Jamaica
Jamaica performs in the high-range in Representation and in the mid-range in the Rights, Rule of Law, and Participation categories of the Global State of Democracy (GSoD) Framework. It is among the world’s top 25 per cent of countries in most GSoD factors, but is among the bottom 25 percent in Electoral Participation. From 2019 to 2024, it has advanced in Freedom of Expression. Jamaica has an upper middle-income economy but is beleaguered by slow growth and debt, albeit on a strong downward trajectory. The country is heavily dependent on tourism and lacks resilience in the face of economic shocks and climate change.
Jamaica was colonized for over 400 years, first by Spanish settlers in the early 1500s, and ended with independence from the United Kingdom in 1962. European colonization was marked by the enslavement and subsequent extermination of Jamaica’s Indigenous population, the importation of African slaves and the indentureship of South and East Asian migrant workers. This left a lasting legacy of oppression, violence, and race and class-based discrimination. Most Jamaicans are of partial or full African descent, but stratification within racial categories is correlated with disparate socio-economic conditions. Those in poverty are disproportionately affected by violence, though the government has committed to alleviating poverty. Jamaica’s republican movement, triggered by Queen Elizabeth II’s passing, and the work of the Constitutional Reform Committee (CRC) reviewing the 1962 Constitution, reflect ongoing efforts to address this colonial legacy.
Jamaica’s legal framework guarantees gender equality and addresses sexual harassment. However, entrenched discrimination and sexual violence against women and girls is widespread and constitutes a major barrier to gender equality, as is the differentiated impact of poverty on women. LGBTQIA+ persons face rampant discrimination and violent persecution, but efforts to bring about change are typically thwarted by the religious conservative majority.
Jamaica’s current political landscape is dominated by two political parties—the social-democratic People’s National Party (PNP) and the traditionally more right-leaning Jamaica Labour Party (JLP). Political conflict has historically arisen at the intersection of ideology and sub-national identity, such as race and class. Political violence is endemic, rooted in a history of patronage-based politics. Nascent parties recruited and armed urban gangs to organize constituencies and engage in clientelism. They also sponsored the creation of various “Garrison communities” in and around the capital, Kingston, granting this political tribalism a spatial expression and encouraging urban turf warfare, high rates of violent crime, and corruption. Today, Jamaica has one of the highest homicide rates globally and organized criminal activity continues to play a far-reaching role in politics.
The judicial system has traditionally been marred by corruption and backlogs, but some positive developments include a new Strategic Business Plan to swiftly reduce caseloads and strengthen the judiciary. Under recent judicial reforms and increasing violence control programmes, Jamaica seems to have entered a new era of accountability for organized crime and violence. The government has further committed to introduce legislation to that end.
Looking ahead, it will be important to follow anti-corruption efforts, which could impact Rule of Law. More broadly, attention should be paid to the next steps outlined in the CRC’s first report as Jamaica moves towards a referendum on becoming a republic and severing its ties with the UK. The country’s future also depends on its efforts towards climate resilience.
Last updated: July 2025
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September 2025
Jamaica Labour Party wins general election
On 3 September, Jamaica held a general election. The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) won 35 out of the 63 seats in Parliament’s House of Representatives, resulting in Prime Minister Andrew Holness securing a third term in office. The opposition Peoples’s National Party (PNP) won 28 seats, representing a gain of 14 seats compared to the previous election.
Voter turnout was nearly 40 per cent, a slight increase from the 37.9 per cent turnout in 2020. About 28 per cent of all candidates were women, and 19 out of the 63 seats in the House of Representatives were won by women (30.2 per cent) (one more seat than in the previous election). International observation missions noted that overall, the election was held in a peaceful and organized manner, while noting some technical issues in the implementation of new voter identification technology which resulted in some temporary delays in the election process.
Sources: Electoral Commission of Jamaica, Jamaica Gleaner, CNW, The Guardian, Caricom, OAS
May 2024
Constitutional Reform Committee issues first report
The Constitutional Reform Committee (CRC), appointed by Prime Minister Andrew Holness in 2023 with the objective to provide guidance in Jamaica’s transition to a republican form of government, has issued its first report. Among its recommendations is the proposal that a constitutional monarchy is no longer an adequate form of government, and that Jamaica’s head of state should be chosen in a democratic process. It further makes recommendations on parliamentary reform. Members of the CRC from the opposition’s People’s National Party (PNP) have, however, refused to sign the report, due to objections of the phased approach the CRC has adopted. The Committee first addressed issues related to deeply entrenched constitutional provisions that require a referendum, such as those related to establishing a republic, leaving others for a second phase. PNP argues that the definition of the Caribbean Court of Justice as Jamaica’s final court (instead of the UK Privy Council) should be considered at this point as well.
Sources: Government of Jamaica, Jamaica Observer, Jamaica Inquirer, International IDEA
March 2023
Prime Minister announces Constitutional Reform Committee
Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced on 22 March the establishment of a Constitutional Reform Committee (CRC) to oversee and assist in the country’s transformation from a constitutional monarchy towards a republic. The CRC is comprised of 14 members representing diverse sectors, including civil society, academia and youth representatives, government, the parliamentary opposition, chief legal officers, as well as constitutional law and governance experts – under the leadership of Jamaica’s Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Marlene Malahoo Forte.
The CRC has been tasked to provide guidance and oversight throughout the constitutional review process and through the implementation of recommendations. The protracted constitutional reform process will be carried out in three phases that will involve a thorough and comprehensive review of the 1962 Constitution of Jamaica. The government plans to subsequently hold a referendum by the end of 2024 or beginning of 2025, regarding the proposal for Jamaica’s transition to a republic.
Sources:Caribbean National Weekly, Jamaica Observer, Constitution Net, Government of Jamaica Information Service, Forbes
February 2023
Local government elections postponed for third time
On 21 February, Jamaica’s House of Representatives approved the Representation of the People Act, 2023 (Postponement of Elections to Municipal Corporations and City Municipalities). The bill effectively postponed the country’s local elections for a further 12 months - the third consecutive postponement of local elections in the country.
Local elections are constitutionally due every four years and were last held in November 2016. Initially scheduled for November 2020, the elections were postponed to February 2022 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. They were then further delayed by the government by 12 months as to avoid public health risks amid the fourth wave of the pandemic. They were due to be held this month, but the government did not approve the budget for the election submitted by the Electoral Office of Jamaica, citing fiscal constraints. Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie has stated that the postponement will allow the country to continue its post-pandemic economic recovery. Local elections in Jamaica are now expected to be held no later than 28 February 2024.
Sources: Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development of Jamaica, Radio Jamaica News, Jamaica Information Service, Jamaica Observer
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