Country Context

Jamaica is the third largest island in the Caribbean, with a population of approximately 2.7 million (2008 estimate). The per capita GDP is US$ 7,400 (2008), and 36% of the island’s GDP is contributed by travel and tourism. Jamaica also has the unfortunate distinction of having the third highest per capita murder rate in the world.  The country has a well-established health care system with well-developed primary community health services and high contraceptive prevalence rate for modern methods.