Labor force, total in Jamaica was reported at 1570210 in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Jamaica - Labor force, total - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

In 2024, the labor participation rate among the total population aged between 15 and 64 in Jamaica remained nearly unchanged at around ***** percent. Still, the labor participation rate reached its highest value in the observed period in 2024. The labor force participation rate is the share of the population aged 15 and over who are currently employed or actively searching for work. It is calculated by dividing the economically active population aged 15 and over by the total population aged 15 and over.Find more key insights for the labor participation rate among the total population aged between 15 and 64 in countries like Dominican Republic and Haiti.

Jamaica JM: Labour Force data was reported at 1,353.650 Person th in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 1,316.525 Person th for 2015. Jamaica JM: Labour Force data is updated yearly, averaging 1,143.000 Person th from Dec 1985 (Median) to 2016, with 31 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,353.650 Person th in 2016 and a record low of 1,041.000 Person th in 1985. Jamaica JM: Labour Force 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.

Labor Force Participation Rate in Jamaica increased to 68.40 percent in the first quarter of 2025 from 68.10 percent in the fourth quarter of 2024. This dataset provides - Jamaica Labor Force Participation Rate- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The statistic shows the distribution of employment in Jamaica by economic sector from 2013 to 2023. In 2023, 14.61 percent of the employees in Jamaica were active in the agricultural sector, 17.56 percent in industry and 67.83 percent in the service sector.

Labor force, female (% of total labor force) in Jamaica was reported at 45.85 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Jamaica - Labor force, female - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Jamaica JM: Labour Force: % Change over Previous Period data was reported at -0.029 % in Sep 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.979 % for Jun 2017. Jamaica JM: Labour Force: % Change over Previous Period data is updated quarterly, averaging 0.352 % from Mar 2005 (Median) to Sep 2017, with 49 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5.633 % in Mar 2006 and a record low of -1.674 % in Mar 2009. Jamaica JM: Labour Force: % 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.

Jamaica JM: Unemployment: Modeled ILO Estimate: % of Total Labour Force data was reported at 12.448 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 13.190 % for 2016. Jamaica JM: Unemployment: Modeled ILO Estimate: % of Total Labour Force data is updated yearly, averaging 13.930 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2017, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 16.350 % in 1997 and a record low of 9.260 % in 2007. Jamaica JM: Unemployment: Modeled ILO Estimate: % of Total Labour Force data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Jamaica – Table JM.World Bank: Employment and Unemployment. Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment.; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in November 2017.; Weighted average; Data up to 2016 are estimates while data from 2017 are projections. National estimates are also available in the WDI database. Caution should be used when comparing ILO estimates with national estimates.

The employment level in services as a share of total employment in Jamaica saw no significant changes in 2023 in comparison to the previous year 2022 and remained at around 67.83 percent. However, 2023 marked the second consecutive increase of the share. These figures refer to the share of the overall labor force working in service industries such as retail, hospitality, transport, IT, or communications.Find more key insights for the employment level in services as a share of total employment in countries like Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Puerto Rico.

Abstract

The Jamaica Labour force Survey is conducted quarterly to provide information on the status of and changes in the labour force, employment and unemployment in Jamaica. All occupation and industrial classifications are based on ILO specifications.

Geographic coverage

National coverage

Analysis unit

• Individuals;
• Household.

Universe

All non-institution dwellings All persons living in non-institutional dwellings in Jamaica

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

The sampling design is a two-stage stratified random sampling with the first stage being the selection of areas (enumeration districts (ED)) and the second stage a selection of dwellings. For the selection of EDs all in the country are grouped into Sampling Regions (SR) of strata of approximate equal size, in terms of the number odf dwellings. Two EDs are selected from each sampling region with probability proportionate to size. In each ED, a list of dwellings is prepared and this becomes the frame for the selection of the Master Sample of dwellings for the labour force.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

One questionnaire is administered to each person over 14 years in the household. Information collected includes: -Sex, age, marital/union status, etc.; -Education for all persons 3 years and over; -Employment status and history - persons 15 years and over; -Training.

Cleaning operations

Before data entry, all the questionnaires are edited and coded. All questionnaires partially completed, or not properly filled out, were removed from data entry operations if they could not be corrected. The questionnaires were then screened by the supervising Statisticians, before being submitted for data entry.

Sampling error estimates

These are done and recorded in the report

Jamaica JM: Unemployment: Modeled ILO Estimate: Youth: % of Total Labour Force Aged 15-24 data was reported at 29.735 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 31.362 % for 2016. Jamaica JM: Unemployment: Modeled ILO Estimate: Youth: % of Total Labour Force Aged 15-24 data is updated yearly, averaging 32.890 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2017, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 37.004 % in 1997 and a record low of 21.696 % in 2007. Jamaica JM: Unemployment: Modeled ILO Estimate: Youth: % of Total Labour Force Aged 15-24 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Jamaica – Table JM.World Bank: Employment and Unemployment. Youth unemployment refers to the share of the labor force ages 15-24 without work but available for and seeking employment.; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in November 2017.; Weighted average; Data up to 2016 are estimates while data from 2017 are projections. National estimates are also available in the WDI database. Caution should be used when comparing ILO estimates with national estimates.

Historical dataset showing Jamaica labor force participation rate by year from 1990 to 2024.

Geographic coverage

National coverage

Analysis unit

households/individuals

Kind of data

survey

Frequency of data collection

Quarterly

Sampling procedure

Sample size:

Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) (national estimate) in Jamaica was reported at 9.076 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Jamaica - Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) (national estimate) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) (modeled ILO estimate) in Jamaica was reported at 14.46 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Jamaica - Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) (national estimate) in Jamaica was reported at 7.818 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Jamaica - Unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) (national estimate) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

The share of total labor force working for the armed forces in Jamaica increased by 0.01 percentage points (+2.5 percent) in 2020 in comparison to the previous year. Therefore, the share in Jamaica reached a peak in 2020 with 0.41 percent. Armed forces personnel are active duty military personnel, including paramilitary forces if the training, organization, equipment, and control suggest they may be used to support or replace regular military forces. This indicator is presented as a share of the labor force, which consists of all people who meet the International Labour Organization's definition of the economically active population.

Unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) (national estimate) in Jamaica was reported at 10.63 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Jamaica - Unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) (national estimate) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) (modeled ILO estimate) in Jamaica was reported at 12.88 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Jamaica - Unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

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 July of 2025.