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Economy of Jamaica vs Zimbabwe compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Jamaica has a GDP of $22.7B compared to $51.2B for Zimbabwe, ranking 125/197 and 95/197 by economy size, respectively.

Jamaica has $15.4B in government debt (67.7% of GDP), compared to $22.4B (43.8% of GDP) in Zimbabwe.

Jamaica vs Zimbabwe GDP by year

Jamaica
Zimbabwe
1x
Year GDP, current $
Jamaica Zimbabwe
2025 $22,704,903,218 $51,215,643,906
2024 $22,014,429,051 $41,521,975,830
2023 $21,418,797,833 $35,871,781,303
2022 $18,813,516,805 $40,757,585,309
2021 $15,963,885,376 $41,287,852,524
2020 $15,000,214,216 $31,979,753,645
2019 $17,026,269,263 $33,360,632,553
2018 $16,855,447,986 $34,141,666,667
2017 $15,783,583,237 $51,035,657,371
2016 $14,898,999,754 $20,559,250,000
2015 $14,963,589,916 $19,973,250,000
2014 $13,899,217,680 $19,505,500,000
2013 $14,264,205,153 $19,100,750,000
2012 $14,807,086,556 $17,123,500,000
2011 $14,444,661,522 $14,109,000,000
2010 $13,220,549,908 $12,047,750,000
2009 $12,120,458,115 $9,670,750,000
2008 $13,709,401,520 $4,418,000,000
2007 $12,799,600,047 $5,294,750,000
2006 $11,930,179,090 $5,446,750,000
2005 $11,243,865,778 $5,758,250,000
2004 $10,174,664,854 $5,808,500,000
2003 $9,430,234,811 $5,730,500,000
2002 $9,719,009,495 $6,345,250,000
2001 $9,194,727,831 $6,780,750,000
2000 $9,005,064,475 $6,693,250,000
1999 $8,887,057,997 $6,861,500,000
1998 $8,787,195,622 $6,405,250,000
1997 $8,400,041,724 $8,534,000,000
1996 $7,393,891,921 $8,557,500,000
1995 $6,577,520,643 $7,115,000,000
1994 $5,452,558,947 $6,894,250,000
1993 $5,440,075,676 $6,567,250,000
1992 $3,535,460,090 $6,755,000,000
1991 $4,106,207,649 $8,646,000,000
1990 $4,592,208,087 $8,788,301,546
1989 $4,404,937,853 $8,290,553,535
1988 $3,828,342,820 $7,818,774,177
1987 $3,287,007,322 $6,744,657,033
1986 $2,754,549,582 $6,220,698,247
1985 $2,100,239,019 $5,640,137,575
1984 $2,373,564,549 $6,355,369,172
1983 $3,619,262,277 $7,768,031,182
1982 $3,293,496,312 $8,544,060,905
1981 $2,979,027,966 $8,015,464,252
1980 $2,679,379,372 $6,682,278,300
1979 $2,425,064,229 $5,180,102,910
1978 $2,644,527,822 $4,353,822,343
1977 $3,249,733,140 $4,366,610,469
1976 $2,966,042,856 $4,320,576,877
1975 $2,860,442,750 $4,373,532,601
1974 $2,375,122,375 $3,984,194,614
1973 $1,905,917,553 $3,311,043,292
1972 $1,875,146,587 $2,679,096,597
1971 $1,539,861,816 $2,179,828,710
1970 $1,404,720,442 $1,885,168,339
1969 $1,191,239,047 $1,748,891,294
1968 $1,083,839,133 $1,480,355,355
1967 $1,148,014,311 $1,397,715,282
1966 $1,096,759,561 $1,282,403,936
1965 $972,159,611 $1,312,105,394
1964 $897,949,001 $1,217,759,447
1963 $826,706,669 $1,160,103,724
1962 $777,727,689 $1,118,172,226
1961 $748,043,501 $1,097,206,526
1960 $699,064,380 $1,053,528,036

