Jamaica creative economy estimated at 5.1% of GDP in industry report
Published:Friday | October 24, 2025 | 12:08 AM
Jamaica’s creative economy contributes $107 billion (US$690 million) in economic value to the economy, according to a new report released by the Cultural and Creative Industries Alliance of Jamaica, CCIAJ, an industry group that advocates for the sector.
It represents 5.1 per cent of the $2.1-trillion economy, and proportionately higher than the 3.0 per cent global average, according to the 2025 Creative and Cultural Industries of Jamaica Survey, the first industry-led report for the sector. Other reports have been done by government in the past.
“Jamaica’s creative economy is ready for its next phase of development. With the right mix of investment, infrastructure, policy frameworks, and international partnerships, it can evolve into an even more powerful engine of economic growth, job creation, cultural diplomacy, and global influence, strengthening Jamaica’s position as a creative leader on the world stage,” the report noted.
The research was conducted by Bluedot on behalf of Kingston Creative and the CCIAJ.
Core creative economy includes music, film, visual and performing arts, literature, publishing, cultural heritage such as museums, and so on. The report also includes applied creative industries such as fashion, design, advertising, digital creative technology, such as animation, as well as festivals, live events, and craft.
“The duration of business operations in Jamaica’s creative economy reveals a sector characterised by a healthy mix of emerging, established, and long-standing enterprises,” the report noted.
CCIAJ is described as an amalgam of formal creative groups spanning music, film, literature, dance, visual arts, and cultural heritage. The CCIAJ contains members from JaRIA – Jamaica Reggae Industry Association; WIFT – Women in Film and Television; BIAJ – Book Industry Association of Jamaica; Kingston Creative Limited; Dancers of Jamaica; Association of Rastafarian Creatives; JAFTA – Jamaica Film and Television Association; Johnny Live Productions Limited; and John John Music Limited.
“The findings reveal a young, predominantly female workforce — deeply committed to creative practice, but continues to face structural and financial constraints,” stated the report, which added that women make up 62 per cent of the sector.
Past reports on the creative industry includes one issued in 2022 by Jampro, which estimated the film, animation and music, or FAM, sector contributed 6.2 per cent of GDP. In 2007, regional academic Dr Vanus James, on behalf of the World Intellectual Property Office, released the benchmark report on the copyright sector, which was estimated to contribute 4.8 per cent of GDP.
In the current CCIAJ survey, nearly 40 per cent of respondents earn 76 to 100 per cent of their income from creative work. Additionally, four in five respondents say they need capital and financing to grow. That unmet demand represents up to $5 billion of investment opportunity, ripe for targeted financing instruments and ecosystem support, the report noted.
Geographically, Kingston and St Andrew dominate, accounting for 56 per cent of creative activity. But clusters in St Catherine and St James signal broader regional potential.
The report introduced a three-tier economic model to estimate total sector impact: Tier 1 includes top earners, like dancehall stars and event companies; Tier 2 covers the surveyed middle tier; and Tier 3 captures the vast informal base.