The Government has welcomed the fall in the poverty rate to a historic low of 8.2 per cent.

The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) revealed today that the national poverty rate has been halved, falling from 16.7 per cent in 2021 to 8.2 per cent in 2023.

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness says this marks a major milestone in the Government’s ongoing efforts to improve the quality of life for all Jamaicans.

This significant decline reflects the Government’s continued success in the delivery of targeted social investment programmes, expanded job creation initiatives and prudent macroeconomic management.

In response to the achievement, the Prime Minister states that this remarkable reduction in poverty is a direct result of deliberate policies.

He noted that the announcement comes at a time when many countries are facing economic uncertainty due to global disruptions.

Notwithstanding the external challenges, Jamaica’s economy is estimated to have grown in the first quarter of 2025, driven by resilience in key sectors as well as the continuation of fiscal discipline and investment in people.