People in Jamaica are bracing for the impact of Hurricane Melissa, which is forecast to unleash destructive winds and bring catastrophic flooding to the Caribbean nation in the coming hours.
Melissa was upgraded to a category five hurricane – the maximum strength – early on Monday, the US-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) said.
Authorities fear that Melissa, which has already been blamed for the deaths of four people on the island of Hispaniola, could become the strongest hurricane ever to hit Jamaica.
The Jamaican government has ordered evacuations for parts of the capital, Kingston, and the entire island has been classed as “threatened”.
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Jamaica has dramatically reduced its public debt-to-GDP ratio from a high of approximately 144% in 2012 to about 68% in late 2024. This significant reduction was achieved through sustained fiscal discipline, including running large primary budget surpluses, and is expected to continue falling.
Key facts on Jamaica's debt
Historical debt: Jamaica's public debt peaked at around 144% of its GDP in 2012.
Current debt: The debt-to-GDP ratio was 67.9% as of December 2024. Other reports cite a figure around 68.7% for 2025.
Projection: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects the debt ratio will continue to decline to below 60% by 2028.
Debt reduction strategy: The country achieved this by consistently running large primary budget surpluses (the budget balance before interest payments) and implementing structural reforms.
Reasons for success: Success is attributed to a broad-based political consensus and social partnership, which supported the necessary fiscal discipline and structural reforms.
External factors: The reduction was achieved without strong economic growth, highlighting the impact of fiscal policy.
Government budget: Jamaica's government budget balance was -1.00% of GDP as of December 2024.
External debt: External debt, owed to non-residents, was a significant portion of the total debt, with over 94% of that external debt being in US dollars.
Jamaica's main exports include minerals and energy products like alumina and bauxite, agricultural goods such as sugar, coffee, rum, and yams, and various manufactured goods like beverages and chemicals. More specifically, its top exports in recent years have been mineral fuels, inorganic chemicals, and aluminum oxide, with agricultural and other products like coffee and rum also being significant exports.
Minerals and energy
Bauxite and alumina: These are traditionally some of Jamaica's most significant exports, used for aluminum production.
Mineral fuels: This category includes refined petroleum and petroleum gas.
Agricultural products
Sugar: A traditional export from the island.
Rum: Jamaica is known for its high-quality rum.
Coffee: Specifically, the world-renowned Blue Mountain Coffee is a key export.
Yams and other vegetables: These are also significant agricultural exports.
Bananas and pimento: Other agricultural products that are exported.
Manufactured and other goods
Inorganic chemicals: This is a major category of exports for Jamaica.
Beverages: Beyond rum, this includes a variety of other alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Seafood: Includes both live and processed seafood products like lobster and fish.
Scrap metal: This is another notable export item.
Other products: Also exported are pharmaceutical products, food preparations, and various manufactured goods.
Jamaica imports a wide range of goods from the USA, with mineral fuels, machinery, and cereals being the top categories. Other significant imports include electrical machinery, vehicles, and pharmaceuticals.
Top categories of imports from the USA
Mineral fuels, oils, and distillation products: This includes refined petroleum and petroleum gas.
Machinery and equipment: This category includes nuclear reactors, boilers, and other mechanical and industrial machinery.
Cereals: Jamaica is a major consumer of flour, making wheat a key import from the U.S.
Electrical machinery and equipment: This covers a variety of electronic items.
Vehicles and parts: This includes motor vehicles and related components.
Miscellaneous edible preparations: This encompasses various prepared foods, sauces, and seasonings.
Pharmaceuticals: Medical and pharmaceutical products are also a significant import.
Plastics: Articles made from plastic are a part of the import trade.
Beverages, spirits, and vinegar: This includes a variety of drinks and condiments.
Iron and steel: Manufactured articles and raw materials made of iron and steel are imported.
Jamaica is an island country in the Caribbean known for its beaches, mountains, and vibrant culture, including reggae music and African heritage. The capital is Kingston, the official language is English, and the country operates as a parliamentary democracy. Key facts include a tropical climate, driving on the left, and diverse resort areas like Negril and Ocho Rios, with Port Antonio offering a more laid-back experience.
Geography and climate
Size and location: Jamaica is the third-largest island in the Caribbean, located south of Cuba.
Terrain: It is mountainous, featuring four major mountain ranges, including the Blue Mountains, and is also known for its rivers, waterfalls, and caves.
Climate: The climate is tropical, with high temperatures and humidity year-round. The best time to visit is generally from mid-December to mid-April, the dry season.
Rainy season: The rainy seasons are from May to June and September to November, and the hurricane season runs from June to September.
Government and culture
Government: Jamaica is a parliamentary democracy and gained independence from Britain in 1962.
Capital: Kingston is the capital and largest city.
Motto and anthem: The motto is "Out of Many, One People" and the anthem is "Jamaica, Land We Love".
Language: English is the official language, but many people also speak Jamaican Patois.
Cultural heritage: The culture is a blend of African and European influences, with the deepest cultural influence being African.
