Jamaica Voice and Accountability
Voice and Accountability VA.EST
Jamaica's voice and accountability was 0.55 in 2025, ranked 71st globally. This represents a 2.5% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank WGI, covering 1996–2025.
Overview
Jamaica's voice and accountability stood at 0.55 in 2025, a decline of +0.01 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 0.55 by 2025. Jamaica ranked 71st globally.
Jamaica’s Voice and Accountability score, which gauges citizens’ ability to participate in political processes and enjoy fundamental freedoms, has slipped to 0.55 in 2025, placing the country 71st in the global ranking. This figure follows a gradual decline from the 1996 baseline of 0.59 and remains well below the all‑time peak of 0.73 recorded in 1998, a period marked by democratic reforms after the 1993 election. The lowest point came in 2004, when the index fell to 0.40 amid heightened concerns over media restrictions and weak judicial oversight. Over the 26‑year series, Jamaica’s performance is comparable to peers such as Belize (0.56) and Romania (0.54), suggesting a regional convergence around modest levels of civic freedom. Recent modest improvements stem from incremental reforms in electoral law and increased transparency initiatives, yet persistent challenges in media independence and law‑enforcement accountability temper progress. Continued strengthening of institutional checks and broader civil‑society engagement will be crucial to reverse the downward trajectory and raise the score in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | Voice and Accountability | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 0.54 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 0.55 | - | - |
| 2025 | 0.55 | −0.01 | #71 |
| 2023 | 0.56 | −0.03 | #68 |
| 2022 | 0.59 | −0.03 | #69 |
| 2021 | 0.62 | −0.01 | #67 |
| 2020 | 0.62 | +0.01 | #65 |
| 2019 | 0.61 | +0.02 | #65 |
| 2018 | 0.59 | −0.10 | #61 |
| 2017 | 0.69 | +0.01 | #59 |
| 2016 | 0.68 | +0.07 | #57 |
| 2015 | 0.61 | +0.05 | #61 |
| 2014 | 0.56 | +0.02 | #64 |
| 2013 | 0.54 | +0.06 | #70 |
| 2012 | 0.49 | +0.01 | #73 |
| 2011 | 0.48 | +0.02 | #76 |
| 2010 | 0.46 | −0.11 | #78 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Jamaica matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 2022. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw voice and accountability improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Jamaica's voice and accountability was 0.55 in 2025. Ranked 71st globally. This represents a 2.5% decrease from the previous year.
Jamaica's voice and accountability peaked at 0.73 in 1998.
The lowest voice and accountability in Jamaica was 0.40 in 2004.
Jamaica ranks 71st globally in voice and accountability as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is VA.EST. Data sourced from World Bank WGI.
Jamaica's voice and accountability is projected to reach 0.55 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The voice and accountability of Jamaica in 2025 was 0.55. This ranks 71st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_jamaica_voice-accountability,
title = {Jamaica Voice and Accountability},
url = {https://historysaid.com/jamaica/voice-accountability/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}