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Economy of Jamaica vs Uganda compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Jamaica has a GDP of $22B compared to $53.9B for Uganda, ranking 124/197 and 89/197 by economy size, respectively.

Jamaica has $14B in government debt (63.4% of GDP), compared to $27.8B (51.5% of GDP) in Uganda.

Jamaica vs Uganda GDP by year

Jamaica
Uganda
1x
Year GDP, current $
Jamaica Uganda
2024 $22,014,397,090 $53,911,907,086
2023 $21,418,804,320 $48,768,955,863
2022 $18,813,516,805 $45,565,333,211
2021 $15,963,885,376 $40,529,788,749
2020 $15,000,214,216 $37,600,368,242
2019 $17,026,269,263 $35,353,061,003
2018 $16,855,447,986 $32,927,025,620
2017 $15,783,583,237 $30,744,473,841
2016 $14,898,999,754 $29,203,988,696
2015 $14,963,589,916 $32,387,183,730
2014 $13,899,217,680 $32,612,397,257
2013 $14,264,205,153 $28,915,786,517
2012 $14,807,086,556 $27,305,915,911
2011 $14,444,661,522 $27,871,725,241
2010 $13,220,549,908 $26,673,441,431
2009 $12,120,458,115 $25,127,805,567
2008 $13,709,401,520 $14,440,404,132
2007 $12,799,600,047 $11,902,564,495
2006 $11,930,179,090 $9,977,647,683
2005 $11,243,865,778 $9,239,221,763
2004 $10,174,664,854 $7,939,487,548
2003 $9,430,234,811 $6,606,884,275
2002 $9,719,009,495 $6,178,563,591
2001 $9,194,727,831 $5,840,503,869
2000 $9,005,064,475 $6,193,246,837
1999 $8,887,057,997 $5,998,563,258
1998 $8,787,195,622 $6,584,815,847
1997 $8,400,041,724 $6,269,333,313
1996 $7,393,891,921 $6,044,585,327
1995 $6,577,520,643 $5,755,818,842
1994 $5,452,558,947 $3,990,430,447
1993 $5,440,075,676 $3,220,439,044
1992 $3,535,460,090 $2,857,457,762
1991 $4,106,207,649 $3,321,729,160
1990 $4,592,208,087 $4,304,399,310
1989 $4,404,937,853 $5,276,480,799
1988 $3,828,342,820 $6,508,931,652
1987 $3,287,007,322 $6,269,522,042
1986 $2,754,549,582 $3,923,244,050
1985 $2,100,239,019 $3,519,695,444
1984 $2,373,564,549 $3,615,647,477
1983 $3,619,262,277 $2,240,333,333
1982 $3,293,496,312 $2,177,500,000
1981 $2,979,027,966 $1,337,300,000
1980 $2,679,379,372 $1,244,610,000
1979 $2,425,064,229 $2,139,025,000
1978 $2,644,527,822 $2,420,260,870
1977 $3,249,733,140 $2,936,470,588
1976 $2,966,042,856 $2,447,300,000
1975 $2,860,442,750 $2,359,555,556
1974 $2,375,122,375 $2,098,944,967
1973 $1,905,917,553 $1,701,829,789
1972 $1,875,146,587 $1,490,970,181
1971 $1,539,861,816 $1,417,191,656
1970 $1,404,720,442 $1,259,554,809
1969 $1,191,239,047 $1,168,556,629
1968 $1,083,839,133 $1,037,379,252
1967 $1,148,014,311 $967,240,655
1966 $1,096,759,561 $925,381,492
1965 $972,159,611 $884,502,310
1964 $897,949,001 $589,247,687
1963 $826,706,669 $516,315,231
1962 $777,727,689 $449,158,233
1961 $748,043,501 $441,667,335
1960 $699,064,380 $423,145,605

