News
JAM | Jan 31, 2024

Jamaica’s unemployment rate falls to new historic low of 4.2%

Tamoy Ashman

Tamoy Ashman / Our Today

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) has reported that the unemployment rate in Jamaica dropped to a new historic low of 4.2 per cent as of October 2023.

This was 2.9 percentage points lower than the out-turn for the corresponding timeline of 2021.

According to the Labour Force Survey findings, in October 2023, there were 1,320,400 employed persons in Jamaica. The numbers reflect an addition of more than 85,000 people to the labour force relative to October 2021.

“The current highlights of the October 2023 Labour Force Survey findings are compared with the October 2021 survey results to indicate the changes that have occurred. This is due to the fact that a Labour
Force Survey was not undertaken in October 2022 because of the implementation of the 2022 Population & Housing Census,” STATIN explained in a release.

Of the 1,320,400 persons employed in October 2023, 715,900 were males, and 604,500 were females. The number reflects a 5.9 per cent increase in males and an 8.2 per cent increase in females in the labour force compared to October 2021.

(Photo: STATIN)

Additionally, the youth (14-24 years) unemployment rate was 12.6 per cent, a decline of 6.3 percentage points compared to 18.9 per cent in October 2021.

The largest increase in employment by occupation was in the ‘Service Workers and Shop and Market Sales Workers’ group. However, the increases by industry group were in ‘Real Estate and Other Business Services’ and ‘Construction’.

According to STATIN, there were 308,400 persons employed in the ‘Service Workers and Shop and Market Sales Workers’ occupation in October 2023, an 11.2 per cent increase compared to October 2021.

Additionally, there were 152,600 persons working in ‘Real Estate and Other Business Services’ a 16.9 per cent increase compared to October 2021. The ‘Construction’ industry employed 133,200 persons, an increase of 16.9 per cent.

The unemployment rate was 4.5 per cent in both April and July 2023. At the time, the numbers reflected a historic low in unemployment.

Tags
Jamaica jobs labour force Statistical Institute of Jamaica unemployment rate

Comments

What To Read Next

News JAM Dec 8, 2025

Danielle Archer resigns as principal director of National Integrity Action

Reading Time: < 1 minuteDanielle Archer, the Principal Director of National Integrity Action (NIA), one of Jamaica’s foremost anti-corruption bodies, has resigned from her position. The organisation announced on Monday that her resignation will take effect on December 31.

Archer, who replaced NIA founder Professor Trevor Munroe in May 2023, has been a prominent and vocal critic of the nation’s governance framework. Her outspokenness often drew sharp criticism from members of Jamaica’s political directorate during her tenure.
News JAM Dec 8, 2025

MUJ 2025 Dr Henry still receiving medical care in Thailand, expected to return to Jamaica soon

Reading Time: 2 minutesThe Miss Universe Organisation (MUO) says Miss Universe Jamaica 2025 Dr Gabrieele Henry continues to receive specialised medical care in Thailand and will soon return to Jamaica under full medical supervision.

Henry suffered a serious fall through an opening on the stage while performing her walk during the preliminary competition on November 19, 2025, resulting in an intracranial haemorrhage with loss of consciousness, a fracture, facial lacerations and other significant injuries.
News JAM Dec 8, 2025

JLP officer corp re-elected en bloc by central executive

Reading Time: < 1 minuteThe Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) Central Executive, which met on Sunday, December 7, has passed two resolutions for intensified support for citizens impacted by Hurricane Melissa and the cancellation of the party’s conference and reelection en bloc of the officer corps of the JLP.

“The Central Executive passed on its condolences to families who have lost loved ones and took note of Jamaicans who are still without basic services: electricity, water, internet service, roadways, and proper garbage collections,” Robert Montague, Chairman of the JLP, said.