Technicians and Associate Professionals occupational group had the largest increase in the number of persons employed in Jamaica based on the latest Labour Force Survey for January 2025, which was released last week.

The was followed by the grouping ‘Professionals’ according to the survey, released by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN). The occupation groups, ‘Technicians and Associate Professionals’ and ‘Professionals’, together accounted for most of the increase in the employed labour force. 

In January 2025, there were 95,900 persons employed in the occupation group ‘Technicians and Associate Professionals’, reflecting an increase in employment of 9,000 persons (10.4%) compared to January 2024. Of this increase, 4,200 were males and 4,800 were females. 

The ‘Professionals’ occupation group had an increase of 8,000 individuals or 6.7 per cent, raising total employment in this group to 128,000. This group also recorded the largest growth in female employment, with an increase of 5,900 females or 7.5 per cent. 

Largest decline in employment 

Conversely, the ‘Elementary Occupations’ group had the largest decline in employment, with a reduction of 14,800 individuals, of which 11,800 (79.7%) were males. Industry group ‘Education, Human Health and Social Work Activities’ had the largest increase in the number of persons employed.

In January 2025, the ‘Education, Human Health and Social Work Activities’ industry employed 121,100 individuals, reflecting an increase of 9,400 persons (8.4%). The majority of this growth was attributed to females, who accounted for 8,700 of the increase. 

The second-largest increase by industry group occurred in ‘Manufacturing’, which saw an addition of 8,300 persons, bringing total employment in the group to 96,100 in January 2025. Meanwhile, the ‘Wholesale and Retail Trade; Repair of Motor Vehicles and Motorcycles’ industry employed 255,900 individuals. 

Compared to January 2024, employment in this sector decreased by 10,600 persons. The largest increase in male employment (6,200) was in the group ‘Manufacturing’, which grew from 58,300 in January 2024 to 64,500 in January 2025. 

Number of persons outside the Labour Force

The number of persons outside the labour force in January 2025 meaning all people of working age (typically 15 or older) who are either unemployed or not actively seeking employment was 681,900, an increase of 12,500 (1.9%) persons compared to 669,400 in January 2024. Of this total, 272,700 were males and 409,200 were females. 

Compared to January 2024, there were 10,000 (2.5%) more females and 2,500 (0.9%) more males outside the labour force. Additionally, the number of youth (aged 14-24 years) outside the labour force was 297,200, reflecting an increase of 8,500 (2.9%) from the same quarter of 2024.