Unemployment dips as female participation rises - STATIN

The Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) has reported that the country's unemployment rate was 3.3 per cent in October 2025, relative to 3.5 per cent inOctober 2024.

Director General, STATIN, Leesha Delatie-Budair, provided details on the October 2025 Labour Force Survey, during a press briefing at the AC Hotel in St Andrew, on January 15.

"Generally, the results of the October 2025 labour force survey reflect marginal changes in the Jamaican labour market when compared to October 2024. The size of the labour force in October 2025 was 1,462,000 persons, representing a decline of 6,300 individuals. This resulted in an overall labour force participation rate of 67.8 percent relative to 68.1 per cent in October 2024," she said.

She explained that the labour force participation rate for males stood at 73.4 percent, reflecting a marginal decline from the 74.5 per cent in October 2024. In contrast, she disclosed that female labour force participation rose slightly to 62.4 per cent, upfrom 61.9 per cent in the corresponding quarter of the previous year.

"The number of individuals outside the labour force was 693, 800 persons. The increase of 6, 300 persons over the similar quarter of 2024 was driven by higher numbers for males and youth outside the labour force, where as the number of females outside the labour force declined by 5,500," she said.

She added that total employment stood at 1,413,200 persons, which was 3,800fewer compared to October 2024.

"Male employment stood at 757,000, which was 11,500 fewer than in October 2024, while female employment increased by 7,800 to 656,200. There was a notable decline in number of employed youth from 174,000 to 163,600," Delatie-Budairsaid.

"The number of persons unemployed as at October 2025 is estimated at 48,800persons, a decline relative to the 51,300 persons estimated in October 2024," she noted.

There were 126,700 persons employed in the occupation group 'ClericalSupport Workers' in October 2025, reflecting the largest decrease in employment in 11.2 per cent compared to October 2024. Among 'Craft and Related Trades Workers'employment stood at 160,000 persons representing, a decrease of 11,700, of which8,900 were males.

Despite the overall decline, notable gains were recorded among 'Managers'.where employment increased by 19.3 per cent to 101,400 persons. More persons were employed as 'Technicians and Associate Professionals', resulting in a total of 94,300in October 2025.

She informed that the labour force survey, which reflects conditions prior to thestorm, was disrupted by the passage of the hurricane.

"The reference week for the October labour force survey was October 5 to 11, 2025, and data collection for the labour force survey started on the 12th of October. Fieldwork typically spans six weeks, and, therefore, the data collection for the labour force survey was disrupted by Hurricane Melissa, which made landfall on October 28,2025," she said.

- JIS

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