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As a former British colony, Jamaica is the third-largest English-speaking country in the Americas after the United States and Canada. Since its independence in 1962, the Caribbean island nation of 2.7 million people has diversified its economy from agricultural extraction to one that is more mixed, in which service industries like tourism and finance play an increasingly important role. Yet, Jamaica remains the poorest country in the Caribbean after Haiti. For many years, Jamaica has achieved universal primary education. The six years of primary school education in Jamaica is compulsory and free. Children receive their instruction in English, and remain there between the ages of 6 and 12. Schools may be state-owned, or private preparatory schools.
Primary languages: English
Primary: 99% (80% attendance rate)
Female: 93.1%
Male: 84.1%
