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Economy of Jamaica vs Venezuela compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Jamaica has a GDP of $22B compared to $120B for Venezuela, ranking 124/197 and 65/197 by economy size, respectively.

Jamaica has $14B in government debt (63.4% of GDP), compared to $197B (164.3% of GDP) in Venezuela.

Jamaica vs Venezuela GDP by year

Jamaica
Venezuela
1x
Year GDP, current $
Jamaica Venezuela
2024 $22,014,397,090 $119,802,963,258
2023 $21,418,804,320 $102,376,526,556
2022 $18,813,516,805 $89,013,255,585
2021 $15,963,885,376 $56,614,976,855
2020 $15,000,214,216 $42,838,020,721
2019 $17,026,269,263 $73,014,084,091
2018 $16,855,447,986 $102,021,093,965
2017 $15,783,583,237 $115,883,275,163
2016 $14,898,999,754 $112,915,034,262
2015 $14,963,589,916 $125,449,241,571
2014 $13,899,217,680 $214,689,614,733
2013 $14,264,205,153 $258,930,655,486
2012 $14,807,086,556 $372,592,062,768
2011 $14,444,661,522 $316,482,190,800
2010 $13,220,549,908 $393,192,354,511
2009 $12,120,458,115 $329,787,628,928
2008 $13,709,401,520 $315,953,388,511
2007 $12,799,600,047 $230,364,012,576
2006 $11,930,179,090 $183,477,522,124
2005 $11,243,865,778 $145,513,489,652
2004 $10,174,664,854 $112,451,400,425
2003 $9,430,234,811 $83,620,628,582
2002 $9,719,009,495 $92,893,587,734
2001 $9,194,727,831 $122,911,036,747
2000 $9,005,064,475 $117,146,466,003
1999 $8,887,057,997 $97,972,842,462
1998 $8,787,195,622 $91,336,763,255
1997 $8,400,041,724 $85,837,678,560
1996 $7,393,891,921 $70,543,211,119
1995 $6,577,520,643 $77,389,487,770
1994 $5,452,558,947 $58,418,666,667
1993 $5,440,075,676 $60,037,460,783
1992 $3,535,460,090 $60,416,519,620
1991 $4,106,207,649 $53,453,444,787
1990 $4,592,208,087 $48,606,952,195
1989 $4,404,937,853 $43,536,709,104
1988 $3,828,342,820 $60,226,413,793
1987 $3,287,007,322 $48,029,034,483
1986 $2,754,549,582 $60,516,123,711
1985 $2,100,239,019 $61,965,466,667
1984 $2,373,564,549 $59,867,743,468
1983 $3,619,262,277 $67,556,279,070
1982 $3,293,496,312 $67,736,744,186
1981 $2,979,027,966 $66,327,441,860
1980 $2,679,379,372 $59,116,511,628
1979 $2,425,064,229 $48,310,930,233
1978 $2,644,527,822 $39,316,279,070
1977 $3,249,733,140 $36,210,697,674
1976 $2,966,042,856 $31,419,534,884
1975 $2,860,442,750 $27,464,651,163
1974 $2,375,122,375 $26,100,930,233
1973 $1,905,917,553 $17,035,581,395
1972 $1,875,146,587 $13,977,727,273
1971 $1,539,861,816 $12,986,590,909
1970 $1,404,720,442 $11,561,111,111
1969 $1,191,239,047 $10,285,111,111
1968 $1,083,839,133 $10,034,444,444
1967 $1,148,014,311 $9,250,000,000
1966 $1,096,759,561 $8,781,333,333
1965 $972,159,611 $8,427,777,778
1964 $897,949,001 $8,192,413,793
1963 $826,706,669 $9,608,717,288
1962 $777,727,689 $8,814,309,884
1961 $748,043,501 $8,067,267,031
1960 $699,064,380 $7,663,938,303

