Reassessing the Poverty Measurement in Jamaica: A Critical Examination of the Jamaica Survey of Living Conditions 2022 and the Case for a Multidimensional Alternative Framework

Abstract

This study critically examines the conceptualisation and measurement of poverty in Jamaica through the lens of the Jamaica Survey of Living Conditions (JSLC) 2022 framework, interrogating whether the prevailing consumption-based approach adequately captures the lived realities of deprivation in a contemporary Caribbean society (Planning Institute of Jamaica [PIOJ] & Statistical Institute of Jamaica [STATIN]). The JSLC, jointly administered by the Planning Institute of Jamaica and the Statistical Institute of Jamaica, has historically defined poverty through household consumption expenditure relative to a nationally determined poverty line, distinguishing between overall poverty and extreme food poverty. While this monetary framework has facilitated longitudinal comparisons and informed policy development since 1988, emerging socioeconomic complexities, including vulnerability, inequality, and non-monetary deprivation, raise questions regarding its continued relevance. Empirical evidence indicates declining poverty rates in recent years; however, a significant proportion of Jamaicans remain vulnerable to poverty, highlighting structural fragilities not fully captured by income or consumption measures. This paper employs a critical analytical approach, integrating theoretical perspectives on poverty measurement with empirical insights from the JSLC, to evaluate the strengths and limitations of Jamaica’s current framework. It argues that the existing model, while statistically robust, is conceptually narrow and insufficiently reflective of multidimensional deprivation. Consequently, the study proposes a multidimensional poverty index tailored to the Jamaican context, incorporating indicators such as housing quality, access to healthcare, education, employment security, and social vulnerability. The findings suggest that transitioning toward a multidimensional framework would provide a more holistic and policy-relevant understanding of poverty, enabling more targeted and equitable interventions aligned with Jamaica’s development goals.