UN report: over half of Jamaica’s population grappled with food insecurity from 2021 to 2023.
Jamaica’s Food Insecurity. A recent report from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has revealed that 55.1 percent of Jamaica’s population experienced moderate to severe food insecurity between 2021 and 2023.
The UN released this report on Monday, January 27, 2025. It indicates that Jamaica ranks among the Caribbean countries with a high prevalence of food insecurity.
The 2024 Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition in Latin America and the Caribbean was a collaborative effort. It involved several organizations and illustrates the global commitment to addressing food insecurity. This work brings a sense of hope and unity.
Jamaica’s food insecurity. According to the report, in 2022, approximately 22.1 percent of Jamaica’s population couldn’t afford a healthy diet. This figure is one of the lowest proportions of food insecurity in the Caribbean.
Jamaica’s food insecurity caused malnutrition/wasting, which is prevalent in children under five-year-old
The report addresses child malnutrition. It found that the prevalence of wasting among children under five years old in Jamaica was 3.2 percent.
Wasting, which is defined as low weight-for-height, is slightly above the global target of below 3 percent. It occurs when a child loses weight and muscle tissue due to insufficient food intake or severe illness.
The study also highlighted an encouraging trend. Between 2012 and 2022, Jamaica successfully reduced the prevalence of overweight children under five by 1.2 percentage points. This positive development represented a significant step in the fight against malnutrition and instilled optimism about the progress made.
The cost of maintaining a healthy diet plays a major for Jamaica
Jamaica’s food insecurity. Additionally, the report examined the cost of maintaining a healthy diet. Unfortunately, the study found that Jamaica has one of the highest costs in the region. In 2022, this cost was estimated at 6.42 Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) dollars per person per day.
Still, the figure marks a significant increase compared to earlier years and reflects a broader trend observed throughout the Caribbean.
In fact, Jamaica is a net importer of agri-food products. Therefore, Jamaica is vulnerable to disruptions in the global food supply, which are often caused by climate variability and extremes. This reality underscores the urgent need to address Jamaica’s food insecurity.