Jamaica

Jamaica

Caribbean

Caribbean
41
Overall score
Limited overall · Penalty applied · 93% data coverage
Language
English
Currency
JMD
Citizenship
5 years
Personal tax
25% / 30%
Cost of living
$1,100 / mo (single)
Overall scoring rubric
49
Access

How easy it is to get in, stay, and build status.

17% of Overall
43Residence12%
62Citizenship and passport5%
61
Earning power

How far local income goes after prices.

25% of Overall
60Salary and work12%
62Buying power13%
52
Business and wealth

How friendly the country is for taxes, companies, and investing.

20% of Overall
55Taxes7%
56Business8%
41Investment5%
48
Daily life

How comfortable everyday life is for families and long stays.

25% of Overall
42Quality of life18%
62Education7%
64
Rights and institutions

How reliable freedoms and institutions are.

13% of Overall
80Freedom6%
50Rule of law7%

Penalty: Severe safety risk (28) cut the overall score from 54 to 41. Safety measures the homicide rate, political stability, and control of corruption.

Healthcare (50) clears the 40 floor, so no penalty applies.

Environment (78) clears the 35 floor, so no penalty applies.

Rights and institutions (64) clears the 30 floor, so no penalty applies.

Overall score
Final weighted result
41

A Caribbean nation with English as a main language and a 5-year citizenship path, but case-by-case immigration and tax rules.

Pros

  • English as a main language
  • A 5-year citizenship path

Cons

  • Case-by-case immigration and tax rules

Best for

English speakers

Score profile

Access
Residence
43
Citizenship
69
Passport
49
Earning power
Salary & work
60
Buying power
62
Cost of living
65
Economy
52
Business and wealth
Taxes
55
Personal tax
45
Corporate tax
29
Business
56
Investment
41
Wealth building
55
Daily life
Safety
28
Healthcare
50
Environment
78
Infrastructure
49
Education
62
HDI
72
Rights and institutions
Freedom
80
Rule of law
50

Access

Residence

Rules change often and depend on your situation. Confirm any residence / visa decision with a qualified professional, or do your own research, before acting.

Openness to residents
Limited
43
How this score is calculated

Our 0–100 score combines international migrant stock (40%), regulatory quality (20%), the breadth of named residence pathways (25%), and time to permanent residence (15%). Available indicators are reweighted.

Migrant stock0.8% of population (2024)
Regulatory quality0.09 (−2.5 to 2.5) (2024)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Main pathways
EmploymentStudyFamily reunificationBusiness or investment where eligible
StudentRules depend on status and circumstances; verify the current requirements with the competent authority before acting.
WorkRules depend on status and circumstances; verify the current requirements with the competent authority before acting.
Self-employedRules depend on status and circumstances; verify the current requirements with the competent authority before acting.
PermanentRules depend on status and circumstances; verify the current requirements with the competent authority before acting.
Citizenship

Rules change often and depend on your situation. Confirm any citizenship decision with a qualified professional, or do your own research, before acting.

Citizenship accessibility
Good
69
Years required5 years
Dual allowedtrue
LanguageCheck the current naturalisation rules for the selected route
ResidenceTypical headline route: 5 years; qualifying residence and absence rules apply
NotesRules depend on status and circumstances; verify the current requirements with the competent authority before acting.
Passport

Rules change often and depend on your situation. Confirm any travel or visa decision with a qualified professional, or do your own research, before acting.

Passport power
Moderate
49

Passport-index style mobility for the Jamaica passport. The score above is its world reach: the share of 198 destinations reachable without a prior visa.

98 / 198
Mobility
#53
Global rank
Yes
Biometric
  • Visa-free53
  • On arrival38
  • eTA7
  • Visa required100

Passport Index style mobility data (2024–2025 estimate). Placeholder figures; verify current entry rules with each destination’s authority before travelling.

Earning power

Salary & work
Labour-market strength
Moderate
60
How this score is calculated

Our 0–100 score combines output per worker (a proxy for wage potential at 40%), unemployment (35%) and labour-force participation (25%). Available indicators are reweighted; the curated profile fields remain below.

Output per worker$20,741 PPP (2024)
Unemployment3.3% (2025)
Participation69.6% of 15+ (2025)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Tech salary (estimate)Varies substantially by city, seniority, and employer
FreelanceMarket access depends on language, sector, and work authorisation
Job marketUse current local vacancy and salary data for role-specific decisions.
Buying power
Purchasing power score
Moderate
62
How this score is calculated

Our 0–100 score estimates how far money goes for the typical person here. It combines GNI per capita at PPP (30%) and actual household consumption per person at PPP (15%) with a price-advantage term from the local price level (25%) that rewards lower prices, then adjusts for income equality via the Gini index (20%), so unequal economies don't ride a high average, plus price stability via consumer inflation (10%). Available indicators are reweighted; it is a comparison, not a personal budget estimate.