Practical information for visitors
Currency: The Jamaican Dollar (JMD), but U.S. dollars are widely accepted.
Driving: Jamaicans drive on the left side of the road.
Tipping: A general rule of thumb is to tip around 10% for good service, but it can increase to 15-20% for exceptional service.
Entry requirements: Travelers need a valid passport. COVID-19 entry restrictions have been largely lifted, but it's important to check for the latest requirements before traveling.
What to pack: Lightweight, tropical clothing is recommended. A light sweater for evenings is a good idea, and semi-casual wear may be needed for some restaurants or events.
Jamaica is the third-largest island in the Caribbean, known for producing world-class reggae music and having some of the world's fastest sprinters. The country was the first in the Western world to build a railroad and the first Caribbean nation to launch a website. It is also famous for its Blue Mountain coffee, the national dish of ackee and saltfish, and a unique national flag that does not share any colors with the United States flag.
Culture and music
Reggae: Jamaica is the birthplace of reggae music, a genre popularized globally by native son Bob Marley.
Most music per capita: The island has a reputation for producing the most music per capita in the world.
Ian Fleming: Author Ian Fleming wrote all of the James Bond thrillers while living in Jamaica.
Jerk cooking: The country is responsible for popularizing jerk cuisine, especially jerk chicken.
Rastafarianism: The Rastafarian lifestyle and culture are prominent in Jamaica.
Geography and nature
Third-largest Caribbean island: It is the third-largest island in the Caribbean after Cuba and Hispaniola.
Mountainous terrain: The island is home to four major mountain ranges, including the Blue Mountains, which are the longest.
National bird: The national bird is the streamertail, also known as the "Doctor Bird".
Blue Mountain coffee: Jamaica is home to one of the world's most expensive and rarest coffees, grown in the Blue Mountains.
Largest butterfly: The island is home to the largest butterfly in the Western Hemisphere, the endangered Homerus swallowtail.
History and innovation
Independence: Jamaica gained independence from the United Kingdom on August 6, 1962.
Spanish colony: The island was first a Spanish colony before being taken over by the British.
First railroad in the Western world: Jamaica built the first railroad in the Western Hemisphere just 18 years after Britain did.
First Caribbean website: In 1994, Jamaica became the first country in the Caribbean to launch its own website.
Sports
Fastest runners: Jamaica is known for producing some of the fastest runners in the world, including Usain Bolt.
Bobsled team: Jamaica was the first tropical country to compete in the Winter Olympics.
Most Olympic medals: The United States and China are the only countries with more Olympic medals than Jamaica.
Miscellaneous
Driving: Vehicles drive on the left side of the road, a holdover from British rule.
Official language: The official language is English, though Jamaican Patois is also widely spoken.
Currency: The country uses its own currency, the Jamaican dollar.
Hope you get through this Jamaica🏝
Thank you for having me and giving me money.
BOMBOCLAAAAT
Stay safe jamaica uk
Trump will be blamed for this…always white people who bring disasters to black people.
The cause and foundation of the Hurricane problem is Italy and France Paris, Torino, Taranto, Sardegna, Napolitano, Napoli, America, Rome,
😮😮😮😮😮😮
as if hurricane was not enough there bbc is in jamaica
Listening to chronix..captured land …😢
Repatriation is a must .. back 2 de mother land
Prayers we don’t lose to much god watch over them all I pray amen
No mention anywhere of plans to help animals endure this nightmare, domestic, farmed or wild?
Prayers to my friends and all other people ❤
JAH guid & protect Jamaica
Praying for my Jamaican friends and family!
All geo engineered and planned, absolutely awful how they made this happen all for smart city.
Melissa finally gone thank God
BBC couldn't find a local on the ground to interview 😕
Por favor cuidense, no se vayan a subir al barco. Saludos, Cesar Armando Villasenor Saldana
#CesarArmandoVillasenorSaldana
@CesarArmandoVillasenorSaldana
😂😂 ok first it’s the Indian guy then the sign language guy was going in😂😂
Nobody in the uk cares 😂
How do they know that?
Thoughts and prayers are welcome, but also, I hope everyone is prepared. There is no amount of prayers that can save you if you dont take action.
I AM SO SORRY FOR JAMAICA. GOD WOULD HELP THEM SOON
G9D WANTS US TO CALL ON HIM.
im sorry but the video from 2:55 is not jamaica they just found footage from other countries and stitch them in to make up the gap also make it looks like they are starving.
in Haiti, we should build nickel smelters, aluminum smelters, iron smelters, copper smelters, glass smelters; the coal for these smelters should come from Brazil, the iron ore from Brazil, the bauxite from Jamaica, the nickel from Brazil, the copper from Peru and Chile……
Cuba should introduce a market economy, build nickel smelters, iron smelters, aluminum smelters, copper smelters, glass smelters, the coal for these smelters should come from Brazil, the iron ore from Brazil, the bauxite from Jamaica, the nickel should be mined in Cuba, the copper should come from Chile…….
Next time don't be Rude at Melissa 🫵😂
We love you Jamaica 🇯🇲 stay strong 🙏