Quality of life comparison

compared to

If you lived in Jamaica instead of French Polynesia, you would:

Health

live 2.7 years less

In French Polynesia, the average life expectancy is 78 years (76 years for men, 81 years for women) as of 2022. In Jamaica, that number is 76 years (74 years for men, 78 years for women) as of 2022.

Economy

be 53.4% less likely to be unemployed

In French Polynesia, 11.8% of adults are unemployed as of 2022. In Jamaica, that number is 5.5% as of 2022.

be 13.2% less likely to live below the poverty line

In French Polynesia, 19.7% live below the poverty line as of 2009. In Jamaica, however, that number is 17.1% as of 2016.

make 45.7% less money

French Polynesia has a GDP per capita of $18,600 as of 2021, while in Jamaica, the GDP per capita is $10,100 as of 2022.

Life

have 15.8% more children

In French Polynesia, there are approximately 13.5 babies per 1,000 people as of 2022. In Jamaica, there are 15.6 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.

be 2.5 times more likely to die during infancy

In French Polynesia, approximately 4.4 children (per 1,000 live births) die before they reach the age of one as of 2022. In Jamaica, on the other hand, 11.2 children do as of 2022.

Basic Needs

be 12.8% more likely to have internet access

In French Polynesia, approximately 72.7% of the population has internet access as of 2021. In Jamaica, about 82.0% do as of 2021.

Geography

see 59.5% less coastline

French Polynesia has a total of 2,525 km of coastline. In Jamaica, that number is 1,022 km.

The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: The World Factbook.

Jamaica: At a glance

Jamaica is a sovereign country in Central America/Caribbean, with a total land area of approximately 10,831 sq km. The island - discovered by Christopher COLUMBUS in 1494 - was settled by the Spanish early in the 16th century. The native Taino, who had inhabited Jamaica for centuries, were gradually exterminated and replaced by African slaves. England seized the island in 1655 and established a plantation economy based on sugar, cocoa, and coffee. The abolition of slavery in 1834 freed a quarter million slaves, many of whom became small farmers. Jamaica gradually increased its independence from Britain. In 1958 it joined other British Caribbean colonies in forming the Federation of the West Indies. Jamaica gained full independence when it withdrew from the Federation in 1962. Deteriorating economic conditions during the 1970s led to recurrent violence as rival gangs affiliated with the major political parties evolved into powerful organized crime networks involved in international drug smuggling and money laundering. Violent crime, drug trafficking, and poverty pose significant challenges to the government today. Nonetheless, many rural and resort areas remain relatively safe and contribute substantially to the economy.
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How big is Jamaica compared to French Polynesia? See an in-depth size comparison.

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