Jamaica recorded 673 murders in 2025 - lowest in 31 years

 

Jamaica ended 2025 with 673 murders, marking the first time the homicide rate has fallen below 700 in 31 years.

 

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security and Peace, Dr. Horace Chang, says this represents a 41 per cent reduction year over year and 473 lives spared.

 

Dr. Chang has labelled the historic reduction in violent crime as a turning of the tide toward sustainable crime reduction.

 

The security minister underscored that this achievement is the result of deliberate, sustained, and strategic actions implemented to strengthen the entire security ecosystem.

 

He said the continued objective is to move below the Caribbean's average homicide rate of approximately 17 per 100,000, which means cutting murders to less than 500 per year, going forward. 

 

"I extend sincere appreciation to the men and women of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, the Jamaica Defence Force, the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency, our correctional officers, all the security teams and all partners across the national security architecture. Your collective efforts have changed the trajectory of our nation, placing us firmly on the path to long-term sustainable crime reduction. This achievement belongs to all Jamaicans. Together, let us protect this hard-won peace and press forward to what we can and must become - a safer and more peaceful Jamaica," he urged.