GNI / person$13,090 PPP (2025)
Price level62 (US = 100) (2025)
Income inequality39.9 Gini (2021)
Inflation4.0% / yr (2025)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Cost of living
Affordability
Good
65

Our 0–100 affordability score is derived from the local consumer price level (World Bank, US = 100): the cheaper everyday prices are, the higher it scores. Lower price level means your money goes further here.

Price level62 (US = 100) (2025)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

RentVaries substantially by city and neighbourhood
Monthly$1,100 / mo (single)
CitiesKingston, Montego Bay
Economy
Economic strength
Moderate
52
How this score is calculated

Our 0–100 score combines income level (GDP and GNI per capita, output per worker), growth momentum (real GDP growth), price stability (inflation) and labour utilisation (unemployment). Available indicators are reweighted; the sector split and industry profile below are descriptive, not scored.

Output & income
GDP$22.7B (2025)
GDP / person$8,003 (2025)
GNI / person$13,090 PPP (2025)
GDP growth-0.5% / yr (2024)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Stability & labour
Inflation4.0% / yr (2025)
Unemployment3.3% (2025)
Output per worker$20,741 PPP (2024)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Sector composition
Agriculture8.7% of GDP (2025)
Industry16.3% of GDP (2025)
Services59.8% of GDP (2025)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Main industries
TourismBauxite & aluminaAgricultureBusiness servicesMusic & creative
Top exports
Alumina & bauxiteTourism servicesRumCoffee
TypeUpper-middle-income, tourism- and services-led
Key sectorsTourism, Bauxite mining, Outsourcing & remittances
SummaryA tourism- and bauxite-based economy with a growing services sector and significant remittance inflows.
CurrencyJamaican dollar

Business and wealth

Taxes

Rules change often and depend on your situation. Confirm any tax decision with a qualified professional, or do your own research, before acting.

Tax friendliness
Moderate
55
Personal25% / 30%
CorporateGenerally 25%; regulated companies may pay more
Capital gainsTreatment varies by asset, holding structure, residence, and treaty position
DividendsRates and withholding depend on residence and treaty eligibility
Exit taxCheck current domestic rules before changing tax residence
Foreign cosManagement, permanent-establishment, CFC, and reporting rules may apply
Personal tax

Rules change often and depend on your situation. Confirm any tax decision with a qualified professional, or do your own research, before acting.

Personal tax
Moderate
45
Personal25% / 30%
FreelanceRegistration, immigration permission, tax, and social contributions may apply
Capital gainsTreatment varies by asset, holding structure, residence, and treaty position
DividendsRates and withholding depend on residence and treaty eligibility
Exit taxCheck current domestic rules before changing tax residence
Corporate tax

Rules change often and depend on your situation. Confirm any tax decision with a qualified professional, or do your own research, before acting.

Corporate tax
Low
29
CorporateGenerally 25%; regulated companies may pay more
Capital gainsTreatment varies by asset, holding structure, residence, and treaty position
DividendsRates and withholding depend on residence and treaty eligibility
Foreign cosManagement, permanent-establishment, CFC, and reporting rules may apply
Business
Business friendliness
Moderate
56
How this score is calculated

Our 0–100 score measures the operating environment without counting tax a second time: company formation and ownership rules contribute 40%, regulatory quality 30%, and government effectiveness 30%. Available indicators are reweighted; the values are shown below.

Regulation & bureaucracy
Regulatory quality0.09 (−2.5 to 2.5) (2024)
Government effectiveness0.17 (−2.5 to 2.5) (2024)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Operating rules
Foreign co.Generally possible, subject to sector, registration, tax, and substance rules
Local co.Available company forms and capital requirements vary
FreelanceRegistration, immigration permission, tax, and social contributions may apply
Investment

Rules change often and depend on your situation. Confirm any investment / tax decision with a qualified professional, or do your own research, before acting.

Investing environment
Limited
41
How this score is calculated

Our 0–100 score measures market access without counting tax a second time: broker availability contributes 50%, equity-market depth 30%, and private credit depth 20%. Available indicators are reweighted.

Market cap51% of GDP (2025)
Private credit46% of GDP (2025)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Capital gainsTreatment varies by asset, residence, holding period, and treaty position
DividendsData not available yet
ETFs & fundsData not available yet
Wealth taxCheck current national and subnational rules
BrokersLocal and international availability varies by residency and compliance checks
Foreign accessData not available yet
Tax-advantagedData not available yet
Wealth building

Rules change often and depend on your situation. Confirm any tax / investment decision with a qualified professional, or do your own research, before acting.

Wealth accumulation
Moderate
55
How this score is calculated

How favourable Jamaica is for building wealth: earnings and business/investment upside, tax drag, and how much a typical income keeps after living costs. Estimated from the factors below.

