Covering the full population of applicants to the Jamaican Conditional Cash Transfer Program (PATH), we explore whether receiving PATH during childhood causally affects school progression and academic performance at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels. To uncover causal associations, we...

Covering the full population of applicants to the Jamaican Conditional Cash Transfer Program (PATH), we explore whether receiving PATH during childhood causally affects school progression and academic performance at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels. To uncover causal associations, we...

Over the last decade, Jamaica has successfully reduced its public debt, firmly anchored inflation and inflation expectations, and strengthened its external position. It has built an enviable track record of investing in institutions and prioritizing macroeconomic stability. Jamaica has met...

This paper investigates the socio-economic and the energy changes that have taken place in six developing countries characterized by established tourism economies. By considering the years 2000 and 2021, the MuSIASEM approach is used to analyse the energy allocation and use that have taken place...

We adapted a violence-prevention, parenting program (the Irie Homes Toolbox, or IHT) for integration into Jamaican preschool services. The adapted IHT was evaluated in a mixed-method feasibility trial in Kingston, Jamaica. Twenty-four preschools were randomly assigned to intervention (n12) or...

This paper uses Bayesian VAR Analysis to empirically evaluate the relationship between the deviations of the real effective exchange rate from its equilibrium and Jamaica's GDP (and its components) over the period 1998 to 2021. The paper finds that an appreciation in the real exchange rate is...

We investigate how the frequent flooding that damaged the internal transport infrastructure in late 19th and early 20th colonial Jamaica affected local economies. To this end the evolution of the road and railways transport system was geo-referenced and combined with geo-localized damaging flood...

Covering the full population of applicants to the Jamaican Conditional Cash Transfer Program (PATH), we explore whether receiving PATH since childhood altered the academic gains from attending a more preferred public secondary school. To uncover causal associations, we implement a double...

The Caribbean’s long-running public debt challenge has been worsened by COVID-19. Recent international interest rate increases and the looming threat of climate change impacts place even more burden on Caribbean governments' budgets. While the Caribbean's average debt burden has risen in the...

The evaluation assessed the EU's Budget Support programmes implemented in Jamaica from 2008 to 2021 in support of the country's National Development Plan (Vision 2030) and the economic, justice & security and forest management sector reform strategies. This evaluation was mandated by the...

The Country Opinion Survey in Jamaica assists the World Bank Group (WBG) in better understanding how stakeholders in Jamaica perceive the WBG. It provides the WBG with systematic feedback from national and local governments, multilateral/bilateral agencies, media, academia, the private sector,...

We investigate how the frequent flooding that damaged the internal transport infrastructure in late 19th and early 20th colonial Jamaica affected local economies. To this end the evolution of the road and railways transport system was geo-referenced and combined with geo-localized damaging flood...

This paper investigates the impact of hurricanes on school attendance in Jamaica from 1892 to 1942, a period marked by significant natural disasters, including four category two hurricanes. By integrating monthly school attendance data from the fourteen Jamaican parishes with assessments of...

Over the last decade, Jamaica has successfully reduced public debt, anchored inflation, and strengthened its external position. It has built a strong track record of investing in institutions and prioritizing macroeconomic stability. This allowed Jamaica's response to recent global shocks to be...

Jamaica's progress in digital transformation is paving the way for a foundational change in how the economy and society operate and create value. This report serves as input to guide Jamaica's digital transformation strategy, in line with the country's aspirations and its Vision 2030 National...

The technical assistance mission aimed to build capacity to enhance financial stability analyses and assessments in the Bank of Jamaica. It reviewed the latest available Financial Stability Report and the analytical toolkit. In particular, the mission helped the bank to estimate sectoral credit...

The technical assistance mission aimed to build capacity to enhance financial stability analyses and assessments at the Bank of Jamaica (BOJ). It reviewed the latest available Financial Stability Report (FSR) and the analytical toolkit. In particular, the mission assisted the BOJ in estimating...

