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Economy of Jamaica vs Sri Lanka compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Jamaica has a GDP of $22B compared to $99B for Sri Lanka, ranking 124/197 and 72/197 by economy size, respectively.

Jamaica has $14B in government debt (63.4% of GDP), compared to $99.8B (100.8% of GDP) in Sri Lanka.

Jamaica vs Sri Lanka GDP by year

Jamaica
Sri Lanka
1x
Year GDP, current $
Jamaica Sri Lanka
2024 $22,014,397,090 $98,963,185,510
2023 $21,418,804,320 $83,716,142,582
2022 $18,813,516,805 $74,143,020,263
2021 $15,963,885,376 $88,556,698,938
2020 $15,000,214,216 $84,335,574,582
2019 $17,026,269,263 $88,998,706,297
2018 $16,855,447,986 $94,450,015,983
2017 $15,783,583,237 $94,369,350,286
2016 $14,898,999,754 $88,000,211,172
2015 $14,963,589,916 $85,090,301,052
2014 $13,899,217,680 $82,531,125,191
2013 $14,264,205,153 $76,976,203,829
2012 $14,807,086,556 $70,447,217,164
2011 $14,444,661,522 $67,753,285,897
2010 $13,220,549,908 $58,636,049,434
2009 $12,120,458,115 $42,066,224,093
2008 $13,709,401,520 $40,713,826,215
2007 $12,799,600,047 $32,350,238,760
2006 $11,930,179,090 $28,267,410,543
2005 $11,243,865,778 $24,405,791,045
2004 $10,174,664,854 $20,662,525,941
2003 $9,430,234,811 $18,881,765,437
2002 $9,719,009,495 $16,536,535,647
2001 $9,194,727,831 $15,749,753,805
2000 $9,005,064,475 $16,595,882,819
1999 $8,887,057,997 $15,711,933,513
1998 $8,787,195,622 $15,760,736,956
1997 $8,400,041,724 $15,091,913,884
1996 $7,393,891,921 $13,897,738,375
1995 $6,577,520,643 $13,029,697,561
1994 $5,452,558,947 $11,717,604,209
1993 $5,440,075,676 $10,338,679,636
1992 $3,535,460,090 $9,703,011,636
1991 $4,106,207,649 $9,000,362,582
1990 $4,592,208,087 $8,032,551,173
1989 $4,404,937,853 $6,987,267,684
1988 $3,828,342,820 $6,978,371,581
1987 $3,287,007,322 $6,682,167,120
1986 $2,754,549,582 $6,405,210,564
1985 $2,100,239,019 $5,978,460,972
1984 $2,373,564,549 $6,043,474,843
1983 $3,619,262,277 $5,167,913,302
1982 $3,293,496,312 $4,768,765,017
1981 $2,979,027,966 $4,415,844,156
1980 $2,679,379,372 $4,024,621,900
1979 $2,425,064,229 $3,364,611,432
1978 $2,644,527,822 $2,733,183,857
1977 $3,249,733,140 $4,104,509,583
1976 $2,966,042,856 $3,591,319,857
1975 $2,860,442,750 $3,791,298,146
1974 $2,375,122,375 $3,574,586,466
1973 $1,905,917,553 $2,875,625,000
1972 $1,875,146,587 $2,553,936,348
1971 $1,539,861,816 $2,369,308,600
1970 $1,404,720,442 $2,296,470,588
1969 $1,191,239,047 $1,965,546,218
1968 $1,083,839,133 $1,801,344,538
1967 $1,148,014,311 $1,859,465,021
1966 $1,096,759,561 $1,751,470,588
1965 $972,159,611 $1,698,319,328
1964 $897,949,001 $1,309,747,899
1963 $826,706,669 $1,240,672,269
1962 $777,727,689 $1,434,156,379
1961 $748,043,501 $1,444,327,731
1960 $699,064,380 $1,409,873,950

