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Economy of Jamaica vs Libya compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Jamaica has a GDP of $22B compared to $48.5B for Libya, ranking 124/197 and 95/197 by economy size, respectively.

Jamaica vs Libya GDP by year

Jamaica
Libya
1x
Year GDP, current $
Jamaica Libya
2024 $22,014,397,090 $48,487,151,215
2023 $21,418,804,320 $44,027,664,915
2022 $18,813,516,805 $43,246,297,922
2021 $15,963,885,376 $35,217,995,647
2020 $15,000,214,216 $46,854,285,441
2019 $17,026,269,263 $69,254,496,472
2018 $16,855,447,986 $76,686,029,772
2017 $15,783,583,237 $67,157,452,182
2016 $14,898,999,754 $49,912,073,701
2015 $14,963,589,916 $48,717,501,321
2014 $13,899,217,680 $57,372,355,592
2013 $14,264,205,153 $75,351,107,029
2012 $14,807,086,556 $92,540,938,129
2011 $14,444,661,522 $48,169,263,294
2010 $13,220,549,908 $75,380,825,062
2009 $12,120,458,115 $60,808,562,033
2008 $13,709,401,520 $86,710,767,415
2007 $12,799,600,047 $68,032,978,391
2006 $11,930,179,090 $60,094,231,607
2005 $11,243,865,778 $47,334,691,241
2004 $10,174,664,854 $33,122,307,692
2003 $9,430,234,811 $26,265,625,000
2002 $9,719,009,495 $20,481,889,764
2001 $9,194,727,831 $34,112,093,927
2000 $9,005,064,475 $38,270,954,138
1999 $8,887,057,997 $35,975,860,857
1998 $8,787,195,622 $27,251,301,398
1997 $8,400,041,724 $30,700,897,875
1996 $7,393,891,921 $27,884,615,385
1995 $6,577,520,643 $25,541,379,187
1994 $5,452,558,947 $28,610,549,763
1993 $5,440,075,676 $30,660,051,911
1992 $3,535,460,090 $33,887,047,909
1991 $4,106,207,649 $31,991,821,265
1990 $4,592,208,087 $28,904,183,602
1989 $4,404,937,853 $25,156,707,899
1988 $3,828,342,820 $24,308,959,591
1987 $3,287,007,322 $26,697,659,335
1986 $2,754,549,582 $24,180,400,959
1985 $2,100,239,019 $31,530,566,324
1984 $2,373,564,549 $29,476,109,153
1983 $3,619,262,277 $33,200,520,140
1982 $3,293,496,312 $33,760,146,991
1981 $2,979,027,966 $36,374,353,880
1980 $2,679,379,372 $40,953,924,949
1979 $2,425,064,229 $30,536,429,497
1978 $2,644,527,822 $22,136,422,643
1977 $3,249,733,140 $22,428,297,108
1976 $2,966,042,856 $19,096,943,017
1975 $2,860,442,750 $14,710,912,458
1974 $2,375,122,375 $15,112,543,717
1973 $1,905,917,553 $8,625,889,430
1972 $1,875,146,587 $6,299,395,544
1971 $1,539,861,816 $5,260,185,125
1970 $1,404,720,442 $4,601,649,451
1969 $1,191,239,047 $4,380,987,481
1968 $1,083,839,133 $3,850,623,095
1967 $1,148,014,311 $2,726,986,913
1966 $1,096,759,561 $2,312,438,536
1965 $972,159,611 $1,804,979,680
1964 $897,949,001 $1,341,395,421
1963 $826,706,669 $892,327,911
1962 $777,727,689 $619,725,785
1961 $748,043,501 $443,905,612
1960 $699,064,380 $401,644,249

