JAMAICA is the top-ranked Caribbean nation to live in terms of education, health, quality of life, economic competitiveness, and political environment, according to Newsweek magazine.
Assisted by experts including Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph E Stiglitz, the magazine compiled metrics across those five categories, which ranked the island 47th, three places above Cuba, among 100 countries surveyed.
Newsweek’s first-ever Best Countries special issue attempted to answer the question, “…if you were born today, which country would provide you the very best opportunity to live a healthy, safe, reasonably prosperous, and upwardly mobile life?”
The survey will be welcome news for tourism authorities who have been struggling to rebuild Jamaica’s image following the civil unrest in West Kingston in May. During this time some hotels in the capital reported that occupancy had fallen to zero levels.
Jamaica is the best place in the world! But only for the rich. Last I checked it was run by about 7 or 8 wealthy families and drug lords. But you got to give it to Jamaicans they have a courage and pride that no other islands can touch. And the combination of the sexy people great music and fantastic Ganja make for a very good time. As a matter of fact the same people that bash Jamaica also imitate them every chance they get. In dress, accent, dance, music etc. They need to learn how to cook like Jamaicans too BEST food in the world!
The dress part does on apply. Jamaicans generally doesn’t dress desirably.
JAMAICA IS THE BEST ISLAND IN THE CARIBBEAN…..PROUD JAMAICAN FI LIFE
jamaica will always be the best island in the caribbean dominica i use to like your island put now you all can go to hell.you unkown islands in the caribbean are just jealouse of jamaica and badmind thats why your island will never be famous like jamaica. dominicans you morons can go to hell. the reason why your dumb island is not on the list is because you fools cant compare to jamaica. PROUD JAMAICAN FI LIFE…. GOD BLESS JAMAICA….
I am forced to comment on this one. OH! my god, what a lie. I have been to Jamaica and I listen to the Caribbean news every day. Please! Jamaica is the Caribbean Island with the most crimes and the most churches, take for example their murder rate is so high. These are a set of people with extreme violent tendencies regardless of their level of education. I must also say that there some very educated and talented people from there, but you cannot put violence past them, they are very aggressive and jealous (Red-eye) people. The magazine needs to do the survey over. Please!
(This is my little two sense.)
@d/can in j/a: Brethren,thanks fe di feed’back hear.Good luck with your studies.
Take care of yourself,…..and remember….walk good…..
All the best to you.
Peace.
@stupes: I nvr said j/a was a piece of crap, i said the article was a piece of crap. Plz abstain from misquoting me. Not that it’s any of your biz but I go to UWI.
@ ‘Rebel with a cause’ I agree with pretty much all you said.
There are some very nice and extremely talented people in Jamaica, however the crime and corruption in Jamaica is stifling and that is undeniable.
And by the way, when the Observer posted this article on their site, 95% of JAMAICANS who commented said that it was total BS. I wanted to post the link here so peeps could see for themselves but when I checked I saw that the Observer has removed all the comments. I wonder why? Hmmmmm
@stupes: @stupes:
“@Well…:But you there somehow benefiting from that piece of crap place. I’m sure you would consider Dominica to be a better place yet you are over there. Imagine that!”
Back @Stupes. You sound very bitter….hush! Next time may be better.
Never been to Dominica but have met quite a few of the people. Some of the nicest people I know, always big smiles on their faces. Dominicans and Jamaicans always have a good time when they get together… fun loving people alike. Big up all D’cans.
LOL, jealous green is an ugly color, and particularly ugly on Dominica,
I have been to many islands in the caribbean islands, ( Jamaica, Hispanola, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. John, Jost van Dyke, Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anguilla, St. Martin, Guadeloupe, Barbados, Dominica, St. Lucia and Grenada) and trust me, Jamaica is not the best off in the caribbean. There is a lot of corruption on that island and things are not going to change anytime soon. They have many struggles. Everyday there are many Jamaicans trying to leave their country to not just go the US but to many of the other Caricom islands trying to find a better life. I would think that the rush would be to go to Jamaica if it were to well off. People don’t believe these people from Newsweek who think they know about our islands, they only know about some of the tourism aspect but nothing else.
