Inflation Jamaica 2019
Average inflation: 3.9%
Current Inflation
Inflation is high at 3.9%, well above the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in December at 6.1%. The lowest inflation was in January at 2.3%.
- Highest month
- December: 6.1%
- Lowest month
- January: 2.3%
- Difference
- 3.8 percentage points
- Months with data
- 12 of 12
Category Insights
The highest price increase was in Food with an average of 6.3%. The lowest price increase was in Energy with an average of 1.4%.
- Highest increase
- Food: 6.3%
- Lowest increase
- Energy: 1.4%
Historical Context
Current inflation is around the 5-year average of 3.6%.
- 5-year average
- 3.6%
- 10-year average
- 6.3%
- All-time high (2008)
- 22%
- All-time low (2016)
- 2.4%
Trend
Inflation has remained relatively stable. Compared to 2018, the difference is minimal (+0.2 percentage point).
- Change vs. previous year
- +0.2 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- December: +3.6 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 1.9% above the ECB target of 2.0%. This means purchasing power is declining faster than intended.
Purchasing Power
At this inflation rate, purchasing power noticeably decreases. Without a salary increase, you can buy less with the same money.
What you could buy for JMD 100 this year will cost approximately JMD 103.90 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 2019
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 2018 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2.3% | -2.4 |
| February | 2.4% | -2.0 |
| March | 3.4% | -0.5 |
| April | 3.9% | +0.7 |
| May | 4.8% | +1.7 |
| June | 4.2% | +1.4 |
| July | 4.3% | +1.1 |
| August | 4.1% | +0.2 |
| September | 3.4% | -1.0 |
| October | 3.2% | -1.5 |
| November | 4.7% | +0.6 |
| December | 6.1% | +3.6 |
| Average | 3.9% |
Data source
Data from WorldBank. Last updated: 06/01/2026.