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

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

GDP per capita in Jamaica vs Venezuela by year

Jamaica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Venezuela
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Jamaica Venezuela
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,754 $12,890 $4,218 -
2023 $7,542 $12,651 $3,617 -
2022 $6,626 $11,888 $3,155 -
2021 $5,626 $10,431 $2,005 -
2020 $5,299 $9,764 $1,506 -
2019 $6,031 $10,845 $2,523 -
2018 $5,977 $10,753 $3,423 -
2017 $5,605 $10,466 $3,791 -
2016 $5,302 $9,948 $3,670 -
2015 $5,339 $9,476 $4,103 -
2014 $4,975 $9,210 $7,096 -
2013 $5,124 $9,101 $8,656 -
2012 $5,341 $8,831 $12,607 -
2011 $5,233 $8,809 $10,844 $21,241
2010 $4,810 $8,521 $13,646 $20,236
2009 $4,428 $8,580 $11,597 $20,562
2008 $5,030 $8,952 $11,262 $21,402
2007 $4,716 $8,893 $8,332 $20,236
2006 $4,417 $8,577 $6,739 $18,399
2005 $4,184 $8,127 $5,432 $16,511
2004 $3,808 $7,854 $4,269 $14,757
2003 $3,550 $7,593 $3,230 $12,359
2002 $3,681 $7,226 $3,652 $13,375
2001 $3,504 $7,019 $4,920 $14,714
2000 $3,453 $6,816 $4,776 $14,174
1999 $3,432 $6,653 $4,071 $13,623
1998 $3,419 $6,543 $3,870 $14,568
1997 $3,297 $6,682 $3,711 $14,655
1996 $2,929 $6,706 $3,113 $13,824
1995 $2,631 $6,657 $3,487 $13,890
1994 $2,203 $6,435 $2,689 $13,370
1993 $2,221 $6,279 $2,825 $13,702
1992 $1,458 $5,664 $2,907 $13,652
1991 $1,710 $5,485 $2,633 $12,880
1990 $1,930 $5,106 $2,452 $11,628
1989 $1,865 - $2,250 -
1988 $1,632 - $3,191 -
1987 $1,411 - $2,611 -
1986 $1,191 - $3,376 -
1985 $917 - $3,549 -
1984 $1,048 - $3,520 -
1983 $1,619 - $4,079 -
1982 $1,494 - $4,202 -
1981 $1,370 - $4,228 -
1980 $1,249 - $3,874 -
1979 $1,144 - $3,257 -
1978 $1,262 - $2,727 -
1977 $1,569 - $2,585 -
1976 $1,450 - $2,309 -
1975 $1,417 - $2,078 -
1974 $1,193 - $2,034 -
1973 $972 - $1,367 -
1972 $971 - $1,155 -
1971 $809 - $1,106 -
1970 $748 - $1,015 -
1969 $642 - $932 -
1968 $591 - $938 -
1967 $633 - $893 -
1966 $612 - $876 -
1965 $549 - $869 -
1964 $514 - $874 -
1963 $480 - $1,060 -
1962 $458 - $1,007 -
1961 $447 - $954 -
1960 $424 - $939 -

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

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

Jamaica's GDP per capita is $7,754, ranking 95/197, compared to $4,218 in Venezuela, ranking 128/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Jamaica ranks 121st at $12,890, while Venezuela ranks 93rd at $21,241.

Economic indicators

Jamaica Venezuela
Gross domestic product
$22B
2024
$120B
2024
GDP rank
124/197
2024
65/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.54%
2023-2024
5.3%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,754
2024
$4,218
2024
GDP per capita rank
95/197
2024
128/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,890
2024
$21,241
2011
GDP per capita PPP rank
121/197
2024
93/197
2011
Government debt
$14B
2024
$197B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
63.4%
2024
164.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,917
2024
$6,931
2024
Government debt per person rank
79/185
2024
69/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,905
2026
$3,792
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$12.4B
2024
$3.98B
2002
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
29.6%
2021
33.2%
2006
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2021
1.2%
2006
Government expenditure, % of GDP
30.5%
2024
17.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
5.41%
2023-2024
49%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
5.75%
2025
58.4%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.02%
2023
7.53%
2020
Population
2834980
28661242

