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Economy of Jamaica vs Uruguay compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Jamaica has a GDP of $22.7B compared to $85.3B for Uruguay, ranking 125/197 and 84/197 by economy size, respectively.

Jamaica has $15.4B in government debt (67.7% of GDP), compared to $56B (65.7% of GDP) in Uruguay.

Jamaica vs Uruguay GDP by year

Jamaica
Uruguay
1x
Year GDP, current $
Jamaica Uruguay
2025 $22,704,903,218 $85,347,696,278
2024 $22,014,429,051 $82,322,859,144
2023 $21,418,797,833 $79,208,725,900
2022 $18,813,516,805 $71,240,669,088
2021 $15,963,885,376 $60,739,061,281
2020 $15,000,214,216 $53,559,354,501
2019 $17,026,269,263 $62,222,324,965
2018 $16,855,447,986 $65,344,577,416
2017 $15,783,583,237 $65,006,039,810
2016 $14,898,999,754 $57,480,787,465
2015 $14,963,589,916 $57,680,327,999
2014 $13,899,217,680 $61,496,186,974
2013 $14,264,205,153 $61,337,621,934
2012 $14,807,086,556 $54,232,266,359
2011 $14,444,661,522 $50,342,406,067
2010 $13,220,549,908 $41,950,361,212
2009 $12,120,458,115 $32,708,319,078
2008 $13,709,401,520 $31,119,602,539
2007 $12,799,600,047 $23,797,773,024
2006 $11,930,179,090 $19,741,420,740
2005 $11,243,865,778 $17,362,857,684
2004 $10,174,664,854 $13,686,329,890
2003 $9,430,234,811 $12,045,638,352
2002 $9,719,009,495 $13,606,515,723
2001 $9,194,727,831 $20,898,761,742
2000 $9,005,064,475 $22,823,270,892
1999 $8,887,057,997 $23,983,945,191
1998 $8,787,195,622 $25,385,886,978
1997 $8,400,041,724 $23,969,739,234
1996 $7,393,891,921 $20,515,458,114
1995 $6,577,520,643 $19,297,663,097
1994 $5,452,558,947 $17,474,588,896
1993 $5,440,075,676 $15,002,136,971
1992 $3,535,460,090 $12,878,148,791
1991 $4,106,207,649 $11,206,176,651
1990 $4,592,208,087 $9,298,807,850
1989 $4,404,937,853 $8,438,951,476
1988 $3,828,342,820 $8,213,538,369
1987 $3,287,007,322 $7,367,494,080
1986 $2,754,549,582 $5,880,112,788
1985 $2,100,239,019 $4,732,017,873
1984 $2,373,564,549 $4,850,238,550
1983 $3,619,262,277 $5,102,276,308
1982 $3,293,496,312 $9,178,780,077
1981 $2,979,027,966 $11,048,301,421
1980 $2,679,379,372 $10,163,020,116
1979 $2,425,064,229 $7,181,182,224
1978 $2,644,527,822 $4,910,254,566
1977 $3,249,733,140 $4,114,670,014
1976 $2,966,042,856 $3,667,161,241
1975 $2,860,442,750 $3,538,278,047
1974 $2,375,122,375 $4,090,209,682
1973 $1,905,917,553 $3,964,296,443
1972 $1,875,146,587 $2,189,418,689
1971 $1,539,861,816 $2,807,258,065
1970 $1,404,720,442 $2,137,096,774
1969 $1,191,239,047 $2,004,435,484
1968 $1,083,839,133 $1,593,674,185
1967 $1,148,014,311 $1,597,713,469
1966 $1,096,759,561 $1,809,185,094
1965 $972,159,611 $1,890,767,156
1964 $897,949,001 $1,975,701,816
1963 $826,706,669 $1,539,681,491
1962 $777,727,689 $1,710,004,407
1961 $748,043,501 $1,547,388,781
1960 $699,064,380 $1,242,289,239