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

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

GDP per capita in Jamaica vs Zimbabwe by year

Jamaica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Zimbabwe
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Jamaica Zimbabwe
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $8,003 - $3,021 -
2024 $7,754 $12,890 $2,496 $5,928
2023 $7,542 $12,651 $2,195 $5,791
2022 $6,626 $11,888 $2,536 $5,396
2021 $5,626 $10,431 $2,614 $4,827
2020 $5,299 $9,764 $2,060 $4,179
2019 $6,031 $10,845 $2,185 $4,166
2018 $5,977 $10,753 $2,271 $3,993
2017 $5,605 $10,466 $3,445 $10,756
2016 $5,302 $9,948 $1,408 $4,275
2015 $5,339 $9,476 $1,387 $4,046
2014 $4,975 $9,210 $1,373 $3,903
2013 $5,124 $9,101 $1,363 $3,784
2012 $5,341 $8,831 $1,239 $3,472
2011 $5,233 $8,809 $1,038 $3,047
2010 $4,810 $8,521 $902 $2,661
2009 $4,428 $8,580 $736 $2,233
2008 $5,030 $8,952 $341 $1,987
2007 $4,716 $8,893 $414 $2,396
2006 $4,417 $8,577 $431 $2,454
2005 $4,184 $8,127 $461 $2,496
2004 $3,808 $7,854 $470 $2,591
2003 $3,550 $7,593 $468 $2,708
2002 $3,681 $7,226 $525 $3,238
2001 $3,504 $7,019 $566 $3,533
2000 $3,453 $6,816 $563 $3,429
1999 $3,432 $6,653 $582 $3,491
1998 $3,419 $6,543 $552 $3,527
1997 $3,297 $6,682 $751 $3,457
1996 $2,929 $6,706 $767 $3,372
1995 $2,631 $6,657 $648 $3,051
1994 $2,203 $6,435 $634 $3,012
1993 $2,221 $6,279 $605 $2,703
1992 $1,458 $5,664 $631 $2,651
1991 $1,710 $5,485 $831 $2,930
1990 $1,930 $5,106 $867 $2,757
1989 $1,865 - $840 -
1988 $1,632 - $816 -
1987 $1,411 - $726 -
1986 $1,191 - $693 -
1985 $917 - $649 -
1984 $1,048 - $757 -
1983 $1,619 - $959 -
1982 $1,494 - $1,096 -
1981 $1,370 - $1,069 -
1980 $1,249 - $949 -
1979 $1,144 - $779 -
1978 $1,262 - $665 -
1977 $1,569 - $677 -
1976 $1,450 - $687 -
1975 $1,417 - $717 -
1974 $1,193 - $674 -
1973 $972 - $579 -
1972 $971 - $483 -
1971 $809 - $406 -
1970 $748 - $361 -
1969 $642 - $346 -
1968 $591 - $302 -
1967 $633 - $294.4 -
1966 $612 - $278.7 -
1965 $549 - $294.3 -
1964 $514 - $281.9 -
1963 $480 - $277.1 -
1962 $458 - $275.7 -
1961 $447 - $279.2 -
1960 $424 - $276.6 -

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

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

Jamaica's GDP per capita is $8,003, ranking 98/197, compared to $3,021 in Zimbabwe, ranking 146/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Jamaica ranks 121st at $12,890, while Zimbabwe ranks 154th at $5,928.

