Urban Population: Jamaica
Jamaica's urban population is currently 58.9% as of 2024. # Jamaica Urban Population Jamaica's urban population reached 58.
Current (2024)
58.9%
+0.8% y/y
Peak (2024)
58.9%
Low (1960)
29.8%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1960–2024 · 65 pts
Urban Population — Jamaica
1960 — 2024
Urban Population — Jamaica
Analysis# Jamaica Urban Population
Jamaica's urban population reached 58.93% in 2024, matching its all-time peak. This represents a dramatic shift from 1960, when only 29.75% of the population lived in urban areas—a 98.1% increase over six decades. The country has transitioned from a predominantly rural society to one approaching an urban majority, reflecting broader Caribbean development patterns.
The acceleration intensified after 2015, with urban population growing from 55.2% to nearly 59% in just nine years. Annual growth remained consistent at roughly 0.35–0.45 percentage points between 2019 and 2024. The trajectory suggests Jamaica's urbanization plateau may be approaching, as the population nears the 60% threshold typical of upper-middle-income nations.
Historical Data
65 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 58.9% | +0.82% |
| 2023 | 58.5% | +0.80% |
| 2022 | 58.0% | +0.78% |
| 2021 | 57.5% | +0.75% |
| 2020 | 57.1% | +0.73% |
| 2019 | 56.7% | +0.71% |
| 2018 | 56.3% | +0.68% |
| 2017 | 55.9% | +0.66% |
| 2016 | 55.5% | +0.63% |
| 2015 | 55.2% | +0.61% |
| 2014 | 54.9% | +0.58% |
| 2013 | 54.5% | +0.55% |
| 2012 | 54.2% | +0.54% |
| 2011 | 54.0% | +0.38% |
| 2010 | 53.8% | +0.36% |
| 2009 | 53.6% | +0.37% |
| 2008 | 53.4% | +0.37% |
| 2007 | 53.2% | +0.38% |
| 2006 | 53.0% | +0.38% |
| 2005 | 52.8% | +0.39% |
Show all 65 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 52.6% | +0.40% |
| 2003 | 52.4% | +0.40% |
| 2002 | 52.1% | +0.41% |
| 2001 | 51.9% | +0.42% |
| 2000 | 51.7% | +0.44% |
| 1999 | 51.5% | +0.44% |
| 1998 | 51.3% | +0.45% |
| 1997 | 51.0% | +0.46% |
| 1996 | 50.8% | +0.46% |
| 1995 | 50.6% | +0.46% |
| 1994 | 50.3% | +0.46% |
| 1993 | 50.1% | +0.45% |
| 1992 | 49.9% | +0.44% |
| 1991 | 49.7% | +0.42% |
| 1990 | 49.4% | +0.39% |
| 1989 | 49.3% | +0.37% |
| 1988 | 49.1% | +0.36% |
| 1987 | 48.9% | +0.37% |
| 1986 | 48.7% | +0.39% |
| 1985 | 48.5% | +0.43% |
| 1984 | 48.3% | +0.49% |
| 1983 | 48.1% | +0.55% |
| 1982 | 47.8% | +0.64% |
| 1981 | 47.5% | +0.75% |
| 1980 | 47.2% | +0.85% |
| 1979 | 46.8% | +0.95% |
| 1978 | 46.3% | +1.06% |
| 1977 | 45.8% | +1.16% |
| 1976 | 45.3% | +1.26% |
| 1975 | 44.8% | +1.36% |
| 1974 | 44.2% | +1.46% |
| 1973 | 43.5% | +1.56% |
| 1972 | 42.9% | +1.66% |
| 1971 | 42.2% | +1.75% |
| 1970 | 41.4% | +2.02% |
| 1969 | 40.6% | +2.54% |
| 1968 | 39.6% | +3.01% |
| 1967 | 38.4% | +3.41% |
| 1966 | 37.2% | +3.71% |
| 1965 | 35.8% | +3.93% |
| 1964 | 34.5% | +4.01% |
| 1963 | 33.2% | +3.97% |
| 1962 | 31.9% | +3.76% |
| 1961 | 30.7% | +3.34% |
| 1960 | 29.8% | — |
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