Skip to content

Economy of Jamaica vs Papua New Guinea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Jamaica has a GDP of $22B compared to $31.8B for Papua New Guinea, ranking 124/197 and 110/197 by economy size, respectively.

Jamaica has $14B in government debt (63.4% of GDP), compared to $16.6B (52.1% of GDP) in Papua New Guinea.

Jamaica vs Papua New Guinea GDP by year

Jamaica
Papua New Guinea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Jamaica Papua New Guinea
2024 $22,014,397,090 $31,800,428,266
2023 $21,418,804,320 $30,816,367,067
2022 $18,813,516,805 $31,653,185,953
2021 $15,963,885,376 $26,109,413,521
2020 $15,000,214,216 $23,848,447,850
2019 $17,026,269,263 $24,750,626,030
2018 $16,855,447,986 $24,109,780,708
2017 $15,783,583,237 $22,742,699,138
2016 $14,898,999,754 $20,758,876,953
2015 $14,963,589,916 $21,723,437,010
2014 $13,899,217,680 $23,210,823,987
2013 $14,264,205,153 $21,261,338,065
2012 $14,807,086,556 $21,295,168,666
2011 $14,444,661,522 $17,985,138,066
2010 $13,220,549,908 $14,250,786,675
2009 $12,120,458,115 $11,619,456,449
2008 $13,709,401,520 $11,670,892,801
2007 $12,799,600,047 $9,545,028,944
2006 $11,930,179,090 $8,354,911,041
2005 $11,243,865,778 $4,865,892,972
2004 $10,174,664,854 $3,927,157,867
2003 $9,430,234,811 $3,536,411,824
2002 $9,719,009,495 $2,999,511,040
2001 $9,194,727,831 $3,081,024,212
2000 $9,005,064,475 $3,521,339,699
1999 $8,887,057,997 $3,477,038,204
1998 $8,787,195,622 $3,789,443,015
1997 $8,400,041,724 $4,936,615,299
1996 $7,393,891,921 $5,155,311,077
1995 $6,577,520,643 $4,636,057,476
1994 $5,452,558,947 $5,502,786,070
1993 $5,440,075,676 $4,974,550,286
1992 $3,535,460,090 $4,377,980,510
1991 $4,106,207,649 $3,787,394,958
1990 $4,592,208,087 $3,219,729,083
1989 $4,404,937,853 $3,546,472,566
1988 $3,828,342,820 $3,656,177,881
1987 $3,287,007,322 $3,143,851,794
1986 $2,754,549,582 $2,647,995,602
1985 $2,100,239,019 $2,423,339,172
1984 $2,373,564,549 $2,552,662,617
1983 $3,619,262,277 $2,562,351,551
1982 $3,293,496,312 $2,368,719,683
1981 $2,979,027,966 $2,498,190,847
1980 $2,679,379,372 $2,545,808,456
1979 $2,425,064,229 $2,293,760,511
1978 $2,644,527,822 $1,947,878,831
1977 $3,249,733,140 $1,640,746,619
1976 $2,966,042,856 $1,511,843,235
1975 $2,860,442,750 $1,356,603,608
1974 $2,375,122,375 $1,467,417,672
1973 $1,905,917,553 $1,299,079,410
1972 $1,875,146,587 $858,761,926
1971 $1,539,861,816 $717,750,278
1970 $1,404,720,442 $645,568,215
1969 $1,191,239,047 $551,263,864
1968 $1,083,839,133 $485,184,190
1967 $1,148,014,311 $441,728,183
1966 $1,096,759,561 $390,992,063
1965 $972,159,611 $344,176,055
1964 $897,949,001 $305,312,049
1963 $826,706,669 $275,968,044
1962 $777,727,689 $261,184,042
1961 $748,043,501 $244,832,039
1960 $699,064,380 $230,496,037

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

GeoRank.org/economy/jamaica/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