That’s not actually true… Only 100 countries were pre-selected for study at all, and only three from the Caribbean: Jamaica, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic. Jamaica ranked first among those three, at #47 on the list of 100. So it’s not actually a true ranking of the world’s best countries, and very cheeky marketing and packaging from Newsweek. Caribbean Beat magazine posted a blog detailing the problems if you want to read more: http://meppublishers.blogspot.com/2010/08/caribbean-great-to-visit-but-not-to.html
The only thing that is better in Jamaica than it is in Dominica is the ganja… There’s is no taking that away from them… Some of, if not the best weed I ever smoked in my life was jamaican…Dominica needs to catch up in that department… Other than that Dominica is way better than Jamaica to live.
Respect to you, Dominican in T.O.
ABSOLUTELY !!
Oh what a tangled WEB we weave !! Pray tell !!
YOUR !! Caribbean Island of choice (given all the criteria would be ??)
I am DYING to READ !!
Have a GREAT DAY …..
@Antiguan: Well come back to your reality check Antiguian! We see you are becoming smart of late.We had to break you to make you start to think differently.It’s an honor to have taught such wonderful lessons.Did you find that D/can girl you so badly wanted? good luck now that you are brighter.
Well Someone at Newsweek has lost his or her marbles. Cuba?….I get the education, health care and but quality of life (as we in the west define it) and upwardly mobile?….
I live in Jamaica and I have for the last 8 years. There is no way that Jamaica is the best cribbean island to live in by any stretch of the imagination, as much as Jamaicans may luv Jamaican and being Jamaican. The Jamaican healthcare system is just as rubbish as the rest of ours, despite the education being better. And as for quality of life, Jamaicans, despite their best attempts at normalcy, live in a sedate state of crippling fear that at any moment the world as they see it (Jamaica) will buckle under the heavy weight of corruption and crime that plagues the nation.
Plus, Barbados is a much nicer place to live and
unfortunately Dominicans have chosen to speak with very little knowledge of what has occurred. If one has to look at this survey it is not an bad one at all Firstly only 100 countries were surveyed. this means that there is obvious error. barring that you need to look at the indicators. If one looks well they all have Universities Dominica does not. If you want to advance economically Dominica is a no no. Political Dominicans choose to vote Skerrit again. Dominica’s hospital is extremely limited to what services it can provide. LL OF THIS MEANS THAT BASED ON ECONOMIC MODELS YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE IS LOW. There for none of the small islands would make the list. however if you are looking for a bunch of people who are simply happy go luck and just want to drink rum and have fun Dominica will top the list.
You guys are just envious. Jamica has always been the number one island of the Caribbean.
You know, I found it very compelling to return here,to basically opologize to the people of Jamaica,after reading most of the comments here,
First let me say that in no way shape or form,was my comment directed at the Island Jamaica,or the People of Jamaica….My comment was geared towards the article and the Govts. of Jamaica. Pass and to some extent, the present. Although the present is doing a very good job in the stability of the Jamaican economy. But much more is left to be done.
Jamaica is one of the most beautiful Islands in the caribbean.The people are one of the nicest ,kindest , and friendliest people in the Caribbean. When it comes to Nationalism,Culture and Creativity, Jamaicans are second to none. Jamaicans,are the most creative people in the Caribbean I think…The evolution of Reggae music is a prime example. And the great artist; pass and present.
And let me tell you something see ,Jamaican girls…they are real sweet, I mean sweet,sweet,sweet, and loving . The wickedest”slam” one could ever get, is from a Ja, gal. Trust me when I tell you that. It’s the sweetest “ride” you will ever get….(well maybe second to the American). This I’d no bull.
Jamaica’ s problems are not with the Island it self, nor with it’s people, but it’s with the Govts.
It’s Governments had failed the people miserably.
So let us not bash our sister Island when it is feeling down.Let us encourage,uplift and pray for her people.
I got a call from my brother,who reads and write comments here on this site frequently,(if you know my name, then should know his and his style of writing), and was not too happy with me.Of all people he said.
Anyway,..all the best to unu…
Take care , and walk good.
