Gross National Product (GNP): US$7.26bn

Exchange rates against the US$ over the last year: 58.7 Jamaican dollars (48.25)

SCORE CARD

World GNP ranking: 100th GNP per capita: US$2800 Balance of payments: –US$788m Inflation: 7.1% Unemployment: 16%

Strengths

Relatively diversified economy. Tourism. Mining and refining of bauxite for aluminum. Agriculture, including sugar, bananas, rum, and coffee. Light manufacturing.

Weaknesses

Banking and insurance sectors. Climbing debt burden, now around 150% of GDP, dominates budget. Financing of sugar production. Stagnant growth. High unemployment.

EXPORTS

IMPORTS

From "The Financial Times World Desk Reference" © Dorling Kindersley 2004