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

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

GDP per capita in Jamaica vs Uganda by year

Jamaica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Uganda
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Jamaica Uganda
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,754 $12,890 $1,078 $3,273
2023 $7,542 $12,651 $1,002 $3,098
2022 $6,626 $11,888 $963 $2,919
2021 $5,626 $10,431 $883 $2,685
2020 $5,299 $9,764 $846 $2,532
2019 $6,031 $10,845 $822 $2,441
2018 $5,977 $10,753 $792 $2,312
2017 $5,605 $10,466 $765 $2,158
2016 $5,302 $9,948 $753 $2,165
2015 $5,339 $9,476 $863 $2,190
2014 $4,975 $9,210 $896 $2,134
2013 $5,124 $9,101 $818 $2,045
2012 $5,341 $8,831 $795 $2,032
2011 $5,233 $8,809 $836 $2,268
2010 $4,810 $8,521 $823 $2,092
2009 $4,428 $8,580 $799 $2,015
2008 $5,030 $8,952 $473 $1,931
2007 $4,716 $8,893 $401 $1,795
2006 $4,417 $8,577 $347 $1,660
2005 $4,184 $8,127 $330 $1,497
2004 $3,808 $7,854 $292.4 $1,405
2003 $3,550 $7,593 $250.7 $1,320
2002 $3,681 $7,226 $242 $1,255
2001 $3,504 $7,019 $236 $1,173
2000 $3,453 $6,816 $258.1 $1,124
1999 $3,432 $6,653 $257.9 $1,100
1998 $3,419 $6,543 $292.5 $1,037
1997 $3,297 $6,682 $286.8 $1,007
1996 $2,929 $6,706 $284.7 $969
1995 $2,631 $6,657 $278.5 $897
1994 $2,203 $6,435 $198.4 $809
1993 $2,221 $6,279 $165.6 $770
1992 $1,458 $5,664 $152.1 $719
1991 $1,710 $5,485 $183 $703
1990 $1,930 $5,106 $245 $666
1989 $1,865 - $310 -
1988 $1,632 - $395 -
1987 $1,411 - $393 -
1986 $1,191 - $253.6 -
1985 $917 - $234.3 -
1984 $1,048 - $247.5 -
1983 $1,619 - $157.5 -
1982 $1,494 - $157 -
1981 $1,370 - $98.6 -
1980 $1,249 - $93.8 -
1979 $1,144 - $164.5 -
1978 $1,262 - $190.7 -
1977 $1,569 - $237.6 -
1976 $1,450 - $203.3 -
1975 $1,417 - $201.2 -
1974 $1,193 - $183.7 -
1973 $972 - $152.7 -
1972 $971 - $137 -
1971 $809 - $133.5 -
1970 $748 - $122 -
1969 $642 - $116.7 -
1968 $591 - $106.9 -
1967 $633 - $102.8 -
1966 $612 - $101.4 -
1965 $549 - $100 -
1964 $514 - $68.6 -
1963 $480 - $62 -
1962 $458 - $55.5 -
1961 $447 - $56.2 -
1960 $424 - $55.4 -

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

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

Jamaica's GDP per capita is $7,754, ranking 95/197, compared to $1,078 in Uganda, ranking 176/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Jamaica ranks 121st at $12,890, while Uganda ranks 176th at $3,273.

Economic indicators

Jamaica Uganda
Gross domestic product
$22B
2024
$53.9B
2024
GDP rank
124/197
2024
89/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.54%
2023-2024
6.06%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,754
2024
$1,078
2024
GDP per capita rank
95/197
2024
176/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,890
2024
$3,273
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
121/197
2024
176/197
2024
Government debt
$14B
2024
$27.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
63.4%
2024
51.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,917
2024
$555
2024
Government debt per person rank
79/185
2024
163/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,905
2026
$1,466
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$12.4B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
29.6%
2021
34.5%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2021
2.4%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
30.5%
2024
18.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
5.41%
2023-2024
3.3%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
5.75%
2025
9.75%
2024
Unemployment rate
3.02%
2023
3.42%
2021
Population
2834980
53170946

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Jamaica
Spending

Debt
Uganda
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Jamaica Uganda
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 30.5% 63.4% 18.7% 51.5%
2023 28% 67.3% 19.3% 50.5%
2022 28.4% 73.5% 19.5% 50.2%
2021 29% 90.9% 22% 50.3%
2020 29.8% 100.1% 21.4% 46.3%
2019 27.8% 88.6% 18.3% 37.5%
2018 27.8% 89.2% 16.2% 34.9%
2017 27.3% 96.7% 16.3% 33.6%
2016 27% 109.1% 15.2% 31.3%
2015 26.3% 117.6% 14.9% 28%
2014 26.5% 136.7% 13.6% 24.8%
2013 26.9% 138.1% 13.3% 22.1%
2012 29.6% 143% 13.1% 19.5%
2011 31.7% 138.1% 13.2% 18%
2010 32.9% 140.1% 15.4% 18.4%
2009 38.6% 141.5% 11.8% 14.8%
2008 34.4% 125.6% 12.9% 15.7%
2007 31.6% 115.3% 13.2% 17%
2006 31.2% 118% 13.7% 27.8%
2005 29.3% 124.5% 14.5% 42.6%
2004 31.5% 120.1% 15.6% 49%
2003 32.5% 125.5% 16.5% 55.1%
2002 31.1% 119.1% 16.8% 54.7%
2001 28.5% 107.9% 16.2% 51.4%
2000 26.2% 91.3% 15.2% 48.5%
1999 28.9% 83.5% 14.7% 47.7%
1998 28.3% 75.6% 14% 45.1%
1997 28.3% 74.4% 13.9% 44.2%
1996 27.7% 70.2% - -
1995 23.1% 85.2% - -
1994 21.5% 90.4% - -
1993 21.5% 106.2% - -
1992 20% 100.4% - -
1991 24.5% 175.1% - -
1990 25.7% 128.8% - -

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/uganda | CC BY

In 2024, Jamaica's government spending was $6.72B, accounting for 30.5% of its GDP, while Uganda spent $10.1B, or 18.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 63.4% in Jamaica and 51.5% in Uganda, ranking 73/185 and 103/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Jamaica