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Jamaica vs Uruguay by year

Jamaica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Uruguay
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Jamaica Uruguay
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $8,003 - $25,216 -
2024 $7,754 $12,890 $24,308 $36,418
2023 $7,542 $12,651 $23,379 $34,471
2022 $6,626 $11,888 $21,009 $33,001
2021 $5,626 $10,431 $17,882 $29,432
2020 $5,299 $9,764 $15,758 $25,725
2019 $6,031 $10,845 $18,316 $25,783
2018 $5,977 $10,753 $19,250 $24,386
2017 $5,605 $10,466 $19,185 $23,607
2016 $5,302 $9,948 $17,010 $22,841
2015 $5,339 $9,476 $17,126 $22,169
2014 $4,975 $9,210 $18,322 $21,868
2013 $5,124 $9,101 $18,335 $20,661
2012 $5,341 $8,831 $16,260 $19,495
2011 $5,233 $8,809 $15,132 $19,135
2010 $4,810 $8,521 $12,641 $17,873
2009 $4,428 $8,580 $9,881 $16,422
2008 $5,030 $8,952 $9,424 $15,694
2007 $4,716 $8,893 $7,222 $14,397
2006 $4,417 $8,577 $6,001 $13,179
2005 $4,184 $8,127 $5,284 $12,296
2004 $3,808 $7,854 $4,169 $11,103
2003 $3,550 $7,593 $3,671 $10,303
2002 $3,681 $7,226 $4,150 $10,030
2001 $3,504 $7,019 $6,383 $10,719
2000 $3,453 $6,816 $6,988 $10,929
1999 $3,432 $6,653 $7,371 $10,938
1998 $3,419 $6,543 $7,837 $11,002
1997 $3,297 $6,682 $7,436 $10,461
1996 $2,929 $6,706 $6,398 $9,524
1995 $2,631 $6,657 $6,050 $8,906
1994 $2,203 $6,435 $5,508 $8,897
1993 $2,221 $6,279 $4,753 $8,162
1992 $1,458 $5,664 $4,102 $7,808
1991 $1,710 $5,485 $3,589 $7,112
1990 $1,930 $5,106 $2,995 $6,683
1989 $1,865 - $2,734 -
1988 $1,632 - $2,677 -
1987 $1,411 - $2,416 -
1986 $1,191 - $1,939 -
1985 $917 - $1,568 -
1984 $1,048 - $1,615 -
1983 $1,619 - $1,707 -
1982 $1,494 - $3,085 -
1981 $1,370 - $3,728 -
1980 $1,249 - $3,443 -
1979 $1,144 - $2,443 -
1978 $1,262 - $1,678 -
1977 $1,569 - $1,414 -
1976 $1,450 - $1,268 -
1975 $1,417 - $1,232 -
1974 $1,193 - $1,433 -
1973 $972 - $1,397 -
1972 $971 - $776 -
1971 $809 - $1,000 -
1970 $748 - $766 -
1969 $642 - $723 -
1968 $591 - $579 -
1967 $633 - $585 -
1966 $612 - $668 -
1965 $549 - $705 -
1964 $514 - $745 -
1963 $480 - $587 -
1962 $458 - $659 -
1961 $447 - $604 -
1960 $424 - $491 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Jamaica's GDP per capita is $8,003, ranking 98/197, compared to $25,216 in Uruguay, ranking 54/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Jamaica ranks 121st at $12,890, while Uruguay ranks 61st at $36,418.

Economic indicators

Jamaica Uruguay
Gross domestic product
$22.7B
2025
$85.3B
2025
GDP rank
125/197
2025
84/197
2025
GDP growth
0.08%
2024-2025
1.78%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$8,003
2025
$25,216
2025
GDP per capita rank
98/197
2025
54/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,890
2024
$36,418
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
121/197
2024
61/197
2024
Government debt
$15.4B
2025
$56B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
67.7%
2025
65.7%
2025
Government debt per person
$5,419
2025
$16,559
2025
Government debt per person rank
80/185
2025
41/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$8,390
2026
$14,046
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$11.6B
2025
$284M
1996
Income share by richest 10%
29.6%
2021
30%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2021
2.2%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.8%
2025
31.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
4%
2024-2025
4.65%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
5.75%
2025
5.75%
2026
Unemployment rate
3.02%
2023
8.21%
2024
Population
2834177
3382672

