Jamaica : economy statistics and industry reports

Tourism revenues account for roughly 10% of GDP, and both arrivals and revenues grew in 2010, up 4% and 6% respectively.

The Economic growth faces many challenges: high crime and corruption, large-scale unemployment and underemployment, and a debt-to-GDP ratio of more than 120%.

Jamaica's onerous debt burden - the fourth highest per capita - is the result of government bailouts to ailing sectors of the economy, most notably to the financial sector in the mid-to-late 1990s.

The Government of Jamaica signed a $1.

27 billion, 27-month Standby Agreement with the International Monetary Fund for balance of payment support in February 2010.

Other multilaterals have also provided millions of dollars in loans and grants.

The government's difficult fiscal position hinders spending on infrastructure and social programs, particularly as job losses rise in a shrinking economy.

The GOLDING administration faces the difficult prospect of having to achieve fiscal discipline in order to maintain debt payments, while simultaneously attacking a serious and growing crime problem that is hampering economic growth.

High unemployment exacerbates the crime problem, including gang violence that is fueled by the drug trade.