By Michael Spence
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| Michael Spence |
Today I want us to look at some interesting statistics and information, which will allow us to have a better understanding of some of our economic challenges. We need to understand where we are coming from and how we can deal with some of these challenges.
1. Beach Access
Jamaica’s coastline is officially 1,022 km, or about 635 miles. Government and campaign groups cite a similar figure of 494 miles (795 km).
The issue is access. Advocates estimate Jamaicans have free access to roughly 2.8 miles of that coastline, less than 1%. NEPA lists only about a dozen operational public beaches, with many others needing rehabilitation. The Beach Control Act of 1956 vests the foreshore in the Crown and does not guarantee a general right of access.
2. From Sugar to "Plantation Tourism"
After emancipation in 1838, economic power stayed concentrated in land and export crops. By the 1890s, legal incentives reinforced that pattern. After independence in 1962, the model shifted from sugar to tourism, but critics argue the structure remained similar: foreign capital, imported inputs, and limited local ownership. This is what activists now call "Plantation Tourism."
Tourism leakage is a long-standing concern. The Caribbean retains only about 15 to 20 cents of every tourism dollar spent. Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism notes Jamaica does better at about 40 cents retained, with a goal to reach 50-60 cents. Other analysts cite government estimates of 40% retention, meaning 60 cents leaves through imports, foreign management fees, and profit repatriation. 11c7e4b7ee9e
3- Trade crisis
STATIN reported 2025 imports at US$7.52 billion vs exports of US$1.65 billion. That’s a coverage ratio of only 22 cents earned for every $1 spent and a trade deficit of about US$5.87 billion.
Jamaica’s motor vehicle import regime inspected 83,000 used cars in recent years. While exact current registration totals aren’t published here, the fleet is estimated at 800,000 vehicles. Fuel, parts, and
Homicide/Murders: Jamaica recorded 52.9 per 100,000, the highest in CARICOM. Recent police data shows 673 murders in 2025, a rate of 23.7 per 100,000, down from previous peaks.
Literacy: The last UNESCO/PAHO figure was 89%. CARICOM rankings vary by year, but Jamaica consistently ranks lower than Barbados, Trinidad, and Guyana.
Informal housing: Estimates of "squatter" or informal settlements range up to nearly 1 million people, reflecting decades of rural-urban migration and landlessness.
4. Governance and the Economy
The Bank of Jamaica and IMF have flagged a contracting goods sector, high debt, and vulnerability to external shocks. With 40-85% of foreign exchange in some Caribbean states coming from tourism, the current model leaves little room for local wealth creation when supply chains are imported. d8c111c7
5. A Way Forward
- Tourism alone, at 15-40 cents retention, cannot close the gap. The call is to refocus:
- Buy Jamaica to grow agriculture and manufacturing linkages,
- Export Jamaica to diversify goods and services beyond tourism, and
- Build Jamaica with housing, education, and infrastructure for residents.
As Bob Marley says, "Wake up and live, for life is one big road with lots of signs."
Jamaicans, it cannot be business as usual.
Michael Spence
Michael Spence is a graduate of Cornwall College and the University of the West Indies. He is a trained teacher, a sociologist, and a writer for Bark Di Trute.
Micspen2@hotmail.com
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Dunstan Bryan
Dunstan Bryan returns as permanent secretary at the Ministry of Health & Wellness.
Prostate Cancer
Remember to have your prostate checked out by the doctor, or you might see your maker earlier than he had planned.
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Foundation Fren ....this is a very pertinent post. The data tells the story. Pity tgat so many will not read it, will nit share it and alas, cannit decipher it.
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