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Jamaica
Spending

Debt
Uruguay
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Jamaica Uruguay
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 33.8% 67.7% 31.5% 65.7%
2024 30.1% 62.5% 30.6% 67.6%
2023 27.7% 66.5% 30.1% 63%
2022 27.1% 70.2% 29.7% 59.4%
2021 27.6% 86.3% 30.2% 64.1%
2020 30.1% 101.3% 32.8% 68.2%
2019 27.5% 87.7% 30.6% 59.6%
2018 27.5% 88.3% 30.3% 57.9%
2017 26.9% 95.1% 29.7% 55.8%
2016 26.5% 106.9% 29.7% 56.4%
2015 25.9% 115.9% 28.4% 57.8%
2014 26.1% 134.4% 29.1% 51.1%
2013 26.3% 135.2% 28.8% 50%
2012 29.1% 140.3% 27.7% 49.8%
2011 31.2% 135.9% 26.3% 41.3%
2010 32.3% 137.8% 27.4% 40.9%
2009 37.7% 138.3% 27.2% 46.2%
2008 33.9% 123.8% 26.3% 46.2%
2007 30.6% 111.6% 26.8% 52.8%
2006 30.1% 114.2% 26.8% 61.1%
2005 28.6% 121.5% 26.3% 66.2%
2004 30.7% 116.9% 26.6% 73.7%
2003 31.1% 120.1% 27.7% 91.9%
2002 30.1% 115.4% 27.6% 90.1%
2001 27.8% 105.3% 27.8% 39.4%
2000 25.7% 89.5% 26.6% 30.5%
1999 27.9% 80.7% 27.2% 24.1%
1998 27.9% 75.6% 27.3% 19.4%
1997 27.6% 74.4% 27.6% 18.8%
1996 27.4% 70.2% 26.5% 18.3%
1995 22.1% 85.2% 26.2% 18.5%
1994 19.9% 90.4% 29.5% 19.3%
1993 19.6% 106.2% 27.7% 20%
1992 18.2% 100.4% 23.6% 22.2%
1991 19.9% 175.1% 22.2% 20.4%
1990 22.6% 128.8% 21.1% 26.2%
1989 - - 37% -
1988 - - 26% 34.8%
1987 - - 24.4% 37.3%
1986 - - 25.1% 34.6%
1985 - - 24.6% 29%
1984 - - 25.6% 39.5%
1983 - - 26.5% 21.2%
1982 - - 29.5% 13.5%
1981 - - 25% 4.32%
1980 - - 21.8% 4.59%
1979 - - 20.2% 3.98%
1978 - - 22.9% 5.64%
1977 - - 23.5% 7.26%
1976 - - 24.2% 8.67%
1975 - - 23% 8.13%
1974 - - 23.8% 7.61%
1973 - - 22.6% 7%
1972 - - 24.6% 9.12%
1971 - - 20.1% 9.3%
1970 - - 15.1% 6.11%
1969 - - 14.6% -
1968 - - 14.1% -
1967 - - 14.7% -
1966 - - 14.1% -
1965 - - 15.6% -
1964 - - 14.3% -
1963 - - 14.6% -
1962 - - 16% -
1961 - - 13% -
1960 - - 9.9% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Jamaica's government spending was $7.68B, accounting for 33.8% of its GDP, while Uruguay spent $26.9B, or 31.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 67.7% in Jamaica and 65.7% in Uruguay, ranking 62/185 and 66/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Jamaica

Uruguay
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Jamaica Uruguay
2025 -3.77% -3.36%
2024 0.22% -3.16%
2023 0.04% -3.09%
2022 0.26% -2.5%
2021 0.84% -2.61%
2020 -2.87% -4.64%
2019 0.85% -2.71%
2018 1.1% -1.89%
2017 0.42% -2.51%
2016 -0.18% -2.68%
2015 -0.28% -1.86%
2014 -0.48% -2.6%
2013 0.12% -1.72%
2012 -3.97% -2.17%
2011 -6.24% -0.33%
2010 -6.17% -0.39%
2009 -10.8% -1.39%
2008 -7.32% -1.31%
2007 -3.7% -0.16%
2006 -4.74% -0.64%
2005 -3.22% -0.28%
2004 -4.56% -0.87%
2003 -5.42% -2.19%
2002 -6.55% -3.19%
2001 -4.77% -2.85%
2000 -0.78% -2.76%
1999 -3.41% -2.76%
1998 -5.73% -0.76%
1997 -6.39% -0.97%
1996 -5.25% -1.32%
1995 1.53% -1.08%
1994 2.4% -2.37%
1993 2.37% -0.47%
1992 2.83% 0.6%
1991 3.14% 0.88%
1990 2.06% 0.49%
1989 - -13.1%
1988 - -1.47%
1987 - -0.66%
1986 - -0.34%
1985 - -1.88%
1984 - -4.94%
1983 - -3.54%
1982 - -8.22%
1981 - -1.15%
1980 - 0.43%
1979 - 0.99%
1978 - -0.47%
1977 - -0.69%
1976 - -2.01%
1975 - -4.38%
1974 - -3.74%
1973 - -1.09%
1972 - -2.25%
1971 - -5.86%
1970 - -1.33%
1969 - -2.37%
1968 - -2.93%
1967 - -4.12%
1966 - -2.01%
1965 - -5.14%
1964 - -3.61%
1963 - -4.4%
1962 - -5.02%
1961 - -0.86%
1960 - 0.79%
1959 - 0.64%
1958 - -1.38%
1957 - -0.72%
1956 - 0.04%
1955 - -1.24%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1955–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Jamaica's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $856M, equivalent to 3.77% of GDP. This compares to Uruguay's deficit of $2.86B, or 3.36% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Jamaica recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Uruguay ran a deficit in 33 years. On average, Jamaica posted an annual deficit equal to 2.18% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.71% of GDP for Uruguay.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Jamaica