Uganda
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Jamaica Uganda
2024 0.22% -3.99%
2023 0.04% -4.87%
2022 0.27% -5.45%
2021 0.89% -7.76%
2020 -2.83% -7.76%
2019 0.85% -4.82%
2018 1.12% -3.02%
2017 0.43% -3.83%
2016 -0.19% -2.64%
2015 -0.28% -2.59%
2014 -0.49% -2.74%
2013 0.12% -3.19%
2012 -4.05% -2.39%
2011 -6.34% -2.04%
2010 -6.27% -4.64%
2009 -11.1% -1.61%
2008 -7.43% -1.99%
2007 -3.82% -0.82%
2006 -4.9% -0.64%
2005 -3.3% -0.17%
2004 -4.68% 0.34%
2003 -5.67% -0.97%
2002 -6.77% -2.07%
2001 -4.89% -0.99%
2000 -0.8% -0.62%
1999 -3.53% -1.24%
1998 -5.82% -0.7%
1997 -6.54% -0.83%
1996 -5.32% -
1995 1.6% -
1994 2.59% -
1993 2.6% -
1992 3.11% -
1991 3.87% -
1990 2.34% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/jamaica/uganda | 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 Uganda's deficit of $2.15B, or 3.99% of GDP.

Over the past 28 years, Jamaica recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Uganda ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, Jamaica posted an annual deficit equal to 3.06% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.64% of GDP for Uganda.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Jamaica

Uganda
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Jamaica Uganda
2024 5.41% 3.3%
2023 6.47% 5.4%
2022 10.3% 7.2%
2021 5.86% 2.2%
2020 5.23% 2.8%
2019 3.91% 2.1%
2018 3.74% 2.5%
2017 4.38% 5.6%
2016 2.35% 5.2%
2015 3.69% 3.7%
2014 8.27% 4.3%
2013 9.34% 5.5%
2012 6.87% 14%
2011 7.56% 18.7%
2010 12.6% 4%
2009 9.59% 13%
2008 22% 12%
2007 9.24% 6.1%
2006 8.56% 7.2%
2005 15.1% 8.6%
2004 13.6% 3.7%
2003 10.1% 8.7%
2002 7.08% -0.3%
2001 6.8% 1.9%
2000 8.17% 3.4%
1999 5.95% 5.8%
1998 8.63% 5.8%
1997 9.66% 7.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Jamaica has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 8.23%, compared with 6.08% in Uganda. In 2024, inflation was 5.41% in Jamaica and 3.3% in Uganda.

Top exports between countries

Jamaica
Export category Export value
Uganda
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $63K
Chemicals & pharma $1K
Metals $1K
Raw materials & minerals $1K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K

Balance of trade

Jamaica Uganda
Current account balance
$679M
2024
-$4.29B
2024
Current account balance ranking
56/190
2024
164/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.08%
2024
-7.96%
2024
Goods imports
$6.07B
2024
$11.7B
2024
Goods exports
$1.87B
2024
$8.67B
2024
Service imports
$3.46B
2024
$4.38B
2024
Service exports
$5.26B
2024
$2.39B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.1%
2019
25.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
38%
2019
16.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Jamaica Uganda
Economic freedom 68.2 52.4
Economic freedom ranking 48/197 149/197
Property rights 66.8 42.2
Government integrity 49.4 25.1
Judicial effectiveness 75.6 29.4
Tax burden 76.3 73.4
Government spending 76 89
Fiscal health 92.2 58.3
Business freedom 68.5 50.2
Labor freedom 59.2 55.9
Monetary freedom 74.2 77.1
Trade freedom 70.4 58
Investment freedom 60 30
Financial freedom 50 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Jamaica
Uganda
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Jamaica Uganda
2026 68.2 52.4
2025 68.7 51.3
2024 68.1 50.7
2023 68.1 51.4
2022 67.4 54.2
2021 69 58.6
2020 68.5 59.5
2019 68.6 59.7
2018 69.1 62
2017 69.5 60.9
2016 67.5 59.3
2015 67.7 59.7
2014 66.7 59.9
2013 66.8 61.1
2012 65.1 61.9
2011 65.7 61.7
2010 65.5 62.2
2009 65.2 63.5
2008 65.7 63.8
2007 65.5 63.1
2006 66.4 63.9
2005 67 62.9
2004 66.7 64.1
2003 67 60.1
2002 61.7 61
2001 63.7 60.4
2000 65.5 58.2
1999 64.7 64.8
1998 67.1 64.7
1997 67.7 66.6
1996 66.7 66.2
1995 64.4 62.9

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Jamaica is 68.2, ranking 48/197, compared to 52.4 for Uganda, ranking 149/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Jamaica Uganda
Services, % of GDP
60%
2024
43.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
16.5%
2024
24.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
7.97%
2024
24.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.5B
2024
$50.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,690
2024
$3,190
2024
Total reserves including gold
$5.63B
2024
$3.36B
2018
Total reserves ranking
93/177
2024
114/177
2018
Net foreign direct investment
-$304M
2024
-$3.26B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$305M
2024
$3.26B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.07M
2024
$400K
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
11.3%
2024
2.96%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
8.2%
2023
20.3%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22.6%
2019
22.4%
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/uganda | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2021, 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.