I urgently need real interest rates and/or the inflation rates for
Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and the United States for 1980-2000.

Hi disraelij,

I have compiled a lovely little table of the inflation rates for the
USA, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago:

	USA	Jamaica	  Trinidad & Tobago
			
80	13.48%	  29%	
81	10.36	  4.6	
82	6.16	  6.5	
83	3.21	  16.7	
84	4.37	  31.2	
85	3.54	  23	
86	1.86	  10.4	
87	3.66	  8.4	
88	4.12	  8.8	
89	4.81	  17.2	
90	5.39	  29.8	
91	4.22	  80.2	    2.3%
92	3.01	  40.2	    8.5
93	2.98	  30.1	    13.4
94	2.6	  26.8	    5.5
95	2.76	  25.6	    3.8
96	2.96	  15.8	    4.3
97	2.35	  9.2	    3.5
98	1.51	  7.9	    5.6
99	2.21	  6.8	    3.4
00	3.38	  6.1	    4.9
01	2.86	  8.7	


Sources:

http://www.bartleby.com/151/a68.html

http://www.statinja.com/stats.html

http://bear.cba.ufl.edu/centers/ciber/workingpapers/table3.pdf

I have no idea about Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, but in the USA you
needed to earn about 4% net interest on your money you loaned to break
even on your buying power. That comes to at least 5% if you figure
taxes, you probably paid on the interest. The USA government has
typically claimed less than 3% inflation, but 4% is more realistic.
I'm unsure how they manage to lie consistantly. The 5% is compounded
monthly and includes any up front fees (or equivalent add on fees) you
can collect from the borrower that are in excess of actual costs. 
Neil