Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago: Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) was 4.0% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Trinidad and Tobago, 1969–2024
Source: Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
The most recent figure for unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Trinidad and Tobago is 4.0%, measured in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 19.2% on the previous year and up 61.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Trinidad and Tobago peaked at 22.3% in 1987 and was at its lowest, 2.4%, in 2015.
That places Trinidad and Tobago 125th out of 187 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Trinidad and Tobago, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1969 | 13.2% | — |
| 1970 | 12.8% | -3.1% |
| 1971 | 9.7% | -23.8% |
| 1973 | 15.4% | +58.4% |
| 1974 | 15.2% | -1.0% |
| 1975 | 15.0% | -1.6% |
| 1977 | 13.4% | -10.3% |
| 1978 | 12.0% | -10.5% |
| 1979 | 11.9% | -1.3% |
| 1980 | 9.9% | -17.0% |
| 1981 | 10.5% | +6.8% |
| 1982 | 9.9% | -5.8% |
| 1983 | 11.1% | +12.3% |
| 1984 | 13.3% | +19.7% |
| 1985 | 15.7% | +17.6% |
| 1986 | 17.2% | +9.9% |
| 1987 | 22.3% | +29.3% |
| 1988 | 22.0% | -1.1% |
| 1989 | 22.0% | +0.1% |
| 1990 | 20.0% | -9.2% |
| 1991 | 18.5% | -7.5% |
| 1992 | 19.6% | +6.1% |
| 1993 | 19.8% | +0.9% |
| 1994 | 18.4% | -7.0% |
| 1995 | 17.2% | -6.5% |
| 1996 | 16.3% | -5.6% |
| 1997 | 15.0% | -7.6% |
| 1998 | 14.2% | -5.3% |
| 1999 | 13.1% | -7.7% |
| 2000 | 12.1% | -7.8% |
| 2002 | 10.4% | -14.1% |
| 2005 | 8.0% | -23.5% |
| 2006 | 6.3% | -21.2% |
| 2007 | 5.5% | -11.6% |
| 2008 | 4.6% | -16.5% |
| 2009 | 5.3% | +14.1% |
| 2010 | 4.0% | -23.6% |
| 2011 | 3.4% | -15.1% |
| 2012 | 3.7% | +8.6% |
| 2013 | 2.7% | -27.8% |
| 2014 | 2.5% | -7.7% |
| 2015 | 2.4% | -2.0% |
| 2016 | 3.2% | +32.1% |
| 2019 | 3.5% | +9.9% |
| 2020 | 4.2% | +19.4% |
| 2021 | 4.4% | +5.7% |
| 2022 | 4.4% | -1.4% |
| 2023 | 3.4% | -23.3% |
| 2024 | 4.0% | +19.2% |
Trinidad and Tobago compared with similar countries
- Trinidad and Tobago's 4.0% is below the median for high income countries, which is 4.9%, 82% of the median. (77 countries reporting)
- Trinidad and Tobago's 4.0% is below the median for Latin America & Caribbean, which is 6.3%, 63% of the median. (36 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 13.2% | 13.2% | 13.2% | 1 |
| 1970s | 13.2% | 9.7% | 15.4% | 8 |
| 1980s | 15.4% | 9.9% | 22.3% | 10 |
| 1990s | 17.2% | 13.1% | 20.0% | 10 |
| 2000s | 7.5% | 4.6% | 12.1% | 7 |
| 2010s | 3.2% | 2.4% | 4.0% | 8 |
| 2020s | 4.1% | 3.4% | 4.4% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Trinidad and Tobago
More work & labour data for Trinidad and Tobago
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -0.9186 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -0.882 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -0.9542 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -1.53 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 0.2012 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 812.28 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 482.78 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 455.57 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 442.79 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 898.36 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Trinidad and Tobago?
- Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Trinidad and Tobago was 4.0% in 2024, according to Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
- What is the highest unemployment, total (% of total labor force) recorded in Trinidad and Tobago?
- The highest recorded value was 22.3% in 1987.
- What is the lowest unemployment, total (% of total labor force) recorded in Trinidad and Tobago?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.4% in 2015.
- How does Trinidad and Tobago rank for unemployment, total (% of total labor force)?
- Trinidad and Tobago ranks 125th out of 187 countries with data for 2024.
- Is unemployment, total (% of total labor force) rising or falling in Trinidad and Tobago?
- Over the last ten years it is up 61.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Trinidad and Tobago data come from?
- The figures come from Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as part of Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (national estimate). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment. Definitions of labor force and unemployment differ by country.