Crime in Jamaica


Some areas of Jamaica, particularly cities such as Kingston, Montego Bay and Spanish Town, experience high levels of crime and violence. Jamaica has had one of the highest murder rates in the world for many years, according to United Nations estimates. Former Prime Minister P. J. Patterson described the situation as "a national challenge of unprecedented proportions".

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. In 2005, Jamaica had 1,674 murders for a murder rate of 58 per 100,000 people. That year, Jamaica had the highest murder rate in the world. In November 2008, the Jamaican Parliament voted to retain the death penalty, which is performed by hanging.
Jamaica recorded 1,680 murders in 2009. 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 and 2017, 1,616.
1,287 murders were reported in 2018.
YearTotal Murders
20091,680
20101,428
20111,125
20121,097
20131,200
20141,005
20151,208
20161,350
20171,616
20181,287
20191,332