Jamaica · Americas
How many people die in Jamaica every day?
In Jamaica, about 55 people die every day, roughly one death every 26 minutes. That is about 20,000 deaths a year, less than 0.1% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 137th highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 75.3 years and the leading cause of death is cardiovascular disease. See every death on earth as it happens on the live death counter.
Deaths per day
55
Deaths per year
20,000
Life expectancy
75.3 years
Population
2,820,436
Death rate
7.1 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cardiovascular disease
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Jamaica
75.3
World avg
72.8
+2.5 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Jamaica
7.1
World avg
7.7
Deaths in Jamaica by time period
| Per hour | 2.3 |
| Per day | 55 |
| Per week | 384 |
| Per month | 1,667 |
| Per year | 20,000 |
What people die of in Jamaica
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in Jamaica in 2023 was stroke, which accounted for 12.1% of all deaths, about 7.1 a day. It was followed by diabetes and heart disease (ischaemic).
Deaths from hypertensive heart disease have more than doubled since 2000, from about 420 to 1,035 a year. Deaths from HIV/AIDS have fallen by 49% since 2000, from about 1,744 to 898 a year.
WHO counts single causes, so heart disease and stroke appear as separate rows. Grouped together as cardiovascular disease, the category in the summary above, they are the largest killer.
| # | Cause | Deaths (2023) | Per day | Share | Since 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stroke | 2,576 | 7.1 | 12.1% | +20% |
| 2 | Diabetes | 2,238 | 6.1 | 10.5% | +25% |
| 3 | Heart disease (ischaemic) | 1,748 | 4.8 | 8.2% | +47% |
| 4 | Homicide (interpersonal violence) | 1,667 | 4.6 | 7.8% | +50% |
| 5 | Kidney diseases | 1,063 | 2.9 | 5% | +30% |
| 6 | Hypertensive heart disease | 1,035 | 2.8 | 4.8% | +146% |
| 7 | HIV/AIDS | 898 | 2.5 | 4.2% | -49% |
| 8 | Prostate cancer | 822 | 2.3 | 3.8% | +27% |
| 9 | Breast cancer | 710 | 1.9 | 3.3% | +74% |
| 10 | Road injuries | 556 | 1.5 | 2.6% | +63% |
Deaths in Jamaica since 2000
WHO estimates that about 21,360 people died in Jamaica in 2023, 26% more than in 2000. Totals rise as populations grow and age, even when health improves. WHO’s modelled estimates can differ from the headline figures above, which come from a different source.
| 2000 | 16,967 deaths |
| 2010 | 16,120 deaths |
| 2019 | 18,829 deaths |
| 2023 | 21,360 deaths |
Life expectancy in Jamaica since 1950
A baby born in Jamaica in 1950 could expect to live about 56.6 years. By 2023 that had risen to 71.5, a gain of 14.9 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 56.6 years |
| 1980 | 69 years |
| 2000 | 71.3 years |
| 2010 | 72 years |
| 2019 | 71.5 years |
| 2023 | 71.5 years |
Jamaica compared with similar countries in Americas
Among the 24 countries in Americas on this site, Jamaica ranks 13th for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jamaica | 55 | 75.3 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Uruguay | 90 | 77.9 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Panama | 60 | 78.5 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Trinidad and Tobago | 33 | 73.5 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Costa Rica | 71 | 80.3 | Cardiovascular disease |
| El Salvador | 115 | 73.3 | Cardiovascular disease |
Sources: WHO Global Health Estimates 2023 (deaths by cause and totals); UN World Population Prospects via Our World in Data (life expectancy). Figures are modelled estimates and are rounded.
Frequently asked questions
How many people die in Jamaica every day?
In Jamaica, about 55 people die every day, or roughly one death every 26 minutes. That adds up to about 20,000 deaths a year, less than 0.1% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in Jamaica?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Jamaica. Heart disease and stroke are the biggest killers in most countries, driven largely by high blood pressure, smoking, diet and inactivity. Counting single causes, WHO's estimates put stroke first in 2023, with 12.1% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in Jamaica?
Life expectancy at birth in Jamaica is 75.3 years, 2.5 years above the world average of 72.8. That ranks 74th of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in Jamaica high?
Jamaica records about 7.1 deaths per 1,000 people each year, below the world average of 7.7. Crude death rates are higher in countries with older populations, so a high rate does not always mean poor health care.