Statistical Institute of Jamaica
Press Brief
The Labour Force in July 2007 1

In July 2007 there were 1,256,600 persons in the Labour Force comprising 695,300 males and 560,700 females. There were 1,134,600 Employed persons of which 654,500 were males and 480,100 females. The employment rates for July 2007 were 90.3 per cent for both sexes; 94.1 per cent for males and 85.6 per cent for females. The unemployment rates were 9.7 per cent for both sexes, 5.9 per cent for males and 14.4 per cent for females. The Labour Force increased by 4,400 persons (0.4%) between July 2006 and July 2007, there was an associated increase of 9,800 persons (0.5%) in the working age population, ie. The population aged 14 years and over, during the same period.

Employment decreased by 5,000 persons or 0.4 per cent in July 2007, when compared with July 2006. Males were the main contributors to this decline as employed males fell 4,400 while employed females fell by 600 during the period. This declined was influenced by the reduced activity in the 'Construction & Installation' which saw employed males moving from 117,900 to 110,400 a 7,500 reduction or 6.4 per cent. This was offset somewhat by increased activity in 'Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing' which over the same period increased by 4,400 (2.7%). The occupation group, 'Craft and Related Trades Workers', which includes construction workers, experienced a decline in employed males of 10,100 or 6.1 percent between July 2006 and July 2007. On the other hand, the number of males employed as 'Skilled Agricultural & Fisheries Workers' increased by 3,800 (2.4%) for the same period.

Employment among youths (14 - 24 years) increased by 2,800 (1.7%) between July 2006 and July 2007 moving from 162,300 to 165,100. Females accounted for 2,000 of the newly employed youth. Employment in the age group 25 - 34 years decreased by 2,100 or 0.7 percent over the same period.The unemployment rate in July 2007 was 9.7 percent, an increase from 8.9 percent in July 2006. During the period July 2006 to July 2007, the unemployment rate was lowest in July 2006 and highest in January 2007 at 10.8 percent.

During the period July 2006 to July 2007, the number of persons outside the labour force increased by 5,400 or 0.8 percent. In July 2007, the age group with the largest number of persons outside the labour force was '14 - 19 years', with 269,500 persons (40.0%) followed by '65 years and over' with 149,100 persons (21.6%). Both age groups, combined, accounted for 61.6 percent of the persons outside the labour force. In July 2007, 63.0 per cent of the persons outside the labour force were females and 37.0 percent were males.

The Labour Force Bulletin for July 2007 Provides detailed information and is available at our distribution centre located at 7 Cecelio Avenue Kingston 10.