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

GeoRank.org/economy/jamaica/sri-lanka | CC BY

GDP per capita in Jamaica vs Sri Lanka by year

Jamaica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sri Lanka
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Jamaica Sri Lanka
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,754 $12,890 $4,516 $15,633
2023 $7,542 $12,651 $3,799 $14,456
2022 $6,626 $11,888 $3,343 $14,194
2021 $5,626 $10,431 $3,997 $14,316
2020 $5,299 $9,764 $3,848 $12,941
2019 $6,031 $10,845 $4,082 $14,113
2018 $5,977 $10,753 $4,359 $14,178
2017 $5,605 $10,466 $4,399 $13,610
2016 $5,302 $9,948 $4,149 $13,079
2015 $5,339 $9,476 $4,058 $12,227
2014 $4,975 $9,210 $3,972 $11,721
2013 $5,124 $9,101 $3,739 $11,253
2012 $5,341 $8,831 $3,328 $10,249
2011 $5,233 $8,809 $3,225 $9,076
2010 $4,810 $8,521 $2,808 $8,234
2009 $4,428 $8,580 $2,027 $7,576
2008 $5,030 $8,952 $1,974 $7,317
2007 $4,716 $8,893 $1,579 $6,820
2006 $4,417 $8,577 $1,389 $6,261
2005 $4,184 $8,127 $1,207 $5,679
2004 $3,808 $7,854 $1,029 $5,216
2003 $3,550 $7,593 $946 $4,850
2002 $3,681 $7,226 $835 $4,522
2001 $3,504 $7,019 $804 $4,328
2000 $3,453 $6,816 $860 $4,368
1999 $3,432 $6,653 $829 $4,103
1998 $3,419 $6,543 $848 $3,952
1997 $3,297 $6,682 $827 $3,804
1996 $2,929 $6,706 $776 $3,582
1995 $2,631 $6,657 $742 $3,454
1994 $2,203 $6,435 $678 $3,260
1993 $2,221 $6,279 $607 $3,067
1992 $1,458 $5,664 $580 $2,851
1991 $1,710 $5,485 $546 $2,713
1990 $1,930 $5,106 $491 $2,527
1989 $1,865 - $430 -
1988 $1,632 - $434 -
1987 $1,411 - $420 -
1986 $1,191 - $407 -
1985 $917 - $385 -
1984 $1,048 - $391 -
1983 $1,619 - $336 -
1982 $1,494 - $312 -
1981 $1,370 - $292.5 -
1980 $1,249 - $271.1 -
1979 $1,144 - $230.8 -
1978 $1,262 - $191 -
1977 $1,569 - $292.1 -
1976 $1,450 - $260.3 -
1975 $1,417 - $279.8 -
1974 $1,193 - $268.7 -
1973 $972 - $220.2 -
1972 $971 - $199.4 -
1971 $809 - $188.8 -
1970 $748 - $186.9 -
1969 $642 - $163.6 -
1968 $591 - $153.5 -
1967 $633 - $162.3 -
1966 $612 - $156.6 -
1965 $549 - $155.6 -
1964 $514 - $122.9 -
1963 $480 - $119.4 -
1962 $458 - $141.4 -
1961 $447 - $145.9 -
1960 $424 - $145.9 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/jamaica/sri-lanka | CC BY

Jamaica's GDP per capita is $7,754, ranking 95/197, compared to $4,516 in Sri Lanka, ranking 124/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Jamaica ranks 121st at $12,890, while Sri Lanka ranks 111th at $15,633.

Economic indicators

Jamaica Sri Lanka
Gross domestic product
$22B
2024
$99B
2024
GDP rank
124/197
2024
72/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.54%
2023-2024
5.01%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,754
2024
$4,516
2024
GDP per capita rank
95/197
2024
124/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,890
2024
$15,633
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
121/197
2024
111/197
2024
Government debt
$14B
2024
$99.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
63.4%
2024
100.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,917
2024
$4,554
2024
Government debt per person rank
79/185
2024
85/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,905
2026
$2,874
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$12.4B
2024
$19.5B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
29.6%
2021
30.8%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2021
3.1%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
30.5%
2024
19.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
5.41%
2023-2024
-0.43%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
5.75%
2025
7.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.02%
2023
4.67%
2023
Population
2834980
22185425