GDP per capita in Jamaica vs Papua New Guinea by year

Jamaica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Papua New Guinea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Jamaica Papua New Guinea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,754 $12,890 $3,007 $4,875
2023 $7,542 $12,651 $2,966 $4,668
2022 $6,626 $11,888 $3,102 $4,420
2021 $5,626 $10,431 $2,608 $3,977
2020 $5,299 $9,764 $2,430 $3,900
2019 $6,031 $10,845 $2,576 $4,060
2018 $5,977 $10,753 $2,566 $3,910
2017 $5,605 $10,466 $2,478 $3,923
2016 $5,302 $9,948 $2,316 $3,813
2015 $5,339 $9,476 $2,485 $3,670
2014 $4,975 $9,210 $2,723 $3,500
2013 $5,124 $9,101 $2,561 $3,110
2012 $5,341 $8,831 $2,635 $3,026
2011 $5,233 $8,809 $2,288 $2,919
2010 $4,810 $8,521 $1,867 $2,912
2009 $4,428 $8,580 $1,569 $2,692
2008 $5,030 $8,952 $1,625 $2,583
2007 $4,716 $8,893 $1,371 $2,622
2006 $4,417 $8,577 $1,238 $2,444
2005 $4,184 $8,127 $744 $2,322
2004 $3,808 $7,854 $621 $2,187
2003 $3,550 $7,593 $577 $2,142
2002 $3,681 $7,226 $506 $2,125
2001 $3,504 $7,019 $538 $2,168
2000 $3,453 $6,816 $636 $2,196
1999 $3,432 $6,653 $650 $2,280
1998 $3,419 $6,543 $733 $2,285
1997 $3,297 $6,682 $990 $2,432
1996 $2,929 $6,706 $1,071 $2,578
1995 $2,631 $6,657 $998 $2,436
1994 $2,203 $6,435 $1,228 $2,558
1993 $2,221 $6,279 $1,151 $2,451
1992 $1,458 $5,664 $1,051 $2,100
1991 $1,710 $5,485 $942 $1,869
1990 $1,930 $5,106 $826 $1,703
1989 $1,865 - $934 -
1988 $1,632 - $985 -
1987 $1,411 - $865 -
1986 $1,191 - $745 -
1985 $917 - $697 -
1984 $1,048 - $750 -
1983 $1,619 - $769 -
1982 $1,494 - $726 -
1981 $1,370 - $781 -
1980 $1,249 - $813 -
1979 $1,144 - $748 -
1978 $1,262 - $648 -
1977 $1,569 - $558 -
1976 $1,450 - $525 -
1975 $1,417 - $482 -
1974 $1,193 - $533 -
1973 $972 - $483 -
1972 $971 - $327 -
1971 $809 - $279.7 -
1970 $748 - $257.6 -
1969 $642 - $225.3 -
1968 $591 - $202.9 -
1967 $633 - $189 -
1966 $612 - $171.1 -
1965 $549 - $153.9 -
1964 $514 - $139.5 -
1963 $480 - $128.9 -
1962 $458 - $124.7 -
1961 $447 - $119.7 -
1960 $424 - $115.5 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/jamaica/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Jamaica's GDP per capita is $7,754, ranking 95/197, compared to $3,007 in Papua New Guinea, ranking 140/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Jamaica ranks 121st at $12,890, while Papua New Guinea ranks 159th at $4,875.

Economic indicators

Jamaica Papua New Guinea
Gross domestic product
$22B
2024
$31.8B
2024
GDP rank
124/197
2024
110/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.54%
2023-2024
3.8%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,754
2024
$3,007
2024
GDP per capita rank
95/197
2024
140/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,890
2024
$4,875
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
121/197
2024
159/197
2024
Government debt
$14B
2024
$16.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
63.4%
2024
52.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,917
2024
$1,566
2024
Government debt per person rank
79/185
2024
129/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,905
2026
$2,362
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$12.4B
2024
$1.68B
2017
Income share by richest 10%
29.6%
2021
31%
2009
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2021
1.9%
2009
Government expenditure, % of GDP
30.5%
2024
20.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
5.41%
2023-2024
0.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
5.75%
2025
5%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.02%
2023
2.69%
2022
Population
2834980
11002753

