Jamaica's Economy Contracts The Most Since Pandemic

Jamaica's economy contracted 7.1% year-over-year in Q4 2025, slowing sharply from a 5.1% expansion in Q3 and marking the largest contraction since Q3 2020. All sectors contracted except financial and insurance activities (1.4%) and public administration and defence (2.2%). Mining and quarrying posted the largest fall at -37.5%, followed by accommodation and food service activities at -31% and agriculture, forestry, and fishing at -17.7%. On a quarter-over-quarter basis, GDP slumped 7.3%.

Jamaica’s economy expanded 5.1% year-on-year in the third quarter of 2025, accelerating from a 1.7% increase in the previous quarter. Growth was led by agriculture, forestry, and fishing (20.9%), followed by other manufacturing (12.0%), transport and storage (7.1%), and accommodation and food services (6.8%). Public administration and defence was the only sector to contract, down 0.7%. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, GDP increased 1.1%.

The economy of Jamaica expanded by 1.1% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025, rebounding from a 0.8% contraction in Q4 2024. The recovery was driven by a 2.0% increase in goods production, with all productive sectors posting gains — manufacturing (+1.7%), construction (+1.4%), mining and quarrying (+0.7%), and agriculture (+3.1%). In addition, the services sector grew by 0.8%, supported by increases across most industries. However, this was partially offset by declines in wholesale & retail trade, repair and installation of machinery (-0.8%), and real estate & business activities (-0.4%).