Caribbean News
Jamaica improves ranking in 2019 Human Development Index
#Kingston, December 10, 2019 – Jamaica – Jamaica has been placed in the high human development category with a ranking of 96 out of 189 countries and territories in the United Nations 2019 Human Development Index (HDI) Report. This is an improvement over the country’s ranking of 97 in 2018.
Published annually by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) the HDI report is the globally accepted standard for measuring and assessing development progress and is a valued tool for national planning. It presents the HDI ranking for 189 countries according to life expectancy, mean years of and expected years of schooling, and standard of living as measured by gross national oncome (GNI) per capita.
The 2019 report, unveiled globally on Monday (December 9), was shared locally during a ceremony at the UNDP Jamaica’s country office in Kingston. Highlighting key findings as it relates to Jamaica, UNDP Programmes Specialist, Richard Kelly, said the report shows that “the country is registering progress” in human development trends.
Of note, it reveals that between 1990 and 2018, Jamaica’s HDI value increased by 13.2 per cent, moving from 0.641 in 1990 to 0.726 in 2018.
“Between 1990 and 2018, Jamaica’s life expectancy at birth increased by 1.2 years; mean years of schooling increased by 3.9 years; and expected years of schooling increased by 1.9 years,” he said.
Additionally, Jamaica’s GNI per capita increased by about 20.2 per cent between 1990 and 2018.
Mr. Kelly noted, however, that Jamaica’s 2018 HDI of 0.726 is below the average of 0.750 for countries in the high human development group, and below the average of 0.759 for countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.
“So, despite the fact that we are classified as high human development, we are still below for those countries that are categorised as having high human development… . So we need to go beyond the numbers. We are high, we are growing, we are improving, but we have a lot of work to do,” he said.
Meanwhile, in in her remarks, delivered by Mr. Kelly, UNDP Resident Representative, Denise Antonio, noted that the focus of this year’s report has shifted beyond measuring basic information on income, and so on, to assessing inequalities in human development. She argued that while the numbers are valuable for planning purposes, they do not tell the entire story. “…that is why the UNDP is maturing its approach to development measurement and assessment through this year’s theme, ‘Beyond income, beyond averages and beyond today: Inequalities in human development in the 21st century’.
“This is an important topic because even when the numbers appear to be positive, more and more we are witnessing a rise in discontentment around the globe as people perceive a heightened level of unfairness in their societies, and more than often, the root cause is inequality. The depth of this inequality must be assessed beyond basic data that traditionally informs our policies,” she stressed.
She, therefore, implored the Government, development partners, non-governmental organisations, the private sector and citizens “to look beyond the income, beyond averages, and beyond today, so that together we can find effective, sustainable solutions aligned to the context of Jamaica’s Vision 2030”.
The report also features an Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI), the Gender Development Index (GDI), the Gender Inequality Index (GII), and the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI).
The final section of the report covers five dashboards: quality of human development, life-course gender gap, women’s empowerment, environmental sustainability, and socio-economic sustainability.
Jamaica’s HDR launch was organised by UNDP Jamaica in collaboration with the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute for Social and Economic Studies (SALISES), University of the West Indies (UWI).
Contact: Alecia Smith
Release: JIS
Photo Captions:
Header: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Programmes Specialist, Richard Kelly (right), reveals the findings of the United Nations 2019 Human Development Index (HDI) Report during a ceremony at the UNDP Jamaica’s country office in Kingston on Monday (November 9). Also pictured (from left) are University of the West Indies (UWI) student and Model UN Delegate, Matthew McHayle; and Global Youth Leader and Development Policy Specialist, Tijani Christian.
Insert: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Programmes Specialist, Richard Kelly (right), discusses key findings of the United Nations 2019 Human Development Index (HDI) Report with (from left) Resident Representative, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Takeshi Takano; Global Youth Leader and Development Policy Specialist, Tijani Christian; and University of the West Indies student and Model UN Delegate, Matthew McHayle. Occasion was a ceremony held at the UNDP Jamaica’s country office in Kingston on Monday (November 9) to unveil the 2019 UN report locally.
Photographer: Yhomo Hutchinson
Caribbean News
Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts celebrate a night of wins, and take home a total of 16 titles at the 32nd Annual World Travel Awards
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands (October 6th, 2025) – CaribCon, the Caribbean conference celebrating culture, innovation, and creativity, will welcome some of the region’s most influential voices to its inaugural edition in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The event, set to be a dynamic gathering of thought leaders and cultural icons, will feature impactful panel discussions, inspiring and intimate fireside chats and a flow of knowledge from some of the Caribbean’s brightest and best in the creative sector.
Elizabeth “Lady” Montano
Jamaica’s own Dr. Terri-Karelle Johnson, celebrated communications specialist, media personality, and global keynote speaker, will headline CaribCon as the official keynote speaker. Known for her ability to connect authentically and inspire audiences worldwide, Dr. Reid will share her insights on Caribbean identity, storytelling, and the power of representation in shaping global narratives. Another highlight of CaribCon will be the presence of Elizabeth “Lady” Montano, mother and former manager of soca superstar Machel Montano. Lady will launch her award-winning book, King of Soca, in which she is positioned as the ultimate insider, chronicling the evolution of one of the Caribbean’s most iconic entertainers. She will also share her invaluable experiences on nurturing talent, building a brand, and sustaining longevity in the competitive music industry in an intimate fireside chat. Adding further star power to the event is Simon Baptiste, CEO of Question Mark Entertainment, co-founder of ODOS, a global collective network spanning over 1000 professionals in 35 countries, film director, talent manager and creative strategist. Baptiste will bring his expertise to conversations on shaping the region’s creative sector and talent.
Simon Baptiste
“CaribCon is where the Caribbean’s voices, ideas, and creativity converge,” says Omega Simmons, founder of CaribCon and CEO of SOS Media. “Having leaders like Terri Karelle, Lady Montano, and Simon Baptiste share their stories and expertise truly embodies the spirit of this event. Their presence reinforces the power of Caribbean culture to inspire and influence on the world stage.” CaribCon will take place at the Shore Club in Providenciales, the Turks and Caicos Islands, from October 23rd to 26th. Attendees can look forward to networking opportunities, panel discussions, and meaningful dialogue to foster an ecosystem that develops the region’s creative sector and propels it onto the global stage.
Sponsors are:
Signature Experience Partners: Ministry of Tourism, Experience Turks and Caicos, and The Shore Club.
Other sponsors: PPID, Invest TCI, InterCaribbean Airways, Subtronic Sounds, Spotlight Communications.
Hotel partners: Ocean Club Resorts, Waterloo Hotel Management, The Somerset on Grace Bay and Ports of Call Resort.
For more information, tickets, and updates, visit www.caribcon.co or follow @caribconhq on all social media platforms.
For more information please email: contact@caribcon.co
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