Jamaica Interest Payments to Revenue
Interest payments as % of revenue GC.XPN.INTP.RV.ZS
Jamaica's interest payments to revenue was 22.43% in 2020, ranked 127th globally. This represents a 10.8% increase from 2019. Data from World Bank, covering 1988–2020.
Overview
Jamaica's interest payments to revenue stood at 22.43% in 2020, a rise of +2.19pp from 2019. Jamaica ranked 127th globally.
Jamaica’s interest payments as a share of revenue stood at 22.43 % in 2020, placing the country 127th in the World Bank ranking and only slightly above peers such as the Dominican Republic (21.87 %) and Kenya (22.93 %). Over the 33‑year series, the ratio has fallen markedly from a high of 30.71 % in 1988 to an all‑time peak of 62.86 % during the global financial crisis in 2009, before reaching a trough of 20.24 % in 2019. The post‑crisis decline reflects a combination of fiscal consolidation, debt restructuring, and modest growth that reduced the debt service burden, while the 2009 spike coincided with sharply higher borrowing costs and widening fiscal deficits. The recent modest rise from the 2019 trough suggests that fiscal pressures remain, but continued debt‑management reforms and a stable macro‑environment could sustain the downward trajectory of interest payments relative to revenue.
Data & projection
| Year | Interest Payments to Revenue | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 22.43% | +2.19pp | #127 |
| 2019 | 20.24% | −0.30pp | #128 |
| 2018 | 20.54% | −3.57pp | #126 |
| 2017 | 24.11% | −3.77pp | #134 |
| 2016 | 27.88% | +0.31pp | #136 |
| 2015 | 27.57% | −2.67pp | #137 |
| 2014 | 30.24% | +2.55pp | #133 |
| 2013 | 27.69% | −9.14pp | #125 |
| 2012 | 36.83% | −0.62pp | #130 |
| 2011 | 37.45% | −3.17pp | #125 |
| 2010 | 40.61% | −22.25pp | #122 |
| 2009 | 62.86% | +17.50pp | #121 |
| 2008 | 45.37% | +5.02pp | #116 |
| 2007 | 40.35% | −5.93pp | #107 |
| 2006 | 46.28% | −1.02pp | #106 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Jamaica matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 2022. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw interest payments to revenue improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Jamaica's interest payments to revenue was 22.43% in 2020. Ranked 127th globally. This represents a 10.8% increase from the previous year.
Jamaica's interest payments to revenue peaked at 62.86% in 2009.
The lowest interest payments to revenue in Jamaica was 20.24% in 2019.
Jamaica ranks 127th globally in interest payments to revenue as of 2020.
The World Bank indicator code is GC.XPN.INTP.RV.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
The interest payments to revenue of Jamaica in 2020 was 22.43%. This ranks 127th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_jamaica_interest-to-revenue,
title = {Jamaica Interest Payments to Revenue},
url = {https://historysaid.com/jamaica/interest-to-revenue/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}