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Jamaica · Employment & wages

Unemployment, participation, employment, youth, wages and hours.

19 indicators · 12 with data

Unemployment

Unemployment

% of labour force

51st of 185 · 5th in Latin America
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UnemploymentJamaica's unemployment fell from 6.6 % in 1996 to 3.3 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020250%2%4%6%8%10%3.3 %

Jamaica's unemployment fell from 6.6 % in 1996 to 3.3 % in 2025.

Youth unemployment

% of labour force ages 15–24

80th of 183 · 12th in Latin America
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Youth unemploymentJamaica's youth unemployment fell from 15.8 % in 1996 to 10.8 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020250%10%20%30%10.8 %

Jamaica's youth unemployment fell from 15.8 % in 1996 to 10.8 % in 2025.

Participation

Participation

% of population ages 15+

30th of 182 · 5th in Latin America
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ParticipationJamaica's participation rose from 68.9 % in 1996 to 69.6 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202560%65%70%69.6 %

Jamaica's participation rose from 68.9 % in 1996 to 69.6 % in 2025.

Labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+)

% of female population ages 15+

29th of 182 · 4th in Latin America
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Labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+)Jamaica's labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+) rose from 61.1 % in 1996 to 63.0 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202550%55%60%63.0 %

Jamaica's labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+) rose from 61.1 % in 1996 to 63.0 % in 2025.

Employment

Employment to population ratio (ages 15+)

% of population ages 15+

26th of 182 · 3rd in Latin America
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Employment to population ratio (ages 15+)Jamaica's employment to population ratio (ages 15+) rose from 64.4 % in 1996 to 67.3 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202550%55%60%65%70%67.3 %

Jamaica's employment to population ratio (ages 15+) rose from 64.4 % in 1996 to 67.3 % in 2025.

Labour force, total

people

128th of 182 · 21st in Latin America
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Labour force, totalJamaica's labour force, total rose from 1.13M in 1996 to 1.61M in 2025.2000200520102015202020251.2M1.4M1.6M1.61M

Jamaica's labour force, total rose from 1.13M in 1996 to 1.61M in 2025.

Self-employed (% of total employment)

% of employment

85th of 182 · 13th in Latin America
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Self-employed (% of total employment)Jamaica's self-employed (% of total employment) fell from 40.2 % in 1996 to 35.7 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202534%36%38%40%42%44%35.7 %

Jamaica's self-employed (% of total employment) fell from 40.2 % in 1996 to 35.7 % in 2025.

Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)

% of employment

98th of 182 · 19th in Latin America
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Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)Jamaica's vulnerable employment (% of total employment) fell from 37.9 % in 1996 to 31.6 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202530%32%34%36%38%40%31.6 %

Jamaica's vulnerable employment (% of total employment) fell from 37.9 % in 1996 to 31.6 % in 2025.

Structure

Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)

% of employment

94th of 182 · 13th in Latin America
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Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)Jamaica's employment in agriculture (% of total employment) fell from 23.9 % in 1996 to 13.9 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202515%20%25%13.9 %

Jamaica's employment in agriculture (% of total employment) fell from 23.9 % in 1996 to 13.9 % in 2025.

Employment in industry (% of total employment)

% of employment

112th of 182 · 18th in Latin America
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Employment in industry (% of total employment)Jamaica's employment in industry (% of total employment) fell from 21.3 % in 1996 to 17.1 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202514%16%18%20%22%17.1 %

Jamaica's employment in industry (% of total employment) fell from 21.3 % in 1996 to 17.1 % in 2025.

Employment in services (% of total employment)

% of employment

64th of 182 · 15th in Latin America
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Employment in services (% of total employment)Jamaica's employment in services (% of total employment) rose from 54.7 % in 1996 to 68.9 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202550%55%60%65%70%68.9 %

Jamaica's employment in services (% of total employment) rose from 54.7 % in 1996 to 68.9 % in 2025.

Productivity

GDP per person employed (constant 2021 PPP $)

constant 2021 PPP $

123rd of 168 · 23rd in Latin America
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GDP per person employed (constant 2021 PPP $)Jamaica's gdp per person employed (constant 2021 ppp $) fell from intl $24.2k in 1996 to intl $20.7k in 2025.200020052010201520202025intl $20kintl $22kintl $24kintl $26kintl $20.7k

Jamaica's gdp per person employed (constant 2021 ppp $) fell from intl $24.2k in 1996 to intl $20.7k in 2025.

›No data available (7)

These indicators exist in the registry but no source reports a value for Jamaica.

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