Salary & work
Moderate
60
Business
Moderate
56
Investment
Limited
41
Tax friendliness
Moderate
55
Cost of living
Good
65

Daily life

Safety
Safety & stability
Low
28
How this score is calculated

Our 0–100 score combines personal safety (intentional homicide rate at 50%), political stability and absence of violence (30%), and control of corruption (20%). Available indicators are reweighted; the published values are shown below. Always check current government travel and security advice before relocating.

Personal safety
Homicide rate49.4 per 100,000 (2023)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Institutions & stability
Control of corruption-0.10 (−2.5 to 2.5) (2024)
Political stability0.48 (−2.5 to 2.5) (2024)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Healthcare
Healthcare score
Moderate
50
How this score is calculated

Our 0–100 score combines health outcomes (life expectancy at 25% and under-5 mortality at 20%) with system capacity (physicians at 20% and hospital beds at 15% per 1,000 people) and health spending per capita (20%). Available indicators are reweighted; the published values are shown below.

Outcomes
Life expectancy71.6 years (2024)
Under-5 mortality17.8 per 1,000 births (2024)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Capacity & resourcing
Physicians0.46 per 1,000 (2023)
Hospital beds1.65 per 1,000 (2023)
Health spending$869 PPP / person (2023)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

System & costs
SystemPublic/private mix varies by eligibility and residence status
InsuranceCheck residence-permit and local coverage requirements
Avg costDepends on eligibility, income, insurer, and chosen coverage
Environment
Environment score
Good
78
How this score is calculated

Our 0–100 score combines annual population-weighted PM2.5 exposure at 60% with freshwater stress at 40%. Lower exposure and lower water stress score better. Air quality alone can produce a score because it covers most countries; water stress alone cannot.

Environmental pressure
PM2.5 exposure21.7 μg/m³ annually (2023)
Water stress12.4% (2022)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Infrastructure
Infrastructure score
Moderate
49
How this score is calculated

The score combines digital access, resilience and download performance (30%), electricity access and network losses (30%), and transport infrastructure covering rail, logistics and aviation (40%). Available inputs are reweighted, but a country needs both digital and transport data to receive a score.

Digital infrastructure
Internet use90.1% (2024)
Internet resilience43 / 100 (2026)
Fixed speed73 / 100 download index (2026)
Mobile speed53 / 100 download index (2026)

Sources: World Bank World Development Indicators · Internet Society Pulse Internet Resilience Index

Utilities
Electricity access97.7% (2023)
Grid losses26.9% of output (2023)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Transport
Transport quality2.40 / 5 (2022)
Air connectivity428 departures / million people (2018)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Education
Education score
Moderate
62
How this score is calculated

Our 0–100 score combines attainment (expected schooling at 30% and mean schooling at 25%) with participation (tertiary enrolment at 25%) and public investment (government education spending at 20%). Available indicators are reweighted; tuition and study rules remain separate profile fields below.

Attainment
Expected schooling12.4 years (2023)
Mean schooling10.0 years (2023)

Source: UNDP Human Development Report 2025

Participation & investment
Tertiary enrolment26% gross (2015)
Education spending5.5% of GDP (2024)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Tuition$4,000–12,000 / yr
Public uniVaries by institution, programme, and student nationality
LanguagesEnglish
Student workRules depend on status and circumstances; verify the current requirements with the competent authority before acting.
HDI
Human development score
Good
72
How this score is calculated

The UN Human Development Index is the geometric mean of three dimension indices (a long and healthy life, knowledge, and a decent standard of living), shown on a 0–100 map scale (HDI × 100). The 2023 UNDP inputs behind each dimension are listed below.

HDI0.720 (2023)

Source: UNDP Human Development Report 2025

Long & healthy life
Life expectancy71.5 years (2023)

Source: UNDP Human Development Report 2025

Knowledge
Expected schooling12.4 years (2023)
Mean schooling10.0 years (2023)

Source: UNDP Human Development Report 2025

Standard of living
GNI / person$10,057 PPP (2023)

Source: UNDP Human Development Report 2025

Rights and institutions

Freedom
Freedom score
Excellent
80
How this score is calculated

The score weights Freedom House’s 0–100 Freedom in the World score at 60% and its Freedom on the Net score at 40%. If either report does not cover a country, the available score is used alone. Scores of 70 and above are rated “Free”, 40–69 “Partly free”, and below 40 “Not free”.

Freedom in the World80 / 100 (Free)
Rule of law
Rule of law score
Moderate
50
How this score is calculated

The World Bank’s Rule of Law indicator captures how well contracts are enforced and how independent and effective the courts, police and property-rights regime are. We show its 0–100 percentile rank, where higher means stronger, more predictable institutions.

Rule of Law percentile50 / 100
Resources

Official references and quick links for Jamaica. Always confirm against the primary source before acting.

Official references
Quick links

Rules change often and depend on your situation. Confirm any immigration, tax or legal decision with a qualified professional, or do your own research, before acting.

Mock data for demonstration only. Not legal or tax advice.