country profile

Jamaica

Latin America & CaribbeanUpper middle income2.84M population

Last updated May 3, 2026

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Composite GEFRI Score

Emerging readiness

Jamaica demonstrates early-stage readiness to meet the challenges and opportunities of education in a rapidly changing world (44th percentile worldwide). Investments are generating initial gains, yet substantial gaps persist in several dimensions. Higher scores indicate a system that is better prepared to anticipate and shape the future of learning.

47.99Composite score
Global percentile
44th
Global rank
#101
Regional rank
#16
Viewing data for
Infrastructure
60.33
48th percentileGlobal avg. 54.77
Human Capital
51.71
56th percentileGlobal avg. 47.01
Innovation
38.65
40th percentileGlobal avg. 45.21
Governance
56.28
70th percentileGlobal avg. 47.75
Access & Parity
32.97
38th percentileGlobal avg. 49.65

Country profile

Jamaica performs close to the global average across all GEFRI dimensions. Progress is evident, yet stronger ambition is needed to reach futures readiness among global peers.

Uneven scores across dimensions highlight areas that need targeted coordination. High internet adoption enables broad participation in digital learning and innovation.

Sparse R&D investment and a small research workforce slow experimentation and delay new ideas from reaching learners. Girls outperform boys in secondary pathways, adding pressure to address male dropout risks.

GEFRI Composite presents a near-term leapfrog opportunity: performance is just below the global average, backed by enough observed data to support forward planning.

Note: Several indicators use imputed values. Policymakers and planners should validate results further before committing to major initiatives.

Key insights

  • Places 101st worldwide.
  • Holds a regional position of 16th within Latin America & Caribbean.
  • Scores range from Infrastructure (60.3) to Access & Parity (33.0), reflecting variation across dimensions.
  • Trails regional peers most clearly in Access & Parity.

Regional peers: Latin America & Caribbean

Composite GEFRI Score

Global rankRegional rankCountryScore
351Chile69.40
412Argentina63.42
453Uruguay62.34
St. Vincent and the GrenadinesMicrostate58.71
Cayman IslandsMicrostate58.08
664Peru57.61
Antigua and BarbudaMicrostate57.06
St. Kitts and NevisMicrostate56.86
GrenadaMicrostate56.17
755Colombia55.43
766Mexico55.42
Turks and Caicos IslandsMicrostate54.88
787Trinidad and Tobago54.51
828Puerto Rico (US)53.59
839Brazil53.37
8410Cuba53.27
DominicaMicrostate52.45
BarbadosMicrostate51.98
8911Dominican Republic51.35
9112Ecuador50.99
St. LuciaMicrostate50.61
9413Bolivia50.49
9814Costa Rica49.21
9915Bahamas, The48.87
Sint Maarten (Dutch part)Microstate48.52
10116Jamaica47.99
St. Martin (French part)Microstate47.56
10417Belize47.13
10618Panama46.66
ArubaMicrostate46.65
Virgin Islands (U.S.)Microstate46.42
British Virgin IslandsMicrostate45.52
10719Paraguay45.05
CuracaoMicrostate43.74
11220Venezuela, RBFCS41.20
11921El Salvador37.36
12022Suriname36.99
12123Guyana36.92
13124Honduras33.35
13925Guatemala31.22
14326Nicaragua29.47
16527HaitiFCS22.71