Jamaica, Kingston

Overview

Jamaica, Kingston Kingston is the capital and largest city of Jamaica. Kingston, as the capital, is the financial, cultural, economic and industrial centre of Jamaica.

Jamaica is an island in the Caribbean Sea, south of Cuba. The climate is tropical, hot and humid but temperate in the interior.

The official language is English. This is the dominant and business language of the country Most Jamaicans understand English, but speak patois – a dialect derived from English and African languages. The main religion is Christianity.

The economy of Jamaica is a mixed economy with both state enterprises and private sector businesses. Major sectors of the Jamaican economy include agriculture, mining, manufacturing, tourism, and financial and insurance services. Tourism and mining are the leading earners of foreign exchange.

In Jamaica, North American business culture is prevalent. Jamaican men usually shake hands with other men, but will usually wait for women to initiate handshaking. Jamaican women do not usually shake hands with other women. Expatriate business dress is mostly formal and conservative. Lightweight suits for both men and women are acceptable.

The security risk for expatriates in Jamaica is medium, but high in West Kingston and Spanish Town. Risks include violent crime, murder, rape, robbery and gang violence.

The currency of Jamaica is the Jamaican Dollar (JMD).

Medical facilities vary throughout Jamaica and may not meet international standards. Medical treatment can be expensive often requiring immediate payment. Cases of Zika virus and Chikungunya virus have been reported. Dengue fever is common.

The population of Kingston is 662,400 (2019 est.), while the inflation rate (CPI) is 4% for Jamaica as at April 2019.

Xpatulator Hypothetical Tax for Jamaica is based on the current personal income tax rates which are progressive up to 30%.

Cost Of Living

The cost of living for expatriates / professional migrants in Kingston as at 1 April 2019 is very high in comparison to other places in the world.

In Kingston, the cost of each basket, based on local prices, compared to the international average, is categorized follows (Exact cost of living percentages only available in personalised reports):
1) Alcohol (where available) & Tobacco: Very High
2) Clothing: Average
3) Communication: Very Low
4) Education: Average
5) Furniture & Appliances: Very High
6) Groceries: Very High
7) Healthcare: High
8) Household Accommodation: High
9) Miscellaneous: Very High
10) Personal Care: Very High
11) Recreation & Culture: Very High
12) Restaurants Meals Out and Hotels: Average
13) Transport: Average

Kingston is for example 50.5% more expensive than Houston TX for groceries, 37.6% more expensive for household costs than Kuala Lumpur, and 30.7% more expensive for transport costs than Dubai.

Kingston is ranked as a some hardship location.

The hardship premium for Kingston for an expat from Perth, is for example 10%, i.e. host location (Kingston) premium of 20% minus home (Perth) location premium of 10%.

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The cost of living for expatriates / professional migrants in Kingston as at 1 April 2019 is very high in comparison to other places in the world.

Kingston is ranked as a some hardship location.