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/jamaica/libya | CC BY

GDP per capita in Jamaica vs Libya by year

Jamaica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Libya
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Jamaica Libya
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,754 $12,890 $6,569 $14,304
2023 $7,542 $12,651 $6,027 $13,847
2022 $6,626 $11,888 $5,987 $12,266
2021 $5,626 $10,431 $4,936 $12,642
2020 $5,299 $9,764 $6,650 $10,955
2019 $6,031 $10,845 $9,963 $16,194
2018 $5,977 $10,753 $11,197 $18,879
2017 $5,605 $10,466 $9,966 $18,026
2016 $5,302 $9,948 $7,526 $16,961
2015 $5,339 $9,476 $7,458 $17,903
2014 $4,975 $9,210 $8,926 $17,510
2013 $5,124 $9,101 $11,952 $21,151
2012 $5,341 $8,831 $14,976 $26,826
2011 $5,233 $8,809 $7,594 $15,698
2010 $4,810 $8,521 $11,601 $30,234
2009 $4,428 $8,580 $9,551 $29,027
2008 $5,030 $8,952 $13,906 $30,812
2007 $4,716 $8,893 $11,145 $30,929
2006 $4,417 $8,577 $10,049 $28,936
2005 $4,184 $8,127 $8,079 $26,903
2004 $3,808 $7,854 $5,774 $23,813
2003 $3,550 $7,593 $4,674 $22,663
2002 $3,681 $7,226 $3,718 $20,061
2001 $3,504 $7,019 $6,313 $20,332
2000 $3,453 $6,816 $7,214 $20,617
1999 $3,432 $6,653 $6,895 $19,769
1998 $3,419 $6,543 $5,301 $19,639
1997 $3,297 $6,682 $6,062 $20,439
1996 $2,929 $6,706 $5,591 $19,392
1995 $2,631 $6,657 $5,205 $18,952
1994 $2,203 $6,435 $5,933 $19,318
1993 $2,221 $6,279 $6,478 $18,904
1992 $1,458 $5,664 $7,303 $19,572
1991 $1,710 $5,485 $7,040 $20,085
1990 $1,930 $5,106 $6,502 $17,173
1989 $1,865 - $5,793 -
1988 $1,632 - $5,736 -
1987 $1,411 - $6,465 -
1986 $1,191 - $6,019 -
1985 $917 - $8,087 -
1984 $1,048 - $7,811 -
1983 $1,619 - $8,927 -
1982 $1,494 - $9,064 -
1981 $1,370 - $10,044 -
1980 $1,249 - $11,960 -
1979 $1,144 - $9,443 -
1978 $1,262 - $7,252 -
1977 $1,569 - $7,783 -
1976 $1,450 - $7,018 -
1975 $1,417 - $5,721 -
1974 $1,193 - $6,214 -
1973 $972 - $3,727 -
1972 $971 - $2,830 -
1971 $809 - $2,443 -
1970 $748 - $2,210 -
1969 $642 - $2,175 -
1968 $591 - $1,972 -
1967 $633 - $1,437 -
1966 $612 - $1,251 -
1965 $549 - $1,001 -
1964 $514 - $765 -
1963 $480 - $528 -
1962 $458 - $382 -
1961 $447 - $285.3 -
1960 $424 - $269 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/jamaica/libya | CC BY

Jamaica's GDP per capita is $7,754, ranking 95/197, compared to $6,569 in Libya, ranking 107/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Jamaica ranks 121st at $12,890, while Libya ranks 118th at $14,304.

Economic indicators

Jamaica Libya
Gross domestic product
$22B
2024
$48.5B
2024
GDP rank
124/197
2024
95/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.54%
2023-2024
1.9%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,754
2024
$6,569
2024
GDP per capita rank
95/197
2024
107/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,890
2024
$14,304
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
121/197
2024
118/197
2024
Government debt
$14B
2024
n/a
Debt-to-GDP ratio
63.4%
2024
n/a
Government debt per person
$4,917
2024
n/a
Government debt per person rank
79/185
2024
n/a
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,905
2026
$3,172
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$12.4B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
29.6%
2021
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2021
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
30.5%
2024
94.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
5.41%
2023-2024
2.13%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
5.75%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
3.02%
2023
30%
2004
Population
2834980
7559873

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Jamaica

Libya
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Jamaica Libya
2024 0.22% -25.1%
2023 0.04% 8.22%
2022 0.27% 23.6%
2021 0.89% 14.8%
2020 -2.83% -22.3%
2019 0.85% 11.9%
2018 1.12% 9.39%
2017 0.43% -11.1%
2016 -0.19% -29.3%
2015 -0.28% -28.5%
2014 -0.49% -30.5%
2013 0.12% -16.3%
2012 -4.05% 24.6%
2011 -6.34% -11.5%
2010 -6.27% 11.5%
2009 -11.1% -5.46%
2008 -7.43% 27.7%
2007 -3.82% 28.4%
2006 -4.9% 29.1%
2005 -3.3% 30.4%
2004 -4.68% 11.3%
2003 -5.67% 6.17%
2002 -6.77% 6.99%
2001 -4.89% 0.07%
2000 -0.8% 13.6%
1999 -3.53% 5.69%
1998 -5.82% -2.36%
1997 -6.54% -2.1%
1996 -5.32% 11.3%
1995 1.6% 3.8%
1994 2.59% -2.67%
1993 2.6% -5.77%
1992 3.11% 0.11%
1991 3.87% 8.41%
1990 2.34% 3.36%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/jamaica/libya | CC BY

