Jamaica’s falling fertility rate

AT a public event recently, a government minister urged women to have more babies to save schools from closing due to low enrolment. This suggests that Jamaica has reached an important demographic crossroads.

For years, our reproductive health policies understandably concentrated on reducing unplanned pregnancies, adolescent pregnancy and high fertility rates; however, it is time for the national conversation to broaden. Recent statistics from the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) have shown that Jamaica’s total fertility rate has fallen to approximately 1.3 children per woman, which is below the replacement level of approximately 2.1 and among the lowest fertility rates recorded in the country’s history.

According to the United Nations Population Fund, at the Jamaican launch of the State of World Population 2025 report, Jamaica’s total fertility rate was reported at 1.9 children per woman, also below the replacement level of 2.1. While this differs from the MOHW rate of 1.3, the rates are based on different data sources and reference periods. Regardless of the estimate used, Jamaica’s fertility rate is below replacement level and reflects a sustained decline.