Jamaica’s Population Increased by Only 600 in 2025, Says PIOJ

Jamaica’s population expanded by only 600 people during 2025, reflecting virtually no overall growth despite the country continuing to record more births than deaths, according to the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ).

The institute said the country’s demographic profile continues to shift, with the working-age population remaining the largest segment while the proportion of elderly residents continues to increase. At the same time, the share of children aged 0 to 14 has continued to decline.

According to the PIOJ, these changes have been influenced by a combination of sustained net migration losses, fertility rates that remain below replacement level, and an ageing population, all of which are reshaping Jamaica’s population structure.

Figures published in the 2025 edition of the Economic and Social Survey Jamaica estimated the island’s population at 2,764,200 at the end of 2025, compared with 2,763,600 a year earlier. The increase of just 600 people translated into a population growth rate of 0.0 per cent.

The report showed there were 28,900 births during the year and an estimated 21,300 deaths, resulting in a natural population increase of 7,600 people.

However, migration continued to offset much of that gain. Jamaica recorded a net migration loss of 7,000 people in 2025, although this represented an improvement from the estimated loss of 8,800 recorded in 2024.

The PIOJ said the country is now experiencing demographic patterns associated with the final stage of the demographic transition model, where both fertility and mortality rates remain low, contributing to little or no population growth.

It also pointed to climate-related shocks as an additional factor increasing the country’s vulnerability, citing the impacts of Hurricane Melissa among the challenges affecting Jamaica.

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