JAH Blessings.
the comment was @ d/can in j/a
@Well…:But you there somehow benefiting from that piece of crap place. I’m sure you would consider Dominica to be a better place yet you are over there. Imagine that!
@Anonymous:
ummm. It was not a survey!
This is obviously not a comprehensive list. If you check the grouping of Caribbean & Latin American Countries, only three islands are included:
Jamaica, Cuba & Dominican Republic
That there should say everything…..
Just had the opportunity to read the 100% negative comments here. I have lived in Jamaica as well as the U.S. extensively and have visited many of the islands. It’s too bad that most of you, especially those who have not visited Jamaica, seek to put down the country. It’s one thing to disagree but to call it a vile place and the people ignorant? I think that exposes something more, this little green monster called jealousy. The fact is that Newsweek is right. Despite all it’s failings, Jamaica has a lot more going for it than any country in the Caribbean and many parts of the world. The south and north coasts are stunningly beautiful and the people for the most part are happy-go-lucky as they go about their business. As a matter of fact, the highest quality of life on the island is usually found outside of the beaten path and in places you’ll never hear of. Also, recent news controversies don’t define the place (Dudus isn’t even a topic there anymore) and the crime you speak of are in small concentrated areas of a relatively large island. Parishes such as Manchester and St. Elizabeth are a wonder to behold and there are many more. So, keep up the crabs in a barrel mentality and Jamaica will keep surprising you all. At the very least, you should be happy that a Caribbean country made the list and did relatively well, even if yours couldn’t.
Such misrepresentation of statistics…and such a flawed and biased study. This article should have never been published!
To everyone is hating on Jamaica yes it one the most controversy Island in the West Indies most tourist like to go there because it is very lively good music good food sexy men and women notas boring as some of the other Island I have been to Jamaica hasnt got crime rate no more than any other Island when I go to Jamaica I dont hear them critising other Island my children born in UK and they love Jamaica been maney time and come back safely it is who you go aroud with every is proud of there Island
@WAIT NOW:
Yep! My exact sentiment.
Wow, What a story, it is time we wake up and see what main stream media such as Newsweek and probably others can do when it comes to reporting what the truth is. What makes us believe that lies and inaccurate stories like this or other news stories were not written before in the past, The only reason we did not buy this story is because it is near home to us, and we know.
This story was not written for us,. There is a far more sinister reason why it was written, there is a reason why this story was published. The forces that can destroy a country can also build up that country when it sees fit for it’s own agenda. “All media exist to invest our lives with artificial perceptions and arbitrary values” Marshall McLuhan
Tell me this is a mistakes. Am I reading correctly? What??????? I have been to Jamaica. Outside of the tourist distinations (Ocho Rios, Negril, Montego Bay) , the place is inhospitable and vile. They have one of the highest crime rates in the world. Except for a small minority, people live in kaka…Really!!!!!!!! The tourist sector has someone from Newsweek on their payroll.
This is the most kaka I have read in a while. Horrible infastructure, healthcare, corrupt leaders, crime, etc…When I was in Jamaica, I was wondering how the hell regular Jamaicans survive. The tourist are pampered in protected zones while the ordinary citizens feed on each other. Garcon, mi kaka.
i have been to jamaica alot of time,s who ever judged this or wrote this never been to the rest of the caribbean island,s jamaica may be the one of the top three worst caribbean island but i love jamaica not to live , economic somebody please i have been all. all over the caribbean true that.
I think that the Jamaica Observer has grossly misrepresented the Newsweek article. Please read the article for yourself at:
http://www.newsweek.com/2010/08/15/interactive-infographic-of-the-worlds-best-countries.html
According to Newsweek, Jamaica ranks 47 in the world, but if you group countries by area, as I did for “Latin America and the Caribbean”, the only Caribbean Islands in the research are Cuba and Jamaica; the Dominican Republic is in there also but we know it shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti. Imagine that Trinidad and Barbados were not even mentioned, far less for us “small Islanders”. Maybe we do not fit the profile of a “country”.
The only conclusion we can come to is that the research study by Newsweek is totally flawed, and thus the extrapolation by the Jamaica Observer is utter nonsense!