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Jamaica
Spending

Debt
Papua New Guinea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Jamaica Papua New Guinea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 30.5% 63.4% 20.4% 52.1%
2023 28% 67.3% 22.3% 53.9%
2022 28.4% 73.5% 21.9% 48.2%
2021 29% 90.9% 22% 52.6%
2020 29.8% 100.1% 23.5% 48.7%
2019 27.8% 88.6% 21.3% 38.2%
2018 27.8% 89.2% 20.3% 36.7%
2017 27.3% 96.7% 18.4% 32.5%
2016 27% 109.1% 20.9% 33.7%
2015 26.3% 117.6% 22.8% 29.9%
2014 26.5% 136.7% 27.1% 26.9%
2013 26.9% 138.1% 27.6% 24.9%
2012 29.6% 143% 22.4% 19.1%
2011 31.7% 138.1% 19.7% 16.3%
2010 32.9% 140.1% 18.4% 17.3%
2009 38.6% 141.5% 24.7% 21.7%
2008 34.4% 125.6% 19.8% 21.6%
2007 31.6% 115.3% 18% 22.2%
2006 31.2% 118% 19.4% 26%
2005 29.3% 124.5% 20.6% 31.6%
2004 31.5% 120.1% 19.4% 37.2%
2003 32.5% 125.5% 18.7% 40.4%
2002 31.1% 119.1% 20.8% 48.4%
2001 28.5% 107.9% 21.6% 47.7%
2000 26.2% 91.3% 20.5% 42.3%
1999 28.9% 83.5% 21.4% 41.8%
1998 28.3% 75.6% 20% 45.7%
1997 28.3% 74.4% 20.6% 43.9%
1996 27.7% 70.2% 17.6% 37.8%
1995 23.1% 85.2% 17.1% 36.6%
1994 21.5% 90.4% 19.3% 40.1%
1993 21.5% 106.2% 23.5% 30%
1992 20% 100.4% 22.8% 30.4%
1991 24.5% 175.1% 22.4% -
1990 25.7% 128.8% 24.5% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/jamaica/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

In 2024, Jamaica's government spending was $6.72B, accounting for 30.5% of its GDP, while Papua New Guinea spent $6.48B, or 20.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 63.4% in Jamaica and 52.1% in Papua New Guinea, ranking 73/185 and 100/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Jamaica

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Jamaica Papua New Guinea
2024 0.22% -3.23%
2023 0.04% -4.34%
2022 0.27% -5.25%
2021 0.89% -6.84%
2020 -2.83% -8.85%
2019 0.85% -4.98%
2018 1.12% -2.58%
2017 0.43% -2.47%
2016 -0.19% -4.75%
2015 -0.28% -4.55%
2014 -0.49% -6.27%
2013 0.12% -6.87%
2012 -4.05% -1.19%
2011 -6.34% 2.22%
2010 -6.27% 3.06%
2009 -11.1% -5.48%
2008 -7.43% 2.73%
2007 -3.82% 6.9%
2006 -4.9% 5.34%
2005 -3.3% 2.85%
2004 -4.68% 2.03%
2003 -5.67% 0.19%
2002 -6.77% -1.75%
2001 -4.89% -1.33%
2000 -0.8% 0.3%
1999 -3.53% -1.94%
1998 -5.82% -0.16%
1997 -6.54% 0.67%
1996 -5.32% 2.05%
1995 1.6% 1.08%
1994 2.59% -1.01%
1993 2.6% -4.9%
1992 3.11% -4.33%
1991 3.87% -0.62%
1990 2.34% -2.04%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/jamaica/papua-new-guinea | 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 Papua New Guinea's deficit of $1.03B, or 3.23% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Jamaica recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Papua New Guinea ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Jamaica posted an annual deficit equal to 2.14% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.61% of GDP for Papua New Guinea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Jamaica