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Jamaica
Spending

Debt
Venezuela
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Jamaica Venezuela
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 30.5% 63.4% 17.6% 164.3%
2023 28% 67.3% 13.1% 138.5%
2022 28.4% 73.5% 15.1% 164.4%
2021 29% 90.9% 13.1% 254.2%
2020 29.8% 100.1% 11.2% 337%
2019 27.8% 88.6% 21% 206%
2018 27.8% 89.2% 37.9% 175.3%
2017 27.3% 96.7% 21.8% 133.6%
2016 27% 109.1% 19.7% 138.4%
2015 26.3% 117.6% 22.9% 129.8%
2014 26.5% 136.7% 31.6% 84.9%
2013 26.9% 138.1% 36.5% 85.4%
2012 29.6% 143% 38% 58.4%
2011 31.7% 138.1% 39.4% 52.5%
2010 32.9% 140.1% 31.1% 37.7%
2009 38.6% 141.5% 33.3% 27.6%
2008 34.4% 125.6% 34.9% 20.3%
2007 31.6% 115.3% 35.9% 26.4%
2006 31.2% 118% 39.3% 25.7%
2005 29.3% 124.5% 33.5% 34.9%
2004 31.5% 120.1% 31.9% 41.8%
2003 32.5% 125.5% 32.2% 56%
2002 31.1% 119.1% 31% 48.2%
2001 28.5% 107.9% 31.9% 30.7%
2000 26.2% 91.3% 28.3% 27.7%
1999 28.9% 83.5% 26.1% 29.6%
1998 28.3% 75.6% 28.8% 30.7%
1997 28.3% 74.4% 31% 34.8%
1996 27.7% 70.2% 27.7% 45.9%
1995 23.1% 85.2% 32.9% 45.9%
1994 21.5% 90.4% 42.2% 63.9%
1993 21.5% 106.2% 27.7% 57.7%
1992 20% 100.4% 30.6% 54.8%
1991 24.5% 175.1% 33.9% 62.2%
1990 25.7% 128.8% 31.9% 63.3%
1989 - - 32.5% 61.8%
1988 - - 33.2% 46.3%
1987 - - 25.1% 58.3%
1986 - - 21.5% 45.9%
1985 - - 20.3% 34.1%
1984 - - 19.7% 36.4%
1983 - - 25.3% 21.4%
1982 - - 29% 18.6%
1981 - - 29.6% 18.9%
1980 - - 22% 16.6%
1979 - - 22.3% 19.2%
1978 - - 29.2% 16.6%
1977 - - 30.6% 12.7%
1976 - - 26.6% 9.64%
1975 - - 33.8% 8.31%
1974 - - 35.3% 7.72%
1973 - - 20% 9.78%
1972 - - 21.3% 10.6%
1971 - - 19.6% 9.64%
1970 - - 19.5% 10.6%
1969 - - 21% 9.91%
1968 - - 19.8% 7.84%
1967 - - 19.8% 6.74%
1966 - - 19.1% 5.84%
1965 - - 18.7% 5.46%
1964 - - 17.9% 4.95%
1963 - - 18.7% 6.3%
1962 - - 17.6% 7.24%
1961 - - 11.8% 8.79%
1960 - - 23.7% 8.28%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Jamaica's government spending was $6.72B, accounting for 30.5% of its GDP, while Venezuela spent $21.1B, or 17.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 63.4% in Jamaica and 164.3% in Venezuela, ranking 73/185 and 5/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Jamaica

Venezuela
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Jamaica Venezuela
2024 0.22% -3.6%
2023 0.04% -1.25%
2022 0.27% -5.29%
2021 0.89% -5.85%
2020 -2.83% -6.63%
2019 0.85% -10.9%
2018 1.12% -31%
2017 0.43% -13.3%
2016 -0.19% -8.46%
2015 -0.28% -8.06%
2014 -0.49% -9.81%
2013 0.12% -10.4%
2012 -4.05% -9.86%
2011 -6.34% -8.24%
2010 -6.27% -4.74%
2009 -11.1% -8.69%
2008 -7.43% -3.46%
2007 -3.82% -2.82%
2006 -4.9% -1.6%
2005 -3.3% 4.09%
2004 -4.68% 2.47%
2003 -5.67% 0.17%
2002 -6.77% -1.48%
2001 -4.89% -4.59%
2000 -0.8% 4.45%
1999 -3.53% 0.74%
1998 -5.82% -4.49%
1997 -6.54% 2.58%
1996 -5.32% 7.94%
1995 1.6% -5.86%
1994 2.59% -11.2%
1993 2.6% -2.92%
1992 3.11% -6.37%
1991 3.87% -2.28%
1990 2.34% 3.84%
1989 - -0.91%
1988 - -9.24%
1987 - -7.47%
1986 - 0.82%
1985 - 6.97%
1984 - 5.33%
1983 - 1.24%
1982 - -0.17%
1981 - 4.74%
1980 - 4.41%
1979 - -3.07%
1978 - -5.44%
1977 - -4.69%
1976 - 1.65%
1975 - 0.88%
1974 - 2.76%
1973 - 1.98%
1972 - 0.42%
1971 - 0.78%
1970 - -1.22%
1969 - -2.17%
1968 - -0.32%
1967 - 0.51%
1966 - 0.23%
1965 - 0.39%
1964 - 1.91%
1963 - 1.92%
1962 - 2.14%
1961 - -1.91%
1960 - -4.08%
1959 - -4.98%
1958 - -4.86%
1957 - 6.7%
1956 - 0.76%
1955 - 0.38%
1954 - 1.84%
1953 - 0.03%
1952 - -0.5%
1951 - -0.24%
1950 - -0.23%
1949 - 0.15%
1948 - 1.27%
1947 - 0.09%
1946 - -0.9%
1945 - 2.9%
1944 - 1.85%
1943 - -0.27%
1942 - 0.2%
1941 - 0.01%
1940 - -1.07%
1939 - -0.78%
1938 - 0.68%
1937 - 0.73%
1936 - -0.52%
1935 - -2.23%
1934 - 1.34%
1933 - 1.03%
1932 - 0.51%
1931 - 1.02%
1930 - -2.03%
1929 - -0.34%
1928 - -0.68%
1927 - 1.55%
1926 - 0.14%
1925 - 0.54%
1924 - 0.37%
1923 - 1.32%
1922 - 1.57%
1921 - -0.97%
1920 - -1.75%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1920–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/jamaica/venezuela | 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 Venezuela's deficit of $4.31B, or 3.6% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Jamaica recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Venezuela ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, Jamaica posted an annual deficit equal to 2.14% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.77% of GDP for Venezuela.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Jamaica

