Jamaica gained full independence within the British Commonwealth in 1962. Deteriorating economic conditions during the 1970s led to recurrent violence and a drop-off in tourism. Elections in 1980 saw the democratic socialists voted out of office, and a more conservative government installed. Political violence marred elections during the 1990s.
Agriculture is the basic industry of Jamaica. As the island possesses a wide variety of soil and climate, nearly every tropical product can be grown here. The chief economic crops are sugar, bananas, citrus, cocoa and coconuts, each of which is dealt with below in detail. Not one of the major crops of he island is indigenous. Sugar cane, coconut, rice and ginger were introduced
into the island from Far Eastern countries, bananas from the Canary Islands, cocoa from South Jamaica is the largest of the English Speaking West Indian islands. It has an area of 11,424 square kilometers (4,411 square miles), more than twice the area of Trinidad, which is next in size, and measures 243 kilometers (146 miles) from east to west. Its greatest width is 80 kilometers (51 miles), from St. Ann's Bay to Portland Point. Today, tourism is considered Jamaica's second most important earner of foreign exchange. Stores, restaurants, transportation, and many other activities that cater to tourists also provide direct employment in the industry.
The economy of Jamaica is primarily agricultural, but gains in mining, manufacturing, and tourism have diversified the economy. Annual budget figures for 1990-1991 showed about $600 million in revenues and $736 million in expenditures. In 1999 Jamaica's gross domestic product (GDP) was $6.89 billion, or about $2,650 per capita. In 1999, 6.5 billion kwh of electricity was produced.
Tourism is vital to the economy and provides a large portion of foreign-exchange earnings. In 1999, 1.2 million people visited the island, contributing $1,233 million to the economy.
In 1999 the employed labor force exceeded 1.4 million. The main trade unions included the National Workers' Union of Jamaica (NWU) and the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU). The NWU had 102,000 members; the BITU more than 100,000. Each union was closely identified with one of the two main political parties: the NWU with the People's National Party and the BITU with the Jamaica Labor Party.