Economic indicators

Jamaica Zimbabwe
Gross domestic product
$22.7B
2025
$51.2B
2025
GDP rank
125/197
2025
95/197
2025
GDP growth
0.08%
2024-2025
8.11%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$8,003
2025
$3,021
2025
GDP per capita rank
98/197
2025
146/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,890
2024
$5,928
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
121/197
2024
154/197
2024
Government debt
$15.4B
2025
$22.4B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
67.7%
2025
43.8%
2025
Government debt per person
$5,419
2025
$1,322
2025
Government debt per person rank
80/185
2025
134/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$8,390
2026
$2,800
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$11.6B
2025
$2.46B
1999
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2026
Income share by richest 10%
29.6%
2021
40.5%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2021
1.9%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.8%
2025
15.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
4%
2024-2025
81.4%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
5.75%
2025
35%
2024
Unemployment rate
3.02%
2023
12.1%
2024
Population
2834177
17443108

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Jamaica
Spending

Debt
Zimbabwe
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Jamaica Zimbabwe
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 33.8% 67.7% 15.5% 43.8%
2024 30.1% 62.5% 13.7% 70.4%
2023 27.7% 66.5% 21.1% 76.1%
2022 27.1% 70.2% 12.1% 66.8%
2021 27.6% 86.3% 12.4% 39.9%
2020 30.1% 101.3% 8.4% 56.8%
2019 27.5% 87.7% 7.7% 53.9%
2018 27.5% 88.3% 14.6% 33%
2017 26.9% 95.1% 21.1% 49%
2016 26.5% 106.9% 17% 35.1%
2015 25.9% 115.9% 14.9% 34.1%
2014 26.1% 134.4% 14.2% 29.2%
2013 26.3% 135.2% 15.2% 26.4%
2012 29.1% 140.3% 14.8% 27.2%
2011 31.2% 135.9% 16.5% 30%
2010 32.3% 137.8% 13.1% 33.2%
2009 37.7% 138.3% 8.02% 39.7%
2008 33.9% 123.8% 2.57% 41.3%
2007 30.6% 111.6% 3.46% 30.2%
2006 30.1% 114.2% 5.79% 26.7%
2005 28.6% 121.5% 10.6% 22.4%
2004 30.7% 116.9% - -
2003 31.1% 120.1% - -
2002 30.1% 115.4% - -
2001 27.8% 105.3% - -
2000 25.7% 89.5% - -
1999 27.9% 80.7% - -
1998 27.9% 75.6% - -
1997 27.6% 74.4% - -
1996 27.4% 70.2% - -
1995 22.1% 85.2% - -
1994 19.9% 90.4% - -
1993 19.6% 106.2% - -
1992 18.2% 100.4% - -
1991 19.9% 175.1% - -
1990 22.6% 128.8% - -

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

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

In 2025, Jamaica's government spending was $7.68B, accounting for 33.8% of its GDP, while Zimbabwe spent $7.92B, or 15.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 67.7% in Jamaica and 43.8% in Zimbabwe, ranking 62/185 and 120/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Jamaica

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Jamaica Zimbabwe
2025 -3.77% 0.08%
2024 0.22% -0.76%
2023 0.04% -9.45%
2022 0.26% -1%
2021 0.84% -1.83%
2020 -2.87% 0.53%
2019 0.85% -0.06%
2018 1.1% -4.55%
2017 0.42% -8.68%
2016 -0.18% -4.99%
2015 -0.28% -1.61%
2014 -0.48% -0.87%
2013 0.12% -1.21%
2012 -3.97% -0.35%
2011 -6.24% -1.98%
2010 -6.17% -0.4%
2009 -10.8% -1.48%
2008 -7.32% -1.22%
2007 -3.7% -1.71%
2006 -4.74% -1.46%
2005 -3.22% -3.58%
2004 -4.56% -
2003 -5.42% -
2002 -6.55% -
2001 -4.77% -
2000 -0.78% -
1999 -3.41% -
1998 -5.73% -
1997 -6.39% -
1996 -5.25% -
1995 1.53% -
1994 2.4% -
1993 2.37% -
1992 2.83% -
1991 3.14% -
1990 2.06% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/jamaica/zimbabwe | 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 Zimbabwe's surplus of $41.9M, or 0.08% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Jamaica recorded a fiscal deficit in 13 of those years, while Zimbabwe ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Jamaica posted an annual deficit equal to 2.38% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.22% of GDP for Zimbabwe.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Jamaica

