The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB / the Bank) in collaboration with the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI), officially launched the country’s first‑ever Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) - a landmark tool that will transform how poverty is measured, understood, and addressed across the island.
The MPI provides a comprehensive picture of poverty by capturing not only what households earn and consume but also what they lack across dimensions including health, education, housing, access to services, employment security, and overall wellbeing. It complements traditional monetary poverty assessments and strengthens Jamaica’s ability to implement targeted, evidence based social and economic policies aligned with Vision 2030 Jamaica and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Development of the MPI was made possible through grant financing from CDB’s Special Fund Resources (SFR) and technical support from the Bank’s Enhanced Country Poverty Assessment (eCPA) Programme. The process drew on extensive collaboration among national stakeholders, technical experts, and development partners. Through this initiative, Jamaica is positioned as a regional leader in adopting multidimensional approaches to poverty reduction.
