Quality of life comparison

compared to

If you lived in Jamaica instead of Nicaragua, you would:

Health

live 1.0 years longer

In Nicaragua, the average life expectancy is 75 years (73 years for men, 77 years for women) as of 2022. In Jamaica, that number is 76 years (74 years for men, 78 years for women) as of 2022.

be 7.0 times more likely to be living with HIV/AIDS

In Nicaragua, 0.2% of people are living with AIDS/HIV as of 2020. In Jamaica, that number is 1.4% of people as of 2020.

Economy

make 64.2% more money

Nicaragua has a GDP per capita of $5,300 as of 2020, while in Jamaica, the GDP per capita is $8,700 as of 2020.

be 31.3% less likely to live below the poverty line

In Nicaragua, 24.9% live below the poverty line as of 2016. In Jamaica, however, that number is 17.1% as of 2016.

pay a 16.7% lower top tax rate

Nicaragua has a top tax rate of 30.0% as of 2016. In Jamaica, the top tax rate is 25.0% as of 2016.

be 20.6% more likely to be unemployed

In Nicaragua, 6.4% of adults are unemployed as of 2017. In Jamaica, that number is 7.7% as of 2019.

Life

be 59.6% less likely to die during childbirth

In Nicaragua, approximately 198.0 women per 100,000 births die during labor as of 2017. In Jamaica, 80.0 women do as of 2017.

be 41.5% less likely to die during infancy

In Nicaragua, approximately 19.1 children (per 1,000 live births) die before they reach the age of one as of 2022. In Jamaica, on the other hand, 11.2 children do as of 2022.

Basic Needs

be 22.2% more likely to have internet access

In Nicaragua, approximately 45.0% of the population has internet access as of 2020. In Jamaica, about 55.0% do as of 2019.

be 15.9% more likely to have access to improved drinking water

In Nicaragua, approximately 83% of people have improved drinking water access (98% in urban areas, and 63% in rural areas) as of 2020. In Jamaica, that number is 96% of people on average (98% in urban areas, and 94% in rural areas) as of 2020.

Expenditures

spend 27.4% less on healthcare

Nicaragua spends 8.4% of its total GDP on healthcare as of 2019. In Jamaica, that number is 6.1% of GDP as of 2019.

spend 58.8% more on education

Nicaragua spends 3.4% of its total GDP on education as of 2019. Jamaica spends 5.4% of total GDP on education as of 2020.

Geography

see 12.3% more coastline

Nicaragua has a total of 910 km of coastline. In Jamaica, that number is 1,022 km.

The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: General Directorate of Revenues, The World Factbook, Tax Admministration of Jamaica.

Jamaica: At a glance

Jamaica is a sovereign country in Central America/Caribbean, with a total land area of approximately 10,831 sq km. The island - discovered by Christopher COLUMBUS in 1494 - was settled by the Spanish early in the 16th century. The native Taino, who had inhabited Jamaica for centuries, were gradually exterminated and replaced by African slaves. England seized the island in 1655 and established a plantation economy based on sugar, cocoa, and coffee. The abolition of slavery in 1834 freed a quarter million slaves, many of whom became small farmers. Jamaica gradually increased its independence from Britain. In 1958 it joined other British Caribbean colonies in forming the Federation of the West Indies. Jamaica gained full independence when it withdrew from the Federation in 1962. Deteriorating economic conditions during the 1970s led to recurrent violence as rival gangs affiliated with the major political parties evolved into powerful organized crime networks involved in international drug smuggling and money laundering. Violent crime, drug trafficking, and poverty pose significant challenges to the government today. Nonetheless, many rural and resort areas remain relatively safe and contribute substantially to the economy.
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How big is Jamaica compared to Nicaragua? See an in-depth size comparison.

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