In 2024, Jamaica's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $49.1M, equivalent to 0.22% of GDP. This compares to Libya's deficit of $12.1B, or 25.1% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Jamaica recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Libya ran a deficit in 13 years. On average, Jamaica posted an annual deficit equal to 2.14% of GDP, compared to surplus of 2.79% of GDP for Libya.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Jamaica

Libya
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Jamaica Libya
2024 5.41% 2.13%
2023 6.47% 2.37%
2022 10.3% 4.51%
2021 5.86% 2.87%
2020 5.23% 1.45%
2019 3.91% -2.16%
2018 3.74% 13.2%
2017 4.38% 25.8%
2016 2.35% 25.9%
2015 3.69% 10.4%
2014 8.27% 2.43%
2013 9.34% 2.61%
2012 6.87% 6.06%
2011 7.56% 15.5%
2010 12.6% 2.8%
2009 9.59% 2.46%
2008 22% 10.4%
2007 9.24% 6.25%
2006 8.56% 1.46%
2005 15.1% 2.65%
2004 13.6% -2.2%
2003 10.1% -2.19%
2002 7.08% -9.8%
2001 6.8% -8.81%
2000 8.17% -2.9%
1999 5.95% 2.65%
1998 8.63% 3.71%
1997 9.66% 3.55%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/jamaica/libya | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Jamaica has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 8.23%, compared with 4.39% in Libya. In 2024, inflation was 5.41% in Jamaica and 2.13% in Libya.

Balance of trade

Jamaica Libya
Current account balance
$679M
2024
$1.86B
2023
Current account balance ranking
56/190
2024
46/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.08%
2024
+4.24%
2023
Goods imports
$6.07B
2024
$23.2B
2023
Goods exports
$1.87B
2024
$37.1B
2023
Service imports
$3.46B
2024
$10.1B
2023
Service exports
$5.26B
2024
$642M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.1%
2019
56.8%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
38%
2019
72%
2024

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Jamaica Libya
Economic freedom 68.2 35.9
Economic freedom ranking 48/197 189/197
Property rights 66.8 6.3
Government integrity 49.4 10.3
Judicial effectiveness 75.6 4.9
Tax burden 76.3 95
Government spending 76 0
Fiscal health 92.2 19.9
Business freedom 68.5 32.4
Labor freedom 59.2 48.2
Monetary freedom 74.2 75.2
Trade freedom 70.4 80
Investment freedom 60 5
Financial freedom 50 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Jamaica
Libya
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Jamaica Libya
2026 68.2 -
2025 68.7 -
2024 68.1 -
2023 68.1 -
2022 67.4 -
2021 69 -
2020 68.5 -
2019 68.6 -
2018 69.1 -
2017 69.5 -
2016 67.5 -
2015 67.7 -
2014 66.7 -
2013 66.8 -
2012 65.1 35.9
2011 65.7 38.6
2010 65.5 40.2
2009 65.2 43.5
2008 65.7 38.7
2007 65.5 37
2006 66.4 33.2
2005 67 32.8
2004 66.7 31.5
2003 67 34.6
2002 61.7 35.4
2001 63.7 34
2000 65.5 34.7
1999 64.7 32.3
1998 67.1 32
1997 67.7 28.9
1996 66.7 31.7
1995 64.4 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/jamaica/libya | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Jamaica is 68.2, ranking 48/197, compared to 35.9 for Libya, ranking 189/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Jamaica Libya
Services, % of GDP
60%
2024
28.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
16.5%
2024
73.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
7.97%
2024
2.39%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.5B
2024
$50.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,690
2024
$15,400
2024
Total reserves including gold
$5.63B
2024
$92.9B
2024
Total reserves ranking
93/177
2024
29/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$304M
2024
-$795M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$305M
2024
$0
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.07M
2024
-$56.5M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
11.3%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
8.2%
2023
7.4%
2005
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22.6%
2019
14.3%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/jamaica/libya | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2004–2005, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.