Jamaica’s poverty rate fell to a record 8.2 per cent in 2023, just more than half or 50.8 per cent below the 16.7 per cent at which it stood in 2021.

The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) presented the data on Wednesday morning during a quarterly briefing, noting that the latest figure represents the lowest-ever since the poverty rate was first measured in 1989.

The rate was computed from the findings of the Jamaica Survey of Living Conditions collected by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN).

PIOJ Director General Dr Wayne Henry in presenting the findings said the decline in 2023 was largely driven by the country’s strong post-COVID recovery, increased employment levels, a near 86 per cent growth in the national minimum wage, the implementation of strengthened social protection programmes and robust remittance inflows.

Jamaica’s poverty rate fell to a record 8.2 per cent in 2023, just more than half or 50.8 per cent below the 16.7 per cent at which it stood in 2021, according to the PIOJ.

“In addition to this decline in poverty, there was also a reduction in food poverty also referred to as extreme poverty. In 2023 the food poverty rate fell to 2.8 per cent down from 5.8 per cent in 2021 and 4 per cent in 2019, also marking the lowest level on record,” Henry stated.

No data was collected in 2022 due to COVID-19 disruptions which stalled field activities.

Also, sharing the preliminary estimates on gross domestic performance for the March quarter, the PIOJ said the local economy grew 0.8 per cent during the first three months of this year.

This was largely driven by the return of growth to most industries, increased domestic demand and higher employment, the planning institute said.

“Preliminary data indicates that the economy continues to recover from the effects of the hydrological shocks during the latter half of 2024. For the April to June 2025 quarter, the economy is projected to grow within the range of 0.5-1.5 per cent while for fiscal year 25/26 the economy is projected to grow with the range of 1-2 per cent,” Henry said.

“We are cognisant of the prevailing uncertainties in the global economic space related to geopolitical tensions as well as new economic and trade policies. These uncertainties have the ability to constrain economic activities but the PIOJ will continue to carefully monitor and assess developments as more information becomes available,” Henry continued, adding that “In relation to the poverty outturn, it shows potential for sustained reduction with the implementation of key policies and programmes.”

-Kellaray Miles