Jamaica’s population grew to 2.77 million, up 2.8 per cent since 2011, according to the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (Statin) 2022 Population and Housing Census, which also revealed that the country is experiencing its slowest population growth in more than five decades due to declining birth rates, higher deaths, and reduced migration.

The data, which presented preliminary and geo-spatial results from the 2022 census, was shared during Statin’s quarterly press briefing on Wednesday.

Findings indicate that the island’s average annual growth rate of 0.24 per cent between 2011 and 2022 was the lowest recorded since 1970.

“We’re seeing where births are declining and that has been the trend over several decades. We’re also seeing where deaths are increasing and particularly where net migration has declined. When you put all of those factors together, we end up with a population that is growing, albeit at a much slower rate,” said Statin Director General Leesha Delatie-Budair.

Director of the Censuses, Demographic and Social Statistics Division Stacy-Ann Robinson, who revealed the findings from the 2022 census, noted that births declined by 42.2 per cent since 1982, falling from 747,788 to 432,018 in 2022. At the same time, deaths increased from 188,993 to 236,687, and net migration declined from 216,959 to 118,776 over the same 40-year period.

The figures also showed that when compared with the previous 2011 census, the birth rate declined from 445,581 alongside the net migration rate while the death rate increased from 186,516 over the 11-year period.

While Jamaica’s overall population growth has slowed, some parishes continue to expand. St Catherine recorded the largest increase, adding 26,545 people, followed by Clarendon, 13,540; and Kingston and St Andrew, 10,478.

Robinson noted that these areas are among the most densely populated and continue to attract residents due to employment and infrastructure opportunities.

“These figures highlight where the most significant population shifts have occurred, indicating areas of growth that may require increased planning and forced resource allocation,” she said,

The data confirmed what has long been evident in Jamaica’s demographic landscape — the steady movement of people towards the Kingston Metropolitan Area and neighbouring urban parishes, where access to jobs, schools, and services remains strongest.

Robinson explained that Kingston and St Andrew remain the most densely populated parishes, with more than 500 people per square kilometre, followed by St Catherine and St James, which both recorded densities between 401 and 500 people per square kilometre.

In contrast, parishes such as Hanover, Westmoreland, St Elizabeth, St Thomas, Portland, St Mary, St Ann, and Trelawny recorded fewer than 200 people per square kilometre, reflecting their largely rural and agricultural profiles.

She explained that the distribution of Jamaica’s population continues to shape development priorities, particularly in housing, infrastructure, and environmental management.

“The densest communities were found in St Andrew, St Catherine, and St James, along with the major urban centres and capitals… Parishes such as Portland, St Thomas, and Trelawny had some of the least densely populated communities due to their location near the Cockpit Country and the Blue Mountains,” she said.

Affette McCaw Binns (left), retired epidemiologist and member of The University of the West Indies Independent Evaluation Committee, speaks with Statin Director General Leesha Delatie-Budair (centre) and Dr Natalee Simpson, acting deputy director general and director for the Surveys Division at Statin, after their quarterly press briefing on Wednesday at S Hotel in New Kingston.