Migration unchecked despite improvement in Jamaica’s living standards – World Bank
Shemar-Leslie Louisy / Our Today
Jamaica stands out among the Caribbean in migration trends, according to the World Bank’s International Migration in the Caribbean report.
In 2020, most Caribbean nations were classified as net migrant-sending countries, with more people leaving than arriving. Only The Bahamas and Belize were successful in attracting more immigrants than migrants due to factors such as their relatively high income per capita and proximity to the United States. Conversely, Guyana, Jamaica, and Haiti experienced the largest net outflows.
Jamaica’s migration rate, in relative terms, was among the highest in the region, with more than one million people, nearly 38 per cent of its population emigrating. This figure indicates that a significant portion of Jamaicans seek opportunities abroad, making the Jamaican diaspora one of the largest among Caribbean nations.
Jamaica, while recording substantial emigration, has shown considerable economic progress in recent years. This paradoxical trend suggests that as the nation’s living standards improve, more Jamaicans can afford to migrate, contributing to the growth of the Jamaican diaspora.
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