Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Jamaica
Jamaica: Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) was 9.1% in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Jamaica, 1975–2023
Source: Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
Jamaica recorded 9.1% for unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in 2023. That is the lowest value across all 35 years on record.
That represents a change of down 24.5% on the previous year and down 67.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Jamaica peaked at 93.0% in 1980 and was at its lowest, 9.1%, in 2023.
That places Jamaica 114th out of 160 countries with data for 2023, 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, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Jamaica, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1975 | 35.4% | — |
| 1976 | 40.6% | +14.8% |
| 1978 | 43.5% | +7.2% |
| 1980 | 93.0% | +113.7% |
| 1981 | 45.1% | -51.5% |
| 1982 | 48.7% | +7.8% |
| 1985 | 85.1% | +74.9% |
| 1988 | 57.5% | -32.5% |
| 1990 | 31.8% | -44.8% |
| 1992 | 28.3% | -11.0% |
| 1993 | 29.5% | +4.3% |
| 1994 | 27.3% | -7.5% |
| 1995 | 34.1% | +25.1% |
| 1996 | 34.4% | +0.8% |
| 1997 | 33.5% | -2.8% |
| 1998 | 33.2% | -0.8% |
| 1999 | 34.0% | +2.4% |
| 2001 | 33.1% | -2.7% |
| 2003 | 21.3% | -35.7% |
| 2004 | 28.1% | +32.2% |
| 2008 | 18.2% | -35.2% |
| 2009 | 19.5% | +7.3% |
| 2010 | 21.4% | +9.7% |
| 2011 | 21.2% | -1.0% |
| 2012 | 24.2% | +14.2% |
| 2013 | 27.5% | +13.3% |
| 2014 | 26.2% | -4.5% |
| 2016 | 24.1% | -8.0% |
| 2017 | 21.0% | -13.0% |
| 2018 | 17.2% | -18.2% |
| 2019 | 15.0% | -12.4% |
| 2020 | 18.9% | +25.5% |
| 2021 | 15.6% | -17.3% |
| 2022 | 12.0% | -23.0% |
| 2023 | 9.1% | -24.5% |
Jamaica compared with similar countries
- Jamaica's 9.1% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 15.5%, 59% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
- Jamaica's 9.1% is below the median for Latin America & Caribbean, which is 15.1%, 60% of the median. (30 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 39.8% | 35.4% | 43.5% | 3 |
| 1980s | 65.9% | 45.1% | 93.0% | 5 |
| 1990s | 31.8% | 27.3% | 34.4% | 9 |
| 2000s | 24.0% | 18.2% | 33.1% | 5 |
| 2010s | 22.0% | 15.0% | 27.5% | 9 |
| 2020s | 13.9% | 9.1% | 18.9% | 4 |
Countries ranked near Jamaica
- 111 Malta 9.6% compare
- 112 Australia 9.5% compare
- 113 Iceland 9.5% compare
- 115 Netherlands 8.8% compare
- 116 Afghanistan 8.8% compare
- 117 Switzerland 8.8% compare
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, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Jamaica?
- Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Jamaica was 9.1% in 2023, according to Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
- What is the highest unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) recorded in Jamaica?
- The highest recorded value was 93.0% in 1980.
- What is the lowest unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) recorded in Jamaica?
- The lowest recorded value was 9.1% in 2023.
- How does Jamaica rank for unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24)?
- Jamaica ranks 114th out of 160 countries with data for 2023.
- Is unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) rising or falling in Jamaica?
- Over the last ten years it is down 67.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Jamaica data come from?
- The figures come from Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as part of Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) (national estimate). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Youth unemployment refers to the share of the labor force ages 15-24 without work but available for and seeking employment. Definitions of labor force and unemployment differ by country.