Well if this is true, then the rest of the Caribbean should be obliterated.
I have been to Jamaica.
Who ever judged this or wrote this article – They have not visited or researched the rest of the Caribbean.
They are ignorant of the “facts” they speak of and they are probably a tourist who spent all their time in Jamaica in a pool at a resort drinking themselves silly!
I beg to differ, probably Jamaica was featured among the worst in the world and ranked over CUBA?
If the survey was done in the caribbean then Dominica , Antigua and the other islands would have been in top position for all these amenities.
That story is BOGUS
This is so untrue
I believe my Jamaican friend would differ with this finding. Just last night she told me she doesn’t even want to return to her native country Jamaica.
Many Jamaicans will be furious at this misrepresentation of life in Jamaica. At more than 70 Jamaican dollars to the US dollar, the writer must have had a whale of a time covering the North Coast while avoiding the South and West that are actual war zones of hostile misery.
Guess these people must have conducted the survey among Jamaicans living “out of Jamaica”. I read the Jamaica Gleaner, Observer every day, a few times a day. I have many friends living in Jamaica and I have also been there at least 3 times.
I totally differ with this article. Jamaica is a beautiful island but honestly its in shambles. A few weeks ago when the Common Entrance exams results came out, people were complaining because there are no schools to send their kids. The so called ‘affluent’ ones could no longer afford to send their kids to private schools so the public (formely lower class) schools are overflowing.
In Jamaica is either you have or you don’t.
Jamaicans are ignorant about the rest of the Caribbean. They only know Jamaica, Barbados, and Trinidad (thanks to cricket)….if its not the US or the UK…they have no clue.
Quality of life? Please…..didn’t these people hear how Dudus’ followers claimed he was their jesus because he provided them with daily bread. Basically, just living off handouts. Everyhome has burglar bars, unlike my beautiful country where you can sleep with your windows open, or go to work all day and leave your windows open. Stupes.
Please scrap this survey. I love Jamaica but I cannot believe this is even being published.
After living in J/a for the past two yrs I can safely tell all of you my Dominican friends that that survey is a load of crap. And guess what, any honest Jamaican would tell you the same thing.
Education: Yes J/a has some top-notch private schools where the ‘uptown’ (rich) people send their kids. Beyond that, the public schools the majority of Jamaicans kids go to are a warzone, with teachers scared of disciplining kids b4 their gunman family come get them.
Health: all public hospitals are overwhelmed with gunshot and stab victims so unless u’re uptown and can go to a private place you’re basically screwed.
Quality of life: Where do you think all the gunmen live? Jamaica has some of the worst ghettoes in the world and unless u’re a gun man once the sun starts going down you lock up yourself in your burglar bar fortified home till the nxt morning.
Economic competitiveness: Please!! They’re selling out all their businesses, the latest being Air Jamaica. The Chinese just bought out what was left of their sugar industry.
Political environment: Y’all heard of garrisons right. Led by a don (drug dealer). Dudus was of course the biggest don of all and y’all saw that he had enough power to send his men to burn down police stations. In a garrison if you don’t support the party that built it you can’t stay. No freedom to choose AT ALL.
Pass at the American Embassy in Kingston on any day and you see hundreds of Jamaicans standing in the hot sun hoping to get a visa to escape that crime-infested place. That article has ZERO CREDIBILITY
What?..you got to be kidding me.This survey is flawed.Jamaica has the highest murder rate per cap. In the world,and I think second in crime over-all.
Jamaicans will tell you this. Their economy is in shambles.No jobs,no opportunities. $89 jam. or there about for $1 US.
Not even Jamaicans, want to live in Jamaica.That should sum it up.
They would laugh at you of you tell them that!.
That report is a fraud……Simply laughable.
That man,..J.Stiglitz, must be the brunt of the jokes on most of the Radio talk shows in Jamaica,and let me tell you,it’s not pleasant.
Wat a joke ….Unu walk good,hear…..Bye.
