Kingston: Poverty has reached a record 16.5 per cent in Jamaica, the highest figure since 2004, a recent survey on living conditions has revealed.
The report, including figures for 2008 and 2009, was released in Parliament by Prime Minister Bruce Golding.
According to the document, a total of 445,000 Jamaicans live under the poverty line.
In 2004, the figure was 12.3 percent, and in 2009 it reached 16.5.
A previous study, released in 2007, reported an index of 9.6 per cent of poor people.
The current situation in the country and in many others is part of the effects of the global recession, according to Golding.
He said his government is very worried about these figures and is urgently working to strengthen the security net.
Initiatives to improve living conditions of Jamaicans include speeding up the government social security program, benefiting 350,000 in August.