(Jamaica is a Caribbean island located in the Greater Antilles. It has an area of 10,990 square kilometers. In 2011, the population of Jamaica was estimated to be 2,709,300. Click on the link below to see a map of Jamaica.
Map of Jamaica by Tubs & MacedonianBoy (used under license)
Population Growth in Jamaica
The population of Jamaica increased rapidly in the 1900’s but in recent times, the rate of growth has decreased. Though the population is still growing, it is not growing as quickly as it was in past decades. Population growth in Jamaica has generally been on the decline for some time. In the early 1980’s the population growth rate was almost two percent but by 2017, the rate had dropped to about o.31 percent. Click the link below for additional information about population growth in Jamaica.
http://www.worldometers.info/world-population/jamaica-population/
Let us examine some of the factors affecting population growth in Jamaica:
The fertility rate has decreased drastically in the last few decades and is now about 2.4. The birth rate has also decreased. The decrease in the birth and fertility rates has a negative effect on the rate of population growth. The fertility and birth rates have decreased partly because more women now pursue careers and thus delay childbearing. Also birth control is more readily available. The fall in the birth rate has caused a decrease in the rate of natural increase.
Life expectancy has increased and infant mortality has decreased as a result of improvements in living conditions and medical care. This will tend to have a positive effect on the rate of population growth.
There is a significant outflow of migrants to the USA, Canada, Britain and other Caribbean territories. There is a much smaller number of people moving into Jamaica from other countries. Since emigration is greater than immigration, this will have a negative effect on population growth.
References:
- www.google.com/public data
- www.indexmundi.com
- www.worldofmaps.com