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Jamaica Zimbabwe
2025 4% 81.4%
2024 5.41% 736%
2023 6.47% 667%
2022 10.3% 193.4%
2021 5.86% 98.5%
2020 5.23% 557%
2019 3.91% 255.3%
2018 3.74% 10.6%
2017 4.38% 0.9%
2016 2.35% -1.6%
2015 3.69% -2.4%
2014 8.27% -0.2%
2013 9.34% 1.6%
2012 6.87% 3.7%
2011 7.56% 3.5%
2010 12.6% 3%
2009 9.59% 6.2%
2008 22% -
2007 9.24% -
2006 8.56% -
2005 15.1% -
2004 13.6% -
2003 10.1% -
2002 7.08% -
2001 6.8% -
2000 8.17% -
1999 5.95% -
1998 8.63% -
1997 9.66% -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2009–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 17 years, Jamaica has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.45%, compared with 153.8% in Zimbabwe. In 2025, inflation was 4% in Jamaica and 81.4% in Zimbabwe.

Top exports between countries

Jamaica
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $23K
Machinery & equipment $1K
Zimbabwe
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $1K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K

Balance of trade

Jamaica Zimbabwe
Current account balance
$679M
2024
$501M
2024
Current account balance ranking
53/190
2024
59/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.08%
2024
+1.21%
2024
Goods imports
$6.07B
2024
$9.06B
2024
Goods exports
$1.87B
2024
$7.79B
2024
Service imports
$3.46B
2024
$1.66B
2024
Service exports
$5.26B
2024
$457M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.1%
2019
23.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
38%
2019
18.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Jamaica Zimbabwe
Economic freedom 68.2 35.2
Economic freedom ranking 48/197 190/197
Property rights 66.8 19.4
Government integrity 49.4 20.7
Judicial effectiveness 75.6 16.8
Tax burden 76.3 73.6
Government spending 76 93.9
Fiscal health 92.2 52.4
Business freedom 68.5 42
Labor freedom 59.2 33.3
Monetary freedom 74.2 0
Trade freedom 70.4 50.4
Investment freedom 60 10
Financial freedom 50 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Jamaica
Zimbabwe
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Jamaica Zimbabwe
2026 68.2 35.2
2025 68.7 35.1
2024 68.1 38.2
2023 68.1 39
2022 67.4 33.1
2021 69 39.5
2020 68.5 43.1
2019 68.6 40.4
2018 69.1 44
2017 69.5 44
2016 67.5 38.2
2015 67.7 37.6
2014 66.7 35.5
2013 66.8 28.6
2012 65.1 26.3
2011 65.7 22.1
2010 65.5 21.4
2009 65.2 22.7
2008 65.7 29.5
2007 65.5 32
2006 66.4 33.5
2005 67 35.2
2004 66.7 34.4
2003 67 36.7
2002 61.7 36.7
2001 63.7 38.8
2000 65.5 48.7
1999 64.7 47.2
1998 67.1 44.6
1997 67.7 48
1996 66.7 46.7
1995 64.4 48.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Jamaica is 68.2, ranking 48/197, compared to 35.2 for Zimbabwe, ranking 190/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Jamaica Zimbabwe
Services, % of GDP
59.8%
2025
48.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
16.3%
2025
37.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.74%
2025
9.47%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$22.1B
2025
$45B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$13,090
2025
$6,390
2025
Total reserves including gold
$6.3B
2025
$485M
2024
Total reserves ranking
92/177
2025
159/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$304M
2024
-$465M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$305M
2024
$465M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.07M
2024
$131M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
11.3%
2024
3.44%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
8.2%
2023
38.3%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22.6%
2019
8.85%
2024

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/zimbabwe | 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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2024, 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.