Unemployment Rate in Jamaica decreased to 3.30 percent in the second quarter of 2025 from 3.70 percent in the first quarter of 2025. This dataset provides - Jamaica Unemployment Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

In 2024, the unemployment rate in Jamaica stood at approximately 4.18 percent. Between 1980 and 2024, the figure dropped by around 23.08 percentage points, though the decline followed an uneven course rather than a steady trajectory.This indicator describes the unemployment rate, which can be defined by either the national definition, the ILO harmonized definition, or the OECD harmonized definition. The latter defines it as the number of unemployed people divided by the total labor force.

In 2024, the unemployment rate in Jamaica was at approximately 4.89 percent, a slight decrease from previous years. Jamaica’s economy is in good shape Although on a steady downward trend after peaking at over 15 percent in 2013, Jamaica’s unemployment rate is still quite high but not alarmingly high in global comparison. More than half of the island’s population live in urban areas and cities already, and the numbers are rising. Most working Jamaicans are employed in the services sector, mainly tourism, but agriculture has been slightly growing as well – no surprise, since Jamaica is not only rich in resources but also cultivates and exports sugar, coconuts, bananas, cocoa, and citrus fruits, among other commodities. The hottest vacation destinationTravel and tourism provide a large share of Jamaica’s gross domestic product (GDP). The island is one of the most popular tourist destinations for Americans, for example, and reported more than 2.3 million overnight tourist arrivals in 2017 alone – a remarkable increase over the last decade and a new record for the country. Many of these tourists visit in December, and in 2017, a winter vacation in the warm Caribbean has even outranked a stay during the summer months.

In 2024, the youth unemployment rate in Jamaica stood at 14.46 percent. From 1991 to 2024, the youth unemployment rate returned close to the initial level.

Graph and download economic data for Youth Unemployment Rate for Jamaica (SLUEM1524ZSJAM) from 1991 to 2024 about Jamaica, 15 to 24 years, unemployment, and rate.

Jamaica JM: Unemployment Rate data was reported at 13.200 % in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 13.500 % for 2015. Jamaica JM: Unemployment Rate data is updated yearly, averaging 15.400 % from Dec 1985 (Median) to 2016, with 31 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 25.000 % in 1985 and a record low of 9.850 % in 2007. Jamaica JM: Unemployment Rate data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Monetary Fund. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Jamaica – Table JM.IMF.IFS: Labour Force, Employment and Unemployment: Annual.

Youth Unemployment Rate in Jamaica decreased to 10.10 percent in the second quarter of 2025 from 12.30 percent in the first quarter of 2025. This dataset provides - Jamaica Youth Unemployment Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Jamaica JM: Unemployment Rate: % Change over Previous Period data was reported at -2.222 % in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of -1.818 % for 2015. Jamaica JM: Unemployment Rate: % Change over Previous Period data is updated yearly, averaging -2.222 % from Dec 1986 (Median) to 2016, with 29 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 9.695 % in 2013 and a record low of -17.330 % in 2003. Jamaica JM: Unemployment Rate: % Change over Previous Period data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Monetary Fund. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Jamaica – Table JM.IMF.IFS: Labour Force, Employment and Unemployment: Annual.

Historical dataset showing Jamaica unemployment rate by year from 1991 to 2024.

Jamaica: Unemployment rate for females: The latest value from 2024 is 6.19 percent, an increase from 5.7 percent in 2023. In comparison, the world average is 8.08 percent, based on data from 176 countries. Historically, the average for Jamaica from 1991 to 2024 is 8.75 percent. The minimum value, 5.14 percent, was reached in 2022 while the maximum of 12.57 percent was recorded in 2013.

Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) in Jamaica was reported at 6.194 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Jamaica - Unemployment, female - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on October of 2025.

Jamaica JM: Unemployment Rate: % Change data was reported at -2.222 % in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of -1.818 % for 2015. Jamaica JM: Unemployment Rate: % Change data is updated yearly, averaging -2.222 % from Dec 1986 (Median) to 2016, with 29 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 9.695 % in 2013 and a record low of -17.330 % in 2003. Jamaica JM: Unemployment Rate: % Change data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Monetary Fund. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Jamaica – Table JM.IMF.IFS: Labour Force, Employment and Unemployment: Annual.

Historical dataset showing Jamaica youth unemployment rate by year from 1991 to 2024.

jamaica - Youth Unemployment Rate for Jamaica was 14.46% in January of 2024, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, jamaica - Youth Unemployment Rate for Jamaica reached a record high of 16.84 in January of 2021 and a record low of 13.12 in January of 2022. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for jamaica - Youth Unemployment Rate for Jamaica - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on September of 2025.

View yearly updates and historical trends for Jamaica Unemployment Rate Outlook. Source: International Monetary Fund. Track economic data with YCharts ana…

Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) in Jamaica was reported at 4.885 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Jamaica - Unemployment, total - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on October of 2025.

Jamaica JM: Unemployment Rate: % Change data was reported at -14.729 % in Sep 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of -12.409 % for Jun 2017. Jamaica JM: Unemployment Rate: % Change data is updated quarterly, averaging -1.527 % from Jun 2003 (Median) to Sep 2017, with 51 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 23.158 % in Jun 2008 and a record low of -23.776 % in Dec 2003. Jamaica JM: Unemployment Rate: % Change data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Monetary Fund. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Jamaica – Table JM.IMF.IFS: Labour Force, Employment and Unemployment: Quarterly.

Time series data for the statistic Unemployment_Rate and country Jamaica. Indicator Definition:Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment.The statistic "Unemployment Rate" stands at 4.88 percent as of 12/31/2024. Regarding the One-Year-Change of the series, the current value constitutes an increase of 0.485 percentage points compared to the value the year prior.The 1 year change in percentage points is 0.485.The 3 year change in percentage points is -0.303.The 5 year change in percentage points is -0.102.The 10 year change in percentage points is -4.16.The Serie's long term average value is 6.73 percent. It's latest available value, on 12/31/2024, is 1.85 percentage points lower, compared to it's long term average value.The Serie's change in percentage points from it's minimum value, on 12/31/2022, to it's latest available value, on 12/31/2024, is +0.802.The Serie's change in percentage points from it's maximum value, on 12/31/2013, to it's latest available value, on 12/31/2024, is -4.81.

Jamaica JM: Unemployment Rate: % Change over Previous Period data was reported at -8.333 % in Sep 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of -5.512 % for Jun 2017. Jamaica JM: Unemployment Rate: % Change over Previous Period data is updated quarterly, averaging 0.980 % from Mar 2005 (Median) to Sep 2017, with 49 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 16.379 % in Mar 2010 and a record low of -16.822 % in Sep 2006. Jamaica JM: Unemployment Rate: % Change over Previous Period data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Monetary Fund. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Jamaica – Table JM.IMF.IFS: Labour Force, Employment and Unemployment: Quarterly.

The number of unemployed persons in Jamaica decreased to 50000 in the second quarter of 2025 from 54500 in the first quarter of 2025. This dataset provides - Jamaica Unemployed Persons- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.