Jamaica’s economy expanded by 1.1 percent in the first quarter of 2025, fueled by positive performances across most goods-producing and services industry subsectors, Acting Director General of the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), Leesha Delatie-Budair, announced Thursday.
Speaking at a virtual Economic Statistics Media Stakeholders Meeting held on July 3, Ms. Delatie-Budair highlighted that the goods-producing sector grew by 2 percent, while the services sector increased by 0.8 percent during the January to March period.
“Most of the services industries recorded an increase,” Ms. Delatie-Budair said. However, she noted two exceptions where declines were observed: real estate and business services decreased by 0.4 percent, and wholesale and retail trade, including repair of motor vehicles and installation of machinery and equipment, fell by 0.8 percent.
On the goods-producing side, all subsectors posted gains. The strongest growth came from agriculture, forestry, and fishing, which rose by 3.1 percent, followed by manufacturing at 1.7 percent, construction at 1.4 percent, and mining and quarrying at 0.7 percent.
This positive start to the year reflects a broad-based recovery, signaling optimism for Jamaica’s economic outlook as it continues to build on momentum in key industries.
