Jamaica is at risk of being the hardest hit by the growing trend of mass migration in the Caribbean, as a recent survey highlights the country’s alarming position as having the lowest average salaries in the region.
According to the Caribbean Salary Survey Report: Pay Pulse 2024, produced by the Caribbean Society for Human Resource Professionals (CSHRP) in collaboration with Caribbeanjobs.com, Jamaica’s salary competitiveness has significantly declined.
The survey, now in its third edition, reveals a sharp contrast between Jamaica and other Caribbean nations. The Bahamas leads the region with high-paying jobs, particularly in executive and specialized roles, followed by St. Kitts and Nevis, and Barbados. Jamaica, once among the top three highest-paying countries in 2023, now ranks among the lowest in the region for 2024. Only 8.3% of roles surveyed in Jamaica paid above the market value, with the majority of positions offering wages below the regional average.
Vaughn McDonald, Deputy Board Chairman at CSHRP, warned that the country’s low salaries could exacerbate Jamaica’s brain drain, as skilled professionals are increasingly migrating to countries offering better pay. McDonald highlighted that many Jamaicans are already leaving for the Bahamas, where salaries in key sectors are far more competitive. “If you look at it, many of the companies, and we talk about losing the skills gap, it’s because they are migrating to countries like those because of the very said reason,” McDonald said during an appearance on TVJ’s Smile Jamaica.
Kimberly Largie, lead researcher at CSHRP, also pointed out the role of Jamaica’s currency devaluation in contributing to the salary gap. “Because we have 20 different Caribbean countries with different currencies, we converted all of them to US dollars,” she explained. The Jamaican dollar’s weak performance against the US dollar further diminishes the purchasing power of local wages, making the country less attractive to high-skilled workers.
Entry-level wages struggling to keep pace
While executive and managerial roles in Jamaica remain relatively competitive, entry-level and support positions are particularly underpaid. The survey found that workers in roles such as groundsmen, bartenders, and receptionists in Jamaica are earning significantly less than their counterparts in other Caribbean nations. This disparity presents a considerable challenge for wage growth in these lower-tier sectors, where pay is often well below the regional average.
The survey, which examined data from 119 companies across 20 Caribbean nations, noted that industries such as banking, hospitality, and insurance continue to offer competitive wages. However, sectors like education, retail, and the public service are lagging behind, which could drive more professionals to seek opportunities elsewhere in the region.
The Pay Pulse 2024 report paints a stark picture for the Caribbean, with The Bahamas emerging as the clear leader in offering above-market compensation. More than 97% of roles surveyed in The Bahamas paid above market value, with key executive positions, including CEO, CFO, and general manager, remaining among the highest-paying jobs in the region. Despite rising inflation and economic pressures, the country’s strong job market continues to attract top talent, particularly in finance, management, and executive leadership.
In contrast, Jamaica’s position in the survey underscores a growing challenge. The country’s salary structure, once competitive, now requires urgent reform to prevent further loss of skilled professionals. With only 8.3% of roles paying above market value, the CSHRP has called for a compensation overhaul to address the widening salary gap.
Wider impact of brain drain in Jamaica
Jamaica’s brain drain crisis is compounded by a high level of emigration. With a population of fewer than 3 million, Jamaica has one of the largest diasporas in the world, particularly in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
According to the World Bank, between 2010 and 2020, approximately 16% of Jamaica’s population emigrated, with many professionals in fields such as education, healthcare, and engineering seeking opportunities abroad. In 2022, Jamaica ranked second in the world on the human and flight and brain drain index.
The impact of this mass migration is particularly felt in education and healthcare. The Jamaican Medical Doctors’ Association has reported a substantial loss of medical professionals, while the Jamaica National Teachers’ Association highlights the growing shortage of trained educators, particularly in rural areas. The emigration of these skilled workers is straining public services and limiting Jamaica’s ability to address its social challenges.
The departure of younger professionals is especially concerning, with a 2020 report from the Planning Institute of Jamaica showing that more than 80% of Jamaicans aged 18-34 who migrated in the last decade did so for work and educational opportunities.
As Jamaica continues to grapple with these challenges, the government has implemented initiatives to retain skilled workers, including tax incentives and attempts to create more attractive conditions. However, many argue that these efforts have been insufficient in addressing the root causes of the problem, such as low wages, poor working conditions, and limited career growth opportunities.