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Jamaica
Spending

Debt
Sri Lanka
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Jamaica Sri Lanka
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 30.5% 63.4% 19.3% 100.8%
2023 28% 67.3% 19.5% 110.4%
2022 28.4% 73.5% 18.6% 115.9%
2021 29% 90.9% 20% 102.7%
2020 29.8% 100.1% 22.1% 96.9%
2019 27.8% 88.6% 19.5% 82.6%
2018 27.8% 89.2% 17.5% 83.6%
2017 27.3% 96.7% 17.9% 72.3%
2016 27% 109.1% 18.2% 75%
2015 26.3% 117.6% 19.3% 76.3%
2014 26.5% 136.7% 17.2% 69.6%
2013 26.9% 138.1% 16.6% 69.5%
2012 29.6% 143% 17.3% 67.5%
2011 31.7% 138.1% 19.1% 69.4%
2010 32.9% 140.1% 19.3% 68.7%
2009 38.6% 141.5% 21% 72.8%
2008 34.4% 125.6% 19.1% 68.8%
2007 31.6% 115.3% 19.9% 71.8%
2006 31.2% 118% 20.5% 74.3%
2005 29.3% 124.5% 20.1% 76.6%
2004 31.5% 120.1% 19.3% 86.5%
2003 32.5% 125.5% 19.3% 86.5%
2002 31.1% 119.1% 20.8% 96.3%
2001 28.5% 107.9% 22.4% 84.4%
2000 26.2% 91.3% 21.7% 79.2%
1999 28.9% 83.5% 20.5% 77.7%
1998 28.3% 75.6% 21.4% 74.2%
1997 28.3% 74.4% 21.4% 70.1%
1996 27.7% 70.2% 23.1% 76.2%
1995 23.1% 85.2% 24.8% 77.8%
1994 21.5% 90.4% 24.1% 77.9%
1993 21.5% 106.2% 23.2% 79.2%
1992 20% 100.4% 23% 77.9%
1991 24.5% 175.1% 26.4% 80.5%
1990 25.7% 128.8% 25.4% 78.9%

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/sri-lanka | CC BY

In 2024, Jamaica's government spending was $6.72B, accounting for 30.5% of its GDP, while Sri Lanka spent $19.1B, or 19.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 63.4% in Jamaica and 100.8% in Sri Lanka, ranking 73/185 and 23/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Jamaica

Sri Lanka
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Jamaica Sri Lanka
2024 0.22% -5.64%
2023 0.04% -8.32%
2022 0.27% -10.2%
2021 0.89% -11.7%
2020 -2.83% -13.4%
2019 0.85% -7.52%
2018 1.12% -4.96%
2017 0.43% -5.1%
2016 -0.19% -5%
2015 -0.28% -6.64%
2014 -0.49% -5.99%
2013 0.12% -5%
2012 -4.05% -5.44%
2011 -6.34% -6.01%
2010 -6.27% -6.73%
2009 -11.1% -8.33%
2008 -7.43% -5.93%
2007 -3.82% -5.81%
2006 -4.9% -5.91%
2005 -3.3% -5.93%
2004 -4.68% -6.32%
2003 -5.67% -6.15%
2002 -6.77% -6.9%
2001 -4.89% -8.48%
2000 -0.8% -7.78%
1999 -3.53% -5.58%
1998 -5.82% -6.79%
1997 -6.54% -5.71%
1996 -5.32% -6.89%
1995 1.6% -7.11%
1994 2.59% -7.41%
1993 2.6% -5.77%
1992 3.11% -4.95%
1991 3.87% -7.97%
1990 2.34% -6.39%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/jamaica/sri-lanka | 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 Sri Lanka's deficit of $5.58B, or 5.64% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Jamaica recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Sri Lanka ran a deficit in 35 years. On average, Jamaica posted an annual deficit equal to 2.14% of GDP, compared to deficit of 6.85% of GDP for Sri Lanka.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Jamaica