Supported by strong policy frameworks, Jamaica has managed to respond to recent global shocks prudently. Policies have supported the economy while still reducing public debt and inflation. Growth has been solid, the external position has strengthened, and the economic outlook remains a positive...

Covering the full population of applicants to the Jamaican Conditional Cash Transfer Program (PATH), we explore whether receiving PATH since childhood altered the academic gains from attending a more preferred public secondary school. To uncover causal associations, we implement a double...

The COVID-19 pandemic was a structural break in government policies and operations as unprecedented lockdowns and restrictions in movement heralded a change from the pursuit of macroeconomic stability to saving lives and livelihood. Economic activities were significantly affected. Fiscal rules...

Most studies of total factor productivity (TFP) and long-term production functions use capital stock time series obtained from ad hoc estimates of the rate of depreciation and the initial capital stock. This paper introduces a methodology that allows the simultaneous econometric estimation of...

After a period of sustained distress in the early 1990s, Jamaican financial institutions faced significant liquidity issues by 1996, evidenced by runs on banks by depositors. The government responded by creating the Financial Sector Adjustment Company (FINSAC) on January 29, 1997, to...

In October 2008, the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) and liquidity shortages rocked American and European markets, causing investors to exit liquid Jamaican-dollar assets. The Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) feared a “disorderly depreciation” in the Jamaican-dollar (JMD) exchange rate to the US dollar...

Developing countries face the largest exposure to the negative effects of climate change. However, as temperature and rainfall patterns change, we have a limited understanding of their impact on these countries and the mitigation strategies that may be most appropriate. In this paper, we utilize...

Jamaica is a small island developing state situated in the Caribbean. It is the third largest island in the Caribbean, with an approximate population of 2.8 million and a gross domestic product (GDP) of 14.6 billion dollars. Agriculture and tourism are two of Jamaica's main industries, with the...

Approximately 75% of children aged 2 to 4 worldwide are regularly subjected to violent discipline across the globe. This paper studies the impact of a virtually-delivered intervention on positive parenting practices in Jamaica. Short-term results indicate that the intervention improves caregiver...

Jamaica's commitment to macroeconomic stability and strong policy frameworks continue to allow the country to navigate the difficult global environment. Strong growth continued over the last fiscal year, and sound macroeconomic policies are focused on prioritizing sustainability, supporting...

This paper presents Jamaica's Technical Assistance report on climate public investment management assessment (C-PIMA). Jamaica's dependence on fossil fuels imports for energy generation calls for a transition to renewables even though Jamaica's contribution to the worldwide greenhouse gases...

This paper highlights Jamaica's Request for an Arrangement under the Precautionary Liquidity Line (PLL) and Request for an Arrangement under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF). Jamaica has been buffeted by a difficult global environment-from coronavirus disease, the war in Ukraine,...

The 2022 Article IV Consultation highlights that Jamaica has been buffeted by a difficult global environment-from coronavirus disease (COVID), the war in Ukraine, and the ongoing tightening of global financial conditions. The authorities provided targeted support to vulnerable households and...

"A timely and important contribution to research on energy poverty and gender inequality, offering novel insights into a relatively understudied country in the Caribbean, with a core focus on low-income women and communities in Jamaica. It includes powerful and practical policy solutions to...

Covering the full population of applicants to the Jamaican Conditional Cash Transfer Program (PATH), we explore whether receiving PATH benefits alters the academic returns to subsequently attending a more preferred public secondary school. To uncover causal associations, we exploit exogenous...

Family violence is a critical development challenge in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), carrying high health, social, and economic costs and increasing the risk of perpetuating the cycle of violence across generations. Parenting programs have improved parenting practices in high-income...

Family violence is a critical development challenge in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), carrying high health, social, and economic costs and increasing the risk of perpetuating the cycle of violence across generations. Parenting programs have improved parenting practices in high-income...