Unemployment jumps to 15.4%

Jamaica’s unemployment rate, which has been on the increase since 2008, jumped to 15.4% for July 2013 compared to 13.1% in July 2012 as more workers came into the workforce. For the same period, the unemployment rate for males was 11.7% compared to 19.9% for females. The Employed Labour Force for July 2013 was 1,108,100, which was 3,100 less than the 1,111,200 recorded in July 2012 but was slightly above the numbers recorded in March this year. For males, it decreased marginally by 600 (0.1%) to 632,100 and for females by 2,500 (0.5%) to 476,000 for the period.

In March this year, the number of employed persons was 1,107,400 compared to 1,098,700 recorded in March 2012 and 1,093,200 in December last year.

The number of unemployed persons in July 2013 was 201,600. This was an increase of 34,200 (20.4%) when compared with 167,400 in July 2012. The number of unemployed males increased by 13,900 (19.9%) and the number of females by 20,300 (20.8%) for the same period.

The July 2013 Labour Force Survey, was conducted by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) and covered the week of June 23-29.

Labour Force | In July 2013, the number of persons in the Labour Force was 1,309,700, which was 31,200 (2.4%) higher than the 1,278,500 recorded in July 2012. The male labour force increased by 13,400 (1.9%) from 702,300 in July 2012 to 715,700 in July 2013, and the female labour force increased by 17,800 (3.1%) moving from 576,200 to 594,000 in the same period.

The Employment Rate for July 2013 was 84.6%, which was a 2.3 percentage point decline from the 86.9% in July 2012. The Employment Rate declined for both males and females over the period. For males, it declined by 1.8 percentage points, moving from 90.1% to 88.3%, and for females it declined by 2.9 percentage points, from 83% to 80.1% over the same period.

Outsiders | The number of persons who were classified as Outside the Labour Force in July 2013 was 768,000. This represents a decrease of 25,500 (3.2%) when compared to 793,500 in July 2012. In the same period, the number of males Outside the Labour Force declined by 10,400 (3.3%) moving from 314,400 to 304,000 and the females by 15,100 (3.2%) moving from 479,100 to 464,000 over the period.

Where they work | The Occupation group ‘Clerks’ had an  increase in employment of 5,600 (5.8%) persons, moving from 96,300 in July 2012 to 101,900 in July 2013. The group ‘Craft and Related Trade Workers’ had the largest decline for the period, moving from 149,600 to 141,800 in July 2013 resulting in a decline of 7,800 (5.2%) persons.

The largest increase in employment occurred in the industry group ‘Real Estate, Renting and Business Activities’ where the number of persons employed increased by 11,300 (19.3%). Similar increases were experienced in the group ‘Health and Social Work’ where it increased by 4,300 (14.3%) persons. During the same period, the industry group ‘Manufacturing’ declined by 8,700 (11.3%) persons followed by ‘Wholesale & Retail, Repair of Motor Vehicle & Equipment’ which declined by 5,200 (2.4%) persons.

Unemployment rates among youths aged 14-24 years was 38.3% for July 2013. This was an increase of 6.6 percentage points when compared with 31.7% in July 2012. The male unemployment rate for youths was 29.5% compared to 50.3% for females.