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Jamaica Papua New Guinea
2024 5.41% 0.6%
2023 6.47% 2.3%
2022 10.3% 5.25%
2021 5.86% 4.48%
2020 5.23% 4.87%
2019 3.91% 3.93%
2018 3.74% 4.37%
2017 4.38% 5.42%
2016 2.35% 6.67%
2015 3.69% 6%
2014 8.27% 5.22%
2013 9.34% 4.96%
2012 6.87% 4.54%
2011 7.56% 4.44%
2010 12.6% 6.01%
2009 9.59% 6.92%
2008 22% 10.8%
2007 9.24% 0.91%
2006 8.56% 2.37%
2005 15.1% 1.78%
2004 13.6% 2.16%
2003 10.1% 14.7%
2002 7.08% 11.8%
2001 6.8% 9.3%
2000 8.17% 15.6%
1999 5.95% 14.9%
1998 8.63% 13.6%
1997 9.66% 3.96%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/jamaica/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Jamaica has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 8.23%, compared with 6.35% in Papua New Guinea. In 2024, inflation was 5.41% in Jamaica and 0.6% in Papua New Guinea.

Top exports between countries

Jamaica
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $27K
Textiles & consumer goods $2K
Raw agricultural goods $1K
Papua New Guinea
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $1K

Balance of trade

Jamaica Papua New Guinea
Current account balance
$679M
2024
$4.77B
2024
Current account balance ranking
56/190
2024
33/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.08%
2024
+15%
2024
Goods imports
$6.07B
2024
$4.69B
2024
Goods exports
$1.87B
2024
$13.4B
2024
Service imports
$3.46B
2024
$2.4B
2024
Service exports
$5.26B
2024
$75.2M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.1%
2019
58.9%
2004
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
38%
2019
72.2%
2004

Economic freedom indices

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

Jamaica Papua New Guinea
Economic freedom 68.2 54.3
Economic freedom ranking 48/197 134/197
Property rights 66.8 45
Government integrity 49.4 30.8
Judicial effectiveness 75.6 41.1
Tax burden 76.3 70.9
Government spending 76 86.1
Fiscal health 92.2 65.3
Business freedom 68.5 34.2
Labor freedom 59.2 65.1
Monetary freedom 74.2 77.4
Trade freedom 70.4 80.2
Investment freedom 60 25
Financial freedom 50 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Jamaica
Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Jamaica Papua New Guinea
2026 68.2 54.3
2025 68.7 52.5
2024 68.1 49.4
2023 68.1 51.7
2022 67.4 54.6
2021 69 58.9
2020 68.5 58.4
2019 68.6 58.4
2018 69.1 55.7
2017 69.5 50.9
2016 67.5 53.2
2015 67.7 53.1
2014 66.7 53.9
2013 66.8 53.6
2012 65.1 53.8
2011 65.7 52.6
2010 65.5 53.5
2009 65.2 54.8
2008 65.7 -
2007 65.5 -
2006 66.4 -
2005 67 -
2004 66.7 -
2003 67 -
2002 61.7 -
2001 63.7 57.2
2000 65.5 55.8
1999 64.7 56.3
1998 67.1 55.2
1997 67.7 56.7
1996 66.7 58.6
1995 64.4 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/jamaica/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Jamaica is 68.2, ranking 48/197, compared to 54.3 for Papua New Guinea, ranking 134/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Jamaica Papua New Guinea
Services, % of GDP
60%
2024
41.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
16.5%
2024
37.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
7.97%
2024
17.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.5B
2024
$30.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,690
2024
$4,580
2024
Total reserves including gold
$5.63B
2024
$3.9B
2023
Total reserves ranking
93/177
2024
107/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$304M
2024
$968M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$305M
2024
-$198M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.07M
2024
$770M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
11.3%
2024
19.7%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
8.2%
2023
39.9%
2009
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22.6%
2019
20%
2004

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/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. 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.