The Planning Institute of Jamaica’s Review of Economic Performance,
October–December 2025
Media Brief
March 3, 2026

1. Overview – Current Economic Context
Before I provide the details on economic performance, let me take this opportunity to remind you of the purpose of these quarterly economic estimates provided by the PIOJ. The PIOJ presents preliminary estimates on economic performance for each quarter, approximately 6 weeks following the end of the quarter being reviewed. This is based on the latest available information from major data providers.

This release of the preliminary estimate is consistent with protocols in modern economies globally, where it is the common practice to release preliminary estimates, before the final official figures are published. In the case of Jamaica, the PIOJ releases the preliminary growth estimate within the first six weeks following the end of the quarter being reviewed, and STATIN releases the official GDP figures, at the end of the 3rd month following the quarter being reviewed.

The preliminary out-turn is used by various stakeholders, including our International Development Partners, the Private Sector, as well as the Government, for whom the magnitude and direction of sectoral performance is critical to inform planning and policy-related decisions.

I would also like to re-iterate, that trends have shown that the gap between our initial estimate and the subsequent estimate produced by STATIN is more likely to be larger in times of extraordinary shocks (for example Hurricane Melissa). That is, the variation between PIOJ’s estimate and STATIN’s subsequent estimate is likely to be outside the usual band. READ MORE