Uruguay
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Jamaica Uruguay
2025 4% 4.65%
2024 5.41% 4.85%
2023 6.47% 5.87%
2022 10.3% 9.1%
2021 5.86% 7.75%
2020 5.23% 9.76%
2019 3.91% 7.88%
2018 3.74% 7.61%
2017 4.38% 6.22%
2016 2.35% 9.64%
2015 3.69% 8.67%
2014 8.27% 8.88%
2013 9.34% 8.58%
2012 6.87% 8.1%
2011 7.56% 8.09%
2010 12.6% 6.7%
2009 9.59% 7.06%
2008 22% 7.88%
2007 9.24% 8.11%
2006 8.56% 6.4%
2005 15.1% 4.7%
2004 13.6% 9.16%
2003 10.1% 19.4%
2002 7.08% 14%
2001 6.8% 4.36%
2000 8.17% 4.76%
1999 5.95% 5.66%
1998 8.63% 10.8%
1997 9.66% 19.8%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Jamaica has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 8.08%, compared with 8.43% in Uruguay. In 2025, inflation was 4% in Jamaica and 4.65% in Uruguay.

Top exports between countries

Jamaica
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $78K
Miscellaneous $6K
Machinery & equipment $3K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K
Uruguay
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $377K
Animal & marine products $32K
Machinery & equipment $1K
Metals $1K

Balance of trade

Jamaica Uruguay
Current account balance
$679M
2024
-$374M
2025
Current account balance ranking
53/190
2024
100/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.08%
2024
-0.44%
2025
Goods imports
$6.07B
2024
$13.6B
2025
Goods exports
$1.87B
2024
$16.1B
2025
Service imports
$3.46B
2024
$5.96B
2025
Service exports
$5.26B
2024
$7.39B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.1%
2019
22.6%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
38%
2019
27.1%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Jamaica Uruguay
Economic freedom 68.2 69.8
Economic freedom ranking 48/197 39/197
Property rights 66.8 87.4
Government integrity 49.4 79
Judicial effectiveness 75.6 80.9
Tax burden 76.3 73.3
Government spending 76 72
Fiscal health 92.2 76.6
Business freedom 68.5 83.8
Labor freedom 59.2 61.7
Monetary freedom 74.2 70.2
Trade freedom 70.4 73.2
Investment freedom 60 50
Financial freedom 50 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Jamaica
Uruguay
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Jamaica Uruguay
2026 68.2 69.8
2025 68.7 70.2
2024 68.1 69.8
2023 68.1 70.2
2022 67.4 70
2021 69 69.3
2020 68.5 69.1
2019 68.6 68.6
2018 69.1 69.2
2017 69.5 69.7
2016 67.5 68.8
2015 67.7 68.6
2014 66.7 69.3
2013 66.8 69.7
2012 65.1 69.9
2011 65.7 70
2010 65.5 69.8
2009 65.2 69.1
2008 65.7 67.9
2007 65.5 68.4
2006 66.4 65.3
2005 67 66.9
2004 66.7 66.7
2003 67 69.8
2002 61.7 68.7
2001 63.7 70.7
2000 65.5 69.3
1999 64.7 68.5
1998 67.1 68.6
1997 67.7 67.5
1996 66.7 63.7
1995 64.4 62.5

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Jamaica is 68.2, ranking 48/197, compared to 69.8 for Uruguay, ranking 39/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Jamaica Uruguay
Services, % of GDP
59.8%
2025
65.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
16.3%
2025
16.9%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.74%
2025
6.38%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$22.1B
2025
$81.3B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$13,090
2025
$36,330
2025
Total reserves including gold
$6.3B
2025
$19B
2025
Total reserves ranking
92/177
2025
67/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$304M
2024
-$457M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$305M
2024
-$3.94B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.07M
2024
-$1.37B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
11.3%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
8.2%
2023
17.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22.6%
2019
16.2%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1955–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.