Sponsored by News Week, paid for by ….Sandals hotels and some rich guys that have homes in the protected areas of Montego Bay? Hmmmm
Many Caribbean Islands vary widely in term of style natural beauty and atmosphere, every island is different, there are big ones, and tiny ones, English speaking, French speaking, Spanish speaking mountainous ones flat ones,developed and under developed ones. the individuals who conducted the survey to suggest Jamaica is the best Island in the Caribbean must have had too much Jamaican rum.
DEM PEOPLE MAD!!!!! they just mad. the doing survey like those fish that have eyes on one side of the head.
It would be interesting to note how they carried out that survey to come to this conclusion.
I won’t trade Nature Isle for JA
DA to de Wurl…
It’ about the “GANJA!” Marijuana that let them tourist have such a memorable time in Jamaica.
No doubt, Jamaica getting enough Ganja tourist.
We must not let those people divide us they are here today gone tomorrow tourist, my best friend is Jamaican and he said to me he could not live there beacuse of the high level of crime.many carribbean island vary widely in terms of natural beauty and atmosphere, who ever conducted this survey most probably had too much Jamaican rum.
That is bogus – Newsweek don’t know what they’re talking about, no wonder they going out of business and was sold to a 92 year old investor who has experience in media for $1.00. Now Fareed Zakaria dumped them and jumped to Time…as “nice guy” said, they need to spend some time in the Eastern Caribbean. I have been to Jamaica as well, i have numerous Jamaican friends, half of which, while singing Jamaica praises, would rather stay away from Jamaica. The best place for a “magazine” like Newsweek is the bathroom – while you doing your thing in there you can catch up with the latest fiction.
DNO this story is clearly mis-leading and should NOT be taken at face value. I hope Dominicans google this, and realize for themselves that newsweek did not run that survey on Caribbean countries, Infact, not even Barbados, Antigua or St. Lucia are mentioned in the survey. IT WAS NOT A SURVEY ABOUT CARIBBEAN COUNTRIES. Caribbean countries who use EC dollars are still far ahead of Jamaica “economy-wise” with one Jamaican dollar worth 31.7603 to the EC dollar. But there are an estimated 2.8 Million people in Jamaica, even if half of them are suffering, it is easier to conduct research, survey and statistics there than it is in Dominica. We doh have nice hotels for the officials to stay. Too often we Dominicans are lead to believe in media that has no credibility. Sorry but in my opinion i believe this story is rather misleading and wrong. Go to Newsweek.com and see for yourself. Dominicans deserve credit.. we try.
If all the caribbean nations were included in this survey if would be a terrible indictment for the other islands. However, most of them were not even considered for this exercise so we have no way of knowing how Dominica ,or Barbados for that matter, match up to Jamaica’s standing. It would be hard to believe that we would rate below Burkino Fasso, in Africa, which comes in last at no. 100 on the list.
Let the Jamaicans rejoice, it will give them something to cheer about!
This is bull. Ive been to at least 10 islands in the Caribbean and Jamaica ranks very low on my list. Its over developed and Jamaicans own very little of the land and natural resources on the island. For American and Europeans it might be great because they own everything but for the average Jamaican its a horrible place to live. Jamaicans make very little and the Jamaican dollar is worth nothing which makes it hard to buy things. Other islands may have less commercial development than Jamaica but for long term vitality of an island thats a good thing. Everytime I visit Dominica or other EC island I smile at the proud nature of the people and how they havnt allowed outsiders to destroy their island like Jamaica
OK, so it is the best place in the Caribbean, I have a few questions: Would the persons involved in the survey go to live there, especially in light of the recent civil unrest? How about a weekend in St. Cathrine where there was some door to door murders? Have they seen the documentary: Jamaica for Sale? I am highly certain that the answer would be in the negative.
One must be very careful about surveys being conducted and their results.
I beg to differ… best in the Caribbean… I for one have been to jamaica many times… as a whole, the country is very ignorant and need to raise there standard of education. A large majority of the island cannot even name over half of the other Caribbean islands.
No offense to jamaica, it is a nice country, but best in the caribbean is not one. they need to come to the eastern caribbean and spend some time before they make just judgements
That is crap! There are some foreigners who think that the Caribbean consists only of Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad. That questionnaire could not have been objective.. If the other islands were better marketed then the responders would have been more knowledgeable…JA would never have ranked first. Oh please.