Sri Lanka
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Jamaica Sri Lanka
2024 5.41% -0.43%
2023 6.47% 16.5%
2022 10.3% 49.7%
2021 5.86% 7.01%
2020 5.23% 6.15%
2019 3.91% 3.53%
2018 3.74% 2.14%
2017 4.38% 7.7%
2016 2.35% 3.96%
2015 3.69% 3.77%
2014 8.27% 3.18%
2013 9.34% 6.91%
2012 6.87% 7.54%
2011 7.56% 6.72%
2010 12.6% 6.22%
2009 9.59% 3.46%
2008 22% 22.6%
2007 9.24% 15.8%
2006 8.56% 10%
2005 15.1% 11.6%
2004 13.6% 7.58%
2003 10.1% 6.31%
2002 7.08% 9.55%
2001 6.8% 14.2%
2000 8.17% 6.18%
1999 5.95% 4.69%
1998 8.63% 9.36%
1997 9.66% 9.57%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/jamaica/sri-lanka | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Jamaica has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 8.23%, compared with 9.34% in Sri Lanka. In 2024, inflation was 5.41% in Jamaica and -0.43% in Sri Lanka.

Top exports between countries

Jamaica
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $3K
Miscellaneous $1K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K
Sri Lanka
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.78M
Wood & paper products $1.05M
Raw materials & minerals $687K
Machinery & equipment $307K
Raw agricultural goods $40K
Textiles & consumer goods $16K
Miscellaneous $15K

Balance of trade

Jamaica Sri Lanka
Current account balance
$679M
2024
$1.21B
2024
Current account balance ranking
56/190
2024
53/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.08%
2024
+1.22%
2024
Goods imports
$6.07B
2024
$18.8B
2024
Goods exports
$1.87B
2024
$12.8B
2024
Service imports
$3.46B
2024
$3.48B
2024
Service exports
$5.26B
2024
$6.91B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.1%
2019
22.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
38%
2019
19.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Jamaica Sri Lanka
Economic freedom 68.2 50.3
Economic freedom ranking 48/197 162/197
Property rights 66.8 47.3
Government integrity 49.4 37.3
Judicial effectiveness 75.6 47.2
Tax burden 76.3 77
Government spending 76 89
Fiscal health 92.2 0
Business freedom 68.5 60.1
Labor freedom 59.2 54.3
Monetary freedom 74.2 65.9
Trade freedom 70.4 65.6
Investment freedom 60 30
Financial freedom 50 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Jamaica
Sri Lanka
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Jamaica Sri Lanka
2026 68.2 50.3
2025 68.7 49.4
2024 68.1 49.2
2023 68.1 52.2
2022 67.4 53.3
2021 69 55.7
2020 68.5 57.4
2019 68.6 56.4
2018 69.1 57.8
2017 69.5 57.4
2016 67.5 59.9
2015 67.7 58.6
2014 66.7 60
2013 66.8 60.7
2012 65.1 58.3
2011 65.7 57.1
2010 65.5 54.6
2009 65.2 56
2008 65.7 58.4
2007 65.5 59.4
2006 66.4 58.7
2005 67 61
2004 66.7 61.6
2003 67 62.5
2002 61.7 64
2001 63.7 66
2000 65.5 63.2
1999 64.7 64
1998 67.1 64.6
1997 67.7 65.5
1996 66.7 62.5
1995 64.4 60.6

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

GeoRank.org/economy/jamaica/sri-lanka | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Jamaica is 68.2, ranking 48/197, compared to 50.3 for Sri Lanka, ranking 162/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Jamaica Sri Lanka
Services, % of GDP
60%
2024
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
16.5%
2024
25.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
7.97%
2024
8.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.5B
2024
$84.6B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,690
2024
$15,240
2024
Total reserves including gold
$5.63B
2024
$6.09B
2024
Total reserves ranking
93/177
2024
92/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$304M
2024
-$651M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$305M
2024
$761M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.07M
2024
$110M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
11.3%
2024
4.98%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
8.2%
2023
14.3%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22.6%
2019
27%
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/sri-lanka | 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. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.