Economic Activities in Jamaica: Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, and Quaternary

Jamaica, with a population of 2,839,175, is ranked 131st in the world, just behind Lithuania. Located in the Caribbean, Jamaica covers a total area of 10,990 square kilometers, ranking 152nd globally, just below Gambia, The.

As of 2024, Jamaica’s economy reflects a GDP of $22.01 billion, ranking it among the world’s mid-sized economies. In terms of GDP per capita, Jamaica stands at $7,753.80.

Despite facing challenges, Jamaica continues to strive for economic growth and development in various sectors to improve its standing in the global economy.

What are the economic activities of Jamaica?

• Primary activities: 7% of GDP.
• Secondary activities: 21.1% of GDP.
• Tertiary activities: 71.9% of GDP.

Primary Sector of Jamaica

The primary sector in Jamaica, with 38.5% agricultural land, thrives due to its tropical climate and rich natural resources. Main products include sugarcane, yams, goat milk, chicken, coconuts, oranges, bananas, pumpkins/squash, plantains, and sweet potatoes.

Despite agriculture contributing 7% to GDP, its significance lies in the diverse range of crops and animal products, sustaining the country’s agricultural sector and providing vital resources for the economy.

Jamaica’s diverse geology provides a rich array of natural resources. The primary sector thrives on bauxite, alumina, gypsum, and limestone. These resources fuel the economy through mining, construction, and export industries, driving economic growth and development.

Secondary Sector of Jamaica

What is the secondary sector or what are secondary activities?The secondary sector comprises industries that transform raw materials from primary activities into finished products for consumption. In Jamaica, the main industrial products include manufacturing, construction, financial and insurance services.Manufactures in Jamaica’s total exports are not significant, accounting for only 4.61% in 2023. This indicates a heavy reliance on other sectors for export revenue.

Tertiary sector of Jamaica

What is the tertiary sector or what are tertiary activities?The tertiary sector in Jamaica involves providing intangible goods and services to enhance productivity and meet needs. Main activities include restaurants, healthcare, education, banking, communication, media, tourism, transportation, and security services.In particular, Jamaica’s economy heavily relies on tourism, contributing significantly to its GDP. With a record of approximately 4.3 million annual arrivals in 2024, equating to about 1.5 tourists per capita, popular destinations like Negril’s beaches and the Bob Marley Museum in Kingston attract visitors, driving the tourism industry’s growth and economic impact.Another example of tertiary economic activity is the mobile cellular sector, with approximately 3 million subscriptions, supporting technological growth by enhancing communication, fostering innovation, and facilitating e-commerce.

Military Activities and Economic Sectors of Jamaica

The military is a good example of many economic activities working together. In Jamaica, the primary sector helps by providing resources needed for military use. The secondary sector makes military equipment, while the tertiary sector offers services like training and support. The quaternary sector focuses on research and development for better technology, and the quinary sector involves high-level decision-making and strategy in the military.

In 2023, Jamaica’s military expenditure was $230.6 million, which is 1.31% of its GDP. The active military force has 3,950 personnel, resulting in about 1.8 active military members for every 1,000 people in the country.

Biggest company in Jamaica

Which is the biggest company in Jamaica? As of 2025, the largest company listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange by market capitalisation is Scotia Group Jamaica Limited, the local arm of the Scotiabank banking group, with a market capitalisation of about J$165.4 billion (roughly US$1.05 billion). Other leading Jamaican firms include Sagicor Group Jamaica (insurance and financial services, founded 1840) and food and financial-services conglomerate GraceKennedy. These companies anchor the tertiary economic sector.

International Trade of Jamaica

Import Activities of Jamaica

As of 2023, Jamaica’s import activities are crucial, totaling about $7.62 billion, equivalent to roughly 35.6% of GDP.Jamaica’s key import activities include importing refined petroleum, crude petroleum, natural gas, cars, and plastic products. The country’s top import partners are the US (36%), China (12%), Trinidad and Tobago (6%), Brazil (5%), and Turkey (4%).

Exports Activities of Jamaica

As of 2023, Jamaica’s total exports amounted to about $1.95 billion, representing roughly 9.1% of GDP. With a low importance level, diversifying export activities is crucial for economic growth and stability.Jamaica primarily exports refined petroleum, natural gas, aluminum oxide, liquor, and aluminum ore. Its top export partner is the US at 57%, followed by Russia at 5%, Canada at 4%, the UK at 4%, and Iceland at 2%.

Jamaica economy challenges in 2024

In 2024, Jamaica faces challenges with its debt restructuring, vulnerability to hurricanes, high crime rates, youth unemployment, and poverty. The ongoing Russia invasion of Ukraine adds to its susceptibility to commodity shocks, impacting its economy.

Sources

• World Bank Data: Jamaica
• IMF: Jamaica
• CIA World Factbook: Jamaica
• Jamaica Observer: Ten biggest companies on the JSE in 2025
• UN Comtrade Plus: Trade Flow

Last updated: June 20, 2026