Jamaica has been ranked tenth on the global list of countries with the highest rates of crime.
This is despite a 20% decrease in murders and other major crimes for the first quarter of the year.
According to the 2023 World Population Review, the country has a crime index of 67.42 crimes.
It calculates the crime rate by dividing the total number of reported crimes of any kind, by the total population, then multiplying the result by 100,000.
In a release, the World Population Review says Jamaica’s placement on the list indicates that the country is plagued by government corruption, gang activities and high levels of violent crime, including sexual assault.
It says the U.S Overseas Security Advisory Council describes the Jamaican police force as understaffed and possessed of limited resources.
It further warns travellers to avoid Spanish Town, St Catherine, sections of Montego Bay, St James and sections of the country’s capital, Kingston.
Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana are 6th and 7th on the list respectively.
Trinidad and Tobago, the Caribbean country with the highest rate of crime, has a rate of 71.63 crimes while Guyana has a total of 68.74 crimes per 1000 citizens.
Venezuela tops the list, having a crime rate of 83.76.
