Some areas of Jamaica, particularly population centers such as Kingston, Montego Bay and Spanish Town, experience high levels of crime and violence.[1] Jamaica has had one of the highest intentional homicide rates in the world for many years, according to United Nations estimates.[2] Former Prime Minister P. J. Patterson described the situation as "a national challenge of unprecedented proportions".[3]
Murder rate
When Jamaica gained independence in 1962, the murder rate was 3.9 per 100,000 inhabitants, one of the lowest in the world.[4] In 2022, Jamaica had 1,508 murders, for a murder rate of 53.34 per 100,000 people,[5] the highest murder rate in the world.[2][6]
Jamaica recorded 1,680 murders in 2009.[7] In 2010, there were 1,428, in 2011, 1,125. 2012 saw 1,097, 2013, 1,200. 2014 totaled 1,192, 2015, 1,450, 2016, 1,350, 2017, 1,616 and 2018, 1,287.[8][9] 1,508 murders were reported in 2022.[10]
| Year | Total rate per 100,000 people[11] | Total intentional homicides[12] |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 61.82 | 1,683 |
| 2010 | 52.93 | 1,447 |
| 2011 | 41.26 | 1,133 |
| 2012 | 39.93 | 1,102 |
| 2013 | 43.34 | 1,202 |
| 2014 | 36.09 | 1,005 |
| 2015 | 43.26 | 1,209 |
| 2016 | 48.31 | 1,354 |
| 2017 | 58.65 | 1,647 |
| 2018 | 45.84 | 1,289 |
| 2019 | 47.62 | 1,340 |
| 2020 | 47.26 | 1,333 |
| 2021 | 52.13 | 1,474 |
| 2022 | 53.34 | 1,508 |
Emergencies
On November 15, 2022, the Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness declared a state of emergency for certain regions of Jamaica because of rising crime rates.[13] Some areas affected by the measures include the capital Kingston, and the popular tourist destination of Montego Bay.[14][15] This followed a travel warning from the U.S. State Department suggesting travelers to not travel to certain areas of the country due to crime rates.[16]