Venezuela
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Jamaica Venezuela
2024 5.41% 49%
2023 6.47% 338%
2022 10.3% 186.5%
2021 5.86% 1,589%
2020 5.23% 2,355%
2019 3.91% 19,906%
2018 3.74% 65,374%
2017 4.38% 438%
2016 2.35% 254.9%
2015 3.69% 121.7%
2014 8.27% 62.2%
2013 9.34% 40.6%
2012 6.87% 21.1%
2011 7.56% 26.1%
2010 12.6% 28.2%
2009 9.59% 26%
2008 22% 31.4%
2007 9.24% 18.7%
2006 8.56% 13.7%
2005 15.1% 16%
2004 13.6% 21.7%
2003 10.1% 31.1%
2002 7.08% 22.4%
2001 6.8% 12.5%
2000 8.17% 16.2%
1999 5.95% 23.6%
1998 8.63% 35.8%
1997 9.66% 50%

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/venezuela | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Jamaica has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 8.23%, compared with 3,254% in Venezuela. In 2024, inflation was 5.41% in Jamaica and 49% in Venezuela.

Top exports between countries

Jamaica
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $89K
Chemicals & pharma $80K
Textiles & consumer goods $7K
Raw agricultural goods $3K
Metals $1K
Wood & paper products $1K
Venezuela
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $116K
Raw materials & minerals $28K

Balance of trade

Jamaica Venezuela
Current account balance
$679M
2024
-$3.87B
2016
Current account balance ranking
56/190
2024
161/190
2016
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.08%
2024
-3.43%
2016
Goods imports
$6.07B
2024
$16.3B
2016
Goods exports
$1.87B
2024
$27.4B
2016
Service imports
$3.46B
2024
$9.47B
2016
Service exports
$5.26B
2024
$1.28B
2016
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.1%
2019
9.22%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
38%
2019
16.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Jamaica Venezuela
Economic freedom 68.2 27.3
Economic freedom ranking 48/197 194/197
Property rights 66.8 0
Government integrity 49.4 6.9
Judicial effectiveness 75.6 5.1
Tax burden 76.3 73.4
Government spending 76 93
Fiscal health 92.2 29.1
Business freedom 68.5 31.1
Labor freedom 59.2 35.5
Monetary freedom 74.2 0
Trade freedom 70.4 43.2
Investment freedom 60 0
Financial freedom 50 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Jamaica
Venezuela
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Jamaica Venezuela
2026 68.2 27.3
2025 68.7 27.6
2024 68.1 28.1
2023 68.1 25.8
2022 67.4 24.8
2021 69 24.7
2020 68.5 25.2
2019 68.6 25.9
2018 69.1 25.2
2017 69.5 27
2016 67.5 33.7
2015 67.7 34.3
2014 66.7 36.3
2013 66.8 36.1
2012 65.1 38.1
2011 65.7 37.6
2010 65.5 37.1
2009 65.2 39.9
2008 65.7 44.7
2007 65.5 47.9
2006 66.4 44.6
2005 67 45.2
2004 66.7 46.7
2003 67 54.8
2002 61.7 54.7
2001 63.7 54.6
2000 65.5 57.4
1999 64.7 56.1
1998 67.1 54
1997 67.7 52.8
1996 66.7 54.5
1995 64.4 59.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Jamaica is 68.2, ranking 48/197, compared to 27.3 for Venezuela, ranking 194/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Jamaica Venezuela
Services, % of GDP
60%
2024
51.7%
2014
Industry, % of GDP
16.5%
2024
37.2%
2014
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
7.97%
2024
5.03%
2014
GNI, Atlas method
$20.5B
2024
$109B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,690
2024
$20,800
2011
Total reserves including gold
$5.63B
2024
$9.79B
2017
Total reserves ranking
93/177
2024
77/177
2017
Net foreign direct investment
-$304M
2024
-$27M
2016
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$305M
2024
$1.63B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.07M
2024
$2.6B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
11.3%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
8.2%
2023
33.1%
2015
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22.6%
2019
4.9%
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/venezuela | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1920–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2013–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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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.