 2,836,439 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of -0.2% the live estimate on this page falls by roughly 12 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 31,484 births (11.1 per 1,000 people) and 24,110 deaths (8.5 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 11,629 people. The infant mortality rate is 14.7 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 1,650,005 in 1960 to 2,837,077 in 2025 — a change of +71.9%, or +0.8% per year on average. It peaked at 2,839,786 in 2023 and has declined 0.2% since.
Demographically, the median age is 33.3 years; life expectancy at birth is 71.9 years; women have on average 1.4 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 18.3% of residents are under 15 and 8.6% are 65 or older (2025); 59.4% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Kingston. Jamaica covers 10,990 km², giving a population density of about 258 people per km². GDP was $22.70B in 2025 — about $8,003 per person (World Bank classification: upper middle income).
Jamaica population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 2,832,819 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 2,836,439 |
| World rank | #142 of 238 |
| Rank in North America | #14 of 41 |
| Share of world population | 0.034% |
| Annual growth rate | -0.2% |
| Births per year est. | 31,484 |
| Deaths per year est. | 24,110 |
| Net migration per year est. | -11,629 |
| Birth rate | 11.1 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 8.5 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 14.7 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 97.7 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 33.3 years |
| Life expectancy | 71.9 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 1.4 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 59.4% |
| Surface area 2023 | 10,990 km² |
| Population density | 258 per km² |
| Capital | Kingston |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $22.70B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $8,003 |
| Income group World Bank | Upper middle income |
Jamaica population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 2,832,819 | – | – |
| 2025 | 2,837,077 | -2,098 | -0.1% |
| 2024 | 2,839,175 | -611 | 0% |
| 2023 | 2,839,786 | +642 | +0% |
| 2022 | 2,839,144 | +1,462 | +0.1% |
| 2021 | 2,837,682 | +6,943 | +0.2% |
| 2020 | 2,830,739 | +28,205 | +0.2% |
| 2015 | 2,802,534 | +53,966 | +0.4% |
| 2010 | 2,748,568 | +61,502 | +0.5% |
| 2005 | 2,687,066 | +79,240 | +0.6% |
| 2000 | 2,607,826 | +107,675 | +0.8% |
| 1995 | 2,500,151 | +120,274 | +1% |
| 1990 | 2,379,877 | +89,221 | +0.8% |
| 1985 | 2,290,656 | +144,998 | +1.3% |
| 1980 | 2,145,658 | +126,677 | +1.2% |
| 1975 | 2,018,981 | +140,785 | +1.5% |
| 1970 | 1,878,196 | +109,004 | +1.2% |
| 1965 | 1,769,192 | +119,187 | +1.4% |
| 1960 | 1,650,005 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Jamaica
Population over time
- From 1,650,005 in 1960 to 2,832,819 today — up 71.7%.
- Population peaked at 2,839,786 in 2023 and is down 0.2% since.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +0.1% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 71.6 years (2024), up 7.8 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 1.4 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 11.5 births vs 8.2 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 3.2 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 18.3% of the population is under 15 and 8.6% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 4.2% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 8.07 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 12.31 Mt in 2006 — down 34.4% since.
- Per person: 2.84 t in 2024, vs 4.29 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 934.9 kg of oil equivalent per person (2023), down 14.9% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 10.5% of final energy in 2021 (-2 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 56.2% of land area (2023).
- Net afforestation: cover grew from 48.1% to 56.2% since 1990 — roughly 886 km² of forest gained.
Urban population (% of total)
- 59.4% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 29.7% in 1960 (+29.7 points).
- Became majority-urban around 1993.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low–medium — freshwater withdrawals are 12.4% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 3,812 m³ in 2022, down 41.1% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $22.70B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 51.7% since 2015.
- That works out to $8,003 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 3.3% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 4% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 90.1% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 117.7 per 100 people (2024) — more subscriptions than people.
Jamaica in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Jamaica in 2026?
As of October 2026, Jamaica has an estimated population of 2,832,819. The United Nations estimated 2,836,439 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the -0.2% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Jamaica growing or shrinking?
It is shrinking at -0.2% per year — roughly 12 fewer people every day. Each year there are about 31,484 births and 24,110 deaths, with net migration of -11,629.
What is the population density of Jamaica?
About 258 people per square kilometre: 2,832,819 people living on 10,990 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Jamaica?
The median age is 33.3 years, and life expectancy at birth is 71.9 years. 18.3% of the population is under 15 and 8.6% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Jamaica rank by population?
Jamaica is the 142nd most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 14th in North America, with 0.034% of the global population.
How has the population of Jamaica changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 1,650,005; by 2025 it had grown to 2,837,077 (+71.9%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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ArmeniaSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (-0.2%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.