Statistical Institute of Jamaica
Press Brief
The Labour Force in October

January 28, 2008

In October 2007 there were 1,268,800 persons in the Labour Force comprising 699,900 males and 568,900 females. There were 1,149,000 employed persons of which, 661,600 were males and 487,400 females. The employment rates for October 2007 were 90.6 per cent for both sexes; 94.5 per cent for males and 85.7 per cent for females. The unemployment rates were 9.4 per cent for both sexes, 5.5 per cent for males and 14.3 per cent for females.The Labour Force increased by 19,700 persons (1.6%) between October 2006 and October 2007; there was an 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 increased by 19,500 persons or 1.7 per cent in October 2007, when compared with October 2006. Males were the main contributors to this increase as employed males grew by 11,800 while employed females increased by 7,700 during the period. This increase was influenced by the increased activity among males employed in 'Financing, Insurance, Real Estate & Business Services' which increase by 8,300 and 'Community, Social & Personal Services' which increased by 6,200. There were declines among males employed in 'Manufacturing', which over the same period fell by 6,100. Employment among youths (14 - 24 years) increased by 3,600 (2.2%) between October 2006 and October 2007 moving from 160,100 to 163,700. Young males accounted for all of this increase as employment of young females 14 - 19 years declined by 200. Employment in the age group 25 - 34 years increased by 2,600 or 0.8 per cent over the same period.

The unemployment rate in October 2007 was 9.4 per cent, a decrease from 9.6 per cent in October 2006. During the period January 2006 to October 2007, the unemployment rate was lowest in July 2006 (8.9%) and highest in January 2006 at 12.1 per cent. During the period October 2006 to October 2007, the number of persons outside the labour force decreased by 9,900 or 1.4 per cent. In October 2007, the age group with the largest number of persons outside the labour force was '14 - 19 years', with 267,000 persons (39.2%), followed by '65 years and over' with 149,700 persons (22.0%). Both age groups, combined, accounted for 61.2 per cent of the persons outside the labour force. In October 2007, 62.9 per cent of the persons outside the labour force were females and 37.1 per cent were males.

The labour Force Bulletin for October 2007 provides detailed information on the labour force and is available at our distribution centre located @ 7 Cecelio Avenue Kingston 10.