Unemployment of previously employed persons in Jamaica
Jamaica: Unemployment of previously employed persons was 30.96 in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Unemployment of previously employed persons in Jamaica, 1985–2023
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
In 2023, unemployment of previously employed persons in Jamaica stood at 30.96. That is the lowest value across all 32 years on record.
The figure is down 25.0% on the previous year and down 65.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment of previously employed persons in Jamaica peaked at 268.8 in 1985 and was at its lowest, 30.96, in 2023.
That places Jamaica 81st out of 106 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Unemployment of previously employed persons in Jamaica, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 268.8 | — |
| 1986 | 234.9 | -12.6% |
| 1987 | 224.2 | -4.6% |
| 1988 | 203.3 | -9.3% |
| 1989 | 177.4 | -12.7% |
| 1990 | 166.6 | -6.1% |
| 1991 | 168.7 | +1.3% |
| 1992 | 169.2 | +0.3% |
| 1993 | 176.7 | +4.4% |
| 1994 | 167.4 | -5.3% |
| 1995 | 186.7 | +11.5% |
| 2002 | 171.8 | -8.0% |
| 2003 | 128.9 | -25.0% |
| 2004 | 136.8 | +6.1% |
| 2005 | 133.3 | -2.6% |
| 2006 | 119.6 | -10.3% |
| 2007 | 119.4 | -0.2% |
| 2008 | 67.41 | -43.5% |
| 2009 | 74.72 | +10.8% |
| 2010 | 74.86 | +0.2% |
| 2011 | 76.68 | +2.4% |
| 2012 | 82.79 | +8.0% |
| 2013 | 90.29 | +9.1% |
| 2014 | 84.06 | -6.9% |
| 2016 | 82.14 | -2.3% |
| 2017 | 73.77 | -10.2% |
| 2018 | 53.92 | -26.9% |
| 2019 | 49.75 | -7.7% |
| 2020 | 66.37 | +33.4% |
| 2021 | 52.46 | -21.0% |
| 2022 | 41.3 | -21.3% |
| 2023 | 30.96 | -25.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 221.72 | 177.4 | 268.8 | 5 |
| 1990s | 172.55 | 166.6 | 186.7 | 6 |
| 2000s | 118.99 | 67.41 | 171.8 | 8 |
| 2010s | 74.25 | 49.75 | 90.29 | 9 |
| 2020s | 47.77 | 30.96 | 66.37 | 4 |
Countries ranked near Jamaica
More work & labour data for Jamaica
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -1.76 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -1.69 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -1.83 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -2.25 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 0.0152 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 1,904 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 799.47 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 544.43 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 522.35 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 1,067 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployment of previously employed persons in Jamaica?
- Unemployment of previously employed persons in Jamaica was 30.96 in 2023, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest unemployment of previously employed persons recorded in Jamaica?
- The highest recorded value was 268.8 in 1985.
- What is the lowest unemployment of previously employed persons recorded in Jamaica?
- The lowest recorded value was 30.96 in 2023.
- How does Jamaica rank for unemployment of previously employed persons?
- Jamaica ranks 81st out of 106 countries with data for 2023.
- Is unemployment of previously employed persons rising or falling in Jamaica?
- Over the last ten years it is down 65.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Jamaica data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of Unemployment of previously employed persons (previous ILO definition - ICLS13). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
With the aim of promoting international comparability, statistics presented on ILOSTAT are based on standard international definitions wherever feasible and may differ from official national figures. This series is based on the 13th ICLS definitions. For time series comparability, it includes countries that have implemented the 19th ICLS standards, for which data are also available in the Work Statistics -- 19th ICLS (WORK) database. The unemployed comprise all persons of working age who were: a) without work during the reference period, i.e. were not in paid employment or self-employment; b) currently available for work, i.e. were available for paid employment or self-employment during the reference period; and c) seeking work, i.e. had taken specific steps in a specified recent period to seek paid employment or self-employment. Data disaggregated by economic activity are provided according to the latest version of the International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities (ISIC) available for that year. Data may have been regrouped from national classifications, which may not be strictly compatible with ISIC. Data disaggregated by level of education are provided on the highest level of education completed, classified according to the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED). Data may have been regrouped from national classifications, which may not be strictly compatible with ISCED. For more information, refer to the Labour Force Statistics (LFS and STLFS) database description.