Some areas of Jamaica, particularly population centers such as Kingston, Montego Bay and Spanish Town, experience high levels of crime and violence. Jamaica has had one of the highest intentional homicide rates in the world for many years, according to United Nations estimates. Former Prime Minister P. J. Patterson described the situation as "a national challenge of unprecedented proportions". In recent years, however, data has shown a marked decrease in homicides. In 2025, Jamaica recorded fewer than 700 murders for the first time in more than 30 years, reflecting a significant decline in the national homicide rate.
Murder Though having recently decreased rates of murder, with one of the lowest murder rates in the country within the 21st century, Jamaica still maintains one of the worst murder rates in the world. There have also been criticisms of the lack of police transparency in Jamaican policing, with calls for police body cameras as the number of police killings have increased significantly during the efforts to curb gang violence. On 22 July, Jamaican police announced they had killed 5 men in St. Andrew parish, Kingstown after having allegedly been under fire. InSight Crime has cited greater policing authority and investigatory abilities as the primary source of Jamaica's murder rate declining.
Much of the firearms in Jamaica are illegally trafficked from the United States, which are often brought into Jamaica by gang members or other unaffiliated criminals.
When Jamaica gained independence in 1962, the murder rate was 3.9 per 100,000 inhabitants, one of the lowest in the world. In 2022, Jamaica had 1,508 murders, for a murder rate of 53.34 per 100,000 people, the highest murder rate in the world.
Jamaica recorded 1,680 murders in 2009. In 2010, there were 1,428, in 2011, 1,125. 2012 saw 1,097, 2013, 1,200. 2014 totaled 1,192, 2015, 1,450, 2016, 1,350, 2017, 1,616 and 2018, 1,287. 1,508 murders were reported in 2022. Year Total rate per 100,000 people Total intentional homicides 2009 61.82 1,683 2010 52.93 1,447 2011 41.26 1,133 2012 39.93 1,102 2013 43.34 1,202 2014 36.09 1,005 2015 43.26 1,209 2016 48.31 1,354 2017 58.65 1,647 2018 45.84 1,289 2019 47.62 1,340 2020 47.26 1,333 2021 52.13 1,474 2022 53.34 1,508 2023 49.05 1,393 2024 40.18 1,141202523.7673
Drugs In March 2025, Jamaican authorities seized 1,183 pounds (538.8 kg) of cocaine disguised as Cuban honey at the Kingston seaport. The drug, valued at USD 3.1 billion, was found in a shipping container during a joint operation by the Jamaica Customs Agency and the Firearms and Narcotics Investigation Division (FNID). Senior Superintendent Samuel Blake highlighted the seizure as part of ongoing efforts to curb drug trafficking. The bust coincided with a visit by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who discussed narcotics-related corruption with Jamaican officials.
Emergencies On November 15, 2022, Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness declared a state of emergency for certain regions of Jamaica because of rising crime rates. Some areas affected by the measures include the capital Kingston, and the popular tourist destination of Montego Bay. This followed a travel warning from the U.S. State Department suggesting travelers to not travel to certain areas of the country due to crime rates.
See also
Jamaican posse The Harder They Come Yardies
References