The prime minister of Jamaica () is Jamaica's head of government, currently Andrew Holness. Holness, as leader of the governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), was sworn in as prime minister on 16 September 2025, having been re-elected as a result of the JLP's victory in the 2025 general election.
The prime minister is formally appointed into office by the governor-general, who represents .
Official residence and office
The prime minister of Jamaica's official residence is Vale Royal. The property was constructed in 1694 by the planter Sir William Taylor, one of Jamaica's richest men at the time. In 1928 the property was sold to the government and became the official residence of the British colonial secretary (then Sir Reginald Edward Stubbs). Vale Royal has subsequently become the official residence of the prime minister. Vale Royal is not open to the public.
has been the location of the Office of the Prime Minister since 1972. Prime ministers resided there from 1964 until 1980. On 8 November 2022, Prime Minister Andrew Holness said in question time session, that his official residence was Jamaica House rather than Vale Royal, and that Vale Royal was currently in disrepair and possible future uses would be considered after its restoration.
Chief ministers of Jamaica (1953–1959) Portrait Chief Minister Term of office Political party Election Took office Left office Time in office
Premiers of Jamaica (1959–1962) Portrait Premier Term of office Political party Election Took office Left office Time in office
Prime ministers of Jamaica (1962–present) Key: Died in office
Portrait Prime Minister Term of office Political party Election Took office Left office Time in office
Timeline
By tenure Rank bylengthof terms Prime Minister Took office Left office Length bytime served Administrations Elected Political affiliation 1 P. J. Patterson 30 March 1992 30 March 2006 14 years 1 199319972002 People's National Party 2 Michael Manley 2 March 197210 February 1989 1 November 198030 March 1992 11 years, 292 days(8 years, 244 days;3 years, 48 days) 2 197219761989 People's National Party 3 Andrew Holness (incumbent) 23 October 20113 March 2016 5 January 2012present (74 days;) 2 20162020 2025 Jamaica Labour Party 4 Edward Seaga 1 November 1980 10 February 1989 8 years, 101 days 1 19801983 Jamaica Labour Party 5 Portia Simpson Miller 30 March 20065 January 2012 11 September 20073 March 2016 5 years, 223 days (1 year, 165 days;) 2 2011 People's National Party 6 Hugh Shearer 11 April 1967 2 March 1972 4 years, 326 days 1 Jamaica Labour Party 7 Alexander Bustamante 29 April 1962 23 February 1967 4 years, 201 days 1 1962 Jamaica Labour Party 8 Bruce Golding 11 September 2007 23 October 2011 4 years, 42 days 1 2007 Jamaica Labour Party 9 Donald Sangster 23 February 1967 11 April 1967 47 days 1 1967 Jamaica Labour Party
By education
Prime Minister Term of office School University Degree Professional training Alexander Bustamante 1953–19551962–1967 — — Norman Manley 1955–1962 Wolmer's SchoolBeckford & Smith High SchoolJamaica College University of Oxford (Jesus Coll.) LawB.C.L. Inns of Court: Gray's Inn Donald Sangster 1967 Munro College —Correspondence course in bookkeeping and accounting Hugh Shearer 1967–1972 St Simon's College — Michael Manley 1980–19801989–1992 Jamaica College London School of Economics EconomicsB.Sc. 1949 Edward Seaga 1980–1989 Wolmer's School Harvard University Social SciencesA.B. 1952 P. J. Patterson1992–2006Calabar High School University College of the West Indies EnglishB.A. 1958Inns of Court: Middle Temple London School of Economics LawL.L.B. 1963 Portia Simpson-Miller 2006–20072012–2016 St Catherine High SchoolSt Martin's High School Union Institute & University Public AdministrationB.A. 1997 Bruce Golding 2007–2011 St George's CollegeJamaica College University of the West Indies EconomicsB.Sc. 1969 Andrew Holness2011–20122016–presentSt Catherine High School University of the West Indies Management StudiesB.Sc.Development StudiesM.Sc. Northeastern University Law and PolicyD.L.P. 2024
See also History of Jamaica Politics of Jamaica List of governors of Jamaica Governor-General of Jamaica List of heads of state of Jamaica Deputy Prime Minister of Jamaica List of prime ministers of Elizabeth II List of prime ministers of Charles III List of Commonwealth heads of government Privy Council of Jamaica List of Privy Counsellors (1952–2022) List of Privy Counsellors (2022–present) Prime Minister of the West Indies Federation
References
External links Government of Jamaica - Office of the Prime Minister - Official website