Child Poverty and Social Protection in Jamaica

Abstract

This chapter examines child poverty and the provision of social protection for children in Jamaica. Despite the reduction in national poverty in Jamaica over the years from 1990, there has been little reduction in child poverty rates. By drawing on quantitative analysis of the Jamaica Survey of Living Conditions microdata (2018, 2019 and 2021), it identifies gaps in the state’s social protection provision for children, particularly those benefiting from the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH). The findings suggest that 22.1% of Jamaican children live at or below the poverty line. However, only 43.6% of children living in poverty receive benefits, while 22.5% of non-poor children receive support. This result signals leakage and suggests that the current social protection model is not adequately equipped to address ongoing risks, including those which are climate-related. To tackle child poverty and ensure that no child is left behind, Jamaica must move towards adopting a more integrated universal social protection system. This chapter offers policy recommendations at the macro-, meso